Saint Augustine - Popular Sod for Florida

St Augustine grass is a popular choice for Central Florida homes and commercial facilities with large parcels of land because it withstands high temperatures and makes for a lush, green lawn.

Coarse in texture and dark green in color, Saint Augustine is similar to bermuda grass and can survive in sunny, tropical areas; however, this type of grass is highly vulnerable to cooler temperatures. Because there are no seeds, St Augustine grass is typically planted as sprigs, plugs or sod.

When to Re-sod St. Augustine in Central Florida

If you're considering planting St Augustine grass, the best time to do so is during the spring or early months of summer. During the beginning growth stage, you should water your St. Augustine grass frequently throughout the day and in short periods.
A sod installer should inspect the sod carefully to guarantee the absence of visible weeds, insects, or stressed areas. The sod installation company should put the sod down as quickly as possible after delivery, but if there are delays, storing the sod in a cool, shady place until ready to plant is best. Sod life on pallets during summer is less than 48 hours. The area to be planted needs to be properly tilled and rakes smooth before the sod is even delivered. Fitting sod pieces together as tightly as possible, and filling cracks with cut up pieces of sod is important. The sod company should tamp or roll the sod to remove air pockets and ensure good soil contact so that it does not dry out during the initial growth phase.

When to Cut Your Grass
Begin mowing as soon as the sod has rooted and the grass will no longer "lift" when pulled on at the edges. Be sure to use a mower with a sharp blade. Remember not to mow when the grass is wet. If clippings are heavy enough to shade the grass, use a bag catch on the mower or rake and remove them. Otherwise, clippings should be left on the ground.

Be sure not to mow too closely. St Augustine grass can become weakened and prone to weeds when cut too short. If you live in an area where there is a drought or shortage of rainfall, avoid cutting the grass altogether, as this can add additional stress.

New grass will need about inches of water per week and established grass should receive one and one half inches per week. The most important thing is not to over water. Over watering new sod can make grass "lazy". If the surface of the land is always moist, the plants roots don't need to reach far down into the soil. The grass will let you know if it needs watering. It's simple, if it is dry water it.

Orlando Lawn Care and Maintenance

St. Augustine grass likes to be fed. If given the appropriate amount of fertilizer, this type of grass will produce an aesthetically pleasing appearance, as well as resist weed growth. For the grass to change green rapidly, professional lawn care companies use a fertilizer that's made up of fast-release nitrogen.
For more information about the leading residential and commercial sod supplier in Central Florida, contact Miller Enviro-Care.

As your sod replacement specialist, Miller Enviro-Care has over 30 years of combined experience in Pest Prevention, Termite Protection, Irrigation Systems, Sod Supply and Lawn Care Solutions. Based in Oviedo, we are in business to protect the health, food, property and quality of our environment for customers throughout the Orlando area including, but not limited to Winter Springs, Casselberry, Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Maitland, Lake Mary, Sanford, Apopka and Winter Park.

For a free estimate, call 407.359.8888 or visit http://millerenvirocare.com.

Winter Lawn Care Tips for Florida Residents

Winter lawn care tips are helpful to keep your lawn healthy through the entire winter season in the Orlando, Florida area.

In Central Florida, growth patterns for grass transition from summer growth to winter growth usually around the end of September and the beginning of October. Grass appears to stop growing during this time. Most home owners in the Orlando area notice the need for less frequent mowing. However, during this transitional time, while the green part of the grass isn't growing, the root system continues to grow.

During the fall, Orlando lawn care companies perform fall fertilization treatments to sustain the grass through the winter. Grass that has been well fertilized prior to cold snaps during winter months will have stored up significant food reserves and have produce health root systems enabling them to survive the changes in temperature.

During the winter months some grasses will turn brown and appear to die back. Some grass will die completely. Unfortunately this is an excellent time for weed to take over. Controlling weeds during the winter months is possible with a fall application of a pre-emergent weed control product. Fall applications of a pre-emergent weed control product will significantly reduce the number of weeds that develop during the fall and winter months. However, if a few weeds do develop in some areas, pulling them by hand is probably the best defense. But, if weeds become a significant problem for you, then a professional lawn and pest control expert can help you deal with the problem.

Central Florida residents should continue to water and mow their lawns during the fall and winter months, however, both of these activities can be cut back. Most lawns should be watered with three quarters of an inch of water every seven to ten days during this period. Be aware, with water restrictions in the Orlando area, most homeowners will only be able to water one day per week. In most instances, this will be sufficient water for your lawn to survive. As for mowing, a rule of thumb for the Orlando area is to mow the lawn every other week during winter months.

Fall and winter is when lawns recuperate. Properly maintaining them during the fall and winter will make them much more resilient to managing summer stresses next year. Remember that, regardless of your location, fall and winter is an excellent time to improve the overall health and heartiness of your lawn.

For more information about residential and commercial fall and winter lawn care tips, including weed control, contact Miller Enviro-Care.

Miller Enviro-Care has over 30 years of combined experience in Pest Prevention, Termite Protection, Irrigation Systems, Sod Supply and Lawn Care Solutions. Based in Oviedo, Miller Enviro-Care is in business to protect the health, food, property and quality of the environment for customers throughout the Orlando area including, but not limited to Winter Springs, Casselberry, Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Maitland, Lake Mary, Sanford, Apopka and Winter Park.

For a free estimate, call 407.359.8888 or visit http://millerenvirocare.com.

What Are Chinch Bugs?

Chinch bugs are a complex of three different species within the Lygaeidae family. Mature chinch bugs are approximately one-fifth of an inch long. They are black with white wings folded over their backs. When temperatures reach 70 degrees, the insect mates. Laying eggs over a two to three week period, the female can lay as many as 500 eggs on the roots, stems, leaves, leaf sheaths or crevices and protected areas of the grass.

