Dial Environmental Blog

  Trees and shrubs deserve to be treated with the best care we can provide. They do so much for us from providing the oxygen we breathe to improving the beauty of our outdoor spaces and they even provide nutrition for us. When it comes to maintaining healthy trees in your yard, mulching is a must! Why Should You Mulch Around Trees and Shrubs? Mulch is an all around great addition to your landscape that not only adds beauty to your outdoor space, but also fulfills a protective role as well.  Mulching protects trees and shrubs by suppressing weed growth, increases moisture content in the soil, and adds organic matter improving the overall health of root systems.  What is the Best Mulch to Use Around Your Trees and Shrubs? Mulch is a combination of organic material that comes in different forms ranging from grass clippings, shredded leaves, straw, or more commonly...

When it comes to taking care of your yard you want to place your trust in someone who knows what they’re doing. The life of trees is extremely delicate and how they are grown and maintained can make a huge difference. Arborists are certified specialists that possess the knowledge to grow award winning lawns by understanding the biological needs of the trees in your yard.    An arborist is trained to identify tree species and their requirements for a flourishing life. They can diagnose issues and understand how to mend unhealthy, or sick, trees. To become a certified arborist they must undergo extensive educational training and testing along with continued education to maintain their licenses. Trees make up such a large part of the ecosystem that it is imperative they are taken care of to maintain a healthy world and picture perfect yards.  What Does an Arborist Do?  An arborist has...

When it comes to growing a healthy lawn, nothing is more frustrating than constantly keeping up on mowing and watering only to have it brown or grow in patchy. In order to give your lawn a fighting chance, many lawn care professionals aerate their lawn once or twice a year to get that lush green lawn every homeowner wants.   Unfortunately, not a lot of homeowners know what aeration is or the benefits it provides for your lawn. That is why the experts at Dial Environmental created this article, to make sure you know how to get the best looking lawn in the neighborhood! What is Lawn Aeration?  Simply put, lawn aeration is a process that basically involves opening up your lawn so it can breathe and grow. Aerating consists of going across your lawn, typically with an aerator, and pulling about 3 inch plugs out of the ground. By plugging...

Spiders are one of the stealthiest insects, making them difficult to find and remove from homes. Most people are scared of spiders and don’t really know how to get rid of spiders on their own. Although most spiders found in homes are harmless, they still are an intruder that homeowners should get rid of.  Why are There Spiders in Your Home?  Before you can keep spiders out of your home, you need to know why they are attracted to your home in the first place. Spiders are in your home because of food and shelter. Spiders like to hide in dark places and your home has a lot of them like basements, bulkheads, attics, and under decks. Spiders are in your home to look for food. However, spiders don’t usually eat crumbs of our food like most other pests. Spiders are hunting the other pests and know that the food in...

Termites are tiny insects that feed off of wood. They swarm quickly and can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your home before you even know they are there. Although a termite infestation is horrible to deal with, you can solve it. With a quick termite inspection, you can fix the problem as soon as you know about it.  Termite inspections also allow you to put into place preventative measures that will cost less than repairing the damage from a termite infestation.  How Does a Termite Inspection Work? There are two main seasons where termites come alive in New Jersey, and that is in the early spring as well as late summer. Typically if you notice you have a termite problem it is going to be during one of these two times of the year. This also means that you should request your termite inspection report during this time, to...

Cockroaches are hideous creatures with six legs and can grow to over two inches in length. Found all over the United States, these winged creatures are worrisome to homeowners and can affect people susceptible to asthma. They are nocturnal creatures who are active every season of the year.   There are two main types of cockroaches found in the United States, the German cockroach, and the American cockroach. Cockroaches have been around since dinosaurs walked the earth, they can live almost a month without food, and two weeks without water! How Cockroaches Enter Your Home Although they are pretty interesting creatures, you definitely don’t want cockroaches in your home. They can be found in any living space but usually, enter your home when looking for a food or water source.    Cockroaches love to crawl through cracks in your walls or holes in vents. They can even find holes in pipes,...

Harsh winter conditions can be incredibly challenging to your shrubs and trees. Freezing temperatures, icy winds, and heavy snow for months can all take a toll on your landscaping.  Yet the biggest threat to your plants and greenery during the winter months is water loss, also called desiccation. Frozen soil keeps plants and shrubs from replacing their stored water supply with moisture from the ground. Overlooking your landscaping’s need for a healthy amount of water during the off-season isn’t a good plan. The experts at Dial Environmental can help keep your plants from drying out by taking the proper precautions before Old Man Winter arrives.  How Cold Weather Affects Your Plants  Plants and shrubs, such as bushes, are very threatened by cold temperatures that cause desiccation and browning of leaves. On days when the air is cold and the sky is sunny, the needles and leaves of plants become warm which...

