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The Steam Team is the number one choice for cleaning and restoration in Austin,Texas.We have over three decades of experience in cleaning and maintaining commercial and residential flooring.We take pride in our reputation, experience, systems, education and guarantee. Our mission is to provide you with the most outstanding service experience ever.We also are leaders and specialize in restoration, from water damage to smoke and fire damage restoration. Voted best rug cleaning in Austin by the Austin Monthly Magazine.

Steam Team and TST Restoration Services:

Carpet Cleaning,Tile & Grout Cleaning Austin,Wood Floor Cleaning,Stone Cleaning & Polishing,Fabric & Upholstery Cleaning,Air Duct Cleaning, Commercial Cleaning

Water Damage Restoration,Fire Damage Restoration, Storm and Flood Restoration, Disaster Restoration, Construction Services, Contents Restoration

Since 1983, our number one goal has been customer satisfaction, and over the years we have continually raised the bar in exceeding customer expectations. In fact, we even guaranteeour services; if at any time you are not completely satisfied, we will do whatever it takes to rectify the problem. We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and all of our technicians are IICRC Certified. We provide award winning customer service and are recognized as a leader in the industry.

Contact us today for a quote or to schedule an appointment. We look forward to serving you as we have served the larger Austin area for over thirty years! If you live in Austin,Round Rock, Georgetown,Marble Falls, Westlake, Lakeway, Cedar Park, Leander, Dripping Springs, Buda, Kyle, Bastrop, Pflugerville, Spicewood,San Marcos or in any other city in the Austin Metroplex area, Call us at 512-451-8326to schedule an appointment for all of our residential or commercial cleaning or restoration services.We service Cedar Park, Leander, Liberty Hill, Lago Vista, Lakeway, Georgetown, Round Rock, Manor, Hutto and Austin carpet cleaning customers everywhere.

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The Steam Team Austin, TX Carpet, Tile, Air Duct ...

When your homes carpets are in need of a good cleaning, which powerful cleaning system should you select? We take a closer look at the pros and cons of dry carpet cleaning systems and steam cleaning systems to help you get a sense of what work best for the condition of carpets in your home.

Advantages of Dry Carpet Cleaning

A dry cleaning (very low-moisture) solution for carpet maintenance goes a bit beyond your typical vacuum cleaner routine. Dry carpet cleaning offers deep cleansing power by supplementing with compound cleaning agents to pre-treat fibers and break down dirt prior to the actual machine cleaning. The cleaning agents are brushed or buffed into the carpet, and then are removed during cleaning, along with all of the dirt, oils and other sediments that loosen when the cleansers are embedded between the fibers. The cleansers can also add protection to carpet fibers to prevent future stains, much like you might apply a stain shield spray to furnishings.

The system is more conventionally used for residential purposes when homeowners are seeking spot treatment, but it's also ideal in scenarios when you would have a harder time limiting traffic on the carpet (such as at the entryway or hallway in a commercial space). Dry cleaning systems are less expensive than steam cleaners, and because they use less moisture, leave homeowners with a faster dry time. The treated rooms are typically only out of service for 30 minutes to an hour.

If renting the machinery isnt right for you, there are many store-bought powder cleaners that simulate the dry cleaning experience. These products contain ingredients that absorb smells and actively cleanse the fibers of a carpet, and then easily vacuum away after setting for a short period of time.

You can also opt for a simple DIY carpet cleaning powder. One of our favorite homemade blends uses a mix of baking soda, borax, cornstarch and cornmeal, as well as cinnamon and bay leaves to offer a refreshing scent. The disinfecting and cleansing properties of all ingredients make it a welcome addition to your cleaning cabinet and an easy material to sprinkle on the carpets before a vacuum cleaning.

Advantages of Steam Cleaning

For individuals and families who struggle with allergies or sensitivities to scents, steam cleaning can be the best way to deep clean or spot clean carpets in the home. The water vapor produced contains no smell, and its an effective way to kill bacteria and lift dirt that contributes to other bothersome scents.

Unlike sprays and dry cleansers, steam cleaning a carpet wont inject substances that would leave residue on the carpet fibers.

Steam cleaning is a really effective and efficient way to lift build up from the carpet fibers, including mold and pet scents. It also is effective at improving the appearance of carpets that have been neglected over time. The restorative effects can almost always be seen in high traffic areas, such as on hallway carpets on which foot traffic creates a compressed path over time.

