Controlling Bugs During the Monsoon Print

Don't forget to sign up for the Sanderson Ford Arizona Staycation here!

Romey has a testimonial for our guest coming in later, Blue Sky Pest Control

Jennifer & the crew discusses using prickly pear in recipes.

• The Prickly Pear Cookbook is loaded with ideas.
• Tips for you!
• Use ThornArmor Gloves to clean prickly pear!

More contest entry stories to win Arizona Diamondback tickets and events happening across the state.

(Who hosts "Arizona's Oldest Rodeo"? Prescott or Payson......)

Don't forget to sign up for the Sanderson Ford Arizona Staycation and you could win Coyote Oaties Cookies!

Rosie & Jennifer's daughter, Katie joins us to talk about improving your health, even while your sitting at your desk.

• Thousands of work days are lost due to lower back issues...caused by sitting at your desk all day long.
• How to improve your everyday health with an exercise ball instead of a chair.
• Katie describes a few exercises you can use at your desk.

More on office fitness from Katie, Rosie's daughter who's studied kinesiology and a fitness expert. She shares the Pros and Cons of standing while you work.

We pick a winner for the Arizona Diamondback tickets. Congratulations to Peter!

Jeff from Harper's Nursery & Landscaping Company joins us to talk about your landscape & garden.

Tip of the Week: Fall vegetable gardening prep. It's almost September, a great time to start your veggies.

*The guys discuss what kind of plants that are good to plant this time of year.

Mark Killian, the Director of the Arizona Department of Agriculture is here and talks about his history in the state.

• His history.
• Their mission
• What they're working on now.

Callers:

• Roland - He wants Jeff's opinion of the Red Push Pistache

Recommendation - Jeff loves it! It was grafted by the Arizona Pistachio Nursery and we talk about all the benefits.

• Vicki - She just wanted to call in to say thanks to the Arizona Department of Agriculture for all they do. Her kids are in several programs and she just wanted to say, thanks.
• Chris - He planted several peach trees and they've gotten way bigger than he planned for and are producing huge amounts of fruit. Can he cut them back to make it more manageable?

Recommendation - Absolutely. They can be cut way back in the winter, but wait until it goes dormant.

• Dave - He gives us a football update....we can't wait for the full season to get here.

More with Mark Killian on why Arizona is a great place for agriculture:

• Size of the industry and how much money the industry includes.
• Mark talks about specific fruits and veggies and the weather that helps create so much food.

Caller:

• Beth - She wants to know when she should cut back tomato plants so they'll thrive when the cooler temps come?

Recommendation - If she's kept them alive through the summer, Jeff doesn't like the idea of trimming them back. She can selectively trim back brown leaves and bad looking vines. Once it cools down and she fertilizes it, she should see the plant spring back to life.

• Bill - He's trying to pick the highest producing naval orange tree to plant in Arizona.

Recommendation - There are several. Washington Naval is the most common, but there is also the Trovita Sweet Orange. Jeff reminds the listeners that the "Backyard naval orange trees don't produce the same amout of fruit as a farm would." 

*Mark talks about pumpkins! They're great growers in Arizona.

Callers:

• Scott - He wants more information on the red push pistache tree.

Recommendation - It is NOT a fruit producer and Jeff will get back to him on whether or not the tree can grow at an elevation of 5,000 feet.

Romey asks Mark about the state of bees in Arizona and what it means to our ag industry in Arizona.

• Don't eliminate bee habitat and letting blooming plants actually bloom. That will help.
• The health benefits of honey. Buy honey at Crockett Honey in Tempe.

Learn about growing food on the Grow Phoenix site.

Rosie talks about his article in the Arizona Republic and how homes in the Southwest are unique.

• Water, rain, moisture.....it's the number 1 cause of home damage in Arizona.
• What contributed to the increase in this problem.
• Homes are better built than you think.
• Why don't we have basements?

The Digital Newsroom:

• Chris - He needs to replace a 30 year old deck. What do we recommend?

Recommendation - Use a fir or redwood for structural supports, than use a synthetic composite material like Trex or Boardwark brands for the rest. Rosie likes sealing real wood from Woodlife.

More from the Digital Newsroom:

• Vincent - He wants to go shopping for exotic wood. Where should he go and what should he know?

Recommendation - Try Woodworker's Source,  Rockler Woodworking, or Porter Barn Woods. 

*Jennifer wants Johnny Cash wood for her birthday from Porter Barn Woods!

