Pansies provide color in the landscape when the rest of the garden looks as though it is shutting down for the winter.

When buying pansies, select compact plants with leaves that are dark green, and skip any leggy plants. Before you purchase, pop the plant out of its container. If it is root bound, don’t buy it. Plants that are leggy or root bound have a hard time getting established.

When plants are purchased, water them if they are dry, and let them stay in the container for two to three hours before planting. This will help hold the soil on the root ball.

Pansies that are spaced too far apart look bad, and weeds can come up between them. If planted too closely together, air flow will be reduced and they will be more likely to develop diseases. If planting information is not on the package, you should plant them 8 to 12 inches apart and at the same depth they were planted in the peat pot or container. Proper spacing also helps the plants receive adequate sunlight, which in turn reduces disease.

The root ball should be broken apart before planting to encourage the roots to grow into the soil. Pinch off the top of the Pansies that are already in bloom. This will help decrease transplanting stress and help them produce more flowers as they mature.

Pansies prefer a moist, rich soil that is well drained. If you are starting a new bed, work 1 to 2 inches of humus or organic matter into the soil.

For best results, plant pansies when the soil temperature is between 45 and 60 degrees. Soil temperatures below 45 degrees at planting time result in poor root development, stunted plants and little or no flowering. If you plant too early, when the soil temperature is above 60 degrees, you can have leggy plants with yellow leaves and few flowers.

Apply some fertilizer about one week after planting and again two weeks later. Use a complete, all-purpose fertilizer such as 13-13-3 or 10-10-10. Apply at rate of one teaspoon per square foot of bed.

Email your gardening questions to bleigh1@utk.edu. Include your name and the area where you live. For more gardening information, call the Tipton County Extension office at (901) 476-0231 or the Shelby County Extension office at (901) 752-1207. Booker T. Leigh extension director.

While singing and dancing at the Hilton Garden Inn, Chef Jon Ashton made a presentation Sunday called “Making Mealtimes Matter.”

The presentation, sponsored by the News-Gazette, was part of the Dash Around the Table Tour. Ashton, contributing editor for Dash magazine, separated his presentation into two sections. The first half focused on cooking efficiently, and the second half was about having fun while cooking.

“A lot of family members both work, so (the event) is showing people how to make mealtimes matter,” Ashton said. “Being within a family, in the kitchen, everybody helps out, you talk about your day. And then also what we do is show people how to cut corners, how to get a meal on the table but with ingredients you can get from your local grocery store.”

The two-hour interactive cooking show left the audience laughing. Ashton showed people how to quickly cook “creamy butternut squash soup,” “cozy midweek sausage pasta,” grilled potatoes topped with shrimp and “Brennan’s Bananas Foster.”

“I love to cook with a smile,” he said. “The Dash Around the Table Tour is equal parts laughter and fun.”

Ashton, who is from Liverpool, England, has been cooking for more than 20 years. He said his grandmother affected his lifelong passion for cooking, and his grandmother told him to “share with others.”

“With Granny Ashton, not only did she teach me how to make her bread … but in her kitchen we learned so much about life,” he said. “We learned compassion, we learned forgiveness, we learned tolerance, and we learned the gift of giving to neighbors — because she baked for five neighbors — and those lessons have been carried with me.”

Ashton said he likes to use the tour to pass lessons down to younger generations.

“You reach an age — and I’m still young for the record — but you reach an age where you think, ‘It’s not just about me. It’s about the next generation. What can we do for them?’” Ashton said.

Some attendees said they felt they had learned a lot about cooking from Ashton. Carol Wisniewski said she plans to use what she learned from the presentation at home.

“I have gotten new ideas to use (in) my kitchen,” she said. “(I) learned how to cook healthier for my kids.”

One of Ashton’s cooking tips is to sing while cooking to reduce the feeling of pressure.

Roaa Al-Heeti, of World Harvest in Champaign, said she could use Ashton’s tips in her kitchen to make cooking easier and quicker.
“I enjoy some of his tidbits for cooking around the kitchen,” she said. “I think those will come in handy on a day-to-day basis.”

