YES. Termites in Arizona are not like those found on the East Coast. They are subterranean. The average home on Arizona has about 3 termite mounds under it. An independent inspection is laways best.
To - Camelback... Scorpions are very difficult to get rid of. They can survive up to a year without food or water. Exterminators claim they can kill scorpions but in reality they kill the bugs, primarily crickets, that scorpions eat. The scorpions eat the insects that have digested the poison chemicals and then die. It takes a long time. They love Oleanders, potted plants, and old buildings like sheds, barns, etc. They also like certain types of trees. Buy a black light, go out at night, they show up under a black light. Pick them up with a pair of long handled tongs, put them in a jar, and then pour alcohol on them. To keep them out of your home seal it thoroughly. Caulk everything, they can get into the tiniest crack. Good luck.
Janice, Unless you are buying a new home where a termite contract is required to be provided by the builder or your termite inspection finds termites, do not get a termite contract. Just wait until you have them, price around, the cost just isn't worth having a contract.
FREE Stone I have seen lots of craigslist ads for people to come and remove their crushed stone. Is this effort worth it or should I just buy the stone, and hire someone to put it in for me?
Not a good idea. First someone would have to go scoop up all the stone in the yard that is being given away. Next, it would have to be hauled to your location. Then dumped and spread again. Even if you use illegal Mexicans which overrun Arizona like a plaque it still is not cost effective.
I recommend ..... First measure the distance Length and Width in feet you need covered. It's best to put about 4 inches of stone for the depth. Then simply go to a local stone quarry yard, pick out the stone you want. Give them the measurements, they will calculate how many tons of stone you need and delivery it. Then hire some scum bag worthless Illegal Mexicans to spread it. Don't pay them more than $10,00 per hour or $30.00 a ton of stone.
Hello Board : I have a tree that is dying. It's leaves turn brown and the branches become dry and bridle. My landscaper has cut out a huge section but it still is spreading. I have been told it is some king of tree insect. Others have told me it's not getting enough water. The tree is about 4 years old and was doing fine to this early this spring.
I have treated it with insect spray and watered the hell out of it, with no luck.
There are two real possibilities that can cause a tree of this age to begin dying.
First, and this applies to all 5 plating zones in the USA. Never dig a hole for a tree with straight sides. You need to grove the edges of the hole. This is so the branches can expand. Round holes with smooth sides cause the tree roots to wrap around and choke the tree to death.
Second you could have a fungus. This is often called Texas Root Rot. The fungus evades the roots. It is airborne so anyone can get it. There is a lot of it in the Phoenix Valley right now. Go to a good nursery and buy InFuse. It's in a white bottle about the size of motor oil. Get a garden hose, soak the tree and at least 6-feet from the center truck till the water is running off. This will get the water to the deepest roots. Wait about 2 minutes. Mix the entire amount InFuse in a 5-gallon bucket. Pour it all around the base of the tree. Wait 3-week, in no improvement treat again. Wait 2 months. If still no improvement the tree is a goner, you waited too long. Cut the tree down, dig up the roots and remove the soil to stop the spread of the fungus to other plants, shrubs and trees. Good Luck.
This is not a good idea. Oleander Plants have deep roots. If the Oleander is more than 18-months old it is well established. Digging these up are a nightmare. Some of the roots depending on age can be 4 or 5 feet deep. This is another example of lazy ass homeowners who don't want to pay a landscaper to dig the plants up and remove the. The cost is prohibitive. Just bite the bullet and pay the $15,00 for a 5-gallon Oleander Plant. I suggest Home Depot, they guarantee all their desert plants for one year.
Planting recommendations: I would suggest planting Oleanders about 3-feet apart. This will make a good strong close nit fence line. The best ones are the White Oleander Plants, they grow the fastest and flower the most. The worst are the Red Oleanders.
Joan, Go to your local nursery or Home Depot and buy a bottle of B-1 Vitamins for plants. It comes in a white bottle looks like a bottle of bleach. Mix this as instructed for plants and shrubs. Double the dose for new trees.
This whole tree falling problem is caused by three issues....
1) All trees should be trimmed and pruned yearly. This should be done during the months of March and April.
2) When planting a tree of any kind always stake it so it grows upright (vertical) and doesn't lean.
3) Never plant a tree too close to your house or privacy wall. Trees should be planted at last five feet from your wall and ten feet from your house. This is measured from the trunk of the tree. Also plant trees at least 10-feet between each other.
Pest spraying wont help because it kills whats there only. They come in on the wind. Put a small bowl of water out away from your house at dusk. In the morning the bowl will be filled with the buggers, just empty it and repeat until no more gnats, they are seasonal.
Yes cover them now if they are not all ready covered. Use burlap and some twine. Wrap the burlap around the truck up to the leaves and lightly tie it in place with some twine. You can obtain both of these from Home Depot. Citrus and fruit trees are especially susceptible to the hot Arizona summer sun.
Thanks for all your suggestions and answers to questions posted. I've read all of it and I have really acquired useful information about Arizona landscaping. By the way, what types of plants are the best for Arizona land? snohomish landscaping
Cecile, Really depends on what part of Arizona you live in, this is a big state. But most people live in Maricopa County (Phoenix Metro Area). Do not be fooled by landscape nurseries you can buy anything but that doesn't mean it will survive. The best all around plant is an Oleander it survives any temperatures here and with little or no water. Texas Sage also so vert well, they make good hedges. Bouganvilla are also natural here and are survivors. For Tress - avoid ficus they will die if a freeze hits but landscapers seem to plant them. Also palm trees are a really bad idea they uproot in the high winds, attract scorpions, and generally get a fungus that humans can catch. If you are going to plant a palm tree plant the dwarf palm on an elevated dirt mound. Avoid planting any kind of fruit trees most will die from the first freeze. Citrus Trees do very well here - The nest are Mexican Lime, Arizona Lemon, Naval Orange.
I hope this was helpful.
Note: Trees less than 12-months should be watered everyday from March thru October for 1 hour per day. Winter months 2 hours every 3-days. Mature trees (older than one year) need to be deep watered 3 hours every 4-days. Install a separate drip line for trees and shrubs/plants.
I have a question - I would like to add some plants along by wall that require little or no maintenance and offer privacy. This means I need them to grow upward not outward. Most people say the best plant is full size (as opposed to dwarf) White Oleander. Is there any other options and if not, when is the best time to plant?
For the sole reason that you actually answer the queries of the people in here, I greatly admire this blog. It takes such a huge amount of passion to actually try to help. I hope you more success in your endeavors!
cindy .... i know lots of people who use the full size white oleander plants .... it is my understanding after maturity about 3 - 5 years they will get around 16-18 feet tall .... for privacy the ones i have seen with my neighbors they have been planted close together ... like maybe 30-inches apart at the base ...
here is a tip you may want to rmploy if you have a similar problem : i have a large yard 5+ acres ... recently i had all my parameter plants removed because i got a dog ... a male rhodesian ridgeback ... this do is very territorial ... so i had some jack rabbits getting in through a small hole in the out walls ... the dog kills anything cats, rabbits, pigeons .. etc ... that invades it's space ....
to plug the hole do the following : 1) did under the hole add some sand and on top add a bag of lime ... then cover with some more sand and pout quick drying concrete ... critters will not dig under that area again because of the lime ...
This blog is really well thought of. It is interactive and the comments are also helpful especially to those who are very interested on having an Arizona home. Keep it up!
Should I have a termite inspection before buying a home in Arizona, even if the house all ready has termite protection contract?
ReplyDeleteYES.
ReplyDeleteTermites in Arizona are not like those found on the East Coast. They are subterranean.
The average home on Arizona has about 3 termite mounds under it.
An independent inspection is laways best.
Scorpions, I have them, how do I get rid of them?
ReplyDeleteTo - Camelback...
ReplyDeleteScorpions are very difficult to get rid of. They can survive up to a year without food or water.
Exterminators claim they can kill scorpions but in reality they kill the bugs, primarily crickets, that scorpions eat. The scorpions eat the insects that have digested the poison chemicals and then die.
It takes a long time.
They love Oleanders, potted plants, and old buildings like sheds, barns, etc.
They also like certain types of trees.
Buy a black light, go out at night, they show up under a black light. Pick them up with a pair of long handled tongs, put them in a jar, and then pour alcohol on them.
To keep them out of your home seal it thoroughly. Caulk everything, they can get into the tiniest crack.
Good luck.
Janice,
ReplyDeleteUnless you are buying a new home where a termite contract is required to be provided by the builder or your termite inspection finds termites, do not get a termite contract. Just wait until you have them, price around, the cost just isn't worth having a contract.