Young chinch bugs, called nymphs, are yellow upon hatching and will mature in four to six weeks. At maturity, they turn red and have a light colored band across their abdomens. With each molt, nymphs more closely resemble the adults. There are 2 to 4 generations per year.

Chinch bugs cause serious damage in the thick turf of lawns and golf courses in Orlando and the surrounding cities. Their piercing-sucking mouthparts allow them to will feed by inserting their slender beak into the grass. As the chinch bug sucks the plant juices, it releases a toxin that causes yellowish to brownish patches in turf. In many cases, dying or dead areas of a lawn can signal the presence of this pest. Proper pest control can help avoid infestations.

If you have chinch bugs, contact Miller Enviro-Care. With decades of experience in controlling and preventing lawn pests in the Central Florida area, Miller Enviro-Care will maintain a regular pest control schedule to prevent pest damage and expensive sod replacement costs.

Miller Enviro-Care has over 30 years of combined experience in Pest Prevention, Termite Protection, Irrigation Systems, Sod Supply and Lawn Care Solutions. Based in Oviedo, we are in business to protect the health, food, property and quality of our environment for customers throughout the Orlando area including, but not limited to Winter Springs, Casselberry, Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Maitland, Lake Mary, Sanford, Apopka and Winter Park.

Understanding Irrigation System Equipment

Understanding how your Orlando lawn sprinkler system works can give you a more secure feeling that your sod and plants will be properly watered. Miller Enviro-Care, an Oviedo based lawn care solutions company, can help educate you on your sprinkler system, install a new irrigation system and repair sprinkler problems.

The Irrigation System Controller.

An irrigation system controller is a timer that manages the operation of your sprinkler system. It can be programmed to turn different zones on and off at set times and days of the week.

Taking the time to read your irrigation system controller's manual or to have a professional irrigation system technician explain the basics of the system can help avoid unnecessary troubles. Doing so can also give you peace of mind knowing you'll be able to make small adjustments such as how to program start and stop times, control zones, turn the system on and off and what to expect in general.

Knowing the basics can help you avoid an emergency situation, for example - should you need to switch the power off to the controller in the event that the sprinklers will not shut off.

Although you should be confident in operating your irrigation system, be sure to remember that your irrigation controllers require high voltage to operate them, you should not have to remove any screws or take anything apart. If a malfunction of the controller is suspected, it should only be serviced by your irrigation professional.

Irrigation Sprinkler Heads.

If you already have a sprinkler system at your home or office, you may want to learn a little about the five common irrigation sprinkler heads.

Pop-ups are probably the most widely used irrigation head for residential and small commercial applications. They are designed to spray a continuous stream of water in one direction. These fixed spray heads are stationary and have no moving parts other than the pop-up stem in the center of the irrigation head making them inexpensive and simple to operate. They range in height from 2 inches to 20 inches.

Impact rotors can be recognized by the sound made by the swinging arm striking the body of the rotor. Reaching 20 to 150 feet and providing a single or multiple stream of water in an arc pattern, impact rotors are designed to cover larger areas than pop-up spray heads.

For small commercial lawns or residential yards of medium to large size, gear-driven rotors are probably the best choice. They are low in cost, quiet in operation and versatile, working better than pop-up spray heads in areas with slopes or clay because their lower precipitation rate increases infiltration into the soil. Gear-driver rotors typically require less maintenance because the enclosed body design prevents clogging of the drive mechanism from dirt and other debris.
For larger commercial properties, golf courses and parks large turf rotors with operating pressures from 50 to 100 psi allow them to cover a radius of up to 100ft, pushing out as much as 80 gallons of water per minute.

Valve Solenoids.

Valve Solenoids are electromagnetic devices that make irrigation system valves open and close - or more simply put, they turn the water on and off by zone. They are controlled by the irrigation system controller which sends an electrical impulse to the valve via a lead wire. While it's normal to hear the solenoid buzz softly when it's turned on, or a click when turned off, it is not normal to hear a loud buzzing sound. Should a zone not turn on and off properly or if you hear a loud buzzing noise, be sure to contact Miller Enviro-Care for servicing.

Miller Enviro-Care provides sprinkler installation and repair services for the entire Central Florida area, as well as education about your irrigation system.

Miller Enviro-Care has over 30 years of combined experience in Pest Prevention, Termite Protection, Irrigation Systems, Sod Supply and Lawn Care Solutions. Based in Oviedo, we are in business to protect the health, food, property and quality of our environment for customers throughout the Orlando area including, but not limited to Winter Springs, Casselberry, Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Maitland, Lake Mary, Sanford, Apopka and Winter Park.

Saint Augustine - Popular Sod for Florida

St Augustine grass is a popular choice for Central Florida homes and commercial facilities with large parcels of land because it withstands high temperatures and makes for a lush, green lawn.

Coarse in texture and dark green in color, Saint Augustine is similar to bermuda grass and can survive in sunny, tropical areas; however, this type of grass is highly vulnerable to cooler temperatures. Because there are no seeds, St Augustine grass is typically planted as sprigs, plugs or sod.

When to Re-sod St. Augustine in Central Florida
If you're considering planting St Augustine grass, the best time to do so is during the spring or early months of summer. During the beginning growth stage, you should water your St. Augustine grass frequently throughout the day and in short periods.

A sod installer should inspect the sod carefully to guarantee the absence of visible weeds, insects, or stressed areas. The sod installation company should put the sod down as quickly as possible after delivery, but if there are delays, storing the sod in a cool, shady place until ready to plant is best. Sod life on pallets during summer is less than 48 hours. The area to be planted needs to be properly tilled and rakes smooth before the sod is even delivered. Fitting sod pieces together as tightly as possible, and filling cracks with cut up pieces of sod is important. The sod company should tamp or roll the sod to remove air pockets and ensure good soil contact so that it does not dry out during the initial growth phase.