Kai can be reached at kaichen3@dailyillini.com.

With the first annual Push to Walk- and Suburban Trends-sponsored Jack O’ Lantern Jamboree just two weeks away, it’s about time to start crafting your own creation to bring to the pumpkin extravaganza at Kinnelon High School on Sunday, Oct. 28.

Among the other fun and festivities planned for the day, guests are invited to bring along their already carved pumpkins. Pre-carved pumpkins will be checked in and placed along the track (or indoors, in the event of rain). At approximately 6 p.m., the jack o’ lanterns will be lit and attendees will be invited to walk along the track and view the numerous glowing creations. Simultaneously, judges will cull their favorites for consideration for various prizes.

Suburban Trends spoke with local pumpkin carving ace Pam Maggio, Kinnelon resident and buyer for Glenwild Garden Center in Bloomingdale, for tips to get both experienced and amateur carvers geared up with Halloween right around the corner. Maggio offered a range of advice, from what household tools you can use to cut and carve your pumpkin to how to best preserve your creation.

Cutting and carving

Maggio recommends always bringing your pumpkins inside the house about 24 hours before you scoop and carve.

“Putting your hand in an ice cold pumpkin is no fun,” she said.

Also be aware that pumpkins left outside on the porch can freeze if temperatures dip below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, and from there they will rapidly decompose. So, bring in your pre-carved and post-carved pumpkins on cold nights.

To scoop out the pumpkin’s insides, you can use a scooper specially made for pumpkins or a metal soil scoop with ridges, which will help remove the seeds and make the inside of your pumpkin cleaner. Glenwild Garden has higher-end metal soil scoops available, as well as plastic scoopers that also do the job and sell for just $2.49.

Just “don’t use mom’s best spoon!” said Maggio.

You can draw on your jack o’ lantern with a grease pencil or crayon, said Maggio, as they are both easy to erase.

Carving kits can be used for cutting and carving, but so can a good straight-edged knife, she advised, adding that household utensils or tools can also make great designs on a pumpkin.

One of the household tools that will come in most handy when pumpkin carving is an awl, a screwdriver-sized pointed tool for marking surfaces or piercing small holes. It is the perfect tool for punching holes around the design you have drawn on the pumpkin.

“Use the awl before you attack it with a knife,” said Maggio. “Your knife or cutting tool will go in easier and you’ll stay on design better.”

Further, the awl is useful if you are cutting out a big section. Use the awl to cut smaller pieces across the bigger section so you don’t break the design.

In the fall, a few pumpkins and a pot of mums gathered by the front door set the tone of welcome, home and harvest. If pumpkins were not part of your vegetable garden this year, make a note to add a couple of vines next year and then head off to the nearest pumpkin patch or grocery store.

Choosing the right pumpkin depends on its purpose. For baking, the small sugar variety is one of the best. Culinary pumpkins have a firmer flesh and sweeter taste. The flesh is not stringy or fibrous, as in a carving pumpkin.

For carving, consider the design. Take the stencil you intend to use with you when picking out your pumpkin. Look for a pumpkin large enough for the stencil or carving. Turn the pumpkin over and look for bruises, soft spots, discoloration, nicks or scrapes that might interfere with the design. Some ornate designs work better on a large pumpkin. Typical Jack-o’-lantern faces on tall and thin pumpkins give character to the carving. Small pumpkins carved to hold votive candles can be used to line a walkway as luminarias.

Carving pumpkins are grown for color, strength, a flat bottom and a sturdy stem. A flat bottom ensures it will sit evenly once carved. However, a certain leaning might add to the design. Do not carry the pumpkin by the stem, as it could break off. Any damage can shorten the life span of a carved pumpkin.

Once carved, a pumpkin begins to dry out and shrivel. Mold can grow. To preserve the carved fruit for as long as possible, many recommend soaking or spraying the pumpkin with a mixture of water and bleach or covering cut areas with petroleum jelly to lock in moisture. Special spray preservatives also are available. To prolong the life of your Jack-o’-lantern be sure to keep it cool and dry and do not let it freeze.

Pumpkins are native fruits. Europeans carved turnips and gourds before being introduced to pumpkins. French explorer Jacques Cartier in 1584 first mentioned “gros melons” in a report from the St. Lawrence region. It was translated into English as “ponpions” and gradually became pumpkins. Europeans found pumpkins larger and easier to hollow out and carve, thus substituted them for making Jack-o’-lanterns.

Note for next spring: Although pumpkins need room to vine, they are easy to grow. They are a great introduction to gardening for kids. The seeds are large and easy for little hands to plant. Start the seeds inside when everyone is anxious for spring. Once transplanted, kids not only can watch the growth, but can gently turn the pumpkin as it grows to ensure even color and no soft spots. A year from now, they will be carving their own, homegrown pumpkin.

Colorado State University Extension in the City and County of Broomfield provides unbiased, research-based information about 4-H youth development, family and consumer issues, gardening, horticulture and natural resources. As part of a nationwide system, Extension brings the research and resources of the university to the community. The Broomfield County Extension office is at 1 DesCombes Drive, Broomfield, 80020. For information, call 720-887-2286.

In the fall, a few pumpkins and a pot of mums gathered by the front door set the tone of welcome, home and harvest. If pumpkins were not part of your vegetable garden this year, make a note to add a couple of vines next year and then head off to the nearest pumpkin patch or grocery store.

Choosing the right pumpkin depends on its purpose. For baking, the small sugar variety is one of the best. Culinary pumpkins have a firmer flesh and sweeter taste. The flesh is not stringy or fibrous, as in a carving pumpkin.

For carving, consider the design. Take the stencil you intend to use with you when picking out your pumpkin. Look for a pumpkin large enough for the stencil or carving. Turn the pumpkin over and look for bruises, soft spots, discoloration, nicks or scrapes that might interfere with the design. Some ornate designs work better on a large pumpkin. Typical Jack-o’-lantern faces on tall and thin pumpkins give character to the carving. Small pumpkins carved to hold votive candles can be used to line a walkway as luminarias.

Carving pumpkins are grown for color, strength, a flat bottom and a sturdy stem. A flat bottom ensures it will sit evenly once carved. However, a certain leaning might add to the design. Do not carry the pumpkin by the stem, as it could break off. Any damage can shorten the life span of a carved pumpkin.

Once carved, a pumpkin begins to dry out and shrivel. Mold can grow. To preserve the carved fruit for as long as possible, many recommend soaking or spraying the pumpkin with a mixture of water and bleach or covering cut areas with petroleum jelly to lock in moisture. Special spray preservatives also are available. To prolong the life of your Jack-o’-lantern be sure to keep it cool and dry and do not let it freeze.

Pumpkins are native fruits. Europeans carved turnips and gourds before being introduced to pumpkins. French explorer Jacques Cartier in 1584 first mentioned “gros melons” in a report from the St. Lawrence region. It was translated into English as “ponpions” and gradually became pumpkins. Europeans found pumpkins larger and easier to hollow out and carve, thus substituted them for making Jack-o’-lanterns.

Note for next spring: Although pumpkins need room to vine, they are easy to grow. They are a great introduction to gardening for kids. The seeds are large and easy for little hands to plant. Start the seeds inside when everyone is anxious for spring. Once transplanted, kids not only can watch the growth, but can gently turn the pumpkin as it grows to ensure even color and no soft spots. A year from now, they will be carving their own, homegrown pumpkin.

