Business, Free News Articles, Home and Garden

Kids Staying Home From School can Keep Busy with a Spotted Lanternfly Egg Hunt in the Yard

HUNTINGDON VALLEY, Pa. -- Spotted Lanternfly are beautiful but destructive insects that have invaded Pennsylvania. The good news is kids can help get rid of Spotted Lanternfly! The experts at Giroud Tree and Lawn share why these are bad bugs, and what kids need to know to go on a Spotted Lanternfly Egg Hunt!

What Is Spotted Lanternfly?

Spotted Lanternfly is a dangerous, invasive pest. Invasive means this insect is from another country and it has invaded the United States. Spotted Lanternfly came from Asia to the United Sates a few years ago. They've been multiplying and spreading all over the country! If Americans don't stop them from spreading, they can cause big problems.

Why Is Spotted Lanternfly Bad?

Spotted Lanternfly are a problem in many ways because they:
* destroy grapes, apples, and other important crops that are grown by farmers in America.
* damage trees when they feed from them.
* make a sticky mess when they are eating, dripping something called "honeydew" down on to anything underneath them.
* attract stinging bees who love to eat the honeydew they drip!

What do Spotted Lanternfly Look Like?

The Spotted Lanternfly go through 4 different life cycles.

1. Nymphs, black with white dots - the insects hatch from their eggs in May.

2. Nymphs, red with white dots and black marks- you can sometimes see little black nymphs and bigger red nymphs at the same time

3. Adults - In July, the insects get wings! The underside of their wings looks a lot more colorful than the top, so it's important to know what the wings look like on both sides!

4. Egg Masses - Starting in late September, the females will lay their eggs and cover them with a protective substance that hardens to look like clay. These egg masses will stay there all winter long until the next generation of nymphs hatches the following May.

How Kids Can Help Stop the Spread of Spotted Lanternfly

Spotted Lanternfly can lay their eggs anywhere, even underneath a slide!

Now is the perfect time to go on Spotted Lanternfly Egg Hunt! Kids can outside and check all the trees in the front and backyard. If kids find anything that looks like an egg mass, scrape it off with a stick or a card and destroy them by dropping them in a baggy with hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol.

After kids have checked all the trees on the property, it's time to look for Spotted Egg Masses in other places. The adult females lay eggs pretty much anywhere! They usually lay them in places where the eggs will be out of sight from hungry predator bugs. Look on the underside of outdoor tables and chairs, railings, playhouses, swing sets and slides.

Kids can even make these Spotted Lanternfly egg hunts a part of the Easter celebrations. Just for fun, kids can check out this cool video of a Spotted Lanternfly in a battle with a Praying Mantis! Who will win? https://youtu.be/mfwuhTBr4UQ

For more information about Spotted Lanternfly, please check out https://www.giroudtree.com/spotted-lanternfly/

For more information, visit the company website at http://www.giroudtree.com or call 215-682-7704.

VIDEO (YouTube):
https://youtu.be/mfwuhTBr4UQ

About Giroud Tree and Lawn

Giroud Tree and Lawn specializes in tree service, lawn care and mosquito and tick control programs that make customers love doing business with the company since 1974. Serving Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties, the company offers professional tree and lawn evaluation, tree pruning, tree removal, insect and disease control, fertilizing, stump removal, traditional and 100% organic lawn programs and mosquito and tick control. Giroud Arborists are certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and have the knowledge and experience required to properly diagnose, treat and maintain trees and lawn health.

The company is Accredited by the Tree Care Industry Association and Better Business Bureau. The "Giroud Treework for Charity" program donates free tree care services to parks, historical sites and other non-profit organizations located in the Company's service area. For more information, visit the company website at http://www.giroudtree.com or call 215-682-7704.

Related link: http://www.giroudtree.com

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved.

Advertising and Marketing, Business, Free News Articles

Tree Leads Today Sees 595% Growth Year Over Year

CHADDS FORD, Pa. -- Tree Leads Today (treeleadstoday.com) has grown more than five-fold during the past year, which its founders say is a strong testament to the effectiveness of their tree marketing program.

There are a lot of marketing companies out there that promise to give businesses an edge over their competition, but very few of them actually deliver on what they say. Normally, you'll have to pay a lot of upfront fees and/or sign onto a long-term agreement before you ever find out what you are really getting. Don Dowd and Jason Lomberg, the founders of Tree Leads Today, started their company with a different approach.