When to Cut Your Grass

Begin mowing as soon as the sod has rooted and the grass will no longer "lift" when pulled on at the edges. Be sure to use a mower with a sharp blade. Remember not to mow when the grass is wet. If clippings are heavy enough to shade the grass, use a bag catch on the mower or rake and remove them. Otherwise, clippings should be left on the ground.

Be sure not to mow too closely. St Augustine grass can become weakened and prone to weeds when cut too short. If you live in an area where there is a drought or shortage of rainfall, avoid cutting the grass altogether, as this can add additional stress.

New grass will need about inches of water per week and established grass should receive one and one half inches per week. The most important thing is not to over water. Over watering new sod can make grass "lazy". If the surface of the land is always moist, the plants roots don't need to reach far down into the soil. The grass will let you know if it needs watering. It's simple, if it is dry water it.

Orlando Lawn Care and Maintenance

St. Augustine grass likes to be fed. If given the appropriate amount of fertilizer, this type of grass will produce an aesthetically pleasing appearance, as well as resist weed growth. For the grass to change green rapidly, professional lawn care companies use a fertilizer that's made up of fast-release nitrogen.

For more information about the leading residential and commercial sod supplier in Central Florida, contact Miller Enviro-Care.

As your sod replacement specialist, Miller Enviro-Care has over 30 years of combined experience in Pest Prevention, Termite Protection, Irrigation Systems, Sod Supply and Lawn Care Solutions. Based in Oviedo, we are in business to protect the health, food, property and quality of our environment for customers throughout the Orlando area including, but not limited to Winter Springs, Casselberry, Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Maitland, Lake Mary, Sanford, Apopka and Winter Park.

For a free estimate, call 407.359.8888 or visit http://millerenvirocare.com.

Soil Testing in the Orlando Area

Soil testing plays an important part in turf and landscape problem solving.

As the primary source of food, fiber and major interface with the environment, soil is the reservoir on which most life on earth depends. As part of modern turf and landscape management practices, soil tests are conducted to analyze soil composition to determine nutrient and contaminant content and other characteristics such as acidity or pH level. Soil tests are usually performed to measure the expected growth potential of a soil. Any deficiencies that need to be remedied and the potential toxicities from excessive fertility and inhibitions can be detected in soil sampling.

When conducting a soil test, elements such as phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, sulfur, manganese, copper and zinc are chemically removed from the soil and measured for their "plant available" content within the sample. The quantity of available nutrients in the sample determines the amount of fertilizer that is recommended. A soil test also measures soil pH, humic matter and exchangeable acidity. These analyses indicate whether lime is needed and, if so, how much to apply.

Soil characteristics can vary significantly from one spot to another, even in a small garden or home owners lawn. Taking samples from several different areas is crucial to get the most accurate measurement of the nutrients and other organisms. An example of this is along gravel roads where the soil could have more lime from the dust from the roads settling down in the soil, or an old cow pasture where phosphorus and nitrogen counts could be higher than the rest of the property.

Sample depth is also a factor for various nutrients, and other soil components vary during the year, so sample timing may also affect results. Usually the best time when soil tests can be done is spring. Mixing soil from several locations to create an overall average, or composite sample is a common procedure.

Proactive soil testing is being used in the Central Florida area to maintain healthier lawns. While many people think about lawn care as mowing, trimming and using soil additives to enhance the condition of your grass, many don't think about soil pH. As an important factor as well, soil pH can be affected by a number of things. If care isn't used, incorrect pH values can kill off plants and grasses. It is important to check the pH of a lawn every year in order to design an appropriate watering and fertilization regiment.

Many are finding that soil analysis services are an integral part of a solid turf management plan. Soil science has provided Orlando area residents and businesses with an understanding of the physical, chemical and biological properties and processes essential to the ecosystem integrity. This understanding is important to enhancing the heath of the lawn and the ecosystem.

Let Miller Enviro-Care plan a Lawn Care Program for you based on an analysis of your soil. When it comes to your lawn, we care! Start your protection today. Call our offices at 407-359-8888 to schedule a free evaluation/estimate.

Miller Enviro-Care has over 30 years of combined experience in Pest Prevention, Termite Protection, Irrigation Systems, Sod Supply and Lawn Care Solutions. Based in Oviedo, we are in business to protect the health, food, property and quality of our environment for customers throughout the Orlando area including, but not limited to Winter Springs, Casselberry, Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Maitland, Lake Mary, Sanford, Apopka and Winter Park.

Proper Pest Control and Fertilization of Shrubs in Florida

Finding a professional pest and lawn care company in Central Florida with a proven approach to shrub care is key to maintaining an elegant looking yard.

Knowing how, when and what kind of shrub fertilizer products to use on ornamental trees, plants, palms and shrubs can be harrowing task for some homeowners. Hiring a pest control and shrub service company to manage your pest problems and keep your shrubs happy and healthy is a simple solution.

Look for a shrub care service that includes six regularly scheduled visits per year. During those visits granular and/or liquid fertilizer should be applied each time. A good shrub service company that services the Orlando area should know how to properly control fungus and shrub diseases that are common in the area. The best company will even know how to detect the uncommon ones too. The leading pest and shrub service will also perform liquid systemic insect applications for long term protection and include all the essential minor elements for color enhancement. A responsible shrub care service will also offer additional treatments as needed for no additional charge. Also look for a company that can provide preventative and curative applications for bush and shrub insect control including such problems as scale, thrips, white flies, aphids and more.

