Beware of unlicensed and uninsured businesses and pesticide applicators! You are putting yourself, your family, neighbors and pets at risk (see below).
Click here for more info. http://www.antonnews.com/gardencitylife/2004/03/05/opinion/
Click here to look up certified applicators!
Common, but foolish landscaping mistakes to look out for:
1. "Volcano mulching" around trees. This kills the trees over several years by rotting the trunk because moisture is trapped by mulch or soil piled around the base of the tree. In a few years the rot may kill the tree because insects and fungus can easily penetrate the compromised area. Example below.
The same is true for building rock or block rings around existing trees and filling them with soil.
2. Workers Throwing lime onto tree trunks and around the lawn with their hands. Lime needs to be spread evenly, with a spreader as it does not move well laterally in the soil. Lime only moves slowly down through the soil profile, about 1/2" per year. Ideally, pelletized lime should be used according to the results of a soil test. Also, calcitic or dolomitic limestone may be specified by soil test results. Do you think the guy chucking the lime knows that? Notice how he parks in front of the fire hydrant too!
Applying lime to the root zones of azaleas, rhododendrons, hollies, and other acid soil loving plants will eventually harm or kill the shrubs. Like how they just park in front of the hydrant too?
3. Someone spraying or spreading weed or insect control products illegally or without a NYS DEC license.
It is illegal to apply pesticides for hire without a license. The NY State DEC regulates pesticide use in New York. Pesticides include weed killers, insect killers and fungicides. The DEC provides licensed companies with triangle-shaped colored stickers to be affixed to their vehicles. The triangle color changes yearly and in 2007 they are orange or red. They also provide certified pesticide applicators with licenses that look like a driver's license.
Certified pesticide applicators take 30hr classes, work as apprentices, and pass certification tests. Then continuously take more classes and pass recertification tests. There is a lot of material to learn and understand concerning pesticide safety, chemistry, and use. Trust me, you don't want someone who is unlicensed spraying the area around your home with potentially hazardous chemicals if they do not have the proper credentials and education. If they do not care enough to follow the law, why would they care about you or your property? Ask to see a pesticide applicator's license when looking for a lawn care company. They look like a NYS driver's license. If they don't have one, don't hire them.
Click here to look up certified applicators! http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dshmdata/pesticid/appweb.pdf
4. Illegal contractors. These are companies without a Nassau CO. Office of Consumer Affairs home improvement license. It is displayed as an orange rectangular sticker on a vehicle's rear bumper. This is required for all landscapers in Nassau County. Companies not licensed are usually not insured. Thos could be a liability for you. Do you think you'll ever see them again if they break your $1000 car windshield or $2000 bay window? More importantly, what if someone gets hurt? For your own sake, make sure all of the people you hire to work on your property are licensed, insured, and contribute to our society not only by beautifying and maintaining the community, but also by paying taxes. Click here for more info. http://www.antonnews.com/gardencitylife/2004/03/05/opinion/
Also look out for companies without required town or village permits, if any.