When all other cleaning attempts fail, steam cleaning is often a last chance solution that will offer results.

Steam cleaning does inject moisture into the carpet fibers, but much less moisture than if you were to shampoo your carpet by hand to disinfect and refresh it.

Disadvantages of Dry Carpet Cleaning

Dry carpet cleaning systems do work well, but when youre in need of a deep rejuvenation, its usually not powerful enough of a process to revitalize and disinfect a carpet.

Dry carpet cleaners can inject chemicals that leave residues on carpet fibers or scents that trigger allergies in some homeowners, and it's just another thing to consider if you have toddlers or babies who spend a lot of time on the carpet.

Residue build-up can actually age a carpet over time, as its more likely to collect dust than an untreated and regularly vacuumed cleaner.

Disadvantages of Steam Cleaning

The most obvious disadvantage of steam cleaning carpets is that it typically requires powerful rental equipment, heavier and more inconvenient to transport compared to dry cleaning units.

In the days and weeks following a steam clean, the dirt extracted from deep in the fibers may seem to re-emerge; its possible that a secondary steam clean would be necessary to have the best results.

When it comes to relying on a steam cleaner for lifting stains, its still necessary to take into account the age of the stain, how deep it has penetrated the fibers and what caused it. Steam cleaners work well, and perhaps better than dry cleaners, but arent always totally effective at removing deep, tough spots.

Steam cleaning is a method that can be used periodically but should not be used regularly, as it can wear on the carpets unnecessarily.

Finally, steam cleaners can often leave moisture in the carpet, which can take upwards of 24 hours to dry.

Save the day with these tricks to remove common carpet stains.

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Dry Carpet Cleaning vs. Steam Cleaning | HGTV

Vax Platinum Smartwash deals

In this Vax Platinum SmartWash review, we won't be fixating on dog muck. However, this is a carpet cleaner that proved its worth in a test so extreme, it changed my perception of carpet cleaners in general. It's not just a carpet cleaner; it's a crap-et cleaner.

Before getting this Vax, I saw carpet cleaners as something to be used once in a blue moon, when the whole house needed a good seeing to. But since receiving a sample of the Vax Platinum SmartWash, Ive found it to be useful on a number of occasions, mostly because I have two Labradors (one a puppy) and three cats, but also because I have had my own fair share of recent accidental spillages, like the last time I reviewed a pod coffee machine and spilled the contents of a whole shot over the lounge rug.

To sum the Vax Platinum SmartWash review up very adroitly, it's the best carpet cleaner you can get. Just pair it with something from our list of the best vacuum cleaners or, if you are a modern type, the best cordless vacuum cleaners, and you're set for life.

Finally, for any literate dogs, reading: this is your nemesis when it comes to cleaning up behind you. Go on, give it your best shot, if you think youre hard enough.

Vax's rug demon costs 300 in the UK and AU$500 in Australia. It doesn't appear to be available in the USA but if it were it would cost about $420. Amazon has lots of all-American carpet cleaners, should you need one immediately. Bissell and Hoover are the big boys of carpet cleaning, Stateside.

(Image credit: Vax)

From a design point of view, most carpet cleaners share one thing in common they look the same; rather like oversized upright vacuum cleaners from the 1960s only with a modern, Dyson-esque transparent plastic twist. This model sticks to the formula and features a big wide transparent cleaner head, two large wheels on the rear and two water containers a 3.5-litre one for clean water and a 1.9-litre reservoir for all the dirty water thats been sucked out of the carpet. Mounted to the rear is a smaller auto-mixing reservoir for the cleaning solution (it comes with two 250ml Platinum Solution bottles and a Pre-Treatment spray). In the realm of carpet cleaners, the Vax is a good looker, not that it matters.

One of the main problems with domestic carpet cleaners of the upright variety the most common style is storage, as in where the hell am I supposed to put this when I dont need it?. The Platinum SmartWash is certainly big but I reckon itll easily fit in a cupboard under the stairs or any dry outbuilding. Crucially, at 7.4kgs, its not quite as heavy as some models Ive tested so its not too bad to lug up a flight of stairs. Its also surprisingly easy to push and pull, especially on thin to medium pile carpet.

One of the key things about this model is that it doesnt come with a trigger on the push handle and I shall explain why this is so, just a short finger scroll below.

