Orlando Pest Control News

Fresh Healthy Sod cut daily! Delivered to your home & installed by a professional sod installer.

Why is Heron’s Sod the best? It’s all in the health of the soil & growing conditions of the sod before it ever reaches your lawn. Heron sod is grown in healthy soil that is high in nutrient concentration. The soil has been pretreated for fungus, insects, mold, has the proper PH & nutrient concentration. Quality growing conditions produce top quality sod right off the sod farm using muck a based process.

Heron’s sod is superior quality!

All Sod is NOT Created Equal! We see it time & time again where homeowner’s have bought sod only to see it die within weeks. Often times in these cases, the sod hasn’t had proper pretreatment or healthy growing conditions. We’ve seen numerous cases where the new sod is untreated and arrives to your home with brown patch fungus, pythium root rot & sod web worms. After the sod is laid, these damaging insects, fungus & diseases spread infecting the rest of your lawn. You may save some money on the front end by purchasing cheaper sod but lose thousands by having to replace your entire lawn. Be sure to ask how your sod has been treated prior to it arriving at your home.

What type of sod does Heron offer? The most common sod is St. Augustine including shade varieties & Floratam. We also have Zoysia and Bermuda. If you have a special request, we can typically meet your needs.

How does Heron’s sod cutting & delivery process yield thriving sod with best results? Heron is one of few companies that cut the sod at night, completely cover it & deliver the next morning. This ensures the least amount of time from when the sod is cut until being installed. This is key to keeping the sod fresh & moist so it’s in the healthiest condition upon arrival. After the sod is cut, it never sees sunlight before it’s laid in your lawn. This gives your sod the healthiest start & best opportunity to thrive.

It is common practice in the sod industry to cut sod in the mornings, load it on a truck & deliver the next day. This is not ideal because the sod has set in the sun often times for 24 hours or more to wilt, dehydrate all day long & endure immense stress. It’s difficult for distressed sod to take root & thrive.

Why is muck based sod more resilient than sand or loam based sod? Heron uses muck grown sod as opposed to sand or loam grown sod which is an unparallel difference in quality. Muck based sod refers to the type of soil the sod is grown in. Muck based soil holds water & nutrients better yielding the healthiest sod as opposed to sand or loam grown sod. Because sand is so porous, it lets both water & nutrients flow out. Sod grown in sand doesn’t maintain the proper hydration or nutrients. Muck based sod is grown in nutrient rich soil with a healthy organic makeup and tends to take root better when laid giving your sod the healthiest start & best results.

How is muck based sod more economical? Because muck based sod holds in water better than sand or loam based sod, it requires less watering costing you less to irrigate.

When do I water my sod? Before sod is even laid, soil should be moist. It is crucial that your new sod gets watered immediately after installation. Note there are no watering restrictions on newly laid sod. New sod should be watered at least twice a day receiving ¼ to ½” of water each time. For the best accuracy, set out cups & measure the amount of water hitting the sod to ensure your sod is receiving proper amount of water. This is critical and often overlooked. Improper watering can result in your sod deteriorating.

Why is a locate service prior to sod installation important? Heron arranges a locate service before installation. This ensures that we are aware of cable & internet lines running underground in your lawn. If you are using another sod company, request that they use a locate service because if they cut a line, the cost incurred for repairs typically falls on the homeowner.

Call today for your free lawn analysis & sod estimate!

Put away your shotguns & machetes, step out of the bomb shelter. This army is not wearing fatigues or carrying machine guns, they are however lethal when they launch an attack on your lawn.

What army is invading Florida you ask?  Army worms!

Many pests that attack turf grass are predictable like chinch bugs, mole crickets and crabgrass. We see these pests often and know what to expect. Other pests that are less predictable can be the biggest challenge. Army worms fall into this category.

Army worms get their name because they often travel in groups. They attack by chewing on the leaf blades of grass decimating large areas at a time. Their meals of preference are St. Augustine & Burmuda Grass. An infestation of army worms can destroy a lawn in days.