Diseases of certain shrubs can reek havoc on your ornamental plants and shrubs. The home shrub care professionals at Miller Enviro-Care will design a program based specifically on the needs of the particular landscape. Cookie cutter fertilizing and treatment programs just won't work long term. So, if a shrub care company tries to sell you the same program as your neighbor, start asking questions. Everyone's yard is different. A detailed inspection upfront can make sure your shrubs have the correct balance of nutrients they need to thrive. This enables your shrub care provider to give you a customized home shrub care regimen that, along with proper watering practices on your part, can help produce optimal results and ultimately a healthier, greener landscape.

Maintaining an elegant looking yard and landscape is harder than it sounds, especially when you try to tackle it on your own. Flowers and plants living in the forest get rich nutrients from natural compost, but when it comes to manicured lawns and flower beds, knowing how, when, and what kind of shrub fertilizer products to use on your ornamental plants, trees, palms, and shrubs can be confusing.

A proven shrub care service, such as Miller Enviro-Care can provide home owners with a proper program to treat ornamentals and shrubs with specific fertilizer applications along with timely disease and insect applications. Their custom blended slow-release granular shrub fertilization will have your shrubs flourishing.

As shrub care experts and Orlando's premier pest control and shrub care company, Miller Enviro-Care is looking forward to the opportunity to provide you with quality ornamental plant and local shrub care services.

Miller Enviro-Care has over 30 years of combined experience in Pest Prevention, Termite Protection, Irrigation Systems, Sod Supply and Lawn Care Solutions. Based in Oviedo, we are in business to protect the health, food, property and quality of our environment for customers throughout the Orlando area including, but not limited to Winter Springs, Casselberry, Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Maitland, Lake Mary, Sanford, Apopka and Winter Park. For more information, visit http://millerenvirocare.com or call 407-359-8888

Orlando Termite Prevention

Termites can damage your Central Florida home. They can go undetected for years and create small holes into your walls and even your furniture. Their fecal pellets cause an odor that does not go away after being cleansed. They leave discoloration and blisters in hardwood floors and your paints. Before you know it, the infestation is widespread and you may need to replace your floors and walls completely.

Along with having a regular termite company treat your home, throughout the Orlando area including, Winter Springs, Casselberry, Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Maitland, Lake Mary, Sanford, Apopka and Winter Park, there are a few things you can do for termite prevention:

• Keep your home and yard free from anything that might attract termites will certainly help.
• Remove any rubbish, debris and timber lying around.
• Don't store firewood or have any timber, dead branches and building materials lying directly on the ground around your yard.
• Keep gardens tidy by removing any thick overgrown plants from around your home. Thick vegetation creates areas of intense moisture which attracts termites. 
• Any building done around your home such as retaining walls, decks, pergolas, garden beds, fences, in fact any timber structures must be built using treated timber.
• If your house is built on a concrete slab then make sure the edge of the slab is visible at all times as well as the weep holes.
• Termites need water and moisture attracts them. Any leaking taps, pipes or water that pools up around your home are all invites to the termites.
• Look out for any cracks or holes around the foundation of your home and seal them. An entry point as thick as a piece of paper is all the termites need to gain entry.

Finally, the best preventative thing all homeowners can do is to get your home inspected for termites annually. It is better to have the peace of mind with an annual check. It's a lot cheaper to have regular inspections than to discover a damaging infestation and not only have to have a complete treatment but have to rebuild and repair any damage. Termites have the ability to completely destroy houses resulting in a total rebuild.

The good news is that there is a pest control company that specialized in termite extermination. They are able to tell whether your house is infested by termites and know how to treat infested areas.

For more information about residential and commercial pest control, including termite control, contact Miller Enviro-Care.

Miller Enviro-Care has over 30 years of combined experience in Pest Prevention, Termite Protection, Irrigation Systems, Sod Supply and Lawn Care Solutions. Based in Oviedo, we are in business to protect the health, food, property and quality of our environment for customers throughout the Orlando area including, but not limited to Winter Springs, Casselberry, Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Maitland, Lake Mary, Sanford, Apopka and Winter Park.

For a free estimate, call 407.359.8888 or visit http://millerenvirocare.com.

Miller Enviro-Care Offers New In the Wall Pest Prevention Service

Pest control company to offer central pest system for new home construction

Miller Enviro-Care, Central Florida's leading pest protection and lawn care solutions company, recently announced their latest preventative pest service, the new In the Wall Pest Prevention System.

In the Wall Pest Prevention System treats household pests where they travel. The tubing is a like a central pest system of tubing lines that is installed in walls as the home is being built and connected to external service ports on the exterior of the home or business. From the external service ports, Miller Enviro-Care technicians introduce pest control products in the pest tubes that delivers the product evenly throughout the wall voids. The outside of the structure is then treated to stop pests from entering through windows, doors, and eaves.

This new pest system has many clear advantages including:

1.  Safety - Products are kept within the walls and do not make contact with the homeowners' family and pets. 
2.  Clean - Chemicals are not being sprayed on the homeowners' baseboards and in and around their carpeting. 
3.  Economical - Chemicals can last up to six times longer since they are not subject to UV light which tends to break down the material. 
4.  Effective - It works because it kills pests where they can harborage, breed and travel. 
5.  Convenient - All of the tubing is run to the outside of the home where an exterior terminal box is placed to provide easy access by a licensed service technician. This allows for customers to go about their daily routine and not be inconvenienced trying to set appointments.
6.  Free of Charge - Additional inside treatment of the home on an as-needed basis is FREE.
7.  No Risk. EPA approved pre-measured amounts of products are injected inside the walls using the in the Wall Pest Prevention System, allowing occupation of the structure even during treatment without risk to children, adults or pets

To finish a homeowners pest prevention plan, Miller Enviro-Care's licensed technicians will also utilize cutting edge pest control materials to treat the outside of the home, which also includes around windows, doors and under eaves. The company also sweeps down all windows and doors for spider webs and debris.

Miller Enviro-Care has over 30 years of combined experience in Pest Prevention, Termite Protection, Irrigation Systems, Sod Supply and Lawn Care Solutions. Based in Oviedo, Miller Enviro-Care is in business to protect the health, food, property and quality of the environment for customers throughout the Orlando area including, but not limited to Winter Springs, Casselberry, Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Maitland, Lake Mary, Sanford, Apopka and Winter Park. For a free estimate or to learn more about the new In the Wall Pest Prevention Service, call (407) 359-8888.

Orlando Fall Lawncare Tips

Now that Orlando temperatures are finally starting to drop, fall lawn care is on the minds of many homeowners and commercial facilities. While most lawn types grow pretty well at this time of the year, only the Bahia grass start to go dormant and make limited growth.

Fall Lawn Fertilizer & Watering

St. Augustine, Zoysia, and Bermuda grasses are sending out new shoots, so now is the time to give your lawn a little extra care. Check for dry spots and give them a little extra water. Also, a late fall feeding with a winterizer type fertilizer can help as well. However, too much fertilizer can make grass more susceptible to diseases and brown during the cold months.

Miller Enviro-Care's late fall fertilizer promotes root growth important which is important for the grass to survive the winter and green-up early in the spring. Pre-emergent's are also used to control fall weed problems.

Fall fertilization can lead to:

• Healthier grass not competing for nutrients
•  A strong root system to survive the winter
•  Green grass in the early spring.

Be sure to talk to your pest control and landscape experts at Miller Enviro-Care about the specific fall needs for your grass and shrubs. Our technicians will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Winter Ryegrass

By overseeding with annual winter ryegrass, homeowners can enjoy a green carpet during the winter, instead of having to look at a brown lawn. But when you buy the seed, be sure to ask for the annual, not the perennial. Annual winter ryegrass will die back when summer's heat returns, turning over the lawn once again to the warm season grasses. The problem with the perennial winter ryegrass is that it doesn't go away, competing with your warm season grasses for sunlight, water and nutrients.

The 2011-2012 winter months are predicted to be mild this year. While many Central Florida residents overseed with ryegrass to maintain a green lawn, this year it may not be necessary. Many lawns may not turn brown during this winter, so we recommend waiting to see if the cold turns the lawn brown and then make that decision. However, if your lawn has bare spots and don’t plan to fill them in until spring, ryegrass might be a good choice.

Miller Enviro-Care has over 30 years of combined experience in Pest Prevention, Termite Protection and Lawn Care Solutions. We are in business to protect the health, food, property and quality of our environment for customers throughout the Orlando area.

Installing Sod in Central Florida

Installing sod, home owners bring beauty to their neighborhood and raise property values. It doesn't take long at all to lay fresh sod, especially with the help of a professional sod installation company. The quick transformation is worth the cost of sod installation. Plus, the grass will take root within a month with regular watering, maintenance and pest control.

Before you install new sod, and in order to keep the new lawn healthy, it's important to know why the previous grass died. There are a number of conditions that can wreak havoc on a lawn. Perhaps the grass was a variety that likes full sun and simply was exposed to too much shade because of the large tree in the yard. Soil pH can be an issue as well, and irrigation problems can cause grass to wither and die, especially here in Central Florida.

Without the knowledge of how to choose the right grass, ensure irrigation systems are working properly, learn if pH levels are within acceptable limits and keep pests at bay, homeowners can easily spend money on a lawn that simply will not survive. By consulting with a professional sod installation company and learning more about the different grass varieties and their unique benefits, a homeowner can make a wise investment in landscaping that will help beautify their property for years to come.

One of the biggest mistakes people make is not adequately preparing their soil for new sod. If you're looking to install sod, definitely ask your sod installation company to test your soil conditions and to determine what type of sod is best for your landscape conditions. They can also let you know if your pH levels need to be chemically adjusted.

Once your new sod has been installed, you should avoid walking on the lawn until the sod has rooted well to the soil beneath it. This often takes as long as two to three weeks. You can check by very gently lifting up on the grass. If the sod layer doesn’t raise up, then it is rooting and most likely in good health.

To keep your lawn healthy, in addition to establishing regular pest control, be sure to establish a regular watering schedule as well. But, beware, in the Orlando area there are water restrictions, so be sure to contact your water company or county to learn what days and how often you can water your lawn.

As one of the most sought after additions to any home, a nice lawn allows people to get outside and enjoy their yards, and brag to their neighbors. Learn more about sod installation and pest prevention for your lawn from Miller Enviro-Care.

Miller Enviro-Care has over 30 years of combined experience in Pest Prevention, Termite Protection, Irrigation Systems, Sod Installation and Lawn Care Solutions. Based in Oviedo, Miller Enviro-Care is in business to protect the health, food, property and quality of the environment for customers throughout the Orlando area including, but not limited to Winter Springs, Casselberry, Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Maitland, Lake Mary, Sanford, Apopka and Winter Park. For a free estimate, call (407) 359-8888 or visit http://millerenvirocare.com.

How Do Chinch Bugs Damage Grass?

Chinch bugs are a complex of three different species within the Lygaeidae family. Mature chinch bugs are approximately one-fifth of an inch long. They are black with white wings folded over their backs. When temperatures reach 70 degrees, the insect mates. Laying eggs over a two to three week period, the female can lay as many as 500 eggs on the roots, stems, leaves, leaf sheaths or crevices and protected areas of the grass.

Young chinch bugs, called nymphs, are yellow upon hatching and will mature in four to six weeks. At maturity, they turn red and have a light colored band across their abdomens. With each molt, nymphs more closely resemble the adults. There are 2 to 4 generations per year.

Chinch bugs cause serious damage in the thick turf of lawns and golf courses in Orlando and the surrounding cities. Their piercing-sucking mouthparts allow them to will feed by inserting their slender beak into the grass. As the chinch bug sucks the plant juices, it releases a toxin that causes yellowish to brownish patches in turf. In many cases, dying or dead areas of a lawn can signal the presence of this pest. Proper pest control can help avoid infestations.

Chinch bugs have piercing-sucking mouthparts and will feed by inserting their slender beak into the grass. As the chinch bug sucks the plant juices, it releases a toxin that causes yellowish to brownish patches in turf. Typical injury appears as spreading patches of brown, dead grass.

This pest is a sunshine-loving insect and seldom attacks grass in a dense shady area. Discolored areas caused by chinch bug feeding that are in open sunlight several hours daily may be "hot spots" for chinch bug damage. Most homeowners will first notice dead patches of grass along a driveway, curb, sidewalk or foundation of the home, due to the heat emitted from such objects.

To detect chinch bugs, examine the grass at the edge of any damaged area, avoiding the areas that are have completely dead grass. Separate the grass gently with your fingers and look near the surface of the soil in the thatch. Because chinch bugs are usually very active in the summer, you would be able to see them moving around, especially on warm summer days.

If you discover you have a chinch bug problem, the best solution is to hire a professional pest control company to control lawn pests. Miller Enviro-Care can help Orlando residents and businesses prevent future chinch bug infestations and eliminate any current pest problems quickly and easily.

Miller Enviro-Care has over 30 years of combined experience in Pest Prevention, Termite Protection, Irrigation Systems, Sod Supply and Lawn Care Solutions. Based in Oviedo, we are in business to protect the health, food, property and quality of our environment for customers throughout the Orlando area including, but not limited to Winter Springs, Casselberry, Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Maitland, Lake Mary, Sanford, Apopka and Winter Park.

How Can You Eliminate Chinch Bugs?

Chinch bugs can be very damaging to lawns in Central Florida. Many home and business owners will first notice dead patches of grass along a driveway, curb, sidewalk or foundation of the building, due to the heat emitted from these objects.

Infestations usually occur where many homes and businesses have St. Augustine grass. Because chinch bugs can fly, it's difficult to keep an area free of chinch bugs if neighbors are not practicing proper pest control.

Here are some tips to help control or eliminate chinch bugs:

1) Thatch removal is important for eliminating conditions favorable for chinch bug survival.

2) Lawns which receive adequate amounts of water throughout the summer are able to tolerate relatively high populations of chinch bugs without sustaining damage. Maintaining adequate moisture will increase the tolerance of turf to feeding damage and will promote beneficial fungi that attack chinch bugs.

3) Mow higher to reduce water stress. Mow at 3 to 3.5 inches height or at the highest setting possible on the lawn mower and never mow more than one-third of the grass off at any one time. It's better to mow high and frequently than to mow short and sporadically.
4) Plant shade vegetation and/or replace the most drought stressed areas with a garden bed or shrub and/or add topsoil or renovate soil in thin soil areas where you want to retain grass.

5) Hire a professional pest control company. Miller Enviro-Care can manage chinch bug populations after major damage has occurred and prevent chinch bug infestations by applying insecticide applications April to mid-May. Providing your lawn with regular pest control will control the subsequent generations from reaching maturity during the summer.

Miller Enviro-Care has over 30 years of combined experience in Pest Prevention, Termite Protection, Irrigation Systems, Sod Supply and Lawn Care Solutions. Based in Oviedo, we are in business to protect the health, food, property and quality of our environment for customers throughout the Orlando area including, but not limited to Winter Springs, Casselberry, Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Maitland, Lake Mary, Sanford, Apopka and Winter Park.

Grub Worms in Orlando

Grub worms can be a serious lawn pest for Central Florida residents and commercial properties. These destructive pests can do incredible damage to your turf if left untreated. Eating the roots of your grass, the most recognizable sign of infestation are brown patches in your lawn.

Grubs are a root-feeding headache for homeowners and lawn maintenance managers. Preventative products and years of experience eliminating grubs, have given Miller Enviro-Pest customers an advantage against these vicious pests.

Grubs are white with a red head and a dark rear-end. They are C-shaped and usually about the size of the tip of your thumb. Grubs are the larval stage of beetles, including the Japanese beetle, European chafer, masked chafer, Oriental beetle, green June beetle and the Asiatic garden beetle. Most active between June and mid-August, grubs have a one year life cycle.

The beetles lay their eggs 1 to 2 inches deep in the soil and the eggs hatch in 2 to 4 weeks. The young grubs begin feeding on grass roots immediately. They grow to full size within 3 to 4 weeks. This is their most damaging time to the turf. The grubs move deep in the soil for hibernation just before winter arrives. They come back to the root zone and start eating again in the spring. From there, they transform into pupae and a few weeks later emerge as adult beetles.

How to Tell if Your Grass Has Grub Worms
Their most visible damage can be seen in the late summer months when the turf is most stressed. The turf rolls back like carpet. This is because there are no roots left to anchor the turf. For this reason, there is no way for the turf to extract water. The turf will yellow and die quickly.

Plants affected by grub feeding may suddenly wilt. Grubs can kill small plants and gnaw cavities in root vegetables.

Not only can these pests damage the lawn, but their presence also invites unwelcome wildlife that feed on lawn grubs – digging up patches of grass in search for them. Skunks, raccoons, armadillos, opossums, moles, ibis and other birds will be attracted to heavy infestations.

To check a lawn before damage is visible, cut a square foot block out of the lawn. It needs to be at least 4" deep. Remember that it takes 4 to 7 per square foot to cause damage. If only 1 or 2 can be found, there is no need for panic or treatment.

