Green Community Update

By: CCommunity.com Inc.

Last months newsletter was the second installment of our Green Community program.  We provided residents the opportunity to complete a postage paid service provider survey of their current service providers.

This month we are focusing on Pest Control Providers.  The survey results for pest control are:

• 53% of surveys identified a pest control provider, 47% did not
• 25% of pest control providers were identified by more than 1 resident
• Not one pest control provider had more than 2 resident identify them

We want to hear from everyone.  If you still have your survey from last month, we would ask that you complete it and drop it in the mail.

Florida Consumer E-Newsletter

By: Charles Bronson
Florida Dept. of Consumer Services

By making efficient choices, the average family can save about a third on their energy bill, as well as reduce their level of greenhouse emissions by a similar amount without sacrificing features, style, or comfort. “Going Green� can mean a considerable savings for Floridians, which makes good consumer sense in tough economic times.
Save Power

• Replace your regular incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents.
• The next time you’re in the market for an appliance, be sure to purchase one that has a blue sticker “energy starâ€� insignia.

Save Gas

• Remove unnecessary items from your vehicle
• Keep your vehicle in good repair.
• Drive responsibly and observe the posted speed limit.

Save Resources – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

• Although 75% of what we throw in the trash each week could potentially be recycled, only 25% actually ends up in a recycling facility.
• Consumer electronic waste (also known as e-waste) creates a significant burden on landfills.

read complete article on-line

Pest Control Q&A's

Q. Can lawn maintenance companies make pesticide applications on an individual's property?

A. No, lawn maintenance companies cannot make pesticide applications to turf areas of your property. Presently, lawn maintenance companies are restricted to making only fertilizer applications within turf areas. They cannot make "weed-n-feed" applications or use granular fertilizers with pesticides incorporated within them. Lawn maintenance companies can cut, mow, edge, use blowers and physically pull weeds anywhere within your turf or plant bed areas.

Ficus Whitefly - A New Pest in South Florida

August 2008
University of Florida

Introduction: There is a new pest attacking ficus trees and hedges in South Florida. This pest was identified as the fig (ficus) whitefly, Singhiella simplex. Whiteflies are small, winged insects that belong to the Order Hemiptera which also includes aphids, scales, mealybugs, and bugs. These insects typically feed on the underside of leaves with their “needle-like� mouthparts. Whiteflies can seriously injure host plants by sucking juices from them causing wilting, yellowing, stunting, leaf drop, or even death.

Description and Damage: The leaves of ficus trees infested with whiteflies begin to turn yellow before the leaves are dropped from the plant. Ficus trees without their leaves are one of the most obvious symptoms of a whitefly infestation. This whitefly has been most commonly found infesting Ficus but has also been reported on lofty fig, false banyan tree, banyan tree, Cuban laurel, strangler fig, fiddle-leaf fig, and banana-leaf fig. This whitefly may eventually be found on other species of ficus.

Control in the Landscape: The current recommendation is to drench the soil around the base of the tree or hedge with a product that contains a neonicotinoid compound (see below table). If applied appropriately, these products should provide sufficient control of the whitefly for 4-8 months (or perhaps longer) depending on the size of the tree or shrub. It is advisable to monitor your plants 3 months after application for the presence of live nymphs. Foliar sprays can also be applied to treat “hot spots� or get quick knockdown in addition to the soil applications.

There have been reports of this whitefly killing ficus trees and hedges. There have been cases of branch dieback which sometimes can be severe and in a few cases plant death. In most cases, the trees and hedges will grow new leaves. If the tree or hedge has suffered from a massive loss of leaves, it is important not to overwater. Without leaves, the plants are less efficient at taking in the water and start to rot in the roots or lower trunk which may lead to plant death. If the twigs are still supple, the plant will produce new leaves in a few weeks. As soon as new growth is evident, a systemic insecticide applied to the soil may provide protection to the new growth.

Please contact one of the pest control providers listed for more information on the white fly or a quote on treating your property.

Recent Financial Crisis Fails To Hurt Confidence In Florida Real Estate

August 2008
University of Florida

By: Florida Association of Realtors
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Oct. 21, 2008
The national economic crisis has failed to rattle Florida real estate experts, who, despite serious concerns about the availability of financing, remain surprisingly calm about market conditions within the state, a new University of Florida survey finds.

The most recent quarterly survey of Florida real estate trends, which was completed in September, shows the investment outlook for various types of properties remains steady, according to Wayne Archer, executive director of UF’s Bergstrom Center for Real Estate Studies.

Although Florida’s housing crisis is worse than other states, over the long term Florida stands to benefit from the migration of new residents, particularly as baby boomers age, Archer said. The Sunshine State’s mild climate and outdoor amenities make it an attractive retirement destination, despite high property taxes, insurance rates and hurricanes, he said.

For the state’s real estate market to recover at all in the short term, banks and other financial institutions must ease credit restrictions, Archer said.