They sought to develop an effective marketing system geared specifically toward the tree care industry, one that would actually deliver the results they promised and make clients pay only for the leads that they received. Going into their fifth year in business, this has proven to be a win/win formula for everyone.

"We started several years ago marketing our services to tree companies in Pennsylvania and on the East Coast," says Don Dowd, Tree Leads Today co-founder. "After proving our concept with tree companies in our local area, we scaled up and went national. Now with so many satisfied clients, word has spread quickly, and our program has caught on like wildfire. Currently, we are up almost 600% year-over-year."

Tree Leads Today is now in over 40 states. They service tree companies from Washington and Oregon down to Beverly Hills 90210, from Waterford, Maine down to Key West, Florida and all points in-between. Last year, they were a featured vendor at the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) Expo in Pittsburgh, where they received rave reviews for their marketing program from those who were in attendance.

What Makes Tree Leads Today Different?

Over the years, Tree Leads Today has tested and tweaked its marketing methods, and they continually make improvements in order to stay on the cutting edge. Using a proprietary blend of online and offline marketing methods that has been perfected over the past five years, they are able to generate leads that are high quality and more likely to convert into paying customers for local tree care companies. Companies are assigned a series of zip codes based on their needs and size and based on the availability of zip codes.

"One of the important things that differentiates us is that we work exclusively with tree care companies," Dowd continues. "Our team is focused entirely on generating leads for our tree care clients, and we know this industry inside and out. For local tree companies, our in-depth industry expertise is comparable to what you would expect from a large marketing firm with huge staff and a much bigger budget - the type of firm that would be beyond reach cost wise for many of these companies. We partner with one only company who receives a series of zip codes, and smaller companies are able to benefit from the expertise of our team and the efficient and cost-effective marketing methodologies we have developed."

There are several key benefits of the tree leads today program that make it stand out from other marketing companies:
* Clients pay only for the leads that they receive;
* Unlike many of the large home service leads providers, leads are 100% exclusive to the client - this means that there is never any worry about getting into a bidding war with competitors;
* Leads are geo-targeted by zip code, which saves companies significantly on travel costs and time, allowing them to work more efficiently. As a result, they are able to effectively double the number of estimates and jobs they are able to secure;
* Leads start coming in usually within one to two weeks after the program is implemented;
* There are no long-term contracts to sign - everything is month-to-month.

"When you sign on with a typical marketing company, you are the one who is usually asked to take all of the risks. We treat this relationship like a true partnership - an 'at will' partnership where either side can walk away at any time if it no longer makes sense to work together. And because our clients receive a series of zip codes/territories that are exclusive and completely locked down, they are not afraid to tell others about the success we are delivering. This has ignited something of a grassroots movement."

With the exponential growth Tree Leads Today is experiencing, territories are starting to fill up, and in some areas, tree companies are on waiting lists to get into the territories they want.

"Given the growth we've seen, we are starting to get waiting lists. There are still a lot of available territories out there, but if you want to get the zip codes you want, it is best to get in touch with us sooner rather than later."

Bill Shipp is the vice president of commercial banking for the People's Bank and Trust, a bank that specializes in providing best in class equipment financing for tree services companies in the Delaware Valley.

Equipment financing can be a risky business, but Bill says he is a lot more confident about the deal when a tree company is working with Tree Leads Today: "I love working with tree care companies that partner with Tree Leads Today, because I know that these companies will benefit greatly from the significant growth in revenue they receive from the leads TLT generates."

For more information about Tree Leads Today, go to http://www.treeleadstoday.com

About Tree Leads Today:

Tree Leads Today was co-founded by Don Dowd and Jason Lomberg, two highly accomplished marketing experts. Don has owned several businesses in the home care industry, and he previously owned and operated his own tree care company. Don has built his success on innovative marketing strategies that help set him apart from the competition, and he has built upon these strategies in helping to develop a cutting-edge propriety marketing program for the tree care industry. Jason is an award-winning web development and internet marketing professional with over two decades of online marketing experience.

