Kids, employees dig in to help bees, butterflies at Great River Energy

Great River Energy has launched a project to re-establish 9 acres of native, pollinator-friendly habitat on GREs Elk River campus, located along Highway 10.

Matisse Hahn planted some prairie plants at Great River Energy. She is with Elk River SustainER, a youth Energy City program.

On June 22, approximately 20 people, including kids from Elk Rivers SustainER program, planted the first of nearly 11,000 starter plants that will be planted at GRE in Elk River. Their work was part of a celebration of the prairie planting that will re-establish the native habitat that pollinators like bees and butterflies need to survive.The event came during National Pollinator Week and after the 9-acre plot of land was recently seeded with a cover crop by Minnesota Native Landscapes, the planting vendor for the project.The project is being developed by Great River Energy together with Elk River Energy City and the Minnesota Department of Transportation, as it is along one of Minnesotas most heavily traveled highways.Kandace Olsen, GRE vice president and chief culture officer, said GRE has been re-establishing native habitat for years at many of its facilities.This time we chose a highly visible location along Highway 10, where approximately 27,000 Minnesotans drive by every day, Olsen said. We feel this location is an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of native habitat and our commitment to sustainability.Kids from SustainER share that commitment to sustainability, and three of them participated in the June 22 planting.SustainER is a youth group coordinated by the city of Elk River for students interested in promoting environmental sustainability.GREs pollinator planting event fits in nicely with our objectives, said Eric Hoskins, co-president of SustainER.The project began last year with a lawn treatment and spraying last August. Since then, the lawn has been prepped and seeded with a cover crop of oats, rye and grasses. Bre Bauerly, outreach coordinator for Minnesota Native Landscapes, said this conversion of traditional turf lawn to diverse pollinator prairie is creating extremely valuable habitat in an urban setting.The new planting area will provide food for adult bumble bees and native moths, host plants for monarch butterflies, and shelter for pollinators and songbirds alike, she said.Great River Energy, Elk River Energy City and MnDOT all have made commitments to re-establishing native prairie.Over the years, Great River Energy has re-established approximately 200 acres of native habitat at its facilities.Last year MnDOT joined five other state departments of transportation and the Federal Highway Administration in an agreement to improve pollinator habitat along Interstate 35, a key migratory corridor for monarch butterflies.Elk Rivers Energy City plan includes a goal of seeing 100 acres of new native plantings in the city by 2024.The city of Elk River, as Energy City, is excited to showcase the success of Great River Energys native planting area, said Amanda Bednar, Elk River citys environmental coordinator. This project is a great start toward reaching our goal. We hope it can serve as a demonstration of the benefits these plants will provide to pollinators.For more information about this project, visit greatriverenergy.com/elkriverbees.

Q & A

Q: Why is Great River Energy planting pollinator-friendly habitat at the Elk River campus?A: Re-establishing native, pollinator-friendly habitat is a unique opportunity to contribute to the nationwide effort to restore pollinator populations while also supporting the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the city of Elk River Energy City in their goals to do the same. Its location along U.S. Highway 10, one of Minnesotas most heavily traveled roads, will also create a visible educational tool.

Q: What is a pollinator?A: Pollinators, such as honeybees, butterflies, hummingbirds and bats, assist plants in reproduction by transferring pollen, allowing those plants to produce berries, nuts and other foods important to the survival of many wildlife species and the human food supply. The ecological service pollinators provide is necessary for the reproduction of more than 85 percent of the worlds flowering plants, including more than two-thirds of the worlds crop species.

Q: What do you mean by native, pollinator-friendly habitat? Why is it important?A: Native habitat refers to the plants, grasses and trees that originated in an area before they were replaced with roadways, manicured lawns, crops and non-native gardens, or degraded for other reasons. Pollinator-friendly habitat more specifically refers to those plants and flowers that pollinators need to eat, live and do their work. Recently there have been many reports of a steady decline in the population of pollinators. This decline is due in large part to the loss of the habitat they need to survive. The habitat that will be re-established at GRE in Elk River will provide a home for pollinators in the area, and a great stop for migrating monarch butterflies on their way to Mexico where they winter.

Q: Where will the pollinator habitat be located on the Elk River campus?A: Most of the front lawn that is visible from U.S. Highway 10, which includes approximately 5 acres of GRE property and 4 acres of Minnesota Department of Transportation property, will be prairie.

