FC&M May/June 2016

MAY/JUNE 2016

PM#4

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DREAM TEAM

P A R T O F T H E P A R T O F T H E

PART OF THE PART OF THE

SERVING THE FACILITY CLEANING & MAINTENANCE INDUSTRY

� COPING WITH CANADA GEESE

� ARTIFICIAL AND NATURAL TURF CARE

� BATTLING LOCKER ROOM BACTERIA

Franchise relationship cornerstone of ServiceMaster Clean’s success in Canada

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Untitled-3 1 2016-06-15 11:26 AM

4 / FACILITY CLEANING & MAINTENANCE / MAY/JUNE 2016

MAY/JUNE 2016

SPOTLIGHT

14 Picture Perfect Turf Game plan key to keeping synthetic grass in peak playing condition by Alan Lemay

18 Eliminating the Filth of Fitness Locker room cleanliness starts

from the ground up by Paul South

PEST CONTROL

20 A Big Honkin’ Problem Tips to keep geese at bay by Alex Kecskes

24 Attack of the Insects Five invasive species to look out for this summer by Alice Sinia

EXTERIOR CARE

30 A Lot on the Line Failure to Keep Parking Lot Clean can have Disastrous Consequences by Dan Georgen

32 Tackling Unwanted Guests Proper lawn care crucial to

winning weed battle by Steve Tschanz

36 Doggone Lawn Burn How to repair grass damaged

by dog urine by Shawn Karn

IN EVERY ISSUE

8 Editor’s Letter A New Beginning

28 Expert Q+A Building a Better Bedbug Trap

38 Clean Matters Doody Calls

COVER STORY

10 A League of its Own ServiceMaster Clean hits homerun

with innovative offerings, quality service by Clare Tattersall

Bedbugs have a one-year lifespan during which time a female can lay between 200 and 400 eggs, depending on food supply and temperature.

page 28

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THIS MONTH’S ONLINE EXCLUSIVES

The question of how to start a preventive maintenance (PM) program is extremely common, and for good reason. With budgets tight and workers stretched thin, PM has become a nice-to-have instead of a must-have for many organizations. Many operations and maintenance crews find themselves operating in a reactive environment, never knowing what major equipment failure will occur next.

How to start a preventive maintenance program

In recent years, facility managers may have noticed that the line paint in their parking lots is fading more quickly and, consequently, needs to be reapplied more frequently. A reason for this change may be new Environment Canada regulations that set a limit on volatile organic compounds (VOC) in traffic-marking coatings.

Line paint fades faster under new regs

www.REMInetwork.com

ALL THE BUZZ

UVGI technology emerges in infection control.

Dilution control is key to realizing the benefits of eco-friendly sanitation products.

FROM THE GREEN BIN

Advice on how to deter and respond to building vandalism.

EXPERT ADVICE

CONNECT WITH US ON:

While all buildings need protection against potential pests, older buildings can face increased pest pressures and unique challenges if left unprepared. The likelihood of pest infestation increases as buildings age, and facility managers need to understand the risk factors before an infestation occurs, introducing numerous health and safety concerns.

Aging facilities face increased pest pressure

FCM_OnlineExclusives_MayJune_2016.indd 1 2016-06-22 3:16 PM

THIS MONTH’S ONLINE EXCLUSIVES

The question of how to start a preventive maintenance (PM) program is extremely common, and for good reason. With budgets tight and workers stretched thin, PM has become a nice-to-have instead of a must-have for many organizations. Many operations and maintenance crews find themselves operating in a reactive environment, never knowing what major equipment failure will occur next.

How to start a preventive maintenance program

In recent years, facility managers may have noticed that the line paint in their parking lots is fading more quickly and, consequently, needs to be reapplied more frequently. A reason for this change may be new Environment Canada regulations that set a limit on volatile organic compounds (VOC) in traffic-marking coatings.

Line paint fades faster under new regs

www.REMInetwork.com

ALL THE BUZZ

UVGI technology emerges in infection control.

Dilution control is key to realizing the benefits of eco-friendly sanitation products.

FROM THE GREEN BIN

Advice on how to deter and respond to building vandalism.

EXPERT ADVICE

CONNECT WITH US ON:

While all buildings need protection against potential pests, older buildings can face increased pest pressures and unique challenges if left unprepared. The likelihood of pest infestation increases as buildings age, and facility managers need to understand the risk factors before an infestation occurs, introducing numerous health and safety concerns.

Aging facilities face increased pest pressure

FCM_OnlineExclusives_MayJune_2016.indd 1 2016-06-22 3:16 PM

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/ editor’s letter /

Welcome to the premiere edition of Facility Cleaning & Maintenance! It’s not often that I use an exclamation point in my writing — to be honest, I don’t think I have since I graduated from journalism school more than 10 years ago. But this occasion definitely deserves it.

We couldn’t be more excited about the launch of Facility Cleaning & Maintenance (formerly Sanitation Canada). The magazine and its digital properties will provide a steady supply of engaging, meaningful editorial content to assist facility managers and business service contractors in successfully cleaning and maintaining all building types, inside and out. Each issue will highlight an industry leader and spotlight a specific market sector, as well as delve into hot topics. We hope that Facility Cleaning & Maintenance will become an essential part of your professional life — a resource that you depend on to keep up with the rapidly evolving cleaning and maintenance industry.

Our cover story this issue features ServiceMaster Clean of Canada. A big name today in the cleaning industry, the company started with humble beginnings. The story of its success is rooted in its past and people — a tale worthy of celebration, particularly given that the company marked its sixtieth year in business in 2013.

From here we turn to our sector spotlight: Recreation facilities. Working from the outside in, we look at the ease of artificial turf maintenance over natural grass and the steps involved in keeping it in tiptop shape, and then delve into what lurks in the locker room.

We also cover six hot topics related to pest control and exterior care. This includes the dirt on parking lot cleaning; details on the worst garden weeds; tips for treating lawn burn; an overview of the top five invasive insects; and a Q+A with Simon Fraser University scientist Dr. Gerhard Gries, whose discovery will hopefully take a bite out of the global bedbug epidemic.

I hope you enjoy the first issue of Facility Cleaning & Maintenance magazine. Do let me know if there are any topics you’d like to see covered in the future. Your feedback is always welcome.

CLARE [email protected]

Editor Clare Tattersall [email protected]

Digital Editor Rebecca Melnyk [email protected]

Publisher Tristan Cater [email protected]

Senior Designer Annette Carlucci

Designer Jennifer Carter

Production Manager Rachel Selbie [email protected]

Contributing Writers Dan Georgen Shawn Karn Alex Kecskes Alan Lemay Alice Sinia Paul South Steve Tschanz

Circulation Maria Siassina [email protected]

Facility Cleaning & Maintenance is published six times a year by:

5255 Yonge St., Suite 1000 Toronto, Ontario M2N 6P4

PresidentKevin Brown

[email protected]

Group PublisherMelissa Valentini

[email protected]

Copyright 2016Canada Post Canadian Publications

Mail Sales Product Agreement No. 40063056ISSN 1712-140X

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Canada: 1 year, $50*, 2 years, $80*,

US $75 International $100,

Single Copy Sales: Canada: $12** Plus applicable taxes

Requests for permission to reprint any portion of this magazine should

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A NEW BEGINNING

Request a demo at ungerglobal.comwww.ungerglobal.com


by Clare Tattersall

A LEAGUE OF ITS OWN

ServiceMaster Clean hits homerun with innovative offerings, quality service

/ cover story /

The year was 1929. The Chicago Cubs kicked off the World Series against the Philadelphia Athletics

Oct. 8, at Wrigley Field — the first championship series game ever to be played at the iconic ballpark. The hometown heroes put forth a valiant effort but fell to their rivals. Four games later the Athletics crowned victory. It was a dark day for fans in the Windy City, but nothing compared to the devastation wrought soon after by Black Tuesday. The infamous stock market crash brought the Roaring Twenties to a screeching halt and swift change to many.

