Recent Influx of Mosquitoes in Key Largo

Mosquitoes and the wet season coincide with one another so it is expected that from May to the end of October, the mosquito population will be high. Yet, in my twelve years of living in the Florida Keys, I have never been as annoyed by mosquitos as I have been this past week. Anywhere and at any time of the day, mosquitos have been swarming since Monday June 20th.

There are many reasons for this including the recent drought conditions that have concentrated the mosquitos in desolate, protected areas that cannot be treated. Combine that with a small amount of much needed rain that fell on Sunday night in Key Largo and…….voila - the mosquitos began migrating (they can travel up to 30 miles) from these protected areas. Consequently, Monday was complete mayhem as the mosquitos made spending time outside absolutely miserable. “There has never been a year on record that has brewed such conditions” says a biologist who works for the Florida Keys Mosquito control district.

There are 45 different species of mosquitos in the Florida Keys. Mosquitos kill more men and women in the United States than any other creature with over one million deaths a year. They transmit diseases such as Encephalitis, West Nile Virus and Dengue making the job of the control district extremely important. Although scary, it is not something to worry about; it is something to be cognizant of. Prevention is the best medicine! Therefore, the district recommends the following:

1. Drill holes in the bottom, not the sides, of any garbage or recycling containers stored outdoors to reduce water accumulation in the bottom for mosquitoes to breed.
2. Keep gutters clean and unclogged. Be sure your downspouts drain properly, without leaving puddles in the drainage area. You may need to reroute your downspouts or add extensions to carry water away. 
3. Keep swimming pools cleaned and chlorinated, even when not in use. Homeowners who go on vacation without chlorinating their pools may return to a veritable mosquito hatchery.
4. Walk your property after a rain, and look for areas in the landscape that are not draining well. If you find puddles that remain for four or more days, regrade the area.
5. Ornamental ponds should be aerated to keep water moving and discourage mosquitoes from laying eggs. Alternately, stock the pond with mosquito-eating fish.
6. Dump anything that holds water twice per week if it has rained. Birdbaths, non-chlorinated wading pools, footbaths, garbage can lids, and pottery will all attract breeding mosquitoes. Remember to empty the saucers under your flower pots, and don't leave water in pet bowls for more than two days.
7. Keep your property clean of items that can hold water, including discarded aluminum cans and tires.
8. Make your yard less hospitable to mosquitoes by mowing your lawn regularly, and keep weeds away from your home's foundation.

Lastly, just so you know, the Mosquito Control Board has the right to go onto your property if they suspect it has mosquitoes that are carrying diseases.

Reef Tropical can help you keep the mosquitos away from your property, please let us know if you would like one of our experts to come out to your property and do mosquito prevention.

Still Dry in Key Largo - Save your Money, Not your Grass

The average arrival of the rainy season is May 20th and although we got some rain over the weekend, lawns are burning up in Key Largo. Last week I woke up to the faint smell of smoke in Coconut Grove as fires in the everglades from dry conditions, combined with a west wind, bring the reality of Mother Nature. Miami has been getting some rain but Ocean Reef Club is only getting drops. During this time of year, residents and pedestrians can see every area in the lawn with weak irrigation coverage - brown and dying grass. Our hope for an early arrival of heavy rain is fading as we watch the forecast.

As homeowners, it is important to watch the water usage through your irrigation system. Sometimes, five hundred square feet of new sod is cheaper than the water bill if you run enough to compensate for the tail end of the dry season. Subsequently, it is important to learn from the conditions and repair the irrigation if necessary. Also, watch for the rains of summer to arrive and trigger your rain sensor on your irrigation system to reduce your water usage and keep your grass alive. Please call us if you need any advice in any of these areas no matter where you live.