Q: What will the prairie look like?A: Within a few days of seeding, the oats and rye (a cover crop) begin to sprout, which greens the lawn to some degree. Prairie habitat typically takes three to five years to fully establish. However, the existing irrigation system in the lawn will help establish the prairie more quickly than usual. The planting will include a mix of grasses and flowering plants. Black-eyed Susans and purple coneflowers are common in this type of planting.Source: Great River Energy

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Mainstreams: Bringing back the bees - Star News

Chris Lehourites, Ap Sports Writer

Djokovic considers a break from tennis after Wimbledon loss

LONDON (AP) Novak Djokovic is considering a break from tennis, with surgery on his injured right elbow now a possibility.

The 12-time Grand Slam champion, who has won three Wimbledon titles, retired from his quarterfinal match against Tomas Berdych at the All England Club on Wednesday. He said his elbow has been giving him problems for a year and a half.

"It's not a time and place for me to talk about the details," Djokovic said after pulling out while trailing 7-6 (2), 2-0. "I'm just going to talk with specialists, as I have done in the last year or so, try to figure out what's the best way to treat it and to solve it, to find a long-term solution."

At the end of his news conference, speaking in Serbian and translated through an interpreter, Djokovic alluded to the fact he could end up taking a long break.

That would be a first for Djokovic, who has been one of the best players on tour for about a decade. He won the first of his six Australian Open titles in 2008, and won four straight majors from the 2015 Wimbledon tournament through last year's French Open.

He hasn't won one since.

"The specialists that I've talked with, they haven't been really too clear, mentioning also surgery, mentioning different options. Nobody was very clear in what needs to be done," Djokovic said. "Yeah, I guess the break is something that I will have to consider right now."

Djokovic had a relatively easy run to the quarterfinals at Wimbledon this year. His opening match ended early when his opponent, Martin Klizan, retired with an injury. He then won his next three matches in straight sets. But in the fourth-round win over Adrian Mannarino, Djokovic called for a trainer during the final set.

And after the first set against Berdych, he again called for a trainer to check his right arm.

"I was able to perform up to this stage. But as I've said, it was only getting worse," Djokovic said. "Unfortunately today was the worst day. Probably the fact that I played yesterday, kind of days adding up, as I've said before, it wasn't helping at all."

Djokovic complained about the schedule on Tuesday after playing his match against Mannarino a day after it was originally scheduled. Playing two days in a row certainly didn't help, but Djokovic said he did everything he could to get ready for Wednesday's match.

"I spend probably about two hours, 2 hours today, on the table in between the warmup and match, trying to do everything I possibly could to make me fit," Djokovic said. "But it wasn't to be."

___

More AP tennis coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/apf-Tennis

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Djokovic considers a break from tennis after Wimbledon loss - Thehour.com

Living in New England not only means amazing sunsets and some of the best seafood in the country, but it also means living with tick season. From spring to winter being outside near brush, tall grass, or woodpiles poses a risk of coming home with unwanted pests attached to you or your clothing. In the past, ticks were a bit of a nuisance but in recent years they have increasingly become a source of disease causing illness and even death in pets and people.

Pest Pros in Pocasset are experts when it comes to ticks prevention. Theyve been serving Cape Cod and the South Coast since 1999. From assessing yards to staying up to date with treatments to rid your property from ticks and prevent them from entering. 70% of us are pet owners and rightfully concerned about the health and safety of our furry friends. Pest Pros see that reflected in calls they receive especially with the recent invasion of Lone Star Ticks and Deer Ticks on Cape Cod. We definitely get a lot more calls about spraying for ticks. Part of the reason is how effective the treatment is. They know it will work. But mainly its health. We see people more concerned about diseases now. It is a real health concern, said Kenny Hermenegildo, General Manager of Pest Pros. In fact, cases of Lyme disease have tripled in the US since the late 1990s. Staying safe is more important than ever.

With ticks, it is no longer just Lyme disease. Experts warn of the increase in tick-borne Powassan virus, which was found in Eastern Connecticut this past November, when a previously healthy male infant of just 5 months developed fever and vomiting. This potentially life-threatening virus is carried and transmitted by three types of ticks, including the deer tick that transmits Lyme disease.

Prevention

If you know youre going to be in a wooded area or an area with tall grass, its important to do what you can to prevent tick bites. Wear long trousers and closed toed shoes. By reducing the amount of skin available youll reduce the chances of a tick finding its way onto you. Ensure that your pet has a tick repellent such as a collar, drops, or medication.

Check Yourself

I always stress check your yourself, check your clothes, and check your pet before you even come in the door. Make sure you didnt pick up anything while you were out, said Hermenegildo. One South Coast woman took her dog for a walk and before coming in found 10 ticks on the dog after less than an hour outside. The threat is real and we cant stress enough you have to be mindful of them, said Hermenegildo.

