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Category Archives: Safety

There has been a lot of talk in the news lately about Lyme disease, which of course means avoiding contact with ticks. It is somewhat frustrating for outdoor enthusiasts who wait all winter to enjoy their summer pursuits only to be told to cover up, put chemicals on your body and go outside and get healthy! I believe with a little bit of careful preparation and caution we can enjoy our summers safely.

Ticks are found in long grasses, piles of damp leaves or wood, forests and bushy areas.

Long grass where ticks can hide

Long grass where ticks can hide

Here are a few tips to help you avoid these pesky arachnids.
1. Cover up. If you are going to be traipsing through long grass and bush areas, wear long pants and tuck them in to your boots or socks. Long sleeve shirts are recommended as well.
2. DEET. If you are participating in an activity like hiking or golf and wearing shorts an insect repellant with 30% DEET is suggested.
3. If you wear light coloured clothes it is easier to spot ticks that may have attached themselves to your clothing.

Stay on the path

Stay on the path when hiking in the woods.

4. If you are hiking, try and stay on the trails to avoid contact with the long grasses and damp wooded areas. 

5. After any outdoor activity in areas where ticks are present, always do a body scan of yourself, children and pets. Ticks love to nestle in to warm areas on your body like toes, armpits, knees, groin and scalp.

If you find a tick remove it as soon as possible. The sooner you remove it the less likely you will be infected with Lyme disease. If you think the tick may have been attached or looks engorged, carefully remove the tick. To remove a tick, it is suggested that you use tweezers, grasp the tick at its head, as close to your body as possible, and pull straight up. Once you have removed the tick be sure to wash the area with soap and water. Save the tick in a small jar and bring it to your doctor. The tick can be tested to see if it is carrying Lyme disease.

The list of symptoms of Lyme disease is long and varied. Here is a link to the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation’s list: https://canlyme.com/lyme-basics/symptoms/
If you think you have been exposed to an infected tick, see your health care provider right away.

If you have a pet that spends a lot of time outdoors, it is important to check them for ticks as well. Remove them the same way as discussed above, then safely dispose of the tick by flushing it down the toilet or sealing it in a bag and placing it in the garbage. There is a vaccine available for dogs.

The Ottawa area has been tagged as a higher risk area in Ontario. Be safe, take the proper precautions and get out side and enjoy our summer!

I have noticed since moving out to the country almost 6 years ago, a pretty flowering plant growing along the sides of the roads.  I wondered what it was and almost considered finding some I could plant on my property. Thankfully I never did this because I have recently discovered it is the very invasive, and damaging species, Japanese Knotweed.

Lindsay Landscape has recently been called upon to help homeowners safely clear this from their properties. I want to share some information with all of you so you can be aware of this plant, protecting your property values at the same time.

What is Japanese Knotweed?
An invasive species which is becoming a problem for Ontario, including the Ottawa Carleton region.
It has been found that Japanese Knotweed takes 20-40 years after initial planting to expansively spread. This species was introduced to North America in the late 19th century, planted for ornamental purposes as well as erosion control and forage for livestock. It has now become an aggressive plant, particularly in Ontario.                   It is considered to be one of the top 100 invasive species in the world. 

What does it look like? Japanese Knotweed has hollow, smooth stems, resembling bamboo. It has medium to large oval to triangular shaped leaves, growing in an alternate pattern. The plant produces pretty, small, white flowers in sprays near the end of the stems. The flowering occurs in Late July- August

Japanese Knotweed

Japanese Knotweed

Where does it like to grow?

Japanese Knotweed thrives in full sun, open and exposed sites. But, this attractive, but invasive species also thrives along river edges, wetlands, ditches, along roadsides and fence lines. It can often be found on old homestead land where it may have been originally planted as an ornamental. Because it thrives along river edges, rhizome pieces can be dispersed in the moving water quickly spreading the plant. The seeds are usually spread by wind. It is salt tolerant and can survive extreme climates and site conditions.

What harm will it do if I have it on my property?

Most importantly for homeowners to know is the Knotweed rhizomes spread so vigorously that they can damage home foundations, grow up through interlock patios and driveways, or through your deck boards. This plant can also grow through asphalt up to 8 cm thick!