In late 2015, Jason and Don joined forces to establish Tree Leads Today, a unique marketing and lead generation service focused on eliminating client risk and delivering customers on a pay-per-lead basis. In 2020, Chris Dowd became a partner in Tree Leads Today. Over his career, Chris has worked in several industries within corporate America, and he is an expert at developing and implementing processes that maximize efficiencies and produce a higher return on investment.

Media Contact:
Don Dowd, Chris Dowd, or Jason Lomberg
2 Christie Dr #102
Chadds Ford, PA 19317
Phone: 610.497.2000
Email: TreeLeadsToday@gmail.com
http://www.treeleadstoday.com

*LOGO link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/20-0401s2p-Tree-Leads-Today-300dpi.jpg

Related link: http://www.treeleadstoday.com

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved.

Business, Free News Articles, General Editorial, Home and Garden

Tree Crashes on to Glenside Home because of Hidden Danger Inside Trunk

HUNTINGDON VALLEY, Pa. -- It's late on Friday afternoon, and a Glenside homeowner is out running errands when her cell phone starts dinging with text messages. She checks her phone to find alerts from her neighbors: a tall Hemlock Tree has crashed down onto her house in the 60 mph wind gusts! She rushes home to find the massive tree trunk resting on the side of her roof. This homeowner wasn't expecting to kick off her weekend with storm damage, but thankfully Giroud Tree and Lawn's ISA Certified Arborist, Mike Chenail was able to assess the tree ASAP.

Hidden Danger

The tree originally stood in the middle of a line of other Hemlocks, so what caused this one to fall while the others stood strong against the high winds? As it turns out, this tree was rotted through in the middle of the trunk! It's hard to say what originally caused the decay. Rotted trees can be infected with diseases or infested with insects, or they could even have poor root damage unseen below the surface. However, preventative tree inspections with an ISA Certified Arborist could have alerted the homeowners to a problem before it became a disaster.

Preventing Storm Damage

High winds and icy conditions can strike at any time, and storm damage can be dangerous and expensive! Homeowners should check trees before storms hit. This is the best way to ensure the trees can withstand the crushing force of snow, ice and gusty winds that can send heavy limbs crashing and wreak havoc on the property.

There are preventative measures homeowners can take now starting with a visual check of the trees:

1. Did the trees show signs of stress last summer? Premature fall color change, early leaf drop, abnormally small or pale leaves, or new growth that wilted are all indicators of a potential problem.
2. Does the trunk have a cavity or signs of splitting? Scan the trunk and main leaders for holes (cavities), decay and cracked or split crotches.
3. Is the bark peeling from the trunk? Gently pull on a piece of bark. It should not break off easily.
4. Are twigs and buds developing normally? Scrape either a twig or bud with a thumbnail. It should be a healthy green, not brown or otherwise discolored.
5. Is new growth surviving the strains of winter? Try to bend a twig. Does it snap because it's dry and brittle?

If trees exhibit any of these signs, the homeowner can schedule an inspection with an ISA Certifed Arborist.

Some Trees are More Prone to Storm Damage than Others

If heavy snow strikes, take special care of trees like White Pines, Arborvitae, Bradford Pear and Birch. Before the snow gets too heavy, shake or brush it off shrubs and small trees to prevent breakage. All trees should be inspected, but these trees are more common victims and their branches can easily break under the weight of snow.

Prevent Storm Damage with an Inspection

To keep trees and properties safe, the experts at Giroud Tree and Lawn recommend homeowners do the following:
1. Hazard Inspection: Have an ISA Certified Arborist do a root to crown inspection to identify hazards such as cracks, weak limbs, deadwood or unsafe root systems.
2. Tree Removal: Dead trees are a hazard and must be removed. Winter is an especially good time for removals since the ground is hard and there is less risk of damaging understory plants and lawns.
3. Winter Pruning: Two types of pruning are most critical in the winter: deadwood removal and reducing wind resistance. Selectively thinning branches helps the wind to move more easily through the tree and prevents uprooting. However, never thin more than 25% of a tree's crown at one time. Additionally, dead branches should also be removed since those are the first to break in a storm.
4. Install Cables or Bolts: Trees with multiple trunks or weakly attached limbs are prime targets for splitting. To successfully secure a tree, use a tree service professional with the knowledge required to select the best cable system for each tree's specific situation and install it at the right tension and location in the tree.