While 1929 is often memorialized as the end of an era, it marked a new beginning for a salesman by the name of Marion E. Wade. The former minor league baseball player — Wade was a catcher for the Chicago Braves — launched a mothproofing company that year, which he operated out of his home. During the Dirty Thirties, when unemployment was high and many companies closed their doors, Wade’s new-found business weathered the economic storm, and persevered through the ensuing war years. By the early ‘50s, it had grown its

service offerings to include rug and carpet cleaning and, in 1954, the company changed its name to ServiceMaster — now one of the world’s largest residential and commercial service networks, operating through seven industry-leading brands.

Around this time, ServiceMaster expanded beyond the country’s northern border to Toronto. It was here that another salesman, Thane MacNeill, developed a unique carpet cleaning maintenance program, delivered through a network of individually owned franchises. Soon after MacNeill became the owner of the distributorship, marking the early beginnings of ServiceMaster Clean in Canada.

More than 10 years (and the establishment of several distributorships) later, Gary Franklin joined ServiceMaster with a vision of uniting the Canadian franchises under a national banner to provide a leadership role within the industry and better service to customers. This was achieved when he bought out all the distributorships in the early ‘90s.

Today, ServiceMaster of Canada Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of ServiceMaster



Global Holdings Ltd. (the U.S. parent company bought back its Canadian distributorships beginning in 1997). The ServiceMaster Clean brand in Canada boasts 95 franchises from coast-to-coast, each offering a wide range of professional cleaning services, including commercial carpet cleaning, hard surface floor care, janitorial services, upholstery cleaning, tile and grout cleaning, as well as other specialty cleaning services to all building types. Every year, the brand serves more than 10,000 businesses, totalling 78 million square feet of cleanable space. More than 250,000 square feet of commercial carpet alone is cleaned each month in Canada.

MASTERS OF INNOVATION

From the start ServiceMaster has been ahead of the curve, with its Canadian operations playing a pivotal role in the company’s international industry-leading status.

In 1973, ServiceMaster Clean launched an innovative commercial cleaning program, considered the father of modern carpet care maintenance methods. Initially known as Spotlight, it consisted primarily of spot cleaning, complemented by more frequent and efficient cleaning methods.

“It was essentially interim maintenance to improve the carpet’s appearance and prolong its lifespan,” explains Gavin Bajin, director of business services for ServiceMaster Clean of Canada.

While this program hardly seems innova-tive by today’s standards, it was a cutting-edge development at that time when it was all too common to see clouds of cigarette smoke wafting from workstations, rotary dial phones and typewriters were office staples, and shag carpet was the style of the day.

Since then, the program has been refined to keep pace with the professional cleaning industry, developing into a sustainable clean-ing process that uses low moisture agitation and green cleaning solutions.

ServiceMaster Clean’s history of in-novation continues with the creation of its Capture and Removal Cleaning system in 2006. The proprietary program combines advanced equipment and technologies with a proven process to trap and remove dirt,

rather than just moving it around. Janitorial staff use backpack-style, high-filtration vacu-ums along with dust wands and microfibre cloths to capture 99.9 per cent of particles smaller than one micron in size.

“The system is both highly efficient and effective,” says Bajin, adding that it helps companies qualify for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) points. “It dramatically decreases airborne dust, volatile organic compounds (or VOCs) and bacteria, helping create a cleaner, healthier workplace for employees and guests.”

Complementing the Capture and Removal system is a full line of sustainable cleaning products, also launched in 2006. Developed over the course of three years to ensure they were gentle yet as highly effective as traditional cleaning products, the Green For suite of products is a testament to the company’s commitment to the environment. Not only are they free of ingredients such as perfumes and dyes, but they also contain no VOCs and are odourless and solvent-free, making them safe for all occupants in the workplace, including people with asthma, chemical and allergic sensitivities. What really separates these products apart from others in the marketplace, however, is that they carry the EcoLogo label (also known as Environmental Choice). A registered mark of Environment Canada, EcoLogo is the only environmental certification officially recognized in the country. Products and services that bear the logo meet stringent environmental standards that have been verified by an independent auditor.

“We’re one of the only cleaning companies whose products are third party certified,” notes Bajin. “This signifies to our clients that we’re not simply claiming to be green — we actually are.”

ServiceMaster of Canada’s contribution to its parent company goes beyond creat-ing advanced commercial specialty clean-ing processes. Most notably, the company pioneered the sale of franchises by service line. This concept, which is now the stan-dard at ServiceMaster of Canada, promotes greater expertise and knowledge in each

of the company’s brands — Merry Maids (residential cleaning), Furniture Medic (furniture repair), AmeriSpec (home in-spections), ServiceMaster Restore (disaster restoration) and ServiceMaster Clean.

“Specialization where the market can handle it is key,” says Bajin. “If you focus on a specific service line, you are more likely to grow it aggressively.”

BUILDING UNBREAKABLE BONDS

Though the ServiceMaster Clean brand has evolved since its founding in 1953, much has remained the same. The company continues to abide by the tenet ‘treat others how you want to be treated,’ which likely explains why


/ cover story /

� TOP TO BOTTOM: LOW-MOISTURE SOIL ENCAPSULATION PROCESS. HEPA FILTER, BACKPACK VACUUM. DUST WAND VACUUM ATTACHMENT. PHOTOS COURTESY SERVICEMASTER.

www.REMInetwork.com / 13

many of its customers have remained loyal to the brand.

“We have been working with many of our clients for more than 20 years,” says Paul Potter, a long-time employee who transitioned to become a franchisee. “I’ve provided services in Toronto’s Scotia Plaza since it opened (in 1988), for instance, which is longer than many companies have been around.”

To ensure it continues to meet and exceed customers’ expectations, the company uses the Tell ServiceMaster program. Customers are surveyed at least once a year to gauge satisfaction. The results are used to improve service and train employees.

Additionally, franchise owners regularly check in with their clients since they have a vested interest in their venture. Each franchise business is independently owned and operated with 100 per cent of staff living in the communities they serve.

“The customer receives true care because my equity is tied up in our relationship,” explains Potter, who’s been the franchise owner of ServiceMaster Clean of Downtown Toronto for more than 20 years. “If I were merely a manager working for a large cleaning company, I wouldn’t be as devoted.”

Like most franchisees, Potter isn’t just committed to his customers; he’s dedicated to the company, too. Now in his twenty-eighth year with ServiceMaster Clean, Potter first

joined the company as a customer service representative. He worked his way through the ranks, which gave him an extreme appreciation for what is involved in every aspect of the business, and became a franchise owner in 1995, when the opportunity presented itself. What initially drew Potter to ServiceMaster Clean wasn’t the work, though. Rather, it was the company’s reputation and the strong support it offered its franchisees.