Dry Weather - What to do with landscaping

Finally, we got some rain today in South Florida! We measured over an inch here at Reef Tropical's office in Key Largo. Yeah! We hope to get some more rain soon but that will be unlikely until the rainy season arrives. The average arrival date for the rainy season is May 20th. Unfortunately that means we are in "Server Drought Conditions" here in Monroe County. Other parts of South Florida are in "Extreme Drought Conditions" according to the nation Weather Service. We have not had sufficient rain in many days and are far short of average for consecutive months now. Click here for more info. 

We hit 89 degrees this past week and our impatiens (flowers) and grass are showing the signs of fading in full sun areas and areas of weak irrigation coverage. The Impatiens hate anything near 85 degrees and full sun. We will be recommending removal soon, rather than heavy watering.

Monroe County and surrounding areas are under two day watering restrictions, depending on your (odd or even) address. Ask us for free help to conform your irrigation settings and let the impatiens go away when the fade in the heat of the approaching summer weather.

Creatures in your Backyard

After talking with numerous landscapers, we identified the most common, concerning and frightful creatures living in the backyard of South Florida homes – spiders, snakes, centipedes and scorpions. Our landscape crews see these creatures most often and have told us where they live and what to look out for when coming across them.

South Florida is home to numerous species of spiders. Each of these spiders is unique and easily identifiable. They include the Spinybacked Orbweaver, Orchard Spider, Spitting Spider and the Grass Spider. To get a detailed description go here

Spiders prefer to reside in areas that are not well manicured, such as parks and overgrown lawns. They also tend to live near one another in web clusters and spiders of the same species. They are also commonly found in and around trees, or in houses that do not use air conditioning. Spiders that live in the yard are seldom seen in the house because they will starve or die of thirst. When you see these spiders in the yard, don’t disturb them, work around them as much as possible and call a professional landscaper if you continue to have issues.

Florida is also home to fifty species of native snakes. Of these, six are venomous, with four that reside in South Florida. The venomous snakes are the Diamondback, the Pygmy Rattler, the Cottonmouth or Water Moccasin and the Coral Snake. To get a detailed description go here

Snakes both venomous and non venomous in South Florida tend to live in and around the hammock areas of the yard (areas that have a lot of shade), trees, leaf litter, swamps, marshes, lakes and ponds. When you see a snake, don’t try to kill it or capture it. Please call your landscaper or a professional or stand at a safe distance and spray it with a garden hose. Snakes hate that and will leave quickly. Don't kill nonvenomous snakes. Any given area can only support a fixed number of snakes. If you kill the nonvenomous snakes that leaves a food supply that could support a population of venomous snakes.

Scorpions look very intimidating but are primarily a nuisance. No Florida scorpion has a lethal sting but it can be painful. The most common Florida scorpion is the Hentz striped scorpion, which is orangish-brown and is found all over the state. The largest of Florida’s three scorpion species is the Florida Bark scorpion, also known as the Slender Brown scorpion. The third Florida species, the Guiana Striped scorpion, is yellowish-brown in color and is usually around 2 ½ inches long. It is only found around Collier, Monroe and Miami-Dade counties (Florida Bugs.com).

Scorpions are typically found hiding outside under boards and logs, under firewood, around piled bricks, and under debris or other areas that offer shelter and protection. They are natural predators and hunt nocturnally. Although it’s not common, scorpions have been known to wander indoors. However, they do reduce pests in and around the home as they feed on insects, spiders, cockroaches, lizards, crickets, and similar small animals. Florida bark scorpions have been known to feed on termite grubs as well. When you see a scorpion outdoors away from your home, leave it alone. (Florida Bugs.com) If it is in your home you will probably attempt to kill it but make sure you act quickly because they are fast. Also, make sure it is dead before you get too close because they can flatten but not die.

Lastly, centipedes are found a good amount around south Florida homes. They produce venom with which to subdue their prey. However, centipede bites are typically more painful for humans than they are dangerous. Individuals with other insect allergies should observe their symptoms closely in the event of a centipede bite. Beyond the initial pain caused by an attack, possible side effects include severe swelling, chills, fever and weakness. In the event of a severe allergic reaction, emergency medical services should be contacted immediately.