(Image credit: Vax)

Most carpet cleaners have a trigger on the handle and you pull it to squirt solution into the carpet as you push the cleaner through the pile. You then release the trigger on the backstroke and the cleaners suction is activated, drawing all the filthy water from the carpet and depositing it into the dirty water container.

The Vax Platinum SmartWash doesnt have a trigger because it senses forward movement, activating the solution pump as you push it. It also senses rearward motion, automatically activating the powerful suction function on the backstroke. This is clever and I generally really like it, even though fingering a trigger is hardly a strenuous exercise. The main reason I like it is because its actually quite possible to forget to release a trigger on the backstroke which means the carpet receives a double dose of water.

With this model I simply push it forward slowly (slowly being the watchword here) and draw it back even more slowly so as much water as possible can be vacuumed up in a single rearward sweep. And just in case youre wondering how, with an automatic system like this, its possible to perform two or three consecutive rearward drying sequences without it continually dispensing solution on the forward stroke, the Vax bods are one step ahead of you. Simply tap the Dry Only button and the washing function is turned off so you can suck up any excess water on both the forward and backward strokes. An illuminated Wash and Dry display on the brush head tells you which function is in operation.

There is, however, a small catch with this automatic system that Im not so keen on. Since this machine activates the water solution whenever its pushed, you have to either push it to the area you want to clean while tilted and locked in its upright storage position or, if the cleaning head is flat on the floor, push it along the carpet with the power off. Otherwise it will simply start washing the carpet en route to the cleaning area. And worse, you may not even realise this and end up with a wet stripe across a section of carpet you didnt intend to clean. Its not a major issue but you just need to be aware that if the powers on and the cleaning heads down, it will start dispensing water the moment it detects forward motion.

The Vax is equipped with two forward-spinning Flexforce brush bars that reach deep into the fibres. These bars can be easily removed for cleaning, along with the whole transparent housing. This is something you will need to do after each session or some of the fluff and muck that isnt sucked into the dirty water chamber will linger and dry when in storage.

The machine also ships with a patented SpinScrub hand tool and 2.5m long hose for sorting the stairs, upholstery and the car. The 9 metre cable provides more than enough leeway to tackle even the largest rooms from one mains outlet.

(Image credit: Vax)

This carpet cleaner has proved itself exceedingly well, first during a standard full scrub of a bedroom carpet that had never been cleaned and, just 30 minutes later, a cataclysmic disaster involving dogs. It miraculously sorted the smeared excreta without leaving any evidence and I was overjoyed by the results. The same can not be said about the robot vac which required wearing a face mask while giving it a full clean using a toothbrush and copious amounts of paper towelling.

For something so wide (13 inches/33cm), the Vaxscleaning head is pretty easy to manoeuvre though it did tend to veer off course a bit on my medium pile carpet. The low profile head also proved handy for reaching under the bed.

This beast has impressive suction and I was amazed at the amount of water that was being sucked into its maw. The result was an almost dry carpet after two or three extra strokes in the Dry only mode.

(Image credit: Vax)

If youre looking for an easy-to-use carpet cleaner that doesnt weigh a ton and is relatively easy to store, Vax Platinum SmartWash comes highly recommended. Its easy to push and pull, pretty simple to clean and it deals very well with all kinds of stains except, understandably, some that have been in situ for several months.

Given that the price is not noticeably inflated, this is, all told, probably the best carpet cleaner you can buy today, pound for pound (or dollar for dollar).

Prices - Vax Platinum Smartwash:

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Vax Platinum SmartWash review: probably THE best carpet cleaner - T3

WHEN it comes to our all-time worst cleaning crimes, we're all been guilty of charging up the stairs in muddy shoes we can't be bothered to take off. Right?

Well now one mum-of-three has revealed an incredible solution for cleaning even the filthiest of staircase - and the pictures are nothing short of game-changing.

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Posting in a Mrs Hinch Facebook fan group, the mum - who lives in Portadown, Northern Ireland - wrote: "Our stairs get a lot of traffic with kids running straight upstairs from outside so I read somewhere about 'Elbow Grease' and thought I would give it a bash before ringing in a professional cleaner."

Asking her fellow 125,000 group members to "please don't judge", the mother posted before-and-after snaps of her tired stairs before revealing the two affordable cleaning products she used to achieve the impressive results.

Delving into the four-step method, the mother wrote: "I sprayed with Elbow Grease and then left it for 10 minutes.

"Then I rubbed in Dr Beckmann carpet cleaner and left it for 20 minutes."

After using the two deep cleaning sprays - which only set her back 4 - the mother then "scrubbed with warm water and a hard-brush and then rubbed it with a white towel."

In fact, the four-step process (which took less than an hour) proved so vigorous for the mum that she even joked about cancelling her spin class later that day.

But sore arms and 4 seems like an incredibly small price to pay for a carpet which looks as good as new. Amirite?

Unsurprisingly, other cleaning fans have been similarly blown away by the home transformation.

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Praising the mum for her honesty, one user replied: "You should be so proud, your house is clearly well loved and lived in which does for the majority of us who don't all have 'show homes'.

Another wrote: "Great job. I hope everyone will take their shoes off after all your hard work."

Impressed with the mother's determination, a third added: "Amazing job - looks like a huge amount of hard work. Well done you."

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For more household cleaning hacks, this mum has revealed how a 1 household vinegar made her crusty kettle as good as new within a few SECONDS.

Plus this mum uses tomato ketchup to clean grime off her bathroom drain in mere minutes- and the photos speak for themselves.

And shoppers can't get enough of the 89p cleaning paste from Home Bargains that is a favourite with Mrs Hinch.

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Mum reveals how she transformed her filthy staircase with a 4 four-step cleaning method using Elbow... - The US Sun

Lambert enlisted assistance from Javad Torabinejad, who helps people design, set up, and maintain edible landscapes and gardens through his company, Future Foodscapes (futurefoodscapes.com). Torabinejad was raised in Iran by a widowed mother, who gave each of her five sons a fruit tree to nurture in their small yard. Through this experience, he learned about grafting and pollination, developing a lifelong love of gardening. So strong is his zeal, Torabinejad has traveled to other growing zones with potted fruit trees in need of timely cross pollination.

Torabinejad, who has two degrees in agriculture and a Ph.D. in ecology, is scheduling pruning and thinning for Lamberts permaculture area. Hes also selected some disease-resistant apples to graft to her dwarf trees and moved her asparagus to a sunny location with appropriate soil. Hes also helped her with pest problems, including deer.

We specialize in helping people incorporate food and medicinal crops into their landscapes, Torabinejad said. What we do includes fruit tree care, garden designs, disease diagnosis and treatment, pest ID and control, and more.

Torabinejad advises starting small and leaving space between trees to avoid removals later. He often recommends beginning with a fruit tree, one that is relatively trouble-free and resistant to most diseases.

A hardy fig is good in a south-facing spot, he says, and mulberries, service berries, blackberries, and native persimmons work also.

Original post:
Edible landscaping: Farming the yard (copy) - Roanoke Times

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IrelandUruguay, Eastern Republic ofUzbekistanVanuatuVenezuela, Bolivarian Republic ofViet Nam, Socialist Republic ofWallis and Futuna IslandsWestern SaharaYemenZambia, Republic ofZimbabwe

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Do you hear little rustlings in your hayfield? It's probably the fall armyworm - Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal

Allison Watkins| Special to the San Angelo Standard-Times

Caterpillars of all kinds have been out in abundance this year, starting with early populations of webworms, other leaf-eating caterpillars like sophora worm (feeding on Texas Mountain Laurel) and walnut caterpillars (feeding on pecans). The major nuisance right now is the fall armyworm. They have emerged early and strong, which is unfortunate for some home lawns and pastureland.

Armyworm outbreaks are usually short-lived, but memorable when they happen. They are generally kept under control by insect and animal predators, weather conditions and other factors. But when the conditions are just right, they can devour a lawn quickly.

Watch out for armyworms in the lawn, and apply an insecticide as soon as possible if they appear in large numbers or significant plant damage is observed. Insecticides with low toxicity and limited impact to beneficial insects include Bt, spinosad and halofenozide. Conventional pesticide options include bifenthrin, carbaryl, permethrin and esfenvalerate. Apply in the early morning or late evening for best results. For more info on armyworm control, visit https://tomgreen.agrilife.org/horticulture.

Fire ants are also out in high quantity, which is normal this time of year. Not only are fire ants painful to people when we accidentally come across them in the yard, they can also find their way into the home or electrical equipment, and can even damage plants such as turfgrass and vegetable gardens.

The Texas Two-Step method recommended by Texas A&M includes both mound treatments and baits. Visit https://fireant.tamu.edu/controlmethods/twostep/ for details. An insect growth regulator such as methoprene (trade name Extinguish) is a good way to control fire ants without damaging other insects, but there are many effective product options to choose from. More important than which particular product to useis proper application. Apply a bait formulation lightly and evenly through the entire landscape. Then use a contact/mound treatment formulation directly on visible mounds.

It seems like summer has just begun, but fall will be here before you know it, and we have many upcoming events to offer home gardeners in the Concho Valley. Join us on Friday, July 30,for a workshop on peaches planting, growing, canning and preserving. The program will be held at the Tom Green 4-H Center from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. and costs $30 to attend. Pre-registration required. For info and to sign up, visit https://tomgreen.agrilife.org/ or call the Extension Office at 325-659-6522.

Other upcoming events include the Fall Landscaping Symposium hosted by the Concho Valley Master Gardeners (see txmg.org/conchovalley to register), an Earth-Kind Landscape School series from Sept.15 to Oct. 13, and a first-ever Fall Vegetable Plant Sale held by the Master Gardeners on Sept.25. For updates and info on all educational opportunities, sign up for the monthly horticulture e-newsletter by calling the Extension Office at 325-659-6522 or visiting https://tomgreen.agrilife.org/horticulture.

Allison Watkins is the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Agent for horticulture in Tom Green County. Contact her at aewatkins@ag.tamu.edu.

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Tips for controlling fall armyworms and fire ants in your lawn - Standard-Times

Warmer weather means more pesky insects we need to avoid, including ticks. Tick bites have been on the rise in recent years and there are a number of factors that likely contribute to this.

Ticks thrive best in warmer conditions, so increasing temperatures, both in the summer and winter, may result in a greater number of ticks and tick bites, said Matthew Aardema, an assistant professor of biology at Montclair State University.

Growing deer populations in certain parts of the country have also likely led to a greater number of ticks. And a larger proportion of people spending time outdoors engaged in activities like hiking or gardening, which have become popular pandemic era de-stressors, is another contributor to the increase in tick bites.

An increase in tick encounters can cause things like Lyme disease, which is also on the rise. In 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 47,743 cases of tick-borne diseases. In 2019, the number rose to 50,865.

David Claborn, director of the Master of Public Health program at Missouri State University, said that in recent years, experts have been able to detect even more tick-borne diseases that were likely misdiagnosed in the past.

For instance, in the southwest Missouri region, two viral diseases have been identified in the last 15 years: the heartland virus and the bourbon virus, he said. These are not necessarily new viruses; we just know what to look for now and have sophisticated tools with which to identify them.

So how should you avoid tick bites, and what should you know about ticks in general? Heres a guide.

Where are ticks usually found?

Ticks are found nearly everywhere with the exception of high mountains; however, they are most likely to be in areas with heavy brush and tall grass, Claborn said.

They are especially abundant, he added, in ecotones, which are transitional areas from one dominant vegetation to another. For instance, the ecotone between heavily wooded areas to open meadow are particularly prime areas.

How can you tell if there are ticks in your area?

If you dont already experience it firsthand by seeing them on your companion animals, family or yourself, there are a couple of resources, said Jean Tsao, an associate professor in Michigan State Universitys Department of Fisheries and Wildlife.

She directs people to the CDCs Regions where ticks live website for a breakdown of the different types of ticks and where they are most prevalent.

If you live in a state that has active tick surveillance, your state health departments website might have more detailed information, too, Tsao added. And this CDC page has maps for certain tick species, as well the risks of exposure to ticks infected with the Lyme disease bacteria.

Tick Encounter also provides information about ticks, and has a Tick Finder Map where people can submit photos of ticks in their region and share which varieties might be active in their geographic region at a particular time.

Experts are IDing the photos and collating the information, so its reliable, Tsao said.

Noel Hendrickson via Getty Images

How do you prevent tick bites?

There are a few methods you should practice. First, Aardema suggested wearing pants and socks that cover the ankles and lower legs when hiking outside.

When practical, pant legs can be tucked into the socks to prevent ticks gaining access to the skin, he explained. However, this may mean that ticks will try crawling higher up the body.

Opt for lighter-colored clothing, which makes it easier to see ticks before they start biting. And dont forget your insect repellent.

Apply a bug spray with at least 25% DEET to your clothing, especially the shoes and pant legs, said Aardema, who noted that non-DEET products have not been shown to be effective at preventing tick bites.

A tick searching for a place to bite is much easier to remove than a tick that has already started feeding, so check for ticks frequently during hikes or whenever spending an extended amount of time outdoors, Aardema added.