“You can’t put a price tag on having a national brand of ServiceMaster Clean’s stature behind you,” he says. “Customers get the benefits of a large corporation — superior training, quality standards, expertise and stability — with the service of a small business. It’s an invaluable connection.” /

/ cover story /

GAVIN BAJIN, DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS SERVICES FOR SERVICEMASTER CLEAN OF CANADA, WITH FRANCHISE OWNER PAUL POTTER.


/ spotlight /

PICTURE PERFECT TURFGame plan key to keeping synthetic grass in peak playing condition

by Alan Lemay

There are several misconceptions about artificial turf, a common one being it doesn’t require

maintenance. While it’s true that tasks and costs

associated with irrigation, mowing and chemical application are substantially reduced following the installation of a synthetic field, facility operators still need to conduct regular field walk-throughs and participate in routine maintenance duties to ensure the surface provides years of safe and effective use.

Just like natural grass, artificial turf also needs TLC. Brushing, aerating, raking and sweeping the surface should be part of the standard operating procedure, too.

EVEN BETTER THAN THE REAL THING

The modern version (or new generation) of synthetic turf has only been around for approximately 20 years.

Back in the late ‘90s, the majority of facility operators in North America didn’t fully understand the concept — and benefits — of an all-weather artificial turf field that looked, felt and played like grass. They had preconceived notions of artificial turf, based on a decades-old, carpet-like surface (AstroTurf) that had little to no support or resiliency.

Today, synthetic turf has become the go-to option for professional sports teams, colleges, universities, municipalities and school districts seeking a surface that offers realistic


/ spotlight /

PICTURE PERFECT TURF and long-term playability and allows for extensive daily use. Grass simply cannot withstand the punishment a turf field takes from being regularly used for a wide range of activities, from sports to marching band practice and commencement ceremonies, among others. It is also vulnerable to inclement weather, especially during play.

In addition to its ability to sustain in-creased usage, artificial turf offers revenue opportunities. Grass requires rest for re-growth, limiting access during shoulder seasons to maintain the quality and integ-rity of the field. Artificial turf, on the other hand, requires no such downtime. In north-ern climates, turf fields often are in use well into November, and are ready for action as soon as snow melts.

Synthetic grass also requires much less water for maintenance than its natural counterpart, reducing consumption costs. A typical grass field needs between 500,000 and 1 million gallons of water each year, depending on its location.

Further, turf doesn’t require mowing, fertilizer and treatment with pesticides.

This significantly reduces workloads and eliminates potential harm to the environment.

A WALK TO REMEMBER

The most important step in maintaining a turf field involves, quite literally, taking several steps. A full-field walk-through should be performed on a weekly basis — and certainly before every game — to determine if the field needs brushing, raking and/or aerating. Extra attention should be paid to high-traffic areas, such as soccer penalty-kick, corner-kick and goal crease spots, as well as practice and drill areas, and football’s “red zone” (inside the 20 yard lines). Field entrances are also hotspots for leaves, paper, trash and other windblown debris.

If the field needs sweeping, it should be done before using any type of grooming equipment. Leaves can easily be removed with a leaf blower, as can fly away infill near perimeter areas.

Infill displacement is normal, result-ing in both high and low spots through-

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� TOP TO BOTTOM: MAGNET SWEEP FOR METAL DEBRIS. ROTARY BRUSH. FIELD GROOMER WITH ROTATING TINES. PHOTOS COURTESY FIELDTURF.


out and around the field. In high spots, simply brush out the infill until it’s even-ly distributed. In low areas, add more infill and then distribute it by brushing. Proper infill depth allows for three-quar-ters of an inch of fibre to be exposed. A handheld rake, infill scooper and in-fill depth gauge are essential tools when maintaining infill levels.

On baseball and softball fields, home plate, the pitcher’s mound, and first, second and third bases should be the top inspection priorities.

As is common with some natural grass baseball and softball fields, excess clay from clay areas can migrate to infill areas. When that happens, it’s critical to brush the clay from these areas and replenish them with field infill. Specialized equipment may be required to care for these sections.

While on walk-through, also look for faded line markings and loose seams. Tending to these maintenance tasks may require the assistance of the turf manufacturer’s local representative.

/ spotlight /

THE IMPORTANCE OF BARS

The acronym BARS is a great tool to use to remember the four basic elements of turf maintenance — brushing, aerating, raking and sweeping.

Adhering to a consistent maintenance schedule following the BARS method will result in a field with long-lasting performance.

Brushing the field (every four to six weeks) rejuvenates matted fibres and levels the top portion of the infill.

Aerating minimizes the risk of minor compaction, by penetrating and loosening the infill with rotating tines. This should be done no more than three times per year.

Raking (every four to six weeks) prevents fibres from becoming matted and keeps the top layer of infill loose.

Sweeping ensures that debris doesn’t

work its way into the infill. It must be done immediately following any other maintenance procedures to prevent foreign material from settling into the infill before usage.

PLOWING ON

Synthetic grass fields don’t require traditional irrigation. However, spills should be cleaned off the turf using water and a sanitizer. Facility operators should contact the surface manufacturer to obtain the recommended products and methods for general cleaning of indoor facilities that don’t have drainage.

If the field is located in an area prone to snow, then it will need to be plowed at some point. The ideal climatic conditions for plowing are always below freezing; that is, colder than 0 C. To be safe, -5 C should be the threshold. It’s also a good idea to keep pace with snowfall and regularly plow the field so snow doesn’t pile up.

A COLLABORATION OF EFFORTS

Attempting to keep the field free of food, chewing gum, sunflower seeds, glass, cigarettes (where smoking is allowed), fireworks, unauthorized vehicles, maintenance equipment, and any sharp objects that risk damage to the surface or injury to players will significantly reduce time spent on turf upkeep.

Post signs alerting both spectators and participants to such prohibited items. This will cut down on potential problems. Additionally, consider placing scraper mats at field entry points so that players and coaches can remove foreign matter from their shoes.

Remember, the more effort put into maintaining an artificial field, the longer it will last, the better it will perform and the safer all participants will be. /

Alay Lemay joined FieldTurf in August 1997, and is currently the after sales service manager. With nearly 20 years’ experience with FieldTurf, Alan has a vast knowledge of artificial turf systems and proper maintenance techniques.

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/ spotlight /

ELIMINATING THE FILTH OF FITNESSLocker room cleanliness starts from the ground up

by Paul South


Paul South is president and general manager of Valley Janitor Supply Co., a 30-year-old janitorial supply company based in Hamilton, Ohio.

/ spotlight /

Recreation facility locker rooms get a lot of use year-round so keeping them safe and clean is a must. This

begins with what’s underfoot.While a wide range of flooring options

exist, tile is touted as the most appropriate product for locker rooms. In particular, tile with ‘teeth’ is often the go-to option for these highly trafficked areas. Locker room floors are often damp, if not wet, and collect soils so quickly that textured tile provides enough traction to help reduce the risk of slip, trip and fall accidents.

The grout between tiles also does more than keep the hard surface flooring in place. It adds friction to the floor and absorbs any liquid that comes its way, helping keep moisture and contaminants from seeping down under the floor surface.

But while tile that has a rough face or grooves cut into it is a fantastic flooring choice where safety is a concern, it can harbour germs. Soap, soil, contaminants

and pathogens accumulate in the grooves. And because grout is a porous material, it soaks up anything it comes in contact with like a sponge and rarely dries completely when it’s in a moist environment like a locker room. Too much accumulation in its pores may cause grout to lose its slip-resistant qualities. Moreover, grout’s high porosity allows bacteria, mould, mildew and other micro-organisms to survive and thrive.

TRADITIONAL TOOLS OF THE TRADE

Textured tile also presents cleaning challenges. While it should be regularly cleaned to reduce the buildup of harmful bacteria, tile with ‘teeth’ can bite back in the form of odours and disease if the right tools aren’t used.

The traditional mop-and-bucket approach has been employed for decades; however, this doesn’t make it the best cleaning option. Studies have shown that mopping fails to fully decontaminate floors. In fact, mops are far more effective at spreading soils and contaminants than removing them. Much of what they lift off the floor often ends up back there since the mop head is doused in the bucket’s dirty water. As a result, what was once a localized soil is spread over the entire floor surface.

Mops further compromise the health of the floor by weakening the efficacy of cleaning products. Dirty mop water basically waters down the cleaning and disinfecting power of the solution. What started out as a powerful disinfectant is

Mats aren’t just for fitness activities; they can be used in locker rooms to maintain the floor’s health, at least for a while. Locker room mats are designed to keep wet areas dry by allowing moisture to drain below the walking surface. Many also provide a slip-resistant surface to minimize the risk of fall accidents.

A MATTER OF

SAFETY

reduced to a whimper, losing its potency with every stroke of the mop.

A stiff-bristle deck brush has proven more effective than a mop in digging out dirt. Its ‘straws’ reach into grout pores and tile crevices where soils and contaminants become trapped and, with a bit of agitation, loosens them. Where the deck brush falls short though, is it doesn’t actually remove the dirt and grime. The floor could be hosed down at this point, and a squeegee used to push the contaminants into drains; however, doing so could be counterproductive. Squeegees are effective in removing excess water but it’s impossible for them to rid floors of all moisture and soils. Consequently, the textured tile is left exposed to a new generation of contaminants.

A MACHINE WITH A PURPOSE

A third option that can be used to tackle locker room floors is a spray-and-vac system. A term coined by ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, this no-touch cleaning method does not spread soils, provides the agitation required to flush out contaminants from grout and tiny crevices, and completely removes soils, moisture and bacteria from the floor surface.

Spray-and-vac systems automatically apply a metered amount of diluted cleaning solution to the floor to dissolve soils. Next, it uses a high-pressure spray of clean water to loosen them. The system’s powerful vacuum then removes all the moisture on the floor’s surface, leaving it clean, dry and safe to walk on. /


While the Canada goose is not our official bird — the country is currently without,

though the Royal Canadian Geographic Society is on a mission to designate one by 2017 — many people regard the majestic waterfowl as a national symbol. They also perceive it as a nuisance.

While geese like to flock around lakes, ponds and grassy fields, they are an adaptable bird that can thrive in a

variety of locations. In urban and sub-urban areas, they are drawn to the

manicured lawns of golf courses, sports fields, parks, and residen-tial and corporate greenbelts, particularly if there is a water source nearby. Lawns with short, mowed grass provide the birds with tasty veg-etation and an unobstructed view of approaching preda-tors. With so many places

for geese to feed, it’s no won-der these herbivorous grazers

are making their homes year-round on lawns instead of migrating

south for winter.While most people will tolerate a few

geese, problems develop as the number that congregate grows. The distinct brown-backed, light-breasted bird, with its black head and neck, is loud and territorial, and can become aggressive when scared or threatened. What’s more, geese are big eaters. They overgraze lawns,

trampling turf in the process, and then leave large accumulations of droppings behind (a single bird can produce one to three pounds of droppings per day). Goose

poop is not only unsightly and messy underfoot but, in heavy concentrations, it can also significantly damage grass and potentially contaminate gardens, ponds and other water features, creating a serious and costly headache for facility managers to remedy. Goose droppings also pose a public health risk as they can contain bacteria such as E. coli, salmonella, campylobacter or cryptosporidium.

Once the pest birds have ‘settled in,’ it’s almost impossible to get rid of them without an effective goose control program. The use of poisons, pellet guns, firearms and other lethal measures to eliminate problem Canada geese is illegal as the birds are protected under the Migratory Birds Convention Act. Their eggs and nests also may not be harmed or moved without a federally issued permit. The only viable option is to use humane goose deterrents and repellents.

A MATTER OF TASTE

A good way to keep the waterfowl away is to use a liquid goose repellant. Most repellants contain methyl anthranilate, a non-toxic food-grade grape extract that makes grass unpalatable to geese. The chemical will not harm the birds, pets or people; yet it will protect lawns, shrubbery and other areas where geese often feed because they do not like the taste or smell.

For best results, liquid goose repellant should be applied at least twice to areas where geese have already settled. To repel new, arriving geese, the chemical should be applied monthly for as long as geese are present. Ideally, it should be applied before geese begin to nest or they’ll return to protect their eggs and care for young.

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A BIG HONKIN’ PROBLEMTips to keep geese at bay

by Alex Kecskes

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Some sonic deterrents come with built-in speakers and

can cover an entire acre of property. Ad-ditional speakers can often be attached to the device to cover

up to five acres. One commercially available sonic

deterrent is solar powered. This device can be easily placed wherever geese tend to flock and feed. It is also ideal in remote areas where electricity is not available to recharge batteries.

Sound deterrents can be programmed to play day or night or both. They are best used in conjunction with chemical repellents, especially if the geese are established in the area.

LET THERE BE LIGHT

Lasers are now being used more commonly as a bird deterrent. These silent, portable devices employ advanced optical technology to generate a laser beam optimized to repel geese over distances up to 5,000 metres. Birds perceive the green laser beam as an approaching physical danger, which makes them scatter. This is the same reflex birds employ to flee an oncoming car.

An advantage of this deterrent device over others is that geese don’t get used to the laser beam’s implied threat. After systematic use, birds consider the area unsafe and will not return.

MAKING A SPLASH

Motion-activated sprinklers can be used to scatter geese when they intrude on a forbidden area. They scare birds away with a sudden blast of water that is harmless yet annoying. Combined with the noise and

Before applying the chemical, lawns should be

dry and freshly mowed. Where geese are already present, it is advisable to wait

a week before reapplication. Grass should not be mowed for several days after each application and clippings should be left on the lawn.

Rain or irrigation won’t wash off most repellents and any run-off will not contaminate nearby bodies of water. However, it’s best to apply the liquid when no rain is forecast, and in the morning after dew disappears or evening. The repellent should not be applied when the sun is directly overhead or in freezing conditions.

IN A FOG

In instances where geese resist leaving an area, a chemical fogger is a good bet to send the stubborn birds fleeing. It disperses the same food-grade methyl anthranilate used in liquid repellents, which irritates the bird’s mucous membranes. The effect is temporary and does not harm the birds, but geese find the sensation unpleasant and will subsequently avoid the area.

For best results, fogging agents should be used during early morning hours or late in the evening when geese gather in a single location. The use of chemical foggers is best left to trained professionals.

Fogging is well-suited for open areas where geese graze. It is not recommended for heavily occupied facilities that have a high volume of foot traffic.

SOUND IT OUT

Sonic deterrents exploit the bird’s natural alertness and acute hearing. These scare devices play pre-recorded distress and predator calls of Canada geese. The au-thentic bird calls are usually broadcast for several minutes at a time and then repeated approximately every 10 minutes. When the geese hear the calls they automatically move on and away from the perceived threat.

moving bird-like sprinkler head, this system ‘educates’ geese to stay away.

