The Press-Dispatch
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The Press-Dispatch Spring Home and Garden Wednesday, April 8, 2020 C-11 WET basement? f o u n d a t i o n C R ACK S ? uneven concrete? BOWING walls? Wet Walls Trip Points Si ng Water S cking Doors Int. & Ext. Drainage Basement Finish Outs Bowing or Cracked Walls lan-contech.com Local Contractor • FREE Es mates • Warran es (812) 481-2756 CONSTRUCTION, LLC Fix it – Permanently. Enjoying the great out- doors means sharing the environment with nature. Although sharing space with various backyard or neighborhood birds and small animals is accept- able for many people, in- sects that seem to mul- tiply when the weather warms up are another is- sue entirely. Mosquitoes can be both a nuisance and a threat to human and pet health. Depending on where in the world they're located, mosquitoes may carry and transmit ma- ny different illnesses. Ac- cording to the American Mosquito Control Asso- ciation, more than one million people worldwide die from mosquito-borne diseases every year. From malaria to dengue to Zi- ka to West Nile virus, mosquitoes carry scores of diseases. Even when mosquitoes do not trans- mit illness, their bites can cause severe skin irrita- tion through an allergic reaction to the mosqui- to's saliva. e U.S. Military Health System says con- trolling the mosqui- to population and pro- tecting against mosqui- to bites remain the most effective ways for people to safeguard themselves against mosquito-borne illnesses. Avoid mosquito bites e following are some preventative methods to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. • When practical, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants outdoors. • Rely on closed doors and screened-in areas to keep mosquitoes outside. When sleeping outdoors in areas where mosqui- toes are present, sleep un- der a mosquito bed net. • Keep window and door screens in good repair, replacing any with holes large enough for mosquitoes to get through. • e U.S. Environmen- tal Protection Agency registers insect repellents. When used as directed, these insect repellents are safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeed- ing women. e Cam- bridge Public Health De- partment notes that alter- natives to DEET include Picaridin (a chemical re- pellent) and oil of lemon eucalyptus (a plant-based repellent). Reduce mosquito pop- ulations Homeowners and busi- ness owners can take sev- eral steps to limit local mosquito populations. • Empty items that hold water, such as birdbaths, pool covers, buckets, and flower pots, as mosqui- toes lay their eggs in still water. • Clean out rain gutters and downspouts to pre- vent pooling water. • When standing water cannot be removed, it can be treated to control mos- quito larvae. A bacterial insecticide called Bacillus thurengiensis israeliensis, or BTI, targets mosquito and black fly larvae with- out harming the water or other animal life. Mosquitoes can make people and animals very sick. Controlling their populations and prevent- ing bites can help prevent the spread of mosquito- borne illnesses. Controlling mosquitos Best methods to repair damaged driveways Asphalt and con- crete driveways are common through- out suburban neigh- borhoods. ey are as much a part of a home as lawns, decks and other ex- terior elements. Re- gardless of how they're utilized, driveways need to be cared for and maintained to retain their appearance and func- tion. Even the most durable drive- ways can suffer from cracks and pits over time. As cracks form, they pave the way for more dete- rioration if they are not addressed. Water infiltration can break down the integrity of the driveway dur- ing freeze and thaw periods, and any little hole or crack can pro- mote weed growth. Driveway re- pair can be a do-it-yourself project, but pay attention to the details to ensure the job is done right. ASPHALT e home improvement re- source e Family Handyman says it is key to first repair cracks and pits in an asphalt driveway be- fore planning to topcoat it, which is generally done every year or so to maintain its appearance and durability. A variety of topcoat products are available at various price points. Experts recommend investing in a quality product that will not shrink and crack. A melt- in material that is similar to prod- ucts used by highway crews can be purchased for around $100. is product also will require use of a propane torch. Caulk-style crack repair products may not require as many tools, and are much eas- ier to apply. ey may not last as long, however. Homeowners must weigh the pros and cons to each before beginning. e experts at Popular Mechan- ics say that there also are oth- er asphalt patch mixes available at home supply retailers. Serious holes, rather than cracks, can be addressed with a coarse-aggregate filler commonly referred to as cold patch. After cracks and holes are filled, use a sealer to lock everything in place and create a smooth topcoat ap- pearance. Speak with a store employee if you are unsure which product is needed for your application. CONCRETE e process is sim- ilar with concrete driveways, yet the products differ. Small driveway cracks can be repaired by scrub- bing out the crack to remove de- bris and then filling using a mor- tar repair compound, suggests the repair advice site Home Guides. Larger cracks and potholes should be cleaned. Once that's done, apply a painted-in bonder to the crack or hole, followed by a dry concrete patching product mixed with wa- ter. e material can be worked in- to the damaged area with a trow- el, and then leveled using a wood board. Afterward, a liquid con- crete sealer can be applied to help prevent future cracks and holes. Homeowners who are hesitant to fix their driveways can contact masons or asphalt specialists to perform the job. Keeping up on driveway repair can prolong the life of the surface and help delay a complete driveway replacement for several years. 407 E. Kentucky, Holland (812) 536-3486 www.BLESCHBROS.com Equipment Company Check out our selection of in-stock zero turns! Great performance and financing available. SUPERIOR DURABILITY. EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE.