Keeping You in the Know! Deans Now Servicing Lawns Again! · of our termite protection and pest control programs by providing prompt service response, covering a wide-range of pests,

April / May / June 2012

Ty Dean Jones, President

Daily Mail Rescue Rodents Used to Sniff Out Land Mines

His highly sensitive nose can sniff out explosives at 50 paces. And because he weighs a mere 3 lbs, there is no chance of him setting them off when he finds them. Kofi the Gambian pouched rat is the latest weapon in the battle against landmines - the relics of war that litter large parts of Africa and kill thousands every year.

Although rats have been trained to detect landmines there for some time, Kofi is the first to be schooled in Britain. He has 20 minutes of training a day from staff at the wildlife sanctuary where he lives in Corn-wall. His handler Wendy Winstanley hopes to offer his services to the Army and the police anti-terrorist unit once he has earned his stripes.

“Kofi is amazing, his sniff ability is really incredible,” she said. “People think of rats as vermin but they are highly intelligent creatures. They have a more heightened sense of smell than dogs and (Continued on page 2)

Deans Now Servicing Lawns Again! The Best in the Business Returns to Their Roots.

(Continued on page 2)

Volume 2, Issue 1

Keeping You in the Know!

As many of our current customers may recall, several years ago, we here at Deans Ser-vices discontinued our lawn fertilization program. This decision was reached af-ter long delib-eration and it was spurred on by—among other factors—the restric-tion of several key products which we felt would inhibit our ability to provide the quality of lawn care our customers came to expect.

Since that time, we’ve fo-cused heavily on the development

of our termite protection and pest control programs by providing prompt service response, covering a

wide-range of pests, and commit-ting ourselves to providing the high-est level of cus-tomer service. In fact, many of our

current customers have retained our termite and pest con-trol programs even while using an-other pest control company to care for the fertilization of their grass.

Even still, over the years our loyal customers have often ex-pressed their desire to see us offer our lawn fertilization program, and

Our Return to Lawn & Shrub Care! All-in-One Servicing Means Big Savings!

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Rescue Rodents The Rat with a Nose for Danger

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Lawn Care FAQs Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers!

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Customer Questions “What Are These Mosquito-like Bugs on My House?”

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Common Springtime Pests Are You Ready for a Springtide of Invaders?

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April / May / June 2012

...Now Servicing Lawns! (Continued from page 1)

because they are so much lighter they have less chance of setting off an explosive. In this country these rats would be excellent at sniffing out bombs. At the moment we use dogs, but I think the rats would be much more effective.”

Training starts when the rats are weaned at five weeks. They are taught to recognize the smell of metal landmine casings in return for a food reward. In Kofi's case, it's a piece of avocado.

When fully trained, the rats sniff out a mine, then sit and scratch at the spot until they are re-warded with food. An explosives expert then de-stroys the mine. Thirty sniffer rats are already being used in Mozambique to help clear landmines in the after-math of the civil war. A rat can clear 100 meters square in 30 minutes, equivalent to two days of hu-man work.

Rescue Rodents Used to Sniff Out Land Mines (Continued from page 1)

we’re now excited to meet the demand—with a few added benefits we think you’ll enjoy!

As a progressive company, we’re always seeking safer and more effective ways to treat, and in the last several years, our industry has benefited from the devel-opment of additional eco-friendly products that we’ll be using in this new program.

Our microbial supplement, as an example, en-sures that the helpful microbes naturally found in your soil remain healthy and abundant. This ensures a bal-anced nutrient level and aids in the turf’s ability to proc-ess vital supplements.

Also, with our new full-service equipment, we’re able to provide all the services you need from just one vehicle…and in just one stop! Not only does this reduc-tion in emissions and fuel consumption help the envi-ronment, it also helps you save money with the accom-panying Full-Service Discount program!

In addition to providing a more com-prehensive service for our loyal customers who remember our lawn days of yesteryear, we also can’t wait to meet all our new custom-ers, and look forward to providing both with another great service from Deans!

Get a Free Estimate and a Fresh Look

(352) 253-0224

Is Your Home’s Paint Fading?

Kofi the rat can sniff out explosives and is the latest weapon in the battle against landmines.

April / May / June 2012

Curious about Deans Services’ Lawn & Shrub program? Take a look at some of our most frequently asked questions! Q: Is Deans still locally-owned and oper-ated? A: Yes. Deans has been a family-owned com-pany since we began in Lake County back in 1980, and, as always, we’ll continue to pro-vide you with the personal service that comes along with a locally-owned company. Q: Why do I need lawn fertilization? A: A healthy lawn means less unsightly pest damage and costly turf-loss. A well-maintained lawn has even been shown to add value to your home!

Q: Why is Deans a better choice than the competition for Lawn Fertilization? A: Founded by a Master Gardener, Deans has over 30 years in the industry. This means we’ve got the experience needed and the local service you deserve! And with Deans’ Turf Replacement Guarantee you can be sure we’ll work hard to keep your grass looking great!

Q: What types of grass do you treat? A: We treat St. Augustine, Bermuda, and Zoysia, including nearly all varieties thereof. Q: What are the benefits of an All-in-One treatment method? A: More eco-friendly: By providing multiple ser-vices from one truck, we reduce the emissions produced by the additional vehicles that would be needed. More economical: With lower fuel costs, Deans is able to pass along the savings with All-in-One discounts! More valuable: By bundling your pest control program with your lawn program, you get a more comprehensive application as well as two additional pest applications each year at no ex-tra charge!

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You’re likely seeing what are referred to as “blind mosquitoes”. Actually, this name is a bit informal (and somewhat misleading, as they’re neither blind nor mosquitoes); they’re more appropriately known as “aquatic midges”—a variety of midge fly.

Aquatic Midges emerge from natural and man-made bodies of water, and are most prevalent in April through June, though they may swarm throughout the sum-mer. During the day they often fly toward cooler, shady areas, and at night they’re at-tracted to lights around the home.

Because midges can fly quite far from their breeding site, no control measures are entirely effective as long as a body of water is nearby. However, by keeping windows sealed tightly, and reducing unnecessary lighting at dusk, the number of midges in and around your home will decrease. Though these pests die naturally in only 3 days or so, the product applied to your home with our General Home Pest control program will hasten their de-mise. Even still, with more hatchlings emerging right behind them, permanent relief comes only after the swarming ends. —Joe Tomasiello; Technical Director

Got a Question? We’ve Got an Answer! Submit your question at deansservices.com/contact

Aquatic midges swarm in great numbers from standing water and must be swept or vacuumed away from eaves and doorways.

“What are these mosquito-like bugs covering my house?”

April / May / June 2012

Q: How do I sign up? A: Upgrading your service is easy! Just call Deans today at (352) 787-5300 or toll free (877) 588-4948. Our experts are standing by to help you get started! Have a question we didn’t address? Find more FAQs online at deansservices.com or call us today at the number above!

Phone: (352) 787-5300 Toll Free: 1-877-588-4948 Fax: 352-787-5855 Editor: Joe Tomasiello Contributors: Ty Jones, Daily Mail, Joe Tomasiello

Archived issues available at

www.deansservices.com

Lawn & Shrub FAQs (Continued from page 3)

Love Bugs Unfortunately, there is no product currently approved to control this seasonally swarming pest. However, you can visit the E-News section of our website and view a previous “Deans Buzz” issue (2010 4th Quarter) for a few helpful tips on “weathering the swarm”!

Mole Crickets With powerful forelimbs well-adapted for tunneling underground, Mole Crickets will cause damage by burrowing through—and feeding on—the root system of your grass. Deans’ Lawn Fertilization Program helps keep these pests off of your turf!

Chinch Bugs Though difficult to see with the unaided eye, chinch bugs cause damage that can be quite an eyesore. By feeding on grass juices, these pests cause large brown patches—damage that may lead to extensive turf-loss if not treated appropriately.

Earwigs Earwig populations rise in lawns and landscaping in response to increased rainfall. High populations and flooded soil may lead to these pests trying to sneak in

under the door of your home. Let Deans’ GHP pro-gram help keep them at bay!

Ants As rain and heat increase, ants begin to forage and reproduce. Colonies grow in size and spread through-out landscaping and may even seek shelter in your home. Deans’ GHP program uses a residual barrier to help protect your home from these tiny invaders.

Deans Uses Termite Detecting Canines. Why Trust Your Home to Anything Less?

Do you offer free lawn estimates? Yes. All our estimates are free, and in most cases, can be given right over the phone! Q: What types of plants are covered under your shrub program? A: This program covers most shrubs, palms, and non-fruit-bearing trees under 10’ tall. Q: Will I get a discount on other services by upgrading to your lawn program? A: Yes. By taking advantage of our new all-in-one servicing program, you can enjoy the convenience of one-stop treatments, with the added benefit of a discounted price!