“We’re receiving an influx of calls from homeowner’s in Orlando and throughout Central Florida who have army worms in their lawns.  If treated right away, we stop the army worms before they cause much destruction.  If left untreated, the result can be devastating and end with a lawn needing a full sod replacement.  A proactive approach is the best defense, treating the lawn to protect it from army worms to begin with. –Steve Okros, Entomologist.

Some signs to look for are areas of grass that look like they have been mowed too short or you may even see brown patches. When an infestation is extreme, the lawn can even appear as though it is moving. You may also see birds flocking to the lawn to feast on the army worms. Like many pests, often times when you see the signs, extensive damage has already been done.

What do these fierce soldiers look like? Army worms are hairless caterpillars. They can range in color from tan to olive green with yellow stripes running down the body. Dark circles are present on the midsection & a recognizable inverted yellow or white Y is present on the head.

Army worms have 3 life cycles: Female moths lay eggs in clusters of 50-150 laying up to 2,000 eggs in her lifespan. The female moth covers the egg mass with hair which looks like felt. The eggs hatch into caterpillars. Fully grown army worms are approx. 1.5 inches long. Grown army worms burrow themselves into the soil. After about two weeks, they emerge as moths. Then the lifecycle repeats itself.

You can’t assume that spraying one application of insecticides will alleviate army worms. They have multiple generations and often times the first generation is eliminated and the second is not. Another rising problem in Florida is that army worms becoming resistant to insecticides.

Think you may have army worms? While it is always best to have a licensed pest control professional perform an inspection, there is a simple test you can do on your own… a soapy water flush. Mix a bucket of water with 2 tablespoons of dishwashing detergent. Pour the mixture over 1 square yard of

Even superman himself can’t save the day from these villains. Resistant chinch bugs wreak havoc on Central Florida lawns. These pesky invaders have become resistant to every major chemical used against them, leaving St. Augustine lawns destroyed throughout the state of Florida.

Chinch bugs are the most common threat to St. Augustine lawns in Florida and by far the most difficult insect-pest to control. Chinch bugs attack grass by sucking out the nutrients from the leaf blades & regurgitating poisonous chemicals back into the plant killing the grass. When chinch bugs attack a lawn, the only choices are to treat with insecticides or to watch the lawn die.

Though an adult female chinch bug only live 2 months, they lay up 300 eggs in this short life span. Because of this rapid population growth, a small area of chinch bug damage can quickly overtake a lawn if left untreated. Even worse, chinch bug populations, known as super chinch bugs or resistant chinch bugs, have become immune to pesticides. An integrated pest management program must be implemented to control a chinch bug infestation.

Only the newer classification of insecticides called Neonicotinoids will control these “bugs of steel”. These newer insecticides cost 10 times more on average than traditional insecticides so make sure your lawn spray company uses them.

If you have any questions about resistant chinch bugs, email cvandergriff@heronlawnandpest.com. An expert entomologist will answer your questions.

Green pest control…A Responsible solution that is effective in fighting the toughest of pests in Central Florida!

Heron Lawn & Pest control is proud to be a green company! “Now more than ever it is the responsibility of everyone to take the right steps today to give our environment a greener healthier future & we couldn’t be prouder to play a part.”-Rodney Lackey, CEO

Heron Lawn & Pest Control is committed to being environmentally responsible in all its practices. Heron provides its customers with green friendly pest prevention services as well as lawn fertilization & termite control & prevention.

Here are some of the ways Heron is green!

1. Heron’s Proactive Approach through Integrated Pest Management. Technicians thoroughly inspect, assess, & then treat.

2. Custom Applications: Heron applies appropriate products as they are needed. No pre mixed products! Each application is custom blended for the property’s needs.

3. Heron uses Environmentally Favorable Products

4. Heron’s Unwavering Commitment on Research & Investing in the Best Products

5. GPS Monitored Vehicles: Creates less fuel consumption, emissions & more efficient routing.

6. Sales fleet of eco friendly vehicles: Averaging 36 mpg.

7. We RECYCLE!

8. Led by expert Entomologists: Florida conditions change as pests become immune to products. Our entomologists stay current on the on local conditions & implement the most environmentally conscious ways to treat problems with most effective products. Heron’s entomologists conduct ongoing training to service consultants & technicians and conduct ongoing research of new products.