To reduce or eliminate these creatures in and around your home, make sure to place debris piles on blocks away from the house. Keep firewood away from the house and keep it outside until it is ready for use. Prune your bushes and trees back and keep them from hanging over the home. Replace damaged screens, use caulk to seal cracks and use weather stripping to seal door openings. When in doubt, call your landscaper!

Design & Build Landscaping

When a customer inquires about new landscaping ideas, there is a certain level of design and planning capabilities that are needed to demonstrate and visualize their dream. In this specific example (see picture), the customer wanted a cleaned up front yard for parking and a laid back backyard with sand, palm trees, hammocks and a fire pit to enjoy views of the water. They also wanted to clean up the sides of the yard with low water plants and a plethora of color (does this sound appealing?).

Of course, the next question is always cost and protecting their investment. Only companies that have proper design capabilities and an installation and maintenance division can rightfully answer these questions when they are addressed without consulting a third party. With a budget and a plan in place, the home owner knows they have a vision and can "phase in" the new landscaping over a couple of years, knowing where they are going. This vision is critical so if you intend on doing this, make sure you take a look at your place and contact an experienced and capable company (Reef Tropical) to help you re-do your yard to achieve your Tropical Paradise!

Example of Reef Tropical Drawing

Pool Renovation Advice

When a pool floor began to separate, the investigation turned up sub-standard work. The pool in this picture was renovated one year ago and the depth was reduced without proper engineering for steel and concrete. It is important to know that concrete gains strength with steel reinforcement, encapsulation / coverage of steel by concrete and proper thickness of concrete and application. Re-bar is drilled into strong existing walls, and then glued in with hydraulic cement.

As seen in this picture, Reef Tropical Pools had to remove the floor entirely, grading to proper height and executed on thicker rebar / steel specified by engineered drawings. Next, concrete will be applied (note thicker edge as "footing" for strength) and a new finish floated in. With this work, the pool will be stronger with a new Diamond Brite aggregate plaster.

Chinch Bugs in Florida Grass

Chinch bug is the most devastating pest in our popular St. Augustine grass. St. Augustine is our grass of choice for many reasons. It has low maintenance costs and looks great when fertilized and freshly cut. It easily patched and blends in quickly. It also grows fast in the heat and rain of summer but slows considerably in the winter month allowing bi-weekly service to be adequate for most seasonal residents.

Chinch bugs insert their beak and suck the juices from the horizontal growing grass and the grass then grows patches of yellow, then brown and eventually kills the grass. If left untreated it can devastate an entire section of a yard. Chemical treatment and re-sodding is the recommended course of action. Chinch bugs have become resistant to almost every pesticide. The current product being used with great success is “Arena”.

Chinch bugs are hard to see but their damage is easily identifiable. A mature patched surrounded by green grass with a pattern of yellow, brown or dead grass in the middle. The bug itself can be found in the perimeter of the slightly damaged turf. Like in snakes, Mother Nature helps us identify danger by having what looks like a colored strip across the back. It is small so get out your reading glasses. Young chinch bugs are yellow in color and turn red to brown but all appear to have the distinctive mark on them. Chinch bugs never invade shady areas and rarely attack healthy, well-fed and irrigated turf. Instead, Chinch bugs prefer hot spots on the edge of paved areas or by weak, full sun grass caused by poor irrigation, poor nutrition or poor subsurface soil conditions. Scalping turf can stress areas and stressed grass is a welcome mat for pests like Chinch bug.

Chinch bugs can be seen year-round in South Florida but are predominantly a summer pest and win the war with St. Augustine growth in dryer weeks of summer months. It often comes in the same area of your yard, year after year so fix irrigation, top dress with a rich sand soil mix, re-sod with a strong soil base or make a planting of low water, full sun plants.

Feel free to consult with Reef Topical to help you learn about your yards, landscape appropriately and identify pests and treat with safe pesticides with our licensed professional.