• Services
  • Portfolio
  • Request a Quote
  • Contact
  • Samples
  • Blog
Maui Lawn & Landscape, LLC

blog

9 Reasons to Hire a Professional Landscaper

8/14/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Lawn and planter installation for a client in Waiehu
With Youtube, Pinterest, and the internet in general, many people are choosing the route of DIY (do-it-yourself) around the house. Even with the wealth of information literally at your fingertips, there are times when hiring a professional is the better way to go. Your exterior landscaping is one of those times. Here are 9 reasons why you should hire a professional:

1. Get exactly what you want in a landscape design.
Once you and your landscape professional decide on a design for your space, you know exactly what you are going to get! There may be small changes along the way, but not without your consent. Therefore, when all is said and done, what you planned, is what you get.
 
2. No hard labor.
Working on your yard is hard work. From the initial installation to the monthly (or bi-monthly or weekly) maintenance, it can be labor intensive even for the simplest of designs.
 
3. Ensured quality.
 A professional has a reputation to uphold. The quality of their work is imperative to the future of their business.
 
4. Saves you time.
 You work hard. You deserve some time to kick up your feet and take it easy. The last thing that you want to worry about, after working all day and all week, is taking care of your yard.
 
5. You don’t have to worry about purchasing the wrong materials.
Time, money, and headaches spared! Get exactly what you need without the stress. This is all in the daily life of a professional landscaper. They know what you need and exactly where to get it.

6. Project planning.
From start to finish, everything is planned out for your project. Certain tasks must be finished before others begin. And that's not even considering the proper permitting and approvals.

7. Work with your weather and climate.
Natural climate and weather patterns are going to play a huge role in the care and maintenance of your landscape design. Some plants will do better in a places such as Haiku, while others will thrive in Kihei. Perhaps a rock design for drainage is best for you. A professional will be able to guide you through the best choices for your climate needs, as well as set up the proper care and maintenance schedule for you.

8. Artistic vision.     
They may be able to show you some designs that you had never thought of. A professional will keep up-to-date on new information and new landscaping trends. There is a very good possibility you are going to like what you see.

9. Stay on BUDGET.
When "Doing-It-Yourself", it is easy to just keep buying more and more. Every trip to Home Depot can send your budget cap higher and higher. When you work with a professional, you give them your budget and they give you a price quote to suit your needs.


Ready to contact a professional today?
Contact us for a quote today regarding any of your landscaping needs.
0 Comments

Rat Lungworm

7/7/2017

0 Comments

 

What is it?

PictureImage credit: veggiegardener.com
  
Rat lungworm is a parasite that was brought to Hawaii from Southeast Asia by — you guessed it — rats. The parasite can be transferred to slugs/snails when they crawl through rat feces. Flatworms eat slugs and can also be carriers. The Semi-Slug (Parmarion martensi) can be more heavily infected with the parasite.


How do humans contract it?

By eating raw/under cooked snails and slugs or food that has come into contact with their slime trails.

They may be hidden in produce and missed upon initial inspection. The slime trails left behind by infected gastropods also contain high amounts of the parasite. Slime trails are everywhere when you start to take notice of them. Sidewalks, picnic tables, counter tops, produce —makes you want to go wash your hands, right?



How do I know if I have been infected? What do I do?

Before you consult Dr. Google, know that symptoms are usually flu-like:
  • headache
  • stiffness in the neck
  • fever
  • joint pain
  • fatigue
  • nausea
  • Your skin may feel itchy and/or extremely sensitive.


If you think there is any possibility that you have contracted this parasite, seek medical help immediately.


Rat lungworm cannot survive with humans as a host and will not live longer than a year. In that time however, the parasite makes its way to the brain where neurological damage can occur. Some patients still experience nerve pain, sensitivity, and paralysis years after being diagnosed.
Picture
Image credit: allaboutslugs.com
If all of this sound really scary, it’s because it is. The best measures you can take to protect yourself, your family, and your pets (yes, animals can be affected as well!) is to be informed and aware of the causes and symptoms. Be vigilant in inspecting and thoroughly washing your produce with soap and water. Wash your hands after working outside and especially before eating.


​How we can help...

We can help you mitigate the risks by:
  • managing and maintaining areas that rats and slugs typically inhabit
  • monitoring your growing environment for any home-grown fruits and vegetables, as well as advising you on the best places to plant
  • creating barriers in your yard to help keep pests away from edibles
  • applying slug and snail bait, and adjusting your irrigation system around bait applications

Contact us today to help rid your yard of slugs and snails.

Picture
http://cdn.modernfarmer.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/slugs.jpg
Sources: Malama O Puna at http://www.malamaopuna.org/ratlung/ and http://health.hawaii.gov

0 Comments

    Author

    Greg Stout has over 30 years of experience in the landscape and irrigation industry.  Born in Illinois, Greg relocated to Hawaii in the 1970's and has been providing quality design and installation work to the people of Maui since 2000 as the owner of Maui Lawn & Landscape, LLC.

    Archives

    March 2018
    February 2018
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2013
    May 2013

    Categories

    All
    Gardening
    Green Roof
    Landscape
    Landscaping
    Lighting
    Living Roof
    Low Maintenance
    Low-Maintenance
    Non-Profits
    Professional Landscaper
    Rat Lungworm
    Slugs
    Snails
    Sprinkler Repair
    Walls
    Xeriscape

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Services
  • Portfolio
  • Request a Quote
  • Contact
  • Samples
  • Blog