Ladybug Season Has Arrived

Along with the spring blooms, another, less welcome sign of spring has begun popping up all over. If you have a light-colored house with southwest-facing windows, you might have already begun seeing ladybugs making their home in yours. 

Ladybugs are probably one of the least offensive insects out there, but when they start showing up en masse in your house, you might not be too happy about it. These cute red and black beetles are creatures of habit. They like light-colored houses because heat more easily reflects off them. As for the southwest window, they love warm, bright areas where the afternoon sun keeps them comfortable. Like many insects and animals, ladybugs hibernate during the winter and wake up in the spring. They find tiny cracks and crevices, generally around windows, to creep into a home and rest for the colder months. When they find a comfortable spot, they release a pheromone to attract others, which is why you generally find more than one or two. Then they rest through the winter and start to wake up around now, not unlike our bear population. 

While ladybugs might seem problematic, they are actually harmless. Unlike other wood and fabric-eating insects, ladybugs won’t feast on your home. On the contrary, as the weather warms, they actually look to get back outside. So if you are willing to be patient, the bugs will leave on their own. However, if you have a large infestation or just hate the idea of bugs in your house, the best thing to do is to vacuum them up and dispose of them outdoors. Why a vacuum? Killing the bugs in a way that is stressful will cause them to release their own blood, a yellow substance called hemolymph. This is a ladybug’s way of telling a predator that they are a no-good meal, but hemolymph also stains and stinks. Using a vacuum is gentler and will allow you to get the bugs back outside alive which is exactly where they want to be. 

As I mentioned, ladybugs will make their way back outside in the next few weeks but that doesn’t mean they won’t come back in the fall. Your best bet is to seal those southwest-facing windows to keep the bugs out and the heat in. Use caulk for small gaps or buy some weatherstripping to create a tighter seal around windows. Also, be sure to remove air conditioning units once the summer is over. Leaving them in will absolutely give ladybugs an opportunity to settle in for another season of comfort in your home. 

Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro”. All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Siding Trends for 2022

One of the best ways to instantly transform your home is with siding. As a durable, easy to clean, and highly customizable option, it’s no wonder why siding, and vinyl, in particular, is such a popular choice for savvy homeowners. Let’s have a look at what trends are popular now and what we’ll be sure to see in the years to come. 

Bold and Beautiful

While white will always be a classic color, darker shades of maroon, navy, green, gray, and brown are making a serious comeback. Popular in the 1980s, the dark look is being seen more and more in new construction and homeowners are making the choice to go bold with a deeper shade. Consider pairing a dark hue with a lighter trim for a nice contrast that will make the home stand out. 

Black and White

If a dark house isn’t your cup of tea, you might want to try the reverse. We’re seeing more and more light and white homes embrace dark color trims, especially black and charcoal. If you prefer to stick to a neutral siding tone, darker accents around doors, windows, soffits, and porch banisters can still add personality without being over the top. 

Texture

Another trend that’s gaining popularity is a textural finish on vinyl siding. Flat, smooth panels are making room for everything from wood shakes to stone and stucco finishes. Many people opt to use a designer finish in certain areas of the house to distinguish certain architectural features which add character and give a more polished, upscale look. 

Shading

While contrast certainly makes a statement, many people are opting to stick to one color family for a more subtle dimension. Plan to see siding, trim, and roofing in various shades of grays, browns, and greens, which give a home a warmer contrast that feels subdued yet polished. 

Vertical

Finally, now might be the time to consider vertical vinyl siding. This is a fantastic approach that gives a home height and it can be used in conjunction with horizontal siding for a unique look. Vertical siding is also easy to clean and slightly less resistant to mold growing in the seams. It’s slightly more expensive to install, so keep that in mind if you’re considering this look.

Speaking of cost, one last thing to consider is the cost of materials these days. Remodeling projects are in high demand and so too are supplies. Between manufacturing, transportation, and logistics, your project might take a little longer and cost a little more than you would expect. Ask your contractor about any potential delays or price increases while you’re getting your quotes to be sure your project runs as smoothly as it should. 

Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro”. All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Early Spring Lawncare Tips for Gorgeous Grass

If a lush lawn is what you’re looking for, the recent rain has helped our grass get off to a good headstart. Now that the colder weather is hopefully behind us for good, there are a few steps you can take to help make sure that yard looks great and green all season long. Here is what you need to know.

Start by performing a soil test. Grass can be finicky and the pH level of your soil will help you to better understand how to treat it. Experts suggest that the pH level should be between 6.0 and 7.0 and your reading will help you to figure out what nutrients your lawn needs. A soil test is always a smart first step so you don’t go out and buy fertilizer and seed that isn’t the right match. A soil test can be done by a professional landscaper or you can purchase a test kit at any hardware store.

Next, it’s time for clean-up. Start by removing any winter debris such as sticks, leaves, stones. Then give your yard a good rake, even if it’s free of debris. Raking will dethatch the lawn, picking out the dead matter that collects on the bottom of the grass blades, closest to the ground. During the winter, thatch is good because it acts as a layer of warmth and protection. But as the temperature rises, it can block new grass from coming up. 

Once the lawn has been dethatched, it’s time for aeration. An aerator is a bit like a manual lawn mower but instead of cutting the grass, it pokes holes in the ground. Aeration is important because all grass needs sun, air, and water to grow. By aerating the lawn, it allows for better air and water flow and lets nutrients get to the roots of the grass more easily. Most people skip this step but I think it’s essential. 

Now I like to treat my lawn with a pre-emergent to help contain weeds. As I mentioned before, grass can be very temperamental, but weeds are strong and will grow in pretty much any condition. If left untreated, they will pop up all over your lawn and compete with grass for sunlight and water. Plus, they multiply and spread very easily. Depending on your soil test and the kind of law you have, a pre-emergent will help to keep those weeds at bay which will help your lawn to flourish.

Once your weeds have been treated, it’s time to reseed any bare spots. Thinning is normal with mature lawns, so you may want to reseed the entire lawn or just portions of it. The type of seed you use will depend on your lawn and your soil, so make sure you consult with the expert at your local hardware store before you buy your grass seed. A spreader makes this job quick and easy but the key is to keep the ground moist to allow the seeds to germinate. 

Finally, it’s time for fertilizer. You’ve worked this hard so make sure to give your grass the best possible chance to survive and thrive. Again, fertilizer is not a one size fits all product, and what’s right for your lawn depends on a number of factors. The key is to make sure the fertilizer you select has the nutrients your lawn needs to grow lush and beautiful. 

With all these tips comes one warning. While you might be tempted to get the mower out, it’s better to start slowly and let the grass grow a bit longer in the early season. If you follow the steps above and give the lawn a good clean-up before mowing, you’ll have longer, thicker, healthier grass all season long. Happy growing!

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.