Colorado State University Extension in the City and County of Broomfield provides unbiased, research-based information about 4-H youth development, family and consumer issues, gardening, horticulture and natural resources. As part of a nationwide system, Extension brings the research and resources of the university to the community. The Broomfield County Extension office is at 1 DesCombes Drive, Broomfield, 80020. For information, call 720-887-2286.

slideshow

I am Mack Johnson, the new Extension Horticulture agent with North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Robeson County Center. I am a native Robesonian, born in Lumberton, educated locally, worked and eventually helped manage a family farm. I then served our county residents at our Department of Public Health.

I came on board Sept. 4, and will concentrate on horticulture — commercial and urban — and the Robeson County Farmers Market, which is associated with our Consumer Supported Agriculture. I will also work closely with the Extension Master Gardener volunteers, a group receiving training and support from Extension, and in return volunteer for projects in education, community development and beautification.

I can remember my grandmother would start fretting before Halloween about all the cooking and preparations for the holidays looming in her near future. I thought she was being silly, but I now more fully understand the brevity of time and how quickly the seasons pass.

Just as one season passes and we feel we can slow down and relax, it is time to prepare for the next. Now is the perfect time to begin preparing for next year’s lawn and garden.

Taking soil samples now can benefit your garden, lawn and even wallet. Proper analysis of the soil with the intended vegetation in mind can more precisely determine what nutrients are needed and the necessary amounts. Less wasted fertilizer can mean optimum plant performance and money saved.

Soil sample results will also show the current pH and recommendations to correct it for the appropriate plants, in turn helping the plants optimize available nutrients. For soil sampling instructions, forms, mailing containers and possible delivery, you may contact the Extension Center at 910-671-3276.

For our residents who don’t garden, you still have an incredible opportunity to enjoy fresh produce. You can visit the Robeson County Farmers Market in downtown Lumberton, at Eighth and Elm streets, on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to noon.

There is still a plethora of locally grown okra; turnips; mustard; collards; tomatoes; cucumbers; squash; pumpkins; sweet potatoes; bell peppers; hot peppers and ornamentals such as gourds and loofah sponges, also originating from gourds.There is also locally produced honey, soap and eggs.

Fresh produce will have more nutrient value being at or near the peak of ripeness when purchased and will require more immediate processing by the consumer. Spending local only helps to strengthen our economy.

Another option for fresh produce locally grown is to join a Community Supported Agriculture. This concerted effort between Cooperative Extension and the Farmers Market allows patrons to pay upfront for a weekly offering of seasonal items from area vendors for a limited time, currently five weeks. Anything from aloe plants to zucchini, honey, eggs and even locally produced meat for an additional fee.

I encourage you now to plan for next year’s garden; if not then visit the Robeson County Farmers Market.

For information, contact Mack Johnson, Extension Horticulture agent, with North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Robeson County Center, at 910-671-3276 or by email at mack_johnson@ncsu.edu, or visit http://robeson.ces.ncsu.edu.

slideshow

I am Mack Johnson, the new Extension Horticulture agent with North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Robeson County Center. I am a native Robesonian, born in Lumberton, educated locally, worked and eventually helped manage a family farm. I then served our county residents at our Department of Public Health.

I came on board Sept. 4, and will concentrate on horticulture — commercial and urban — and the Robeson County Farmers Market, which is associated with our Consumer Supported Agriculture. I will also work closely with the Extension Master Gardener volunteers, a group receiving training and support from Extension, and in return volunteer for projects in education, community development and beautification.

I can remember my grandmother would start fretting before Halloween about all the cooking and preparations for the holidays looming in her near future. I thought she was being silly, but I now more fully understand the brevity of time and how quickly the seasons pass.

Just as one season passes and we feel we can slow down and relax, it is time to prepare for the next. Now is the perfect time to begin preparing for next year’s lawn and garden.

Taking soil samples now can benefit your garden, lawn and even wallet. Proper analysis of the soil with the intended vegetation in mind can more precisely determine what nutrients are needed and the necessary amounts. Less wasted fertilizer can mean optimum plant performance and money saved.

Soil sample results will also show the current pH and recommendations to correct it for the appropriate plants, in turn helping the plants optimize available nutrients. For soil sampling instructions, forms, mailing containers and possible delivery, you may contact the Extension Center at 910-671-3276.