Make Your Yard Unattractive

There are certain conditions that are condusive to ticks. You can do your part to ensure that your pet has a home that is not a tick friendly zone. We always recommend that customers make their yard as unattractive as possible. Remove litter, clear tall grass, mow the lawn frequently, remove clutter of any kind such as trash, wood piles, and yard debris, discourage unwelcome animals such as skunks, deer, etc, and finally place a 3 foot barrier of wood chips or gravel around the perimeter, said Hermenegildo.

Treat your yard for Ticks Pest Pros are leaders in treating yards for ticks and mosquitos. Treating a yard for ticks involves spraying a fine particle treatment into the tall grass and brush around the edges of the lawn. This creates a barrier that will stop ticks from entering your lawn. This makes it a very popular service at Pest Pros. The number one reason people call us for tick treatment is concern for health. Its no longer just a nuisance issue. Theres a real desire to keep yourself and your pets safe, said Hermenegildo. The treatment is fast and pet friendly. Your pet will be able to be outside as soon as its dry usually within an hour.

If youre part of the 70% who own a pet, its more important than ever to keep your pet safe from what could be a deadly tick bite. Spraying your yard is easy and effective. Contact Pest Pros today for an absolutely free home visit and inspection. They are more than happy to access your yard and help keep your pet safe from ticks this summer.

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How to Keep Your Pet Safe from Ticks - CapeCod.com - CapeCod.com News

Thanks to recent rains, fire ant mounds are popping up in lawns across the state. An Alabama Extension entomologist says what appear to be new mounds have been around for probably several months at least.

"Just because you don't see fire ants doesn't mean they aren't there," said Dr. Kathy Flanders, who is also an Auburn University entomology professor. "When it is hot and dry, colonies don't build the high mounds we are all familiar with.

"But when the rains come, they resume mound building and that's why they seem to pop up overnight."

She adds that understanding fire ants, Solenopsis invicta, is key to managing them. "Usually people work too hard, spend too much money and use too much chemical to control fire ants, but it's really easy to control these things if you understand their biology."

Colony basics

Most fire ants in Alabama live in highly territorial single-queen colonies, which may produce on average about 40 mounds per acre. However, in some portions of Alabama, fire ants live in multiple-queen colonies, which are more tolerant of each other and may produce in excess of 200 or even 300 mounds per acre. A colony contains around 300,000 worker ants. The queen ant lays all eggs, and only queens can perform this function.

"When a queen is in full form and has worker ants to help her, a queen can lay up to a 1,000 eggs per day," Flanders said.

The worker ants forage for food, build mounds and protect the queen. When a queen dies, the entire colony will die because there will be no replacements for older workers.

Fire ant baits

Flanders recommends homeowners use fire ant baits as their primary means of control.

Fire ant baits are small particles that contain both a soybean oil food attractant and active ingredient for ant control. Following the bait packaging instructions, homeowners should spread the bait over their entire lawn. The ants will pick up the bait and bring it back to the nest, passing it between colony members including the queen.

"With this method, you take advantage of the ants' normal behavior because they will be foraging for food anyway," Flanders said.

The bait method usually will control 90 percent of fire ant colonies. It is effective and inexpensive at $10 to $20 per acre. Flanders also said the bait is the safest method for children, pets and the environment.

Many people do not understand fire ant biology and try to control the insects using individual mound treatments. Treating individual mounds can be costly and may not offer good control.

First, not all colonies have a visible mound. This means that homeowners will miss treating some colonies. Also, worker ants will often move the queen ant, eggs and larvae away from danger. Worker ants will move the colony if they perceive a threat to the queen or colony and reestablish in a different area. While individual mound treatments may kill worker ants, they are not as effective as the bait method in killing the queen.

"If we miss the queen, we haven't controlled that colony," Flanders said. "Once we kill the queen, we kill the colony."

Two-step method

Flanders said a two-step method that combines bait treatment of an area with spot treatment of nuisance colonies that move into the bait treated area is an effective control strategy. Learn more at http://www.aces.edu/go/752.

"I don't want you to work too hard to control fire ants," she said. "I don't want you to spend too much money, and I don't want you to use too much insecticide.

"That's why baits work for me."

Information on products currently available to treat fire ants in Alabama can be found at http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-0175-A/ANR-0175-A.pdf.

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Fire ant mounds popping up after recent rains - Randolph Leader

Smart Talk

Smart Talk is a daily, live, interactive program featuring conversations with newsmakers and experts in a variety of fields and exploring a wide range of issues and ideas, including the economy, politics, health care, education, culture, and the environment. Smart Talk airs live every week day at 9 a.m. on WITFs 89.5 and 93.3.