How to Get Rid of Grubs
If you have discovered grubs in your turf and live in the Orlando Florida area, Miller Enviro-Care knows how to time treatment applications accurately. The best time for treating grub worms is in late summer or early fall while the grub worms are still small and close to the surface.

Miller Enviro-Care will help you avoid poor treatment planning which can mean your lawn still stands a chance of a grub infestation and possible turf loss. Additionally, Miller Enviro-Care uses a preventative grub control product which will eliminate any timing issues and other associated problems. Such preventative protection is much cheaper than replacing the turf.

During the treatment, our pest control expert will give you any specific instructions regarding the watering of your lawn; however, in most cases you'll want to keep your lawn lightly watered to help offset the root damage caused by grub worms.

Additionally, you can help ward off grubs by attracting worm-eating birds like robins and other song birds to your lawn. They are typically fond of eating grubs for breakfast.

Miller Enviro-Care has over 30 years of combined experience in Pest Prevention, Termite Protection, Irrigation Systems, Sod Supply and Lawn Care Solutions. Based in Oviedo, we are in business to protect the health, food, property and quality of our environment for customers throughout the Orlando area including, but not limited to Winter Springs, Casselberry, Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Maitland, Lake Mary, Sanford, Apopka and Winter Park.

Damage from Subterranean Termites in Florida

In the Orlando area, proactive termite and pest control is a good idea to avoid the headaches and costs from damage inflicted by subterranean termites.

Subterranean termites are termites who nest within soil. Although termites have several modes of nesting, soil nesting is the most common for many species. The other modes of nesting are arboreal nesting, mound nesting, and wood nesting.

Soil nesting has many advantages for termites, and some species have been very adaptable in cohabiting with humans in human modified environments, like in urban and semi urban areas. This adaptability has put them in conflict with humans.

Subterranean termites have an ability to thrive in urban areas while consuming almost all types of wood. Developing into huge colonies, they have an edge over other species due to a lack of competition. Through underground tunnels that radiate out in all directions, the termites forage for sources of wood. In semi urban areas, other types of subterranean termites may move in to infest buildings, especially those in disrepair without regular termite and pest control and those buildings that are poorly maintained.

A common trait of subterranean termites is their habit of building shelter tubes when they have to venture over exposed areas. These “mud tubes” are noticeable in heavy infestations. They allow the termites to cross exposed surfaces without getting seen, as well as protect them from dehydration.

Many subterranean termites are pale or whitish in color. Their underground habits mean that many species have evolved a pale color, often leading people to refer to them as “white ants.” Probably the most well known subterranean termite is the Formosan Subterranean Termite . This species has gained an unenviable reputation in many countries due to its migration.

Frequently Damaged Parts of a Building
Generally, if a building is attacked by subterranean termites, the most frequently damaged parts include parts like door and window frames, wooden skirts, wooden floors, and wall paneling. Wooden furnishings like cabinets and cupboards that are located close to, or touching a wall are also among the list of frequently damaged items. In heavy infestations, subterranean termites can and will attack wooden roofing, as well as paper and books, cardboard stacks and boxes. Termites have even been known to sometimes bite through wiring in the wall.

How Do Subterranean Termites Get Into a Building?
There are some areas of a house or building where subterranean termites frequently use to gain entry; these are for example:

• Along electrical conduits built into the wall
•  Along water pipes, especially those built into walls
•  Bases of doorframes
•  Stairways
•  Crevices and gaps in wall and foundation masonry

Termites cause more damage to Central Florida homes than fire and storms. Yet, most homeowner's policies won't cover termite damage. To put your mind at ease, protect your home with a proactive termite protection plan implemented by a professional pest control company that serves the entire Orlando area.

Miller Enviro-Care has over 30 years of combined experience in Pest Prevention, Termite Protection, Irrigation Systems, Sod Supply and Lawn Care Solutions. Based in Oviedo, we are in business to protect the health, food, property and quality of our environment for customers throughout the Orlando area including, but not limited to Winter Springs, Casselberry, Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Maitland, Lake Mary, Sanford, Apopka and Winter Park. For more information, visit http://millerenvirocare.com or call 407-359-8888

Controlling Chinch Bugs in Central Florida

Chinch bugs cause serious damage in the thick turf of lawns and golf courses. In many cases, dying or dead areas of a lawn can signal the presence of this pest. Proper pest control can help avoid infestations.

Chinch bugs can be very damaging to St. Augustine grass in the Orlando area. You may see them on grasses such as Zoysia, Bermuda, and Centipede, but infestations usually occur where high populations have built up on St. Augustine grass. Making things worse, because they can fly, it is also difficult to keep an area free of chinch bugs if they are emerging from neighboring lawns, golf courses or nearby farms.

How Do You Detect Chinch Bugs?
Examine the grass in the marginal areas of injured patches, not in the clearly dead grass. Spread the grass gently with your fingers and look in the thatch, near the soil surface. Chinch bugs are usually very active in the summer, so you will be able to see them scurrying around, especially on warm summer days.

An alternative method of detecting chinch bugs is to remove both ends of a large tin can, such as a coffee can. Soften the soil a little with water, and insert one end of the can into the ground at least 5 to 8 cm (2-3 inches) deep, leaving at least 10 cm (4 inches) of the can above the ground. Fill the can with water and wait about five minutes. If chinch bugs are present, they will float to the surface of the water, where you can count them. This test will also bring mole crickets to the surface.

It is very important to check areas where the yellowish spots and the green grass meet in several different locations. If you don't find any chinch bugs, or only one or two, check at least a half dozen sites to be sure there are few or no chinch bugs and therefore that the dying grass is associated with some other condition, e.g., drought stress alone, summer dormancy, other pests or diseases, dog urine patches, spilled mower gas.