FREE Stone
ReplyDeleteI have seen lots of craigslist ads for people to come and remove their crushed stone.
Is this effort worth it or should I just buy the stone, and hire someone to put it in for me?
Retired in Sun City,
ReplyDeleteNot a good idea.
First someone would have to go scoop up all the stone in the yard that is being given away.
Next, it would have to be hauled to your location.
Then dumped and spread again.
Even if you use illegal Mexicans which overrun Arizona like a plaque it still is not cost effective.
I recommend .....
First measure the distance Length and Width in feet you need covered. It's best to put about 4 inches of stone for the depth.
Then simply go to a local stone quarry yard, pick out the stone you want. Give them the measurements, they will calculate how many tons of stone you need and delivery it.
Then hire some scum bag worthless Illegal Mexicans to spread it.
Don't pay them more than $10,00 per hour or $30.00 a ton of stone.
Hello Board :
ReplyDeleteI have a tree that is dying.
It's leaves turn brown and the branches become dry and bridle.
My landscaper has cut out a huge section but it still is spreading.
I have been told it is some king of tree insect. Others have told me it's not getting enough water.
The tree is about 4 years old and was doing fine to this early this spring.
I have treated it with insect spray and watered the hell out of it, with no luck.
Does anyone know what's wrong with it?
Greg,
ReplyDeleteThere are two real possibilities that can cause a tree of this age to begin dying.
First, and this applies to all 5 plating zones in the USA.
Never dig a hole for a tree with straight sides. You need to grove the edges of the hole. This is so the branches can expand. Round holes with smooth sides cause the tree roots to wrap around and choke the tree to death.
Second you could have a fungus. This is often called Texas Root Rot. The fungus evades the roots. It is airborne so anyone can get it.
There is a lot of it in the Phoenix Valley right now.
Go to a good nursery and buy InFuse. It's in a white bottle about the size of motor oil.
Get a garden hose, soak the tree and at least 6-feet from the center truck till the water is running off.
This will get the water to the deepest roots.
Wait about 2 minutes.
Mix the entire amount InFuse in a 5-gallon bucket.
Pour it all around the base of the tree.
Wait 3-week, in no improvement treat again.
Wait 2 months.
If still no improvement the tree is a goner, you waited too long.
Cut the tree down, dig up the roots and remove the soil to stop the spread of the fungus to other plants, shrubs and trees.
Good Luck.
Referring to craigslist ads, I often see ads to remove Oleander Plants, is this a good idea?
ReplyDeleteI am trying to save some money on additional planting.
re, Oleander Plants
ReplyDeleteThis is not a good idea.
Oleander Plants have deep roots. If the Oleander is more than 18-months old it is well established. Digging these up are a nightmare. Some of the roots depending on age can be 4 or 5 feet deep.
This is another example of lazy ass homeowners who don't want to pay a landscaper to dig the plants up and remove the.
The cost is prohibitive.
Just bite the bullet and pay the $15,00 for a 5-gallon Oleander Plant. I suggest Home Depot, they guarantee all their desert plants for one year.
Planting recommendations:
I would suggest planting Oleanders about 3-feet apart. This will make a good strong close nit fence line.
The best ones are the White Oleander Plants, they grow the fastest and flower the most. The worst are the Red Oleanders.
re-scorpions
ReplyDeletecheck your lawn area...
make sure there is no dead trees, shrubs, and wood piled near your home.
keep the landscape tight and clean.
spray for bugs at least every 3 months, preferably every two.
don't have any standing water.
feral cats eat the scorpions and get bit, generally they die, that's a two for one bang.
Ref: Rocks and Oleanders
ReplyDeleteI agree with previous posters.
These are lazy ass homeowners who want to get their yards cleaned up for free.
Best you stay away from these people. You could be transporting scorpions, snakes, and all types of insects to your property.
Didn't realize scorpions were attracted to oleanders. Thanks
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know of any treatment I should use on new outdoor plants and shrubs?
ReplyDeleteJoan,
ReplyDeleteGo to your local nursery or Home Depot and buy a bottle of B-1 Vitamins for plants. It comes in a white bottle looks like a bottle of bleach.
Mix this as instructed for plants and shrubs.
Double the dose for new trees.