About Giroud Tree and Lawn

Giroud Tree and Lawn specializes in tree service, lawn care and mosquito and tick control programs that make customers love doing business with the company since 1974. Serving Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties, the company offers professional tree and lawn evaluation, tree pruning, tree removal, insect and disease control, fertilizing, stump removal, traditional and 100% organic lawn programs and mosquito and tick control. Giroud Arborists are certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and have the knowledge and experience required to properly diagnose, treat and maintain trees and lawn health.

The company is Accredited by the Tree Care Industry Association and Better Business Bureau. The "Giroud Treework for Charity" program donates free tree care services to parks, historical sites and other non-profit organizations located in the Company's service area. For more information, visit the company website at http://www.giroudtree.com or call 215-682-7704.

Related link: http://www.giroudtree.com

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved.

Free News Articles, General Editorial, Home and Garden

Cabling Weak, Heavy Tree Branches Now Can Prevent Huge Costs Later

HUNTINGDON VALLEY, Pa. -- Heavy winds and rough weather can lead to trees splitting apart and dangerous falling limbs. The time and money it costs to clean up these disasters can be astronomical! The experts at Giroud Tree and Lawn explain why cabling a tree now can prevent huge costs in the long run.

There are a few reasons why homeowners may need to have a tree cabled:

Co-dominant Leaders: If a tree has two or more main leaders or trunks, it may be at high risk for splitting apart. The area where the leaders divide is often a major weak spot for a tree.

Overextended, Weakly Attached Limbs: Sometimes a limb that extends from the main trunk may experience aggressive growth. If this limb becomes too big, the weight becomes too much for the trunk to bear and the limb snaps. If caught in time, this limb can be cabled to the main trunk which will ease the weight distribution and prevent breakage.

Some trees are just more susceptible to breakage: Just about any tree with weakly attached limbs or more than one main trunk is at risk for splitting apart or losing major limbs. Check out this report by the University of Illinois which highlights which trees are more at risk for breakage than others.

Oftentimes, homeowners have no idea that a tree is a threat, which is why trees should be inspected by an ISA Certified Arborist on a regular basis. The arborist may recommend cabling to prevent a disaster later.

Here are some reasons why:
* Safety Hazard: People underneath weak limbs can get seriously hurt when branches break.
* Financial Burden: When large limbs and leaders break, they can land on a roof, shed, car or fence. The financial costs that come with falling trees can add up quickly!
* Time is Money: Dealing with contractors, insurance companies, and days lost at work trying to clean up the mess from a fallen tree takes a lot of time!

A Proactive Approach

Installing cables in weak limbs is often the best way to prevent trees from splitting and breaking apart. Tree cables are like a safety net for trees. By reducing the strain on weak limbs, tree cables prevent the limbs from splitting and causing damage or complete tree failure. For cracked trunks, a through bolt helps to keep the trunk from splitting apart.

In Giroud Tree and Lawn's informative video, Giroud ISA Certified Arborist and Vice President, Drew Slousky, shows several large trees that have been saved by cables.
https://youtu.be/vM2X06dzIkE


"The only way for homeowners to be sure trees on the property are safe is to have a Certified Arborist inspect all the trees annually," explains Drew Slousky, Giroud ISA Certified Arborist and Vice President.

If a tree is already cabled, annual inspections are vital! Cable hardware wears down over time. Tree health and structural integrity can also change. For safety and performance, tree cable supports must be inspected by an ISA Certified Arborist annually.

About Giroud Tree and Lawn

Giroud Tree and Lawn specializes in tree service, lawn care and mosquito and tick control programs that make customers love doing business with the company since 1974. Serving Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties, the company offers professional tree and lawn evaluation, tree pruning, tree removal, insect and disease control, fertilizing, stump removal, traditional and 100% organic lawn programs and mosquito and tick control. Giroud Arborists are certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and have the knowledge and experience required to properly diagnose, treat and maintain trees and lawn health. The company is Accredited by the Tree Care Industry Association and Better Business Bureau. Giroud has also been awarded the Angie's List Super Service Award(r) every year since 2005. The "Giroud Treework for Charity" program donates free tree care services to parks, historical sites and other non-profit organizations located in the Company's service area. For more information, visit the company website at http://www.giroudtree.com or call 215-682-7704.

Related link:

This news story was published by the Neotrope® News Network - all rights reserved.