And after spending any time outside in tick-prone areas, you should thoroughly check for ticks on your body. Aardema said to do this even in the winter, if temperatures are above freezing.

Its important to inspect all areas of your body, including the scalp, behind the ears, under the arms, in the groin area, inside the belly button and behind the knees, added Jeannie Kenkare, chief medical officer at PhysicalOne Urgent Care. Take a shower if possible to help remove any ticks that have not yet latched on, she said.

Your dog or cat may also carry ticks in from the outdoors, even if they wear a flea and tick collar. Rachel Rubin, co-lead of the Cook County Department of Public Health in Illinois, said to run your fingers through your pets fur with gentle pressure to feel for any small bumps. Look in and around the ears, under the collar, between their legs, toes and around the tail.

You can also perform some maintenance in your yard to minimize your chances of tick encounters. Karen Reardon, VP of Public Affairs with RISE a national trade association dedicated to specialty pesticides and fertilizers recommended removing leaves, brush and weeds and trimming shrubs and trees around the perimeter of your home and edge of your lawn.

Use pesticides around your homes perimeter and as a targeted barrier treatment, she said. You can also hire a professional to treat your yard with an effective insect repellent, she added.

How can you tell if you have a tick bite?

A tick bite might go unnoticed if the tick is no longer attached and if it does not cause any immunological reaction, like if the area is not itchy or does not cause a rash.

Tick bites generally are not itchy and do not cause rashes on their own, but if some people have been bitten by ticks in the past, their bodies might mount an immune response to the salivary proteins of a tick bite because the immune system has seen those proteins before and has created antibodies, Tsao said. So, the bite site might be itchy and there might be redness, just as they might to a mosquito bite.

If the tick transmits a pathogen such as the Lyme disease bacterium, there may be a circular rash, which is also described as a bulls-eye rash that grows from the tick bite. Tsao said that if an American dog tick or a Gulf Coast tick transmits a spotted fever to you, you might have a different kind of rash.

VioletaStoimenova via Getty Images

Should you remove a tick if its embedded into your skin?

Tsao said yes, you should always remove a tick thats biting you. If the tick is infected, the longer its attached, the higher the probability that it will transmit the pathogen to you, she explained. And the sooner you remove the tick, the greater the chance that you will prevent transmission.

To remove a tick, Tsao said to use a fine-tipped pair of tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Then, pull up on the tick with even steady motion (without twisting or rapid movements).

If small parts of the tick break off and remain in the skin remove them if easily removed, but otherwise just leave it alone and the body will push it out over time, she said. Try not to squeeze the body of the tick as you grasp it, as this could make it more likely for the tick to infect you.

And stay away from other DIY removal strategies. We often hear of people using petroleum jelly or matches to kill the tick while it is attached to the skin. This is not effective and may of course cause much more harm to the skin, said Andrew S. Handel, an assistant professor of pediatric infectious diseases at Stony Brook Childrens Hospital.

After removing the tick, Tsao said to wash the area with soap and water or alcohol. She suggested saving the tick so that if you do become sick, it can be used for identification by the physician to determine the course of diagnosis and treatment. This can be especially important, as different tick species transmit different pathogens. Take clear photos of the tick and send them to Tick App or Tick Spotters to have experts ID the tick for you.

What should you do after a tick bite?

If you have removed a tick, Kenkare said its important to monitor for symptoms for at least two weeks.

The most common symptoms of illness related to tick bites include fever or chills, fatigue and body aches, she said. A rash is also a sign that you should seek out medical treatment.

Additionally, the site of a bite can become infected, so watch for any redness, swelling or increasing pain. If you develop any of these symptoms after a tick bite, you should immediately seek out medical care from your primary care or from your local urgent care, Kenkare said.

While Lyme disease is the most common infection transmitted by ticks, there are other illnesses that can also come from tick bacteria. These illnesses often present with similar symptoms including fever, fatigue, headache, nausea and vomiting and all require medical attention, Kenkare explained.

But just because youve been bitten, it doesnt necessarily mean youre infected. While tick bites are always concerning to me as an urgent care physician, its important to remember that not all ticks carry disease, Kenkare said. A medical professional can thoroughly examine the bite, the story and the conditions surrounding it to determine if any further testing or treatment is needed.

More here:
What You Need To Know About Ticks, From Preventing Them To Treating Bites - HuffPost

August is nearly upon us, so heres your to-do list.