For our residents who don’t garden, you still have an incredible opportunity to enjoy fresh produce. You can visit the Robeson County Farmers Market in downtown Lumberton, at Eighth and Elm streets, on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to noon.

There is still a plethora of locally grown okra; turnips; mustard; collards; tomatoes; cucumbers; squash; pumpkins; sweet potatoes; bell peppers; hot peppers and ornamentals such as gourds and loofah sponges, also originating from gourds.There is also locally produced honey, soap and eggs.

Fresh produce will have more nutrient value being at or near the peak of ripeness when purchased and will require more immediate processing by the consumer. Spending local only helps to strengthen our economy.

Another option for fresh produce locally grown is to join a Community Supported Agriculture. This concerted effort between Cooperative Extension and the Farmers Market allows patrons to pay upfront for a weekly offering of seasonal items from area vendors for a limited time, currently five weeks. Anything from aloe plants to zucchini, honey, eggs and even locally produced meat for an additional fee.

I encourage you now to plan for next year’s garden; if not then visit the Robeson County Farmers Market.

For information, contact Mack Johnson, Extension Horticulture agent, with North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Robeson County Center, at 910-671-3276 or by email at mack_johnson@ncsu.edu, or visit http://robeson.ces.ncsu.edu.

3. With a giant open-plan room, decent storage is vital on arrival,
people don’t want to trip over Lego. A wall of simple, long cupboards will
streamline the room and make it easy to tidy up and show off.

4. If landscaping a garden, avoid traps such as decking and water
features which are vogueish and are dangerous for small children. Bulbs,
roses and climbers are easy ways to make a small garden look pretty. Perhaps
install a seating area.

5. Dan and Gemma are quite right to investigate prices in the street
and assess the house’s chances against others. But a bathroom upstairs and
increased living space downstairs will increase the value of the house
regardless. Family houses are always in demand.

Boerner Botanical Gardens: Education classes and events, led by experts who offer hands-on experiences and useful tips. Registration required. 9400 Boerner Drive, Hales Corners. (414) 525-5659; www.boernerbotanicalgardens.org.

Discover Hidden Treasures Garden Walks with Melinda Myers. Oct. 20.

Fall Discovery: Adult Garden Walk. $20 member/$25 nonmember.

Discover the Magic of Fall: Family Fun Walk. $30 per family.

Crazy About Compost. Nov. 3.

Burlington Garden Center: Gardening, planting, lawn care workshops and seminars; prices vary. 5205 Mormon Road, Burlington, (262) 763-2153; burlingtongardencenter.com.

Forcing Bulbs. Oct. 20.

Winter Open House. Nov. 16-18.

Daylily Society of SE Wisconsin: Photo contest and plant auction, 12:30 p.m. Oct. 14. Boerner Botanical Gardens, 9400 Boerner Drive, Hales Corners. (414) 425-7465.

The Elegant Farmer: Farm kitchen bakery offers cheeses, seasonal fruits and vegetables. Open year round 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Highway ES and J, Mukwonago. (262) 363-6770; www.elegantfarmer.com.

Elm Grove Garden Club: “A Spooktacular Tea” includes luncheon and entertainment, noon-4 p.m. Oct. 27. $20. Reservation required. Sunset Playhouse, 800 Elm Grove Road, Elm Grove. (414) 774-1582; www.elmgrovegardenclub.com.

Elmbrook Garden Club: Monthly meetings with guest speakers. New members welcome. Brookfield Library, 1900 N. Calhoun Road, Brookfield. (414) 578-2513.

Havenwoods Environmental Awareness Center: SEWISC Annual Symposium on “The Economic Impacts of Invasive Plant and Animal Species, 1 p.m. Nov. 14, 6141 N. Hopkins St. Information: sewisc.org.