• A serious home safety hazard is also a huge fire hazard. Make sure your dryer vents are cleaned properly. If you're not a do-it-yourselfer, call Dryer Vent Wizard or Arizona Chimney Sweep to make sure you're safe.

Caller:

• Richard - He just built himself a crawdad trap and he's wondering if Lake Bartlett is safe to fish in......

Recommendation - No! The Arizona Game & Fish Department released this warning, so beware! 

*Rosie will ask a few wardens about it at the Wildlife for Tomorrow event he's attending this weekend.

More about the unique construction of homes in Arizona.

• Our homes are relatively new compared to other areas of the country
• Low pitch or flat roofs.
• If you go with a flat roof, go with foam!
• No Gutters in Arizona. You should. It could save you later.

Caller:

• Kevin - He designes homes and called in to talk about some expectations for homes here. He loves a partial basement and they discuss the benefits.

*Kevin & the guys talk about geothermal heating and cooling benefits and struggles to finance projects like this. There are misconceptions out there.

• Robert - He built a basement home a few years ago and he ran into the same issues we were talking about. They did not prepare the home like they should've and he did the extra prep work himself. The water line to his pool broke and if he hadn't prepared, it would have cost him a lot of money.

Recommendation - Robert is right on! Water damage does not have to come from rain to cause damage. Hillside homes create serious issues too.

Caller:

• Steve - He just finished a large project with all natural knotty alder interior woodwork. It's great, but the stain color is dating the home. 

*We share a fun story about a local cabinet refinishing company owner and some of the incredible work they can do. Murals, artistic painting and just quality work all-around. Romey took him to lunch at The Mission at Minder Binder's.

*Rosie answers a few homeowner questions about insulating garages. Evaporative Cooling versus Air Conditioning the garage?

Nate & Curtis join us from Blue Sky Pest Control to talk about ways to avoid critters taking over your property. Nate & Curtis share their business history and the unique way it's grown.

Caller:

• Gus - He has scorpions all over his property he's used a product he found online. It's been doing the job and it's worked. Should he continue this process or get a professional to do the job?

Recommendation - If it's working, why stop? Just make sure you follow label directions and use protective gear. Use a black light at night and he'll be able to really see if they are gone. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

*Curtis shares more about scorpions and how to control them in your neighborhood.

• The crew shares horror stories about scorpions...learn how this could happen to you.
• Costs for D-I-Y versus professional help.
• The tiny openings that critters can get into your home.

Caller:

• Kurt - His home is built with integra-block and he found a termite tube. Is there an issue seeing this on the outside of his home?

Recommendation - To get over block walls or non-wood materials, they use the mud tubes. They're not eating the concrete. It's the drywall or wood materials in the walls. They will eat some types of insulation.

*If you need pest control in Tucson, call 5-Star Termite & Pest Control.

Nate goes through the steps and equipment Blue Sky Pest Control uses to control pests in certain situations. Ants versus scorpions versus scorpions, etc.

Caller:

• Andrew - His neighbor had termites and it was treated for. He does not have termites now and he's concerned they'll move over to his house. He's on a tight budget too.

Recommendation - Depending on what was used to treat the problems, the chances change. Location for termite colonies will increase or decrease your chances for infiltration. Getting a home inspection once a year could give someone peace of mind, even on a small budget. Use preventative treatments with termidor. (we discuss why we use termidor)

Have you heard of the "Mutant Lice" found in Arizona? Scary!

• They become resistant to traditional treatments.
• Improper useage increase resistance building up in lice.
• Prescription strength medications still work.
• Using a metal lice comb can work, but it's time consuming.
• Prevent chances for your kids to pick them up at school.
• Misusing products is NEVER A GOOD IDEA.

An update on misquitos in Arizona & what they bring with them.

Callers:

• Susan - She has coyotes roaming all over her neighborhood and she's worried about protecting her small dog in the backyard. Do we have any suggestions on keeping her pet safe.

Recommendation - Closing any gaps and prevent digging will help, but they're not experts on this. Go to the H.O.A. if she has one, otherwise call an expert with coyotes.

(Coyotes are definitely becoming a bigger problem in urban areas)

• Rowland - How does he get rid of ants?

Recommendation - You can bait them and/or use a non-repellant. Curtis shares a few more variables.

Thanks to Nate & Curtis for stopping in today!  If you have questions and are in the greater Maricopa County area, give Blue Sky Pest Control a call today!

Join Rosie On The House every Saturday Morning!!!