Griggs & Browne professionals are experts in controlling nasty pests, cleaning carpets, or planning a home inspection. Below are tips you may find useful around your home or business.
Property Owners Should Take Preventative Steps Against Ticks In The Spring
Two out of every three individuals in Rhode Island and nearby Connecticut and Massachusetts are exposed to a growing and dangerous tick population every year.
Once relegated to rural areas, ticks have now moved into suburban neighborhoods as deer populations increase and as suburban sprawl encroaches on what was once forestland and countryside. Statistics show the tick population growing throughout the Northeast, with Connecticut and Rhode Island experiencing the most rapid growth.
"Ticks hide in high grass, in flowering bushes and on edible plants, anywhere that creates a friendly environment, bringing with them the threat of Lyme and other diseases that can have significant medical consequences," said Michael Carello, a regional manager and tick specialist at Griggs & Browne, the region's leading pest control company.
Carello said ticks feed off deer and rodents that actually carry Lyme disease, transmitting the disease to the ticks, which then pass it on to humans.
"The University of Rhode Island identified that more than 717,000 Rhode Islanders were in danger of encountering deer ticks in their own yards and neighborhoods," Carello said. "And a Connecticut Tick Management Handbook said 'three quarters of all Lyme disease cases are acquired from ticks picked up during activities around the home.'"
Carello said a University of Rhode Island survey two years ago found only slightly more than one in ten Rhode Islanders using tick control prevention strategies.
"It makes little sense today to ignore proper tick preventative measures," said David Spicer, a regional manager and tick specialist at Griggs & Browne. "We strongly advise that property owners in suburban and rural areas consult a professional to determine the appropriate preventative measures."
Griggs & Browne uses a four step program, employing an innovative back pack method, with a spray that provides better coverage by allowing the technician to maneuver around difficult obstacles, such as rock walls and shrubbery. Griggs & Browne recommends treatments in late April, late May, mid to late June, and late October to November.
"These treatments are relatively inexpensive, and go a long way toward preventing tick infestation that can have serious health and economic consequences," Spicer said.
Thomas N. Mather, Ph.D. and director of the University of Rhode Island's Center for Vector-Borne Disease, suggests that Lyme disease costs Rhode Island $30 million a year.
"There are numerous incidents of individuals who are left with life-long serious conditions," Spicer said.
The Connecticut health agencies' report said if Lyme disease goes undetected and untreated for as long as a year after the tick bite, individuals may experience ongoing symptoms that range from tingling of extremities and sensory loss to mood swings and intermittent chronic arthritis.
Here are some preventative measures that Griggs and Browne recommends:
Protect Yourself From Rodent Intruders
As the weather cools, you might not be the only one retreating inside. By year's end, the National Pest Management Association estimates rodents will invade 21 million U.S. homes, looking for food and warmth. Once inside, pests like rats and mice pose a serious threat to your home and health.
Rodents can infiltrate even the smallest chinks in a home's armor. A rat can squeeze through a hole as small as a quarter, safely drop 50 feet or use its 36-inch vertical jump to enter your home. Similarly agile, mice can chew their way through walls, causing costly damage. Rats, too, can gnaw through lead sheathing, cinder block, aluminum sheeting, glass and electrical wires-a common cause of fire. Rats must gnaw constantly to trim their sharp teeth, which is why they are always looking for something to chew.
Rodents can survive in almost any environment. Some mice can live with little food or water and adapt to temperatures as low as 10 degrees below 0F. Living up to two years and reproducing nearly every 24 days, these vermin can quickly create an active community behind your walls.
Even more alarming is the potential for disease when rodents enter the home. Rats can spread the plague, typhus and food poisoning. Certain species of mice may carry Hantavirus, a virus that can result in a fatal human respiratory disease. Rodent urine and fecal droppings not only can contaminate food but also foster the growth of tapeworm eggs.
To guard your home against these unwelcome guests, consider these tips:
Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
At Griggs & Browne, our trained professionals have battled all kinds of stains, and offer these helpful hints to prevent your carpets and upholstery from becoming permanently soiled.
When dealing with stains it is important to keep in mind a couple of factors that will contribute to how successfully a stain can be treated including carpet quality, age, protection applications, and response time. Not all stains are removable but many are.
General Guidelines for Stain & Spot Removal
Other Stain tips include:
Lead In Your Home: Risks and Precautions
Lead is highly toxic metal that produces a range of serious health effects particularly in small children. Children's exposure to lead is mainly found in most residences built prior to 1978. Lead in paint tastes similar to chocolate for children. The principal source of lead is lead-based paint, which contaminates dust, soil and water. Because of their normal hand to mouth behavior, children under six are at risk of ingesting lead paint from their home and environment.