Listen to Smart Talk live online from 9-10 a.m. weekdays and at 7 p.m. (Repeat of 9 a.m. program)

Host: Scott LaMar

Like the flap of a butterfly's wing generating a typhoon a half a world away, a warmer than average winter has led to a seemingly random consequence. Warmer winters allowed oak trees to generate more acorns which allowed more mice to produce bigger litters in the spring, more mice carry more ticks. And more ticks create a broader vector for Lyme disease.

7,351 Pennsylvanians had confirmed cases of Lyme though the CDC estimates the actual number to be nearly 10 times higher. The disease is caused by a bacterial infection transmitted by ticks. Symptoms include fever, rash, lethargy, muscle pain and loss of sensation and movement. If left untreated, the infection can linger for months leading to chronic motor and sensory impairment, physical pain and mental distress.

While Lyme disease has a presence throughout the entirety of the United States, 99% of reported cases occur in the Northeast with Pennsylvania being the epicenter. Between the lush forests of the Commonwealth and the draw of outdoor activities, ticks have an abundance of hosts to choose from - both feral and human.

On the Monday edition of WITF's Smart Talk, we discuss Lyme disease with a young woman who contracted it and has been battling its effects for two and a half years. Samantha Perry was sidelined her freshman year at Penn State when the infection overwhelmed her with pain and exhaustion. She and her mother, Carrie, joined Project Lyme to spread awareness of the disease.

Samantha and Carrie Perry - Project Lyme

We'll also speak with Dr. Loren Robinson, Deputy Secretary for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention at the Pennsylvania Department of Health about the state's efforts at vector control and prevention. Dr. Chris Turnpaugh, founder of the Turnpaugh Health and Wellness Center in Mechanicsburg, will parse out the signs and symptoms of the disease as well as treatment techniques.

Dr. Loren Robinson - Deputy Secretary for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Pennsylvania Department of Health / Dr. Chris Turnpaugh - Founder, Turnpaugh Health and Wellness Center

emails

- I was diagnosed with Lyme Disease. I am among the lucky folks. But I was diagnosed early because of my dog-YukiOnna. She was limping one day one paw second day another paw and so forth for over a week.

So being confused went to Vet. It is called "ghost pawing" and a classic sign of Lyme in dogs. Vet put her on medication. So I then went to my doctor as I had a bite mark-itchy but not bullseye. I was tested positive.

Went on medication and till this day no serious consequences-VERY LUCKY. I do believe that because I was diagnosed very early-due to my dog I came out on the lucky side.

Just an interesting aside that those who have pets need to also keep eye on their pets. - Sabina

-Has there been any thought given to bringing back the Lymrix vaccine discontinued in the late 90's? Some people had problems with it, but I got the series of three shots and experienced no long term effects.. - Art, Harrisburg

-One of your guests said there was no spray for ticks. I get a lawn treatment for fleas and ticks. Does this mean that this treatment is not effective? - Ken, Camp Hill

-On the angle of patients not being listened to, and we as the patient or the parent having to often do our own research and find out what's going on FOR the doctors, I'm curious to know how the medical community responds to us having to do this for them? Having special needs kids, I have to do this all the time. I have a daughter that I am fairly convinced has Lyme. I have all the backing of my own research, but I can't get a doctor to believe me because I don't have an MD behind my name, and I don't have the means to seek the help of a private lab. How do we get the medical community to start listening to us and working with us instead of against us? - Valerie, Lancaster

-What is in place for families who have loved ones suffering with the many facets of this disease, but do not have the financial resources to seek the additional services that would bring them better health? Some families are barely able to put food on the table and meet the basic needs of the family, much less cover the "out of pocket" costs needed to bring back good health. - Jan, Hershey

-I am very surprised you had some ineffective Lyme information on the program. Lyme disease is full of quack treatments, such as massage, homeopathic medications, and so forth.

Instead research the CDC, Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, Penn State's urban entomologist, the University of Connecticut, and other science based resources. - Cindy

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PA at center of Lyme disease outbreak - witf.org

Jon-Don Knows Carpet Cleaning

We have the products, equipment, and expertise that carpet cleaning professionals can rely on to properly clean and maintain all types of carpet, from residential to commercial, delicate Oriental rugs to specialty aviation carpet, and everything in between.

There are many ways to keep carpet looking its best. From time-saving interim maintenance procedures to deep, restorative cleanings, you can trust Jon-Don to have the supplies and equipment you need for all methods of carpet care, including:

Every year, there are new advances in carpet cleaning chemistry that make it easier and more efficient to get the job done, and Jon-Don works closely with todays top manufacturers to ensure we always have the most state-of-the-art equipment and chemicals in stock and ready to ship.

Professional cleaners can also turn to our extensive technical