9. BMP Certified: Green Industries Best Management Practices certified with an in-house BMP instructor. Certification is achieved through extensive education & BMP course completion. With BMP knowledge & implementation, Heron practices best methods to protect water resources in Florida and increase environmental knowledge & awareness throughout the pest control industry.

10. Lawn Programs are lake friendly allowing buffer zone and phosphorus free fertilizers.

Heron offers green pest control to the following areas: Orlando, Winter Park, Altamonte Springs, Apopka, Lake Mary, Heathrow, Oviedo, Longwood, Winter Springs, Maitland, Casselberry, Sanford, Chuluota, Dr. Phillips, Windermere, Clermont, Ocoee, Winter Garden, Celebration, Lake Nona, Kissimmee, Hunter’s Creek, St. Cloud, Haines City, Leesburg, Lady Lake, Villages, Mt. Dora, Groveland, Ocala, Deland, Deltona, Debary, Orange City, Flagler Beach, Ormond Beach, New Smyrna Beach & more.

Heron Lawn & Pest Control, a leading Central Florida Pest Control company has gone green!

Heron Lawn & Pest control is excited to be a green company! “Now more than ever it is the responsibility of everyone to take the right steps today to give our environment a greener healthier future & we couldn’t be prouder to play a part.”-Rodney Lackey, CEO
Heron Lawn & Pest Control is committed to being environmentally responsible in all its practices. Heron provides its customers with green friendly pest prevention services as well as lawn fertilization & termite control & prevention.

 Here are some of the ways Heron is green!
1. Heron’s Proactive Approach through Integrated Pest Management. Technicians thoroughly inspect, assess, & then treat.
2. Custom Applications: Heron applies appropriate products as they are needed. No pre mixed products! Each application is custom blended for the property’s needs.
3. Heron uses Environmentally Favorable Products
4. Heron’s Unwavering Commitment on Research & Investing in the Best Products
5. GPS Monitored Vehicles: Creates less fuel consumption, emissions & more efficient routing.
6. Sales fleet of eco friendly vehicles: Averaging 36 mpg.
7. We RECYCLE!
8. Led by expert Entomologists: Florida conditions change as pests become immune to products. Our entomologists stay current on the on local conditions & implement the most environmentally conscious ways to treat problems with most effective products. Heron’s entomologists conduct ongoing training to service consultants & technicians and conduct ongoing research of new products.
9. BMP Certified: Green Industries Best Management Practices certified with an in-house BMP instructor. Certification is achieved through extensive education & BMP course completion. With BMP knowledge & implementation, Heron practices best methods to protect water resources in Florida and increase environmental knowledge & awareness throughout the pest control industry.
10. Lawn Programs are lake friendly allowing buffer zone and phosphorus free fertilizers.

It’s summer time and they’re out to play! Yeah you guessed it, bugs, bugs & more bugs! Bugs & pests in Central Florida are here to stay. They’re looking for three things food, water & shelter…sound familiar? Yup, the exact same things we humans need to survive. This is why your home is a perfect target for bugs & pests to call home.

While a pest control professional is the best guarantee to rid your home of these creepy crawlers, there are some easy steps homeowners can take to help:

1. Your countertops are a delectable 7 course meal to bugs & pests. Avoid leaving food on your countertops. Seal as much of your food as possible in air tight storage containers…especially fruit! Because bugs can get into the most tightly sealed packaging, consider storing many of your dried goods like pasta, cereal, sugar, flour etc in containers.

2. Wash those dishes! Leaving dishes in the sink to soak or wash later is an open invitation to bugs & pests!

3. Drips! The little ones may do a great job pouring their own syrup or honey. You cheer them on and put the bottle away in the pantry. However, drips down the rim & side of the jar are bug magnets. Be sure to wipe bottles clean after use including honey, syrup, oil peanut butter, etc.