Lead can cause the following health conditions in adults:
Under the Lead Hazard Mitigation Law, all residences built prior to 1978 must meet three requirements to be in compliance:
In order for you to protect your family and investment you need to know where the lead is located and how to resolve any lead issues. Ask for a professional lead inspection today to insure your family's safety.
How To Sell Your Home Using A Pre-Listing Home Inspection
If you have ever bought or sold a home, then this should sound familiar. After a long search, a buyer finds a home that they love, so they make an offer. A professional home inspector is hired and uncovers a number of problems to the astonishment of both the buyer and the seller. Among some smaller issues, a significant amount of hidden termite damage is discovered along with defective roof shingles and a host of electrical infractions. The buyers are thwarted with the mere thought that termites are eating their potential new home, the roof possibly needs replacing, and the electrical problems present a safety concern. Overwhelmed with a laundry list of problems, the buyers decide to withdraw their offer. The real estate agents frantically try to renegotiate a new contract under revised circumstances. Meanwhile the inspection contingency time clock is ticking away.
Imagine the same scenario, except this time the savvy home seller has the foresight to schedule a pre-listing home inspection prior to putting the house on the market. Upon learning about their home's issues, the sellers have two options. One option is to simply disclose the issues and price the house accordingly. Another option is to take a suitable approach to resolving each problem. With the help of professionals, the termite damage is mended and the problem controlled, while a licensed electrician repairs the electrical infractions. The home inspector works with the sellers and the roofing manufacturer to address the concerns surrounding the roof. The seller can comfortably disclose the issues and provide a home inspection report with documentation of the repairs and any warranties. In the end, there are no surprises or delays. Both the buyers and the sellers are happy.
A pre-listing home inspection is an excellent compliment to marketing a home. Homeowners should inspect their home every five to ten years to uncover hidden issues or potential hazards. If a home is overdue for an inspection at the time of sale, then the seller would benefit greatly from a pre-listing inspection. Whether working with a real estate agent or selling the home themselves, sellers can rely on pre-listing inspections to:
Property Owners Should Take Preventative Steps Against Ticks In The Spring
Two out of every three individuals in Rhode Island and nearby Connecticut and Massachusetts are exposed to a growing and dangerous tick population every year.
Once relegated to rural areas, ticks have now moved into suburban neighborhoods as deer populations increase and as suburban sprawl encroaches on what was once forestland and countryside. Statistics show the tick population growing throughout the Northeast, with Connecticut and Rhode Island experiencing the most rapid growth.
"Ticks hide in high grass, in flowering bushes and on edible plants, anywhere that creates a friendly environment, bringing with them the threat of Lyme and other diseases that can have significant medical consequences," said Michael Carello, a regional manager and tick specialist at Griggs & Browne, the region's leading pest control company.
Carello said ticks feed off deer and rodents that actually carry Lyme disease, transmitting the disease to the ticks, which then pass it on to humans.
"The University of Rhode Island identified that more than 717,000 Rhode Islanders were in danger of encountering deer ticks in their own yards and neighborhoods," Carello said. "And a Connecticut Tick Management Handbook said 'three quarters of all Lyme disease cases are acquired from ticks picked up during activities around the home.'"
Carello said a University of Rhode Island survey two years ago found only slightly more than one in ten Rhode Islanders using tick control prevention strategies.
"It makes little sense today to ignore proper tick preventative measures," said David Spicer, a regional manager and tick specialist at Griggs & Browne. "We strongly advise that property owners in suburban and rural areas consult a professional to determine the appropriate preventative measures."
Griggs & Browne uses a four step program, employing an innovative back pack method, with a spray that provides better coverage by allowing the technician to maneuver around difficult obstacles, such as rock walls and shrubbery. Griggs & Browne recommends treatments in late April, late May, mid to late June, and late October to November.
"These treatments are relatively inexpensive, and go a long way toward preventing tick infestation that can have serious health and economic consequences," Spicer said.
Thomas N. Mather, Ph.D. and director of the University of Rhode Island's Center for Vector-Borne Disease, suggests that Lyme disease costs Rhode Island $30 million a year.
"There are numerous incidents of individuals who are left with life-long serious conditions," Spicer said.
The Connecticut health agencies' report said if Lyme disease goes undetected and untreated for as long as a year after the tick bite, individuals may experience ongoing symptoms that range from tingling of extremities and sensory loss to mood swings and intermittent chronic arthritis.
Here are some preventative measures that Griggs and Browne recommends:
- Work with a professional to have your property adequately treated.
- Wear lightly colored clothing in spring and summer months, making it easier to identify ticks. When practical wear pants tucked inside socks.
- Conduct a daily tick check for yourself and family members, removing them quickly by using tweezers, grasping the ticks gently by the head. Save the specimen and call your doctor. Experts suggest that ticks must be attached and feeding for a 24-hour period to transmit Lyme or other diseases.
- Make sure you or your landscaper cuts your lawn to the property's edge. Ticks like to hang out in long grass, but aren't as happy when they stand out on a well-groomed lawn.
- Protect pets by using a repellent like Frontline®.
Protect Yourself From Rodent Intruders
As the weather cools, you might not be the only one retreating inside. By year's end, the National Pest Management Association estimates rodents will invade 21 million U.S. homes, looking for food and warmth. Once inside, pests like rats and mice pose a serious threat to your home and health.
Rodents can infiltrate even the smallest chinks in a home's armor. A rat can squeeze through a hole as small as a quarter, safely drop 50 feet or use its 36-inch vertical jump to enter your home. Similarly agile, mice can chew their way through walls, causing costly damage. Rats, too, can gnaw through lead sheathing, cinder block, aluminum sheeting, glass and electrical wires-a common cause of fire. Rats must gnaw constantly to trim their sharp teeth, which is why they are always looking for something to chew.
Rodents can survive in almost any environment. Some mice can live with little food or water and adapt to temperatures as low as 10 degrees below 0F. Living up to two years and reproducing nearly every 24 days, these vermin can quickly create an active community behind your walls.
Even more alarming is the potential for disease when rodents enter the home. Rats can spread the plague, typhus and food poisoning. Certain species of mice may carry Hantavirus, a virus that can result in a fatal human respiratory disease. Rodent urine and fecal droppings not only can contaminate food but also foster the growth of tapeworm eggs.
To guard your home against these unwelcome guests, consider these tips:
- Inspect your home's exterior and interior regularly. Seal all cracks 1/4-inch and larger. Install weather strips at the bottom of exterior doors.
- Keep your home clean, especially the kitchen. Store all food, including pet food, properly. Do not leave dishes in the sink or pet food out overnight. Place garbage in lidded containers.
- Keep the yard clean. Place firewood, bricks and debris as far from the home as possible. Trim plants, bushes and limbs that hang over the home.
- Contact a licensed pest control company for help in identifying and eliminating rodent problems.
- Remember: Controlling rodent populations in the fall and winter will reduce populations in the spring. Rats and mice are a threat to your home and health in the winter.
Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
At Griggs & Browne, our trained professionals have battled all kinds of stains, and offer these helpful hints to prevent your carpets and upholstery from becoming permanently soiled.
When dealing with stains it is important to keep in mind a couple of factors that will contribute to how successfully a stain can be treated including carpet quality, age, protection applications, and response time. Not all stains are removable but many are.
General Guidelines for Stain & Spot Removal
- Immediately blot up as much of the liquid stain as possible using a soft, white absorbent material such as a towel, paper towel or napkin. Though most of the carpets today are treated with stain-resistant treatments, no carpet can be completely stain proof. And the longer the stain remains in the carpet, the more permanently it sets in.
- Scrape away any solid or semi-solid stain using a blunt spatula or spoon. Never use a knife as it could damage the pile fibers.
- Never scrub or brush a stain; scrubbing can harm the fibers and actually have the adverse reaction of helping the stain set into the carpet.
- Always pretest the spot removal agent on an inconspicuous area of the carpet. Some products have high alkalinity that can cause discoloration. Follow instructions carefully and apply a few drops to each area of the carpet. Press a clean white towel or napkin over it for 30 seconds. Check and see if the carpet transferred color, changed, or created any other damage. Try another cleaning agent if you notice any change.
- To clean a spot, apply a small amount of spot removal to the soft white absorbent material and gently apply to the stain. Work from the outside of the stain inward to prevent spreading. Continue as long as the stain continues to transfer onto the towel. Repeat the process as long as the stain is being removed. Patience is a virtue!
- In some cases you may need to apply more than one spot removal agent. Continue to apply the first one until it is no longer effective and then move on to the next one.
- Once the spill has been removed, rinse out the affected area with water and blot dry. You need to remove the cleaning solution completely as residue may attract soil and cause damage. Use clean dry towels weighed down by something flat and heavy, like a book and keep changing out the towels as they become saturated.
- Over-wetting carpets can also cause damage so be careful not to "over-wet" the area.
Other Stain tips include:
- Diatomaceous Earth is a product that can be purchased at pool supply stores. It works like a million tiny sponges to absorb liquid spills. Sprinkle it on and vacuum it off, once the spill is dry.
- Mix a half teaspoon of enzyme detergent with one cup of clean water. Apply to the stain and leave for 5-10 minutes for best results. Rise with warm water. You will most likely need to rinse it several times.
- Mix 1/3 cup of white vinegar to 2/3 cup of water. Apply to the stain and leave it on for less than a minute. Blot using soft, absorbent white material.