Japanese Knotweed

Japanese Knotweed

This species is known to degrade wetland and river habitats. Dense growth of Japanese Knotweed will reduce sun penetration by so much that it prevents other plants from growing. There is also some preliminary studies which suggest that it may also change the soil chemistry prohibiting the growth of native species.

This species is known to degrade wetland and river habitats. Dense growth of Japanese Knotweed will reduce sun penetration by so much that it prevents other plants from growing. There is also some preliminary studies which suggest that it may also change the soil chemistry prohibiting the growth of native species.

What should I do if I have Japanese Knotweed on my property?
Calling a professional is recommended as there is a certain protocol for removing and disposing of this aggressive plant.
Please remember if you pull any of this out of your gardens, to dispose of it properly.
DO NOT COMPOST!!
Place all plant materials in thick black plastic bags. Leave the bags in the sunlight for a week then send to a landfill site. If you live in an area where burning is permitted, this is the best method to dispose of it.

For more detailed information if you think you may have this plant on your property please check this link:http://www.invadingspecies.com/japanese-knotweed/

Please call the office 613-293-8246 if you have Japanese Knotweed on your property to receive a quote to remove it safely and prevent the spread of this invasive species.

Just as we like to cozy up in the fall when the temperatures drop so do the critters outside. Protecting your home from becoming a winter vacation property to rodents like mice and squirrels and chipmunks, not to mention raccoons, is very important. unnamed-1Having a chimney full of raccoons is no fun for the homeowner. Let’s face it, most of us don’t really even think of this until it happens to us!

Damage to beams, walls, and wires are a real hazard that needs to be addressed. Rodents in search of food can find their way in and create havoc in your home. Keep in mind, mice only need a quarter of an inch to get in and squirrels only need about two and a half inches. The most common entry points for smaller critters are around windows and doors. Raccoons love the cozy chimney! Add weather stripping, check door sweeps and your screens for holes, add a chimney cap. With a few preventative measures you can ensure that your home will be safe.

According to the Insurance Hotline website these tips should help:

  • Don’t leave food out.
  • Secure your trash.
  • Cover up any cracks or holes inside and outside your home.
  • Install a chimney cap.
  • Invest in a dehumidifier.
  • Clear away wood, mulch or plant material from the base of the home.

Many people don’t realize that if they have a major infestation and damage to their home, their insurance may not cover them. Just another reason to keep your home and yard clean, tidy and shrubs and bushes well trimmed away from the house.

I can’t believe it is almost Halloween again! Where do the months go? It seems like we are just gearing up for summer and poof! it is Halloween.

I was writing an email to our property managers with some tips for keeping their properties safe on Halloween night and decide that the tips were good ones, that every homeowner could use. So here it is:

Lighting

Dark a spooky sounds like the perfect environment for Halloween, but not it you manage an apartment building or multi unit complex. To keep things safe for the little ones, it is recommended that you keep your property well lit. Stairwells and hallways are particularly vulnerable to accidents so ensure all lighting in these areas are functioning properly. This is going to make your tenants more comfortable as well as making it that much less attractive to the pranksters out there.

Fire Safety

Who doesn’t love a brightly lit jack-o-lantern on Halloween night? But these can be dangerous and prone to burning. A battery operated candle is a great alternative. PumpkinsIf the pumpkin is bumped or knocked over there is no worry of any fire starting. This can also be a good time to remind your tenants about candle safety and to check the smoke alarms on your property.

Clear the Way

Half the fun of Halloween is the decorating! Remind tenants to keep their decorations off the paths and from blocking any cut through areas that kids might use. As a property manager this would be a good time to take care of any loose bricks, boards or big holes in the lawn areas of the property. No one wants to trip or step in a hole and twist an ankle. Any area that is deemed dangerous should be marked with safety cones or cordoned off. Better safe than sorry. A bit of time spent checking over the property will be well worth it.

Take the opportunity to send a newsletter to your tenants. It will be appreciated that you are taking their safety seriously.

Have a Happy and Safe Halloween!