Motion-activated sprinklers can be connected to most garden hoses. They typically protect 1,200 square feet of property (45-feet wide by 35-feet out), and are ideal for large fields and greenbelts that have little human foot traffic.

A SILENT PREDATOR

Coyote decoys have proven successful in scaring away geese as the birds are deathly afraid of the clever canine preda-tor. The realistic-looking, free-standing visual deterrent is typically made of a weather- and UV-resistant durable plastic, and comes with metal rods and brackets to allow for easy upright instal-lation. It is recommended that the decoys

be moved around several times a week to improve believability. This also gives birds the impression there is a pack of coyotes in the area.

THE RULES OF REPULSION

In addition to using professional goose deterrents and repellants, making the property less attractive to the birds will discourage them from settling on it. Remove any concealing ground cover where geese can build their nests. Consider planting tall fescue, periwinkle, Myrtle or English Ivy in place of the more common grasses like Bermuda or Kentucky bluegrass. Shut off aeration systems to ponds and water features until effective goose repellents or deterrents are installed and working. Finally, remove any water sources and steepen shorelines to create a vertical wall about three feet above the waterline. /

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They overgraze lawns, trampling turf in the process, and then leave large accumulations of droppings behind (a single bird can produce one to three pounds of droppings per day).

Alex Kecskes is an expert author at Bird B Gone, a leader in bird control products for commercial, industrial and residential applications.


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Invasive insects have become a big concern in recent years. They are not only wreaking havoc on their new

habitat but these exotic introductions are difficult and/or costly to control.

Today, it’s estimated that more than 250 non-native insects call Canada home. Each poses a unique threat and specific measures must be taken to successfully stop their spread.

Here are five invasive insects causing headaches from coast-to-coast and tips to help rid landscapes of these unwelcome guests.

EMERALD ASH BORER

Introduced from Asia, this beetle species is responsible for the destruction of millions of ash trees, its host, in North America. The bright, metallic green adults are hardly the problem, though; they feed on leaves but cause little or no damage to the tree itself. It’s their young that are responsible for the damage that leads to the tree’s demise. The penny-size adult beetle begins to emerge in mid-spring, with peak activity in early to mid-June. Approximately two weeks after emerging, female adults deposit eggs between bark crevices and cracks. Once they hatch (two to three weeks later), the larvae bore down to the inner bark where they feed until entering the pupal stage the following spring. By feeding, larvae create long serpentine galleries and disrupt the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients from the soil to its leaves, causing the tree’s decline. Trees that are heavily infested will usually die within two to four years after symptoms of infestation are first observed.

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ATTACK OF THE INSECTSFive invasive species to look out for this summer

by Alice Sinia

Signs of infestation include yellowing or browning of leaves, typically in the upper canopy; S-shaped larval galleries in the wood under the bark that are packed with frass (a mixture of sawdust and larvae excrement); and D-shaped exit holes in the tree bark. Exit holes are approximately 1/8 of an inch in diameter and are produced by the adults as they bore out and leave the infested tree. Increased woodpecker activity may also point to infestation as the bird likes to feed on beetle larvae and pupae.

Insecticides are considered a viable option to control the emerald ash borer. They typically remain effective for one to three years, depending on the product. However, insecticides must be applied at the right time and in strict accordance with the product label to be successful.

ASIAN LONGHORNED BEETLE

This beetle attacks species of hardwood trees, including maple, birch, horse chestnut, poplar, willow, elm and ash. It is less than five centimetres long and has a shiny black cuticle (exoskeleton) with prominent white spots. Its black and white banded antennae are as long as its body, and the upper sections of its legs are whitish-blue. These unique characteristics and colourings are what distinguish this invasive insect from other closely related beetle species.

Adult females chew small holes in the bark of a host tree and lay one egg in each hole. After hatching, larvae tunnel deep into the tree like the emerald ash borer. This is where they feed overwinter, basically eating the tree from the inside-out.

Adults burrow out of the tree beginning in spring, with populations peaking in July and

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Japanese beetles are a serious pest of more than 300 types of plants, including vegetable crops, flowering plants and ornamental shrubs such as rose bushes. Attracted to the plants’ leaves, it’s the feeding habits of Japanese beetles that make them such a nuisance. Adults damage plants by eating the flowers and skeletonizing the foliage — consuming only the leaf material between the veins. They like to feed in groups, resulting in great damage to a wide area if the food source that attracts them is available. The larvae, called grubs, are also destructive, feasting on the roots of grass and plants from their burrows beneath the soil surface.

Adults appear from the ground and begin feeding on plants in early summer. The peak of their activity lasts from late June through August or September when they begin to die off due to temperature and climate. The beetles are most active on warm, sunny days and prefer plants that are in direct sunlight.

The first sign of infestation is the skeletonization of plants. Upon closer inspection of the plants, the beetles are easily seen feeding on the foliage. Japanese beetles are also active fliers and can be

August. Dime-sized exit holes may be found anywhere on the tree but they’re typically located around branches and the trunk. An infested tree can contain thousands of holes. Repeated attacks of this type can cause the tree to lose nutrients to maintain its life needs, such as water and sap. Tree death may occur in as little as two to five years depending upon beetle density and tree health before the infestation.

While exit holes are the best sign of an infestation, other indicators include yellowing leaves, a sagging canopy and dead or dying branches/limbs.

The Asian longhorned beetle can spread to healthy trees through infested tree-based materials, such as fallen timbers. Therefore, the only known means of control is to burn, remove, chip or destroy the infested tree. However, positive results have been seen through the use of the pesticide imidacloprid in conjunction with other control means, such as traps and pheromone lures.

JAPANESE BEETLE

This beetle species is easily identified by its colouring. Adults have a metallic green thorax and head, and iridescent copper-brown wing covers.


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observed flying around the property and other plants.

Since both the adults and grubs can cause damage, and Japanese beetles are capable of travelling from nearby areas or neighbouring plants, a combination of physical, mechanical and cultural controls should be used.

Physical controls consist of habitat modification (planting plants that are less attractive to Japanese beetle adults) and removal of plants and/or the adult beetles. Shaking the insects off into a bucket of soapy water early in the morning when they are sluggish will kill them.

Mechanical controls are applied through the use of traps with pheromone lures; however, this will not correct any issues with grub infestations and can attract more beetles to the area.

Chemical controls consist of using products labelled for use against adult Japanese beetles.

EUROPEAN EARWIG

This type of earwig is native to Europe, western Asia and North Africa. It was introduced to North America in the early 1900s, and is now well-established here. Found in abundance, the European

earwig is now the species most common to Canada. It is also more injurious to plants than native species.

Most earwigs are omnivorous. They eat ornamental and vegetable plants, particularly dahlias, zinnias, butterfly bush and hollyhocks, among others. They are also known to be predators of small insect pests, such as aphids.

Earwigs are reddish-brown in colour, with a slender, elongated body and set of short wings that are rarely used to fly. An obvious feature is the pair of pincers that protrude from their abdomen. The insect uses these pincers for defence and sparring with rival earwigs. Some species produce a foul-smelling liquid when they feel threatened.

Earwigs also produce a pheromone (scent). Scientists believe this pheromone is the reason earwigs cluster together in large numbers.

Earwigs are primarily active at night. During the day they like to hide in dark, cool, moist places — in cracks and under

Alice Sinia, Ph.D., is the quality assurance manager, regulatory/lab services, for Orkin Canada. With more than 10 years’ experience, her focus is government regulations that pertain to the pest control industry. Alice can be reached at [email protected].

rocks, logs, loose clods of soil and mulch in flowerbeds, for instance.

The most important part of controlling the moisture-loving insect is to eliminate its hiding places. If the earwig harborages are not addressed, insecticide application will probably not control this pest very well.

EUROPEAN FIRE ANT

Also known as the red ant, this species is a relatively recent threat in several provinces. It began to appear more prevalently throughout Canada in the early 2000s.

Fire ants are small and red in colour, with shades ranging from medium to black. They favour warm, moist, sunny conditions and build nests in places that maintain high humidity, such as along tree roots, under rocks or logs, or in moist soil beds. Large colonies can have up to 250,000 workers.

These pests are omnivores, meaning they feed on animal or vegetable sources of food. The fire ant worker’s diet includes insects, earthworms, ticks, spiders, arthropod eggs, honeydew and other sweets. Plant sources of food include seeds.

Fire ants are aggressive, often attacking in swarms rather than running away. They are known for their painful sting and are capable of stinging multiple times.

One common sign of fire ant activity is the worker and swarmer ants. Another is their sandy earthen mounds, which are usually more visible after recent rainfall.

While bait stations using boric acid or borax can be effective in the short run, there are no known effective, long-term controls available for fire ants. The most reliable method of treatment is to have a pest control company perform an inspection and determine how to best manage the invasive insect. /

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Bedbug infestations are at an all-time high in municipalities across Canada, and the world for that

matter. After decades-long decline, pest control professionals from Victoria to St. John’s, Nfld., and every city in-between have experienced an upswing in the number of bedbug calls since the mid-90s. Today, few (if any) would deny that the country is in the throes of a bedbug renaissance, with no end in sight. The World Health Organization has projected that the parasitic insect will continue to spread worldwide due to increasing international travel, adjustments in pest control tactics (such as the ban on using DDT) and growing insecticide resistance by bedbugs.

Though currently losing the battle against these bloodsuckers, breakthrough research by a team of scientists at Brit-ish Columbia’s Simon Fraser University (SFU) may help put bedbugs to bed once and for all. Here, biology professor and specialist in chemical communication among insects, Dr. Gerhard Gries, ex-plains the research project’s revolution-ary findings, while Darryl Ramoutar of Scotts Miracle-Gro (the company work-ing with the SFU scientists to develop an effective and affordable bait-and-trap for detecting and monitoring bedbug in-festations) discusses the innovative lure, which is expected to be commercially available by 2018.

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BUILDING A BETTER BEDBUG TRAPQ+A: SFU scientists helping put the persistent pest to rest

Can you tell me about the research project?

Dr. Gries: Approximately eight years ago, my wife and fellow biologist, Regine, and I (later joined by our colleague, chemist Robert Britton) began searching for the bedbug aggregation pheromone, which could be used to lure and trap bedbugs. This involved both lab and field experiments and, unfortunately for my wife, feeding the large bedbug colony (of more than 8,000 insects) required for our research. Regine, for whatever reason, is immune to bedbug bites, suffering only mild redness and swelling of the skin. She is still maintaining the colony, enduring thousands of bites per week, so that we can test prototype lures and traps for deployment in infected apartment buildings.

What were the lab’s findings?

Dr. Gries: Our search for the bedbug aggregation pheromone focused on the insect’s feces and exoskeleton, which it sheds during growth (moulting). We learned that the bedbugs’ aggregation pheromone is a blend of six ‘ingredients’: five volatile components (oxygen-, sul-fur- or nitrogen-containing compounds) that disseminate and diffuse through the air, luring bedbugs to a shelter; and one less volatile component that induces ar-restment behaviour. This sixth compo-nent — histamine — is the reason why bedbugs find the presence of shed skin so appealing in a shelter. Once in contact with the histamine, it tells the bedbugs that the shelter is safe (bedbugs only shed their skin where they feel secure)


and a host is nearby (bedbugs must feed before they moult).

This aggregation pheromone can be utilized in traps to detect and/or monitor the presence of bedbugs and possibly eradicate small infestations. As a result, there may no longer be the need to use sticky traps for bedbug capture because the histamine-impregnated shelter will be capable of retaining the bedbugs that have entered. The aggregation pheromone can also be coupled with contact or microbial insecticides in traps to enhance the eradication effort.

How were the lab’s findings substantiated?

Dr. Gries: Lab results give you leads but the ultimate answers are only collectable in real-life settings, so we contacted managers of apartment buildings in Metro Vancouver that had very light to heavy bedbug infestations. They granted us permission to deploy our pheromone traps, which allowed us to collect data over several months. The data clearly

the parasitic insect. The technology not only takes advantage of substances that are naturally produced by bedbugs to lure them from their hiding places, but it also is designed to mimic their natural and favoured hiding places, providing added incentive to enter the trap. So through its design and a proprietary combination of ingredients, the trap takes advantage of the insect’s desire for concealment and shelter.

How will it differ from what is currently on

the market?

Ramoutar: All of the current baits, traps or detectors on shelf do not truly lure or attract bedbugs. If a bedbug is caught, it is pure luck that the insect walked across a glue or pitfall trap, which is very unreliable. This breakthrough formula and trap is so attractive to bedbugs that they are drawn to it, prompting them to enter the trap. This improves trapping success and provides reliable detection of bedbug infestations. /

showed that pheromone-baited traps were effective in luring bedbugs and retaining them in these shelters. Our field experiments also showed an important and interesting interaction between the airborne components that diffuse through a room and the less volatile arrestment component (histamine). Traps that contained histamine alone, or just the five other pheromone components (no histamine), were not as effective at attracting and trapping bedbugs in infested apartments as pheromone-baited traps that contained all six components.

How will the bedbug bait-and-trap work?

Ramoutar: Bedbugs prefer to hide in small places, making infestations difficult to recognize, even though detection is key to adequate management. This trap will remove the uncertainty and inconsistency from bedbug detection, allowing facility managers and pest control companies to unequivocally identify the presence of

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A LOT ON THE LINEFailure to keep parking lot clean can have disastrous consequences

by Dan Georgen

All too often, parking lot cleaning is at the bottom of facility managers’ priority list. This is

to the detriment of the property as an unkempt lot gives a negative impression, potentially resulting in damage to the building’s (and its owner’s) reputation.

Since the parking lot is the first thing people see when entering a prop-erty, it should be treated like a welcome mat and cleaned routinely. This can improve a building’s curb appeal and help prolong the parking lot’s life, sav-ing facility managers time and money in the long-run by reducing the need for invasive repairs.

THE DIRTY TRUTH BEHIND PARKING LOTS

Salt, sand, gravel, dirt, trash and other debris collect on surface parking lots, all of which pose a hazard to vehicles and pedestrians. Should accidents occur due to poor maintenance or negligence, property owners can be found liable.

Excess gravel and dirt can create an unstable surface. If a motorist suddenly

brakes, tires may loose their grip with the road resulting in a skid.

An accumulation of salt and sand used to melt ice and snow during winter months can obstruct visibility of, and wear away, pavement markings, which keep parking lots organized and guide both foot and vehicular traffic to safety.