Hawthorn Garden Club: “Treasures from the Garden” sale features handmade holiday wreaths, swags, floral arrangements, ornaments and more, 8 a.m.-noon Oct. 27. Stahl-Conrad Homestead, 9724 W. Forest Home Ave., Hales Corners, www.historichalescorners.org.

Hawthorne Hill Farm: Holiday Market features home décor, antique, vintage items, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 9-11. 16370 W. Small Road, New Berlin. www.hawthornehillfarm.com.

Herb Society of America-Wisconsin Unit: “Making Beads from Roses” with guest speaker Jane Cole, 10 a.m. Oct. 16. Free. St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 7845 N. River Road.

Hoard Historical Museum: Jefferson County Master Gardeners present “Roger F. Anderson’s Intersectional Peonies,” 2 p.m. Nov. 17. Free. 401 Whitewater Ave., Fort Atkinson. (920) 563-7769.

Holy Hill Art Farm: Art Farm Market features locally made and grown products, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 20-21, 4958 Holy Hill Road, Hubertus. (262) 644-5698.

Labyrinth Garden Earth Sculpture: Cretan labyrinth, grass pathways lined with perennials, herb bulbs, ornamental grasses and annuals, 7 a.m.-10 p.m. daily. Regner Park, 800 N. Main St., West Bend. (262) 338-6903.

MAM Garden Club: “Healing Gardens” with landscape architect Rosheen Styczynski, 6:15 p.m. Oct. 25. Free and open to the public. Lubar Auditorium, 700 N. Art Museum Drive. (414) 224-3200.

Retzer Nature Center: Programs and classes with a focus on the natural world and sustainability. S14-W28167 Madison St., Waukesha. Information: (262) 896-8007.

Schlitz Audubon Nature Center: Environmental education programs. 1111 E. Brown Deer Road, Bayside. (414) 352-2880.

Shady Lane Greenhouse: Open year-round, with seminars taught by area professionals for every level of gardener. W172-N7388 Shady Lane, Menomonee Falls. (262) 251-1660; www.shadylanegreenhouse.com.

Sweet Water Organics: Tour the urban aquaponic farm, 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays, noon on Sundays. Admission $10; children under 10 admitted free. No reservation necessary. Retail Store sells fresh perch, produce and gardening supplies. 2151 S. Robinson St. (414) 489-0425.

Taliesin Preservation, Inc.: Frank Lloyd Wright’s private estate and specialty tours are offered through October. Advance reservations recommended. Wright Visitor Center, 5607 County Highway C, Spring Green. (877) 588-7900; www.taliesinpreservation.org.

Urban Ecology Center: Environmental education organization with two community centers offers a program on how to live more sustainably. Prices vary. Registration required. (414) 964-8505; www.urbanecologycenter.org.

Wellspring Inc.: Certified organic farm and retreat center offering programs in wellness, ecology, gardening and the arts. 4382 Hickory Road, West Bend. (847) 946-5565; www.wellspringinc.org.

Gluten-Free Cooking Workshop. Oct. 27.

HOME

Alverno College Telesis: Professional and community education courses for women and men. 3400 S. 43rd St. (414) 382-6200; telesis.alverno.edu.

Captain Frederick Pabst Mansion: Guided and self-guided tours of Flemish Renaissance revival mansion are available year round. Tour prices and hours are subject to change. 2000 W. Wisconsin Ave. (414) 931-0808; www.pabstmansion.com.

Charles Allis Art Museum: The mansion holds Charles and Sarah Allis’ collection featuring 19th-century French and American Paintings. 1801 N. Prospect Ave. (414) 278-8295.

Historic Milwaukee Inc.: Nonprofit educational organization provides walking tours throughout various neighborhoods of the city, guided bus tours, slide shows and lectures. (414) 277-7795; www.historicmilwaukee.org.

Lake Geneva Home Depot: “Preparing Your Home for Winter” Energy Event, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 20. 550 N. Edwards Blvd., Lake Geneva. (262) 248-6297.

Lowell Damon House: Colonial home open for visitors and tour groups throughout the year. 2107 Wauwatosa Ave., Wauwatosa. (414) 273-8288; www.milwaukeehistory.net.

Menomonee Falls Community League: “A Community Affair” arts, crafts, antiques and collectibles show, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Oct. 20. Menomonee Falls High School, W142-N8101 Merrimac Drive, Menomonee Falls. (414) 581-0352.

Antique appraisals, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Oct. 20. $3 per item.

North Point Lighthouse: View artifacts, artwork, and photographs of old Lake Park and marine memorabilia in the Keeper’s Quarters. Guided tours allow visitors to climb to the top of the 74-foot tower. 2650 N. Wahl Ave. (414) 332-6754; northpointlighthouse.org.

Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum: Italian Renaissance-style villa features fine and decorative arts dating from the 15th to the 18th centuries, and a formal garden. 2220 N. Terrace Ave. (414) 271-3656; www.cavtmuseums.org.

– Compiled by Elaine Rewolinski

Hello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic.

As temperatures start to cool and the weather gets wetter, the chances of finding unwanted pests in and around your home will increase. Homes provide the ideal environment for pests seeking shelter, food, water and hiding spots in preparation for the cold winter months. By using the green pest control tips below, you can ward off some of the most unwanted pests this Fall, including:

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are the ultimate hitchhikers, catching a ride into your home on luggage, clothing and used furniture. They prefer to park themselves within 5 feet of their food source – humans and pets. These pests are commonly picked up from hotels and other people with infested homes. A child can accidentally bring bed bugs home after a sleepover or study session with a classmate.

As adults, bed bugs are about the size and color of an apple seed. Young bed bugs are translucent with a hint of yellow, but will display red abdomens after feeding. Signs of bed bugs include rust-colored stains on your sheets, mattress, headboard, pet bed or other areas where the insects may hide (such as closets or nearby furniture). The more obvious signs of a bed bug infestation are the itchy bites they leave behind on your skin.

Getting rid of bed bugs is extremely difficult without the help of a professional. If you think you have bed bugs in your home, immediately call a green pest control service. The experts will come to your home, locate the nesting sites and use eco-friendly techniques such as heat treatments to get rid of them.

Rodents

Rodents are opportunistic pests that are happy to take full advantage of the resources your home offers. They can carry dozens of diseases and transmit them via their waste or bites. One of the more dangerous diseases rodents carry is the hanta virus, which can be lethal if it’s not identified and treated early.

The best green pest control method for rodents is prevention in the form of a pristine home and garden. Since your yard and garden are likely the first areas rodents will visit, make them unattractive by keeping them weeded and free of debris, fallen branches, rotten fruits and vegetables and overgrown shrubs. Seal cracks on the exterior of your home, keep your grass trimmed, cut back branches that overhang your home, use a lid on outdoor trash cans and keep woodpiles elevated and away from your house. In-home prevention includes maintaining a clean floor, fixing leaks and never leaving food out in the open. Keep your home tidy to discourage the creation of nests, and store the food in your pantry in strong plastic, glass or metal containers with lids.

If you suspect you have rodents living in your home, call a pest control service that specializes in integrated pest management. This eco-friendly approach will help keep you and your family safe by reducing your risk of exposure to rodent waste.

Spiders

One of the most feared pests, spiders are rarely dangerous. Arachnids usually appear if your home provides them with a source of food – usually in the form of other insect infestations. Green pest control for spiders can be as simple as dusting your home thoroughly, vacuuming often and removing clutter. If you are finding an unusual amount of spider webs, call a pest control specialist to inspect for and take care of hidden nests or an underlying insect infestation.

The most effective form of green pest control is prevention. By talking to a local pest control expert, you can learn about specific techniques to practice in your home.

This post is brought to you by Eden Advanced Pest Control, the leading integrated pest management company in Western Washington and Oregon and serves both residential and commercial customers.

Image credit: Armed Forces Pest Management Board via photopin cc