Which termite treatment does Rosie recommend?

Rosie likes a product called Termidor, which contains a very small amount of fipronil, the same ingredient used for flea and tick control on dogs and cats.

It’s odorless, so you won’t be able to smell it, and termites can’t smell or taste it. So they won’t notice that they’re walking on it or if it gets on their bodies, so they ingest some of it and carrying the rest back to their nests, where they share it with their disgusting little friends every time they touch one of them.

Termites have been found across 70% of the world and have survived environmental changes from creation.

In North America alone, termites invade more than 1.5 million homes causing 2.5 billion in damage. Termites only require 1/64 – inch space to enter your home; that’s the thickness of a piece of paper.

Read more and reference an informative article from Blue Sky Pest Control, What you need to know about Arizona Termites.

For more information and for answers to all YOUR Landscape, Garden and Home Improvement questions, visit our website, Rosieonthehouse.com

Tile Roofs: Pros and Cons

Tile roofing, which lasts a long time and won’t rot or burn under a scorching summer sun, is a great choice for Arizona rooftops. And nothing says “Southwestern style” quite like it. The most common tile roofs on Arizona homes are clay, concrete and sand-cast.
Pros:

Longevity. A concrete tile roof will last and last, and clay tile will probably longer than any other kind of roofing material. Some manufacturers estimate their product will last 50 years, but many Arizona homes sport tile roofs that are older.

Style. Clay, concrete and sand-cast tiles make a beautiful roof that gives a home a distinctly Southwestern flair.

Improvements. Manufacturers are making concrete tile to look like wood shakes—but without the fire danger. And they’re coming out with lighter-weight tiles.

Other. Tiles are fireproof and resist rot and insects.

Cons:

Weight. Most tiles is so heavy that your roof needs reinforcement to support its weight. If you’re replacing a shingled roof with tiles, you’ll need to hire a structural engineer (cost: $400 - $600) to tell you where to beef up the wood in the attic to hold the extra weight. Then you might have to spend $1,500 or so on adding that woodwork, in addition to paying for the tile.


Read more...

For more information and for answers to all YOUR Landscape, Garden and Home Improvement questions, visit our website, Rosieonthehouse.com

Reading your Utility Bill #1

#1 Your Service Plan (At what time of day it is least expensive to use your utilities)

#2 Total Charges for Electricity

#3 Total Electricity Used (KwH)

#4 Average Base Load (Electricity you use everyday, not including cooling or heating)

#5 Divide your Total Charges (#2) by your Total KwH (#3) to get your Cost Per KwH

  

For more information and for answers to all your Landscape, Garden and Home Improvement questions, visit our website, RosieontheHouse.com!  Listen to our Podcast!

Reading your Utility Bill #2

#1 Your Service Plan (At what time of day it is least expensive to use your utilities)

#2 Total Charges for Electricity

#3 Total Electricity Used (KwH)

#4 Average Base Load (Electricity you use everyday, not including cooling or heating)

#5 Divide your Total Charges (#2) by your Total KwH (#3) to get your Cost Per KwH

For more information and for answers to all your Landscape, Garden and Home Improvement questions, visit our website, RosieontheHouse.com! Listen to our Podcast!

Reading your Utility Bill #3

#1 Your Service Plan (At what time of day it is least expensive to use your utilities)

#2 Total Charges for Electricity

#3 Total Electricity Used (KwH)

#4 Average Base Load (Electricity you use everyday, not including cooling or heating)

#5 Divide your Total Charges (#2) by your Total KwH (#3) to get your Cost Per KwH
 
For more information and for answers to all your Landscape, Garden and Home Improvement questions, visit our website, RosieontheHouse.com! Listen to our Podcast!