Yes, B-1 works great on all NEW plantings.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree with the B-1 posts, the Oleander posts, and the rocks post!
ReplyDeleteWith all the recent storms I have had problems with damaged trees, many of which were never effected before.
ReplyDeleteAny suggestions ?
Hi Janet,
ReplyDeleteThis whole tree falling problem is caused by three issues....
1) All trees should be trimmed and pruned yearly. This should be done during the months of March and April.
2) When planting a tree of any kind always stake it so it grows upright (vertical) and doesn't lean.
3) Never plant a tree too close to your house or privacy wall. Trees should be planted at last five feet from your wall and ten feet from your house. This is measured from the trunk of the tree. Also plant trees at least 10-feet between each other.
Hope this was helpful.
Should I cover my tree trunks to prevent sunburn and what do I use?
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of these annoying little black gnats (bugs). I had an exterminator come over and they went away all of one day. Any suggestions?
Re, annoying gnats
ReplyDeletePest spraying wont help because it kills whats there only. They come in on the wind. Put a small bowl of water out away from your house at dusk. In the morning the bowl will be filled with the buggers, just empty it and repeat until no more gnats, they are seasonal.
response - Trees and sunburn.
ReplyDeleteYes cover them now if they are not all ready covered. Use burlap and some twine. Wrap the burlap around the truck up to the leaves and lightly tie it in place with some twine. You can obtain both of these from Home Depot. Citrus and fruit trees are especially susceptible to the hot Arizona summer sun.
Thanks for all your suggestions and answers to questions posted. I've read all of it and I have really acquired useful information about Arizona landscaping. By the way, what types of plants are the best for Arizona land?
ReplyDeletesnohomish landscaping
Cecile,
ReplyDeleteReally depends on what part of Arizona you live in, this is a big state. But most people live in Maricopa County (Phoenix Metro Area).
Do not be fooled by landscape nurseries you can buy anything but that doesn't mean it will survive.
The best all around plant is an Oleander it survives any temperatures here and with little or no water.
Texas Sage also so vert well, they make good hedges.
Bouganvilla are also natural here and are survivors.
For Tress - avoid ficus they will die if a freeze hits but landscapers seem to plant them. Also palm trees are a really bad idea they uproot in the high winds, attract scorpions, and generally get a fungus that humans can catch. If you are going to plant a palm tree plant the dwarf palm on an elevated dirt mound.
Avoid planting any kind of fruit trees most will die from the first freeze.
Citrus Trees do very well here - The nest are Mexican Lime, Arizona Lemon, Naval Orange.
I hope this was helpful.
Note: Trees less than 12-months should be watered everyday from March thru October for 1 hour per day. Winter months 2 hours every 3-days.
Mature trees (older than one year) need to be deep watered 3 hours every 4-days.
Install a separate drip line for trees and shrubs/plants.
This blog is really helpful. I can't believe that I'm actually learning a lot of things from here. Keep it up please!
ReplyDeleteI have a question -
ReplyDeleteI would like to add some plants along by wall that require little or no maintenance and offer privacy. This means I need them to grow upward not outward.
Most people say the best plant is full size (as opposed to dwarf) White Oleander.
Is there any other options and if not, when is the best time to plant?
For the sole reason that you actually answer the queries of the people in here, I greatly admire this blog. It takes such a huge amount of passion to actually try to help. I hope you more success in your endeavors!
ReplyDeletecindy ....
ReplyDeletei know lots of people who use the full size white oleander plants .... it is my understanding after maturity about 3 - 5 years they will get around 16-18 feet tall ....
for privacy the ones i have seen with my neighbors they have been planted close together ... like maybe 30-inches apart at the base ...
hello everyone ....
ReplyDeletehere is a tip you may want to rmploy if you have a similar problem :
i have a large yard 5+ acres ... recently i had all my parameter plants removed because i got a dog ... a male rhodesian ridgeback ... this do is very territorial ... so i had some jack rabbits getting in through a small hole in the out walls ... the dog kills anything cats, rabbits, pigeons .. etc ... that invades it's space ....
to plug the hole do the following :
1) did under the hole add some sand and on top add a bag of lime ... then cover with some more sand and pout quick drying concrete ... critters will not dig under that area again because of the lime ...
This blog is really well thought of. It is interactive and the comments are also helpful especially to those who are very interested on having an Arizona home. Keep it up!
ReplyDelete