A chill is in the air, leaves are falling, plants are no longer blooming, and everyone is anxiously awaiting winter’s arrival. Now that you’ve put away or covered your lawn furniture, it may seem like there’s nothing else to do outside until next spring. However, that’s an incorrect assumption. The cold autumn and winter months are often the best time to practice Dormant Pruning. What is Dormant Pruning? Dormant Pruning is a style of pruning trees and shrubs during a period that will cause the least amount of stress to the plants. In the Northeast, the cold winter months can be the best time to perform the routine maintenance of dormant pruning. That’s because plants are in a “resting” phase, usually starting during the autumn season and extending until early spring.    By working with an ISA Certified Arborist, you can prune damaged tree limbs, elevate low limbs, shape canopies, clear...

Many people welcome the slow transition from hot summer days into crisp, cool autumn nights. However, homeowners don’t necessarily realize that chilly fall weather can also bring with it unexpected house guests. It’s common for rodents, particularly mice, to seek out warm shelter during colder months. This makes it important for property owners to understand how rodents get into their homes and figure out the best way from blocking an invasion. Rodents can carry disease and create destruction during their temporary visits. Therefore, it’s best to avoid the problem right from the start by blocking rodents from getting inside your house. How Rodents Enter Your Home Rodents are highly creative when they are seeking out shelter. First, mice have body shape that makes it easy to squeeze through any ¾-inch hole. Any tiny openings, like cracks or gaps, found along home floors, walls, windows, and pipes make a great rodent doorway....

  Check the racks of your local thrift store and you’re bound to find heaps of wool coats and sweaters riddled with moth holes.  Who hasn’t found little holes in their favorite cashmere cardigan or wool sport coat?  It’s common this time of year to unpack your cold weather clothes and find damage done by clothes moth larvae. There are two kinds of clothes moths encountered in homes.  Clothes moths, more specifically known as either the webbing clothes moth or the casemaking clothes moth, are occasional fabric pests.  Their larvae will find any animal fibers containing proteins, including fur, wool, and wool blends, silk, hair, feathers/down, mohair, cashmere, and more.  You could find damage (or the larvae themselves) on woolen clothing, carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, furs, stored wool, animal bristles in hairbrushes, and even woolen felts on piano keys.  Synthetics or fabrics such as cotton may also be fed upon if...

After the summer season, activity in the garden can tend to slow down a bit. While there are still beautiful blooms to enjoy, such as mums and sunflowers, you also need to prepare your garden for winter to help ensure a beautiful garden for when spring comes again. Here are some tips on how to prepare your garden for the winter. Clean Up Rotted Plants An untidy garden is never appealing, but it can also cause problems for your garden. Old and rotted plants can carry diseases, fungus, or pests. If pests are feeding on your plants, then they also may be laying their eggs there. So, is best to remove these plants from the garden entirely. However, if they are not diseased or pest-ridden, then you may wish to bury your old plants in the soil to help enrich the soil and improve its health. Remove Weeds Unfortunately, weeding is...

Summertime is fantastic - except when you're trying to have a fun summer barbeque with your family, and mosquitoes and ticks come out to feast. Luckily, Dial Environment's Mosquito and Tick Reduction Program can save you the headache of bug bites and possible Lyme disease, with the best mosquito control in Roseland, NJ.   It's a good idea to consult an expert. However, you can take steps yourself to stop mosquitoes and ticks from infiltrating your home and putting a halt on your summer backyard plans. Some of these backyard treatments might also make fun DIY projects or family activities. Tips on Repelling Mosquitos Keeping mosquitoes from invading your home might seem overwhelming. Fortunately, there are several simple, not to mention fun, solutions you can try to keep mosquitoes at bay. Remove stagnant water sources: Mosquitos use standing water to lay their eggs. If you have a birdbath or a pet's...

Asian Giant Hornet, Vespa mandarinia The impression Asian giant hornet or ‘Murder Hornet’ as it has been deemed, has arrived in the continental US. As of May 4, 2020, near Blaine, in Washington state, two reported sightings of this hornet have been reported. This impressive hornet is the largest in the world. With a length of up to two inches and a wingspan of three inches, this hornet is truly a ‘giant’. How did Asian Murder Hornets enter the US? No one truly knows. Late in 2019 a nest of Asian hornets was found and destroyed near Nanaimo, Canada, which is not far from Washington State. However, genetic testing has determined those found in Canada and those in Washington are from different colonies. What threats does the Asian giant hornet present? The Asian giant hornet is a veracious feeder. They will decimate honeybee colonies by biting the heads of the honeybees...

As a homeowner, you will need to protect your family and house from various pests like carpenter ants, carpenter bees, and other stinging insects. Ants in nature are useful because they decompose dying, decaying trees. But when they inhabit your home, they can leave a mess behind them if nobody treats them. There are a variety of clean ways to perform routine ant control and pest control without the use of toxic chemicals. Here are a few useful strategies you can implement to keep your house safe from these annoying critters. Decide on an Effective Source of Ant Bait When you see ants in your house, they are there to find food or water and take it back to their colony. Instead of killing the ants when you see them, you can set out ant bait that will be shared by the entire cology. . Ant baits hold insecticides that will be carried...

As a homeowner, it is essential to protect your investment from termites. These insects cause extensive damage to homes. In the right conditions, termites can destroy property in a very short time. So, it is vital to educate yourself about these pests. Different Kinds of Termites There are a few kinds of termites that Roseland, NJ residents might see. Subterranean termites are the type that is native to the state. However, drywood termites can also make their way into your home on wood furniture imported from other parts of the country. They are not as common, though.   There are two kinds of subterranean termites common in the state, the eastern subterranean termite and the dark southeastern subterranean termite. A termite inspection by a licensed pest company is the best way to determine the type.  What is a Swarmer Termite?  There are five different termites in a termite colony; king, queen,...

Crabgrass is unsightly and can ruin the look of your otherwise well-manicured outdoor space. If you want to get rid of Crabgrass for good, you must take preventative measures at the right time of the year. Let’s take a look at your best chance of getting rid of Crabgrass for good with a Crabgrass preventer and treatment plan. What is Crabgrass? Crabgrass isn’t native to the United States but was originally introduced from Europe as a potential foraging grass. It loved its new environment, and now there are few spaces where you won’t find it growing. It’s a summer annual, meaning the grass you see year to year isn’t the same plant. This is good news for eradication because you aren’t dealing with a stubborn root system or difficult spreading. It does require just the right timing, however, to get rid of it. Once it’s established, it’s heat tolerant and hardy,...

Dial Environmental is no stranger to the West Essex or Roseland area—our leadership team is all West Essex residents with three decades of experience that understand the unique needs of New Jersey homeowners.   Long before “going green” became a trend, Dial Environmental has been committed to providing environmentally-friendly pest control, lawn care, and mold removal services. From our first green initiative in 1999 to the present day, our company continues to search for safe and innovative ways to serve our customers while also protecting the environment.  How Dial Environmental Stays Green  Although there are multiple ways that Dial Environmental strives to stay eco-friendly, one major way is through the products we use. Unlike some pest control or lawn care companies, we do everything we can to refrain from using hazardous liquid chemicals and traditional pesticides that do more harm than good. Our green products are designed to be tough on...

Dial Environmental, an environmental home service provider centered around eco-friendly practices, has been awarded Gold in the Pest Control category for this year’s Suburban Essex Magazine Reader’s Choice Best of Essex contest. Dial Environmental’s 2019 win marks six years in a row that they’ve been a gold medalist in this category. Furthermore, Dial’s 35th year anniversary marks a personal milestone within the organization whose mission is to provide customers with world-class service. Dial Environmental focuses on offering home services that protect the property and health of New Jersey residents. Our Services are designed to encompass and protect a beautiful landscape, preventing the spread of mold and pest infestations with treatments that are not only effective, but gentle on the environment. Beyond providing a wide range of eco-friendly pest control and lawn care services, Dial Environmental is also dedicated to giving back to the community that surrounds them. Through volunteer work and...

Taking care of your home all year is necessary to keep it well-maintained and functional for years to come. With homeownership comes a lot of routine maintenance and services, like landscaping, drain and gutter cleaning, and pest control. Most services are ones we take care of in the spring, summer, and fall, making winter an excellent time to catch up on essential interior tasks that can keep your home clean, safe, and pest-free, now and in the upcoming months. The Importance of Routine Winter Interior Services It seems that most pest and mold problems you experience in your home happen during the warmer months of summer and early fall. That’s usually only because these months are when these problems are most visible. Insects and rodents are usually more active during this period, and mold grows rapidly in damp, warm environments. You might decide to save costs on home maintenance during the...

Dormant pruning is the process of pruning back your shrubs and trees while they’re dormant - no longer growing or flowering - to aid their growth in the spring and keep them looking their best. This routine maintenance is one to consider keeping up with each winter, as it is crucial to the health of your plants through all seasons. It can also keep your landscaping looking well-maintained throughout the cold winter months. Why Is Dormant Pruning Important? Dormant pruning offers several benefits for homeowners who have trees and shrubs on their property. Pruning trees and shrubs during the colder months helps keep them in their best shape for springtime. One of the most significant benefits of dormant pruning is ridding your trees and shrubs of damaged limbs. With damaged areas remeoved, your plants will be ready to grow healthy new limbs in the spring. For plants that flower or produce...