If you are seeing definite aggregations of chinch bugs at the margins of damaged areas, then it's likely you do have a chinch bug problem.

Miller Enviro-Care can manage chinch bug populations after major damage has occurred and prevent chinch bug infestations by applying insecticide applications April to mid-May. Providing your lawn with regular pest control will control the subsequent generations from reaching maturity during the summer.

Miller Enviro-Care has over 30 years of combined experience in Pest Prevention, Termite Protection, Irrigation Systems, Sod Supply and Lawn Care Solutions. Based in Oviedo, we are in business to protect the health, food, property and quality of our environment for customers throughout the Orlando area including, but not limited to Winter Springs, Casselberry, Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Maitland, Lake Mary, Sanford, Apopka and Winter Park.

Controlling Ants in Central Florida

Hiring a local pest control company that services the Orlando area can help you rid your home or office of small nuisance ants.

Controlling the 100 or so species of small ants that invade and nest inside Central Florida homes and offices is a job for the pest control professionals. These nuisance ants include but are not limited to the grease ant, sugar ant, black ant, pavement ant, argentine ant, flying ant, odorous house ant, white footed ant, thief ant, acrobat ant, citronella ant, honey ant, and the pharaoh ant.

While sometimes an inexpensive spray purchased from a local do-it-yourself home center is all you need to remove these pesky critters, oftentimes the ants will return after just a few weeks. The problem is that you've only eliminated the small ants that were visible. Scent trails still remain. Other generations will trace those trails right back into your structure. Getting into their hiding places and knowing where, how and with what to treat for infestation is why it's a good idea to hire a professional pest control company. Their years of experience treating for and eliminating nuisance ants will save you time and money in the long run.

Oviedo based Miller Enviro-Care can help you eliminate pests like small ants from your home or office. They'll bait inside cupboards, closets, window sills, attics, crawl spaces and any other places necessary to control the ants. Control can take up to 14 days. Many home owners are concerned that the pest control sprays and baits will harm the environment or their pets; however, the residential and commercial products that Miller Enviro-Care utilizes to accomplish the task of ant control are very safe towards non-target organisms such as pets and birds.

Oftentimes, do-it-yourselfers have a perpetual cycle of spraying or baiting the ants only to have them return again. By baiting only the inside of your home or office, you're simply inviting more ants over to the party. Miller Enviro-Care also baits the outside of your house or office building, around the foundation and on the window sills. This ensures that the ants on the property have access to the bait.

After letting the bait stay undisturbed for one week, giving the worker ants time to pick up the bait and return it to the nest, outdoor spraying will be done. By also spraying the outside of your home or office one week after outside baiting, this prevents the ants from re-establishing their scent trails and re-colonizing in your building. Ants know all the hiding places, like around plumbing and fireplaces, Miller Enviro-Care knows them too. They also know it's important to insure the proper penetration through the mulch and leaf litter and that monthly perimeter sprays are necessary to ensure ants will not re-enter.

Miller Enviro-Care has over 30 years of combined experience in Pest Prevention, Termite Protection, Irrigation Systems, Sod Supply and Lawn Care Solutions. Based in Oviedo, we are in business to protect the health, food, property and quality of our environment for customers throughout the Orlando area including, but not limited to Winter Springs, Casselberry, Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Maitland, Lake Mary, Sanford, Apopka and Winter Park. For more information, visit http://millerenvirocare.com or call 407-359-8888

Central Florida Termite Control

The National Pest Management Association estimates that termites cause $5 billion in damage a year across the country. In Central Florida, the native subterranean usually swarms in February and March, during the day and usually after a rain. The Formosan subterranean, an invasive species referred to as a super termite, swarms on hot, humid evenings from April through May The drywood termite, which lives above ground and doesn't need moisture but is not as prevalent as the subterranean, swarms in the evenings in May and June.

The Florida Department of Agriculture, which oversees pest control operators, recommends that every home have a termite contract, preferably one with coverage that pays for any retreatments or repairs that may be required and covers subterranean and drywood termites.

Building codes throughout the Orlando area including, Winter Springs, Casselberry, Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Maitland, Lake Mary, Sanford, Apopka and Winter Park require that a home be treated before a slab is poured, either with chemicals in the ground or bait stations in the topsoil for subterranean termites, but it's up to the homeowner to extend that initial protection with something such as a termite contract.

When purchasing a previously owned home, the buyer should ask the seller for an active, assumable termite contract with a guarantee to keep the house termite-free or to re-treat and repair any damage. If such a contract isn't in force at the time of the sale, the buyer should require a termite inspection and some form of treatment, along with a new contract.

If you are unfortunate enough to have discovered termites then you have to get them treated. There are a few different methods in achieving this but by far the best is using a non-repellant chemical barrier. A non repellant barrier has the advantage of allowing the termites to move back and forth through the barrier as they can't detect it's there and pick up a lethal dose which will either kill them or be taken back and passed around the colony.

The one thing you should remember about termites is that they are resistant. Because of this, it's next to impossible for residential or commercial facilities to successfully control termites in the long run. If you do succeed in removing them from one spot they will appear somewhere else. As a colony they have invested too much time, sometimes years in establishing themselves and finding a massive food source (your home or office) to just retreat. They will find other ways into your house.
For more information about residential and commercial pest control, including termite control, contact Miller Enviro-Care.

Miller Enviro-Care has over 30 years of combined experience in Pest Prevention, Termite Protection, Irrigation Systems, Sod Supply and Lawn Care Solutions. Based in Oviedo, we are in business to protect the health, food, property and quality of our environment for customers throughout the Orlando area including, but not limited to Winter Springs, Casselberry, Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Maitland, Lake Mary, Sanford, Apopka and Winter Park.

For a free estimate, call 407.359.8888 or visit http://millerenvirocare.com.