Proudly serving the Quad Cities:
Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, Dewey-Humboldt, Mayer
Quality Masters Landscaping & Integrated Pest Masters
is licensed, bonded, and insured
ROC Commercial#240038 Spray License#10495
Email us today: qml4343@yahoo.com
Call: 928.899.0236
Instagram: @IntegratedPestMasters
Facebook: @QualityMastersLandscaping
HomeDecember:
'tis the season for pre-emergent
For the greenest lawn, free of weeds and pests, pre-emergent should be applied before temps reach 55 degrees. And as we all know, the Prescott area can have some very warm winter days. Get this down and get to enjoying your yard!
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January:
So, seriously.....why pre-emergent???
As opposed to just waiting to see the weeds....
The pre-emergent is killing the weed while it is still underground, before it can fully grow and appear in your lawn/ landscaping.
Post-emergents (weed control) have more variety in how they work, how long they take to work, and if they work at all.
Because, over time plants and pests can become resistant. Which leads to more treatments with multiple options for different post-emergent methods.
Short answer= more work, more time, more cost!
Pre-emergent herbicide applications, in the Spring and Fall, are herbicides that prevent weeds from growing. As their name implies, you need to apply the herbicides before weeds like crabgrass, spurge, and dandelions emerge in the Spring. Otherwise, they will not be as effective, and weeds may still grow.
The herbicide will penetrate the top inch or two of the soil, forming a protective barrier. In the Spring as the ground heats up and weeds begin to germinate, the weeds will hit the pre-emergent barrier in the soil and die.
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February
Are Bugs Included???
Do building materials come with 'bugs included'? Where do the bugs come from then?
Like humans and other living things, they need food, shelter, and water. Just eliminating those 3 things will prevent and help control the pest.
'Well, sorry, I already have pests.....'
There are many different types of pest control.
One, as mentioned above, would be Cultural Control. This is a method of reducing or eliminating pests by modifying the environment where they grow.
Another would be Chemical Control. This includes repellents and non-repellents.
If you have pests, a good way to start is with a non-repellent. This would be a pesticide that doesn't kill them right away. It allows the bugs to take the chemical home and the other bugs would be effectively eliminated through transfer. Thus exterminating the pests you see, and also the pests you don't!
A Repellent/Barrier pesticide is like you drawing a line that says, 'don't cross'. The bugs sense it and stay away. Now, here is the secret: If you have bugs in your home or on your property, and use a repellent, the bugs can be kept inside the barrier, in a sense, they are trapped in your home.
So, there are 3 zones that can be treated.
Around the structure, including foliage.
The actual property line, so they can't get in.
The interior of the property.
With this type of approach, chances of having bugs anywhere near your property goes way down.
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What does it take to get a Pest Control License?
What is the process of obtaining a pest control license, and can just anyone get one?
Let's find out!
First thing's first, the background check. They are looking to see if you are 'of good moral character'. This comes straight from the handbook.
Once that is passed, each applicant takes a National Core Exam. This is for all pest control technicians. And there are further detailed exams in your desired category: my chosen field is Ornamental, Turf, and Right-of-Way.
Once these are taken and you have passed, Congratulations!! You are now a certified applicator. But wait.....This certification only allows you to work for an already licensed company, you have zero authorization to go out on your own or create your own business, yet.
Each step of the above process takes weeks. And then, you still have to wait two whole years before you can apply for a Qualified Applicator License.
The same processes as above apply: background check, exams, more waiting.
Along with obtaining your license, you have all your business branding, state requirements, regulations by the Arizona Department of Agriculture. Oh, and also, annual hours of continued education, 12 hours per year, to be exact.
Once all of these steps are accomplished, and you have waited until all your hairs turn gray, you are authorized to start your very own pest control company! Woohoo!!!
I explain all this to you so that you understand my qualifications and my desire for following the letter of the law. And more specifically, the label is the law. The label on all products I use dictate how, where, when, a pesticide can be sed as per the AZDA and EPA. As a certified pest control applicator, it is my job to keep people, pets, and the environment safe.
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March
What's the deal with fertilizer?
Why is fertilizer a crucial ingredient in healthy landscaping?
To replenish nutrients in the soil: It may seem simple, but as the lawn/plants/trees grow, they use the food/nutrients that are in the soil to grow.
To grow healthy crops full of nutrients: In the farming industry land must be able to produce delicious healthy good crops.
To help plants adapt to climate change and operate in water-scarce environments: Healthy lawns/plants can fight off disease and choke out weeds in the lawn. A full thick lawn will take less water and project itself better.
To sustainably intensify agriculture on existing land: In my own experience 'You would be amazed what a little fertilizer can do.' Fertilizer is a landscaper's secret when it comes to turning a yard into an oasis.
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April coming soon...