On windy days, a dirty parking lot will kick up fugitive dust. This fine dust can cause health problems or al-lergies, alone or in combination with other pollutants.

Wind may also blow debris such as nails, screws and broken glass onto ve-hicles, building occupants or passersby. When travelling at high speeds it can be very dangerous, inflicting injury on contact. Moreover, debris may cause pedestrians to slip and fall, which is a commonly reported parking lot injury.

This same dirt and debris, along with other abrasive particles native to parking lots, can act like sand paper when vehicles drive over it. The constant grinding wears the

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Dan Georgen is president of The Parking Lot Guys Inc., a Toronto-based company that provides preventive, predictive and corrective parking lot maintenance and construction. Dan can be reached at 416-638-3110.

pavement and promotes raveling, a process in which the stones separate from the binder causing rapid deterioration. If this occurs, a pavement sealer is required to restore the binder. While this provides a layer of protection to the asphalt from damaging factors, an abundance of dirt can prematurely wear the sealer, which will render it ineffective.

Over time, dirt can also accumulate in pavement cracks and become a breeding ground for weeds. As the plants grow, they can cause the asphalt to heave and crack more.

Further, a dirty parking lot can become a feeding ground for rodents and other pests, which is unsanitary and can be dangerous.

WHAT LURKS BELOW THE SURFACE

Underground garages face the same dirty issues as surface lots and then some.

Below-grade parkades often have poor ventilation, resulting in stale and stagnant air. This intensifies odours from trash, urine, cigarette butts, ve-hicle f luid leaks and rainwater, which

is regularly tracked in and takes longer to evaporate than on surface lots. Dirty water also sits in f loor drains and catch basins, contributing to undesirable un-derground garage smells.

Because these parkades aren’t ex-posed to the elements, rain doesn’t wash away salt residue from the roads. Salt is corrosive to steel rebar — the backbone of all parking garages — and the mem-brane system usually installed on con-crete decks (except for the lower level) to protect against water ingress.

THE MASTER CLEANSE

When it comes to parking garage clean-ing, a sound and cost-effective program includes regular power sweeping and, in the case of parkades, pressure washing.

Power sweeping is a fast and easy way to keep a parking lot looking clean

and tidy. It involves the use of vacuum-type sweepers, which maintain constant contact with the ground to easily suck up dirt, gravel and debris, and require minimal effort to operate. Sweeping should be performed once or twice a year, though the frequency will depend on the amount of accumulated dirt and vary by lot location.

Pressure washing removes the tough stuff — excess salt, compacted dirt buildup and vehicle f luid stains — leav-ing the garage in pristine condition. It’s employed after sweeping and any oil stains or heavily soiled areas have been pre-treated with specially formulated products. Parking facilities should be pressure washed at least once per year, typically post-winter, to keep the garage clean and to maintain the integrity of the structure. /

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TACKLING UNWANTED GUESTSProper lawn care crucial to winning weed battle

by Steve Tschanz

Warm weather brings a rush of weeds, which are a blooming headache for facility manag-

ers, particularly in provinces that have banned the sale and use of cosmetic pesticides. There are ways to get rid of weeds without harsh, synthetic chemi-cals, though, and proper lawn care is the best medicine of all.

Maintaining a healthy lawn involves us-ing good maintenance practices — proper irrigation, fertilizing and mowing, over-seeding and core aeration — throughout the growing season. This combined approach will create a dense, healthy, high-quality

lawn, making it difficult for weeds to estab-lish themselves. However, one missed step and the war on weeds may be lost.

WATER WISE

Too often people either under or over water their lawn. If the lawn is allowed to go dormant, the grass blades will recede to keep the crown — the most important part of the plant’s structure — hydrated. This means more surface area will open up, allowing weeds to intrude and germi-nate. Conversely, consistently overwater-ing can cause weeds to grow.

The general rule of thumb is that grass

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TOP FIVE HARD TO CONTROL WEEDS

1. Plantain. This broadleaf weed is identifiable by its rosette of dull green, oval leaves and thick green stalks. Plantain likes soil that is compacted and not maintained. A good fertilization program, aeration and use of an approved herbicide will help get this weed under control.

2. Ground Ivy. Also known as creeping Charlie, this low-growing perennial weed has rounded, scalloped leaves, small purplish flowers and a mint-like odour. It is regarded as the most difficult to control weed, growing in areas that are shady, lack fertility and/or have excessive moisture. Hand pulling is not an option. Instead, raising the mowing height and using an approved herbicide is the recommended control method. Treatment while the ivy is flowering has shown the best results.


needs an inch of water each week. Depend-ing on the irrigation system, it can take between 30 and 60 minutes of watering to obtain the recommended amount.

If it rains, watering may be skipped, though this depends on the amount of precipitation. A rain gauge can be used to measure the amount of precipitation over a seven-day period. Alternatively, an old tuna can may be set out to track rainfall. A full can equals one-inch of rainwater. Any sup-plemental watering should be done once a week. A single, long watering is better than many short ones over several days as it al-lows roots to deepen.

FERTILE GROUND

Behind every thick, lush, vibrant green lawn is a sound fertility program.

Fertilizers are compounds given to plants to sustain life and promote growth. They typically contain three primary (or macro) nutrients — nitrogen, phospho-rus and potassium — and are known as N-P-K fertilizers.

Neglecting to fertilize provides an-other avenue for weeds to invade. The

poorer the reserve of nutrients in the soil, the weaker the lawn will be.

Of the macronutrients, nitrogen is need-ed the most for good turf growth. Three pounds of slow-release, nitrogen-rich fertil-izer should be applied to 1,000 square feet of lawn each year, introduced over two or three applications.

Phosphorus is not generally required (nor is it recommended as it causes algae to build up in fresh water systems), except if planting a new lawn since it helps with the development of strong roots. In this case, a starter fertilizer that contains more phos-phorus, indicated by a large middle number on the label, should be used (for example, a bag of 10-20-10 fertilizer). The number on the bag indicates the percentage of nitro-gen, phosphorus and potassium contained in the fertilizer.

Last but not least, potassium can help impart stress tolerance and maintain general plant health.

A CUT ABOVE

Mowing at the proper height helps grass outcompete weeds. Grass should be cut

to a 2.5 to three inch height, at a fre-quency that no more than one-third of the leaf blade is taken off in one go. Re-moving more than one-third will cause undue stress and slow the growth of grass as the plant puts its resources into the leaf tips to help them recover.

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5. Crabgrass. This grassy weed first shows up in sunny, compacted sections of the lawn. It is a real nuisance because it spreads quickly, can take several years to get under control once established and, over time, can start to choke out desirable grass. The best defence is a lawn that has few open sites for crabgrass to establish. In fall, any bare or thin areas should be top-dressed to ward off crabgrass seeds from sprouting the following spring. There are also a few pre-emergent weed killers available.

3. Black Medic. Considered an annual clover, this broadleaf weed is distinguished by its small, nearly spherical clusters of yellow flowers. It grows in lawns that are sunny, compacted and in need of fertilization. Hand pulling in spring can work for black medic control; however, it’s very time-consuming. Instead, herbicide treatment in conjunction with a full lawn care program is a good way to reduce the presence of this weed.