4. Be neat where you eat! It’s inevitable…even the most well mannered eaters drop crumbs. Limit the areas that you eat to the kitchen/dining room. Eating in bedrooms, living rooms etc. exposes the whole house to crumbs, which bugs love!

5. Check for leaks & moisture under sinks & drains frequently. This is a common water source for bugs & pests.

6. Bugs & pests are always looking for a way in to your home from outside. Check windows & screens for holes. Caulk & seal any perimeter areas on the exterior of your home that need it. Place screens on anything connecting the outside to the inside including dryer vents.

7. Properly seal windows & doors. If you see daylight coming through sides, top or bottom of the door, the door may be closed… but is wide open for bugs & pests.

8. Fido’s food bowl…an open buffet! Avoid leaving pet food in the bowl around the clock. Bugs aren’t picky eaters…pet food, people food, it’s all the same. Limit pet feeding times & wash out the pet bowl after each use.

9. Rinse before recycling! Rinse out plastic, glass & metal containers that are being recycled.

10. Is your trash clean? Probably not, but be sure to rinse out garbage cans once a month. A scrub brush & a garden hose do the trick well! Also, always keep lids on your trash cans.

11. Do you have a bird bath or a bug bath? Standing dirty water is a bug haven. Clean out your bird baths often. Even children’s toys in the lawn can fill up with water attracting bugs.

12. Trim bushes, trees, shrubs & flower beds that touch your home. Bugs love foliage & foliage is a bridge to your home. Trimming regularly reduces the risk of infestations.

If you have any questions or would like to have a pest control professional eliminate your home of bugs & pests guaranteed Call 1-800-81-HERON for a free inspection. If you have any questions or would like Heron to write on a specific topic please email your question or topic to: cvandergriff@heronlawnandpest.com. Hope these tips help!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Heron Lawn & Pest Control is proud to announce its Grand Opening of Leesburg Location and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony scheduled to be held on Friday, May 21 at 2:30.  You are cordially invited to attend our celebration! Local officials and dignitaries will be on hand for the celebration starting at 2:30 and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 3:30 along with Founders Rodney Lackey, Steve Okros and Joseph Patti.  Join us for food, music and a great time.   The community is invited to stop by and enter a drawing to win free services!

- Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting

- Friday, May 21, 2010  2:30 p.m., Ribbon Cutting Ceremony 3:30 p.m.

-  3411 West Main Street Suite 6  Leesburg, FL 34748

Heron Lawn & Pest Control opened in 2002 with three strong willed partners, 1 truck and a dream.  Through hard work and an unwavering commitment to excellent service, Heron Lawn & Pest Control has grown to 74 employees, 62 fleet and 4 Central Florida locations in only 8 years.  Heron is in the top 100 Pest Control companies in the US and has been named the fastest growing pest control company in the US for 3 years in a row by PCT Magazine.   With unprecedented growth, Heron is committed to providing the highest quality of service to customers and a family atmosphere to its employees.

“We are really excited about taking this footstep put into Lake and Marion Counties! We have serviced customers out here for several years now, and have had an overwhelming response of great feedback from them. We look forward to working closely with the community of Leesburg as well as the county! We appreciate the hospitality that has been shown as well as all of the support! -Rodney Lackey

For more information, contact Cherissa Vandergriff at 407-478-6915 or email cvandergriff@heronlawnandpest.com.  Please RSVP by phone or email.  Visit us online at www.heronpest.com.

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HERON RELOCATES LARGEST SALES AND SERVICE CENTER PLUS CORPORATE OFFICE TO APOPKA

 
In March of 2010 the office that covers all of Seminole and the northern portion of Orange County relocated permanently to Apopka.  The enormous project was overseen by Apopka native Brenda Jones, who also just happens to be a six-year Heron veteran corporate staff member. “Our biggest challenge,” Brenda announced, “was performing all aspects of the relocation while keeping the chaos completely transparent to our customers. We insisted on zero service disruption.”
 
Of course, Heron has been doing business in Apopka since the first day the doors were opened. There is an enormous customer base in this expanding area, and we have been fortunate enough to enjoy a very healthy working relationship with its residents - both residential and commercial. Heron also has a well-established little league sponsorship history with two youth teams from Apopka over the years. When you take into account the great many Heron team members that live in Apopka, all these reasons combine to make us feel right at home here.
 