Theres still time to plant portulaca, purslane, marigold, zinnia, copper canyon daisy, caladiums and ornamental grasses for immediate color. Many great types of salvia are available. Use spider lilies, fall crocus, fall amaryllis, mums and asters for later flowers.

Plant fall vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, garlic, cabbage, kale, radishes, turnips, carrots and green onions.

Plant buffalo and Bermuda grasses by seed or sod. Plant St. Augustine and zoysia by solid sod.

Use horseherb, liriope, ophiopogon, Persian ivy and other ground covers in shady areas where turf is struggling. Wildflower seeds are better planted now than in the fall.

Prune declining flowering plants to encourage more blooms. Its an excellent time to prune trees and shrubs since they can heal and start growing better in the summer than in fall or winter. No flush cuts or pruning paints, please.

Foliar feed all plantings with Garrett Juice or compost tea. Also drench the soil of any new or struggling plants. Apply the Sick Tree Treatment to any stressed woody plants.

Water deeply and as infrequently as possible. Your garden and landscape will usually need more water this month. Potted plants and hanging baskets need water daily. Lava sand broadcast freely will greatly help hold moisture and reduce watering needs.

The best pest control results from planting adapted plants, maintaining healthy soil and avoiding high-nitrogen fertilizers and toxic chemical pesticides. This simple approach protects the beneficial microbes and insects so that destructive pests are rare.

For the few pests that do show up, first spray with non-killing repellents such as garlic and garlic pepper tea. If that doesnt stop them all, move to the lowest toxicity killing organic pesticides such as orange oil, spinosad and quality neem products. Add an ounce of liquid molasses to any of the liquid products per gallon to make them more effective and last longer.

Apply beneficial nematodes for grubworms and other soil pests. Spray orange oil for chinch bugs. Do not use pyrethrum products for these or any other pests. Apply dry molasses to the entire site for fire ants. Spray Bt or spinosad products for any caterpillars chewing foliage.

Whole ground cornmeal applications stop all the lawn fungal diseases brown patch, gray leaf spot, take-all patch, etc. Use at about 20 pounds per 1,000 square feet. Hydrogen peroxide can help with various diseases and control algae in ponds and water features. See the specifics on dirtdoctor.com.

Garlic, cedar oil, liquid Bti and oil of eucalyptus products sprayed in an alternating sequence give the best control of mosquitoes.

Mow weekly, and leave clippings on the lawn. Spray noxious weeds with 20% vinegar with 1 ounce of molasses added per gallon. Carefully spot spray in beds and turf. This also works to control suckers on the bases of trees and other woody plants.

Link:
August is the time to plant fall vegetables, color and more - The Dallas Morning News

Of the more than 750 Irish Water treatment plants across the country, 70 are in a drought or at the risk of drought with the majority of these in Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Wexford and Donegal.

Irish Water, which produces 1.7bn litres of drinking water every day, says that there has been no impact to many customers living in these counties, however, there are "targeted night-time restrictions" to ensure supplies during the day.

With recent high temperatures, the demand for treated drinking water has increased, particularly in tourist and coastal areas.

The utility says it is working closely with local authorities to maximise the amount of clean drinking water and make sure it is available to all customers.

Tom Cuddy, Head of Asset Operations with Irish Water said the unusual weather of 2021 has put pressure on areas that are reliant on groundwater sources.

Irish Water is continuing to urge the public to conserve water to ensure a consistent supply for all during this busy time. Demand for drinking water has increased significantly in many supplies across Kilkenny. Learn more https://t.co/G4Gp9W0biL. pic.twitter.com/N3zXvjL6gi

"While we saw more rain than usual in May it followed one of the driest Aprils on record and in some areas of the country we have had little or no rain since early June," he said.

"Over the past seven days, there has been less than 1mm across the country and some stations in the Dublin area reporting 0mm."

Mr Cuddy added: "While temperatures are expected to drop next week, longer-term forecasts predict drier than normal conditions will continue into August.

Irish Water says there are currently no plans to implement a water conservation order as the majority of water treatment plants continue to provide unrestricted water supplies.

However, in an effort to conserve water supplies and avoid unnecessary usage, the public is being urged not to use garden hoses or pressure washers and not to use paddling pools in an effort to conserve water.

Irish Water says small changes can have lasting results including:

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Night-time restrictions in place as 70 Irish Water treatment plants at risk of drought - Irish Examiner