4. Thistle. This aggressive perennial weed has purple or white flowers, and stalkless, spiny dark-green leaves. It can rapidly spread by seed or rhizomes (underground, horizontal roots), making control difficult. Mowing turf at the proper height will help choke out the weed. In gardens, cultivating the soil will help deplete root reserves or kill roots outright. Herbicide treatment can be greatly effective, particularly when used in combination with mowing or cultivation.


Steve Tschanz is the technical support manager for Weed Man Canada. Steve has a bachelor of science in horticulture from University of Guelph, and is currently in his ninth year with Weed Man. Steve can be reached at [email protected].

Deb Sun Protect Quarter Page Ad.pdf 1 14/06/2016 2:47:37 PM

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Cutting grass correctly creates a neat and tidy-looking lawn. More importantly, it keeps the soil shaded, making it harder for weeds to grow. When a lawn is mowed too short it weakens the root system and allows more sunlight to penetrate the soil, increasing the potential for weed seeds to germinate.

FROM SEED TO SUCCESS

Even with proper watering, fertilizing and mowing, the lawn may still have thin areas due to winterkill or bug damage. This is when core aeration and overseeding is required.

Aeration involves perforating the soil with small holes to allow air, water and nu-trients to penetrate the grass roots, which

helps them grow more deeply to produce a stronger lawn.

After aeration it’s ideal to apply a grass seed that germinates quickly to ward off weeds, such as perennial ryegrass. This grass variety has the added benefit of con-taining endophytes — a fungi or bacteria that grows inside the plant. Endophytes have a symbiotic relationship with grass; they survive by utilizing energy produced

by the plant and, in turn, provide it with insect and stress tolerance.

The practice of overseeding is also es-sential for maintaining a lawn’s long-term health. Introducing new, young grass to an aging lawn gives it vigour and compensates for the natural slowdown of turf growth.

IN THE WEEDS

No matter how lush and healthy a lawn is, weeds will inevitably crop up. When they do, there are two ways to tackle these unwanted guests. The first in-volves digging out the root of the plant. However, this can be troublesome and time-consuming depending on the loca-tion and number of weeds. Alternatively, a provincially or municipally approved herbicide can be used. But depending on the product, time of application and location, reapplication may be required for season-long control. /

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Grass should be cut to a 2.5 to three inch height, at a frequency that no more than one-third of the leaf blade is taken off in one go.

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36 / FACILITY CLEANING & MAINTENANCE / MAY/JUNE 201636 / FACILITY CLEANING & MAINTENANCE / MAY/JUNE 2016

How to repair grass damaged by dog urineby Shawn Karn

Lawn damage caused by dog urine is not only an unsightly problem but also a common one. It is a

challenge to prevent and correct, leaving facility managers frustrated and faced with a lacklustre lawn littered with burn patches that detract from their building’s curb appeal.

GOING TO THE DOGS

Lawn burn is caused by the high concen-tration of nitrogen and salts in dog urine. Nitrogen is good for grass but when dog urine is deposited in one small spot the amount is excessive, causing injury or death to the turf. The result is similar to the ‘burn’ caused by over application of lawn fertilizer — the damaged area generally appears as a circular dead patch, with a halo of healthy, dark green grass around its edges. In many instances, the urine damage is severe and the turf will not fully recover on its own. If not properly treated, weeds may eventually invade and replace the lawn grass.

OUT, DAMNED SPOT

There is no magic cure or quick fix for lawn burn. Many commercially manufac-tured products and home remedies claim to thwart and/or repair the characteristic yellow/brown scorch spots, but most are in-effective and some can make the problem even worse. Instead, successful treatment requires a multi-step approach.

To begin, it is important to identify dog urine as the cause of the damaged turf. Check to see if the burnt grass is firmly rooted. If a large amount of grass easily pulls up, this might indicate a grub problem — beetle larvae like to feed on the fibrous roots of grass — or, even worse, active lawn disease.

/ exterior care /

DOGGONE LAWN BURN


Shawn Karn is the corporate agronomist for Nutri-Lawn Inc. He can be reached at [email protected].

Next, apply granular gypsum to the natural grass to help neutralize the salt concentration in the soil. High salt concentrations make it difficult for turf to extract water from the soil, which circumvents healthy growth. Broadcast applications over large areas or small spot applications are recommended.

If lawn burn is mild, an aggressive com-bination of core aeration, overseeding and slit seeding will generally repair the dam-age. Hand spot seeding with a soil and seed mixture is also a good alternative for small one-off spots. Best practice involves lightly raking the damaged area and removing the dead matted down grass. This eliminates a thick layer of dead turf and helps ensure grass seed has optimal seed-to-soil contact for increased germination and establish-ment. It is important to water immediately after seeding and to keep the area moist until seedlings emerge (between 10 to 14

days). Seed establishment takes much lon-ger than new sod and requires daily water-ing to ensure germination. Newly seeded areas should be roped off to keep traffic from impeding or damaging the new seed-lings as establishment takes place.

Severely and extensively damaged lawn (more than 50 per cent of the turf area) may require total renovation. This involves re-moval of all dead sections of turf, tilling and soil preparation followed by re-sodding. The best times to do this are fall (mid-September to late October) and spring (mid-March to mid-April). New sod generally requires daily watering for several weeks until it has fully rooted. During this time, traffic on newly sodded areas should be kept to a minimum until full establishment.

POOCH PROHIBITION

Once repaired, facility managers must be proactive in protecting their building’s lawn from future damage.

The most effective way to prevent grass scald is to water the area immediately after a dog has urinated. This will help dilute the concentration of nitrogen. However, it is often impractical for managers of large facilities.

Motion-activated sprinklers may be help-ful in keeping dogs off grass. Once triggered, these sprinklers operate for a short period of time but long enough to encourage the ani-mal to take its business elsewhere.

Facility managers can further reduce stress on their lawn by following recom-mended mowing practices and irrigation requirements. /

/ exterior care /

MYTH: Female dogs are solely responsible for turf burn.

FACT: Both male and female canines can cause damage. However, the way dogs deposit their urine on a lawn determines the extent of injury. Generally, female dogs squat to void their bladder, depositing a large volume of urine in a small concentrated area. This causes more severe damage than male dogs, which raise their leg to urinate and tend to do so on the move or over vertical objects, such as trees, fire hydrants and poles. But although male dogs generally spread their urine over a larger area, they are often more territorial. Male pooches do more ‘marking’ than their female counterparts, urinating small amounts in a number of different locations, which can add up and cause extensive turf damage.

DOGGIE DAMAGE MYTH BUSTER

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It’s stinky, squishy underfoot and a nuisance to clean up, particularly when you’re not responsible for the doggone mess. However, regular removal and disposal of un-scooped poop is a must given the dangers of the pet waste.

Dog doo is carried by storm water into rivers, lakes and other bodies of water, where it causes bacterial contamination. It’s such a significant source of water pollution that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has placed it in the same category as toxic chemicals and oil.


/ clean matters /

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Dog dung is also nitrogen and phosphorus-rich, which promotes weed and algae growth. This limits the sunlight available to aquatic plants and, in turn, reduces the oxygen in the water, hurting fish and other wildlife.

Just like dog urine, pooch poop is toxic to turf, causing burns and unsightly discolouring. What’s more, it’s teaming with parasites and other harmful bacteria, like E. coli. In fact, a single gram of dog waste can contain as many as 23 million fecal coliform bacteria, which are known to cause cramps, diarrhea, intestinal illness, and serious kidney disorders, and are easily transmittable to humans.

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