Lead In Your Home: Risks and Precautions
Lead is highly toxic metal that produces a range of serious health effects particularly in small children. Children's exposure to lead is mainly found in most residences built prior to 1978. Lead in paint tastes similar to chocolate for children. The principal source of lead is lead-based paint, which contaminates dust, soil and water. Because of their normal hand to mouth behavior, children under six are at risk of ingesting lead paint from their home and environment.
- Lead can cause the following health conditions in children:
- Vomiting
- Headaches
- Loss of appetite
- Impaired hearing
- Learning behavior problems
- Brain and kidney damage
Lead can cause the following health conditions in adults:
- Increase blood pressure
- Nerve disorder
- Digestive problems
- Muscle and joint pain
- Reproductive system damage
- Kidney damage
Under the Lead Hazard Mitigation Law, all residences built prior to 1978 must meet three requirements to be in compliance:
- Current Certificate of Conformance
- Distribute lead booklet to tenants (if property is a rental)
- Respond and fix any concerns that residents might have to any lead hazards identified in the property.
In order for you to protect your family and investment you need to know where the lead is located and how to resolve any lead issues. Ask for a professional lead inspection today to insure your family's safety.
How To Sell Your Home Using A Pre-Listing Home Inspection
If you have ever bought or sold a home, then this should sound familiar. After a long search, a buyer finds a home that they love, so they make an offer. A professional home inspector is hired and uncovers a number of problems to the astonishment of both the buyer and the seller. Among some smaller issues, a significant amount of hidden termite damage is discovered along with defective roof shingles and a host of electrical infractions. The buyers are thwarted with the mere thought that termites are eating their potential new home, the roof possibly needs replacing, and the electrical problems present a safety concern. Overwhelmed with a laundry list of problems, the buyers decide to withdraw their offer. The real estate agents frantically try to renegotiate a new contract under revised circumstances. Meanwhile the inspection contingency time clock is ticking away.
Imagine the same scenario, except this time the savvy home seller has the foresight to schedule a pre-listing home inspection prior to putting the house on the market. Upon learning about their home's issues, the sellers have two options. One option is to simply disclose the issues and price the house accordingly. Another option is to take a suitable approach to resolving each problem. With the help of professionals, the termite damage is mended and the problem controlled, while a licensed electrician repairs the electrical infractions. The home inspector works with the sellers and the roofing manufacturer to address the concerns surrounding the roof. The seller can comfortably disclose the issues and provide a home inspection report with documentation of the repairs and any warranties. In the end, there are no surprises or delays. Both the buyers and the sellers are happy.
A pre-listing home inspection is an excellent compliment to marketing a home. Homeowners should inspect their home every five to ten years to uncover hidden issues or potential hazards. If a home is overdue for an inspection at the time of sale, then the seller would benefit greatly from a pre-listing inspection. Whether working with a real estate agent or selling the home themselves, sellers can rely on pre-listing inspections to:
- Uncover serious problems before they become an issue with the buyer;
- Procure realistic repair prices without being pressured by time restraints;
- Offer full disclosure with a suitable price;
- Reduce obstacles that hinder or eliminate the sale of a home; and
- Attract compelling offers in contrast to homes without a pre-listing inspection report.
When The Swarms Are Gone, The Termites Feed; It's Always A Good Time To Check For Termites
Do you know what dangers could be lurking behind the walls of your home? Termites might be happily chomping away at your home's infrastructure, secure that they are hidden well and difficult to find.
Termites typically swarm in May and June, only to find their way back underground where the worker termites continue their mission of finding food.
(Click here to read more.)
Do you know what dangers could be lurking behind the walls of your home? Termites might be happily chomping away at your home's infrastructure, secure that they are hidden well and difficult to find.
Termites typically swarm in May and June, only to find their way back underground where the worker termites continue their mission of finding food.
(Click here to read more.)
Rhode Island
175 Niantic Avenue
Providence, RI 02907
Phone: (800) 924-8886
Fax: (401) 943-8083
175 Niantic Avenue
Providence, RI 02907
Phone: (800) 924-8886
Fax: (401) 943-8083
Eastern Massachusetts
140 Brockton Avenue
Abington, MA 02351
Phone: (800) 244-1012
Fax: (781) 871-5584
140 Brockton Avenue
Abington, MA 02351
Phone: (800) 244-1012
Fax: (781) 871-5584
Connecticut
152 Cross Road
Waterford, CT 06385
Phone: (800) 962-3296
Fax: (860) 447-9063
152 Cross Road
Waterford, CT 06385
Phone: (800) 962-3296
Fax: (860) 447-9063
Cape Cod & Islands
203 Main Street
Buzzards Bay, MA 02532
Phone: (800) 339-2212
Fax: (508) 759-5284
203 Main Street
Buzzards Bay, MA 02532
Phone: (800) 339-2212
Fax: (508) 759-5284
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