But even more exciting than all that for this new relationship is Heron’s policy of Corporate stewardship in each community we reside in. That means we have sought out local Apopka vendors as part of our support staff. Vendors like printers and auto repair facilities. We are now patrons of two large Apopka service stations to meet our fleet fuel needs. We are pumping many thousands of dollars into the community in taxes and occupancy fees, and as if that weren’t enough, our continued growth in Apopka means jobs, jobs, jobs!!
 
Every full time Heron position comes with top-shelf medical, dental, disability and life insurance benefits. When you add a company vehicle (in most cases) and a very generous salary, you can see why we enjoy such high employee retention rates. 
 
We thank you for making us feel so welcome. We thank you for your support, and your very generous referrals. Please feel free to stop in and say  hello if you are near the S. Orange Blossom Trail area and you are a customer. We would be thrilled to show you around.

HERON COO IS THE JEOPARDY CHAMP AT PEST MGMT. WORKSHOP 4 YEARS IN A ROW!

Each year the University of Florida/IFAS Extension Education Center offers continuing education credits for licensed pest control operators.   Each year Celeste White and Tom MacCubbin, Extension Agent Emeritus, have a contest at the end of the class. The best of the best are challenged Jeopardy-style, and it is not pretty!  Tom MacCubbin can really turn up the heat. All contestants battle it out for prizes and bragging rights.

Winning, well, that’s an elusive prize set aside for only those with “the right stuff.” So it should come as no surprise to anyone that Steve Okros, Heron Chief Operating Officer has taken the gold, four years running! It’s true – no one else has been able to overcome Steve’s encyclopedic knowledge of our industry, although many have gone down trying.

Why should that matter to you? Steve oversees all the training at Heron Pest Control. He manages the company service manual, he orchestrates the build-out of the trucks, the size of the tips on the sprayers, the dimensions of the hoses, the ratio of nitrogen to potassium in our fertilizer, the frequency we swap from microencapsolates to desiccants in our pest control program, and so, so much more. You would not believe what Steve performs behind the scene s on your behalf!

You want Steve, four-time All-State Pest Control Champ, on your side. You want Steve losing sleep over our shrub care program. You want Steve examining your termite treatment with a clip board, a measuring stick, and a flashlight. You want Steve watching quietly while his Managers check in your technicians at 6PM on Friday from the back of the room. You want Steve holding his “customer care” meetings every month.
Go Steve!
Follow this link and scan down to page 4 to see Steve in action!

HERON OPENS NEW FACILITY IN LEESBURG TO BETTER SERVE ITS LAKE AND MARION COUNTY CUSTOMERS

Today the doors swung open for the first time at the new Heron sales and service facility in Leesburg, and all the months of careful preparation came down to that one glorious moment. Heron President and CEO Rodney Lackey was there to take part in the excitement. “We have been working on this move for a long time now.” Rod explains. “It’s a real treat to finally have it up and running.”

“Lake and Marion Counties have been among the fastest growing segments of our customer base, and we have been anxious to get settled into this community for some time now, in order to better access them. The recession caused us to remain more cautious than we otherwise would have, but it has all come together just wonderfully now.”

Rodney continues. “That makes things fundamentally easier for the Heron team members who reside in Lake County, and it also gives us an opportunity to give back to a community that has been very good to us over the years.”

Heron has a proven service model that works so well, it continues to make possible these types of expansion. It’s a stubborn process that revolves tightly around customer care at each point along the company hierarchy. Team members who answer the phones have the same authority as a Branch Manager, for example, if an issue arises concerning customer care. “They are rewarded and supported for going the extra mile,” explains Rodney, “rather than being punished for exceeding their authority, and in the process, losing a customer. Ego-driven models will always fail. Service-driven models work for a reason. Our six-sigma approach to creating value is at the core of our service mission.”

Tomorrow the sun will rise over another work day in Leesburg. We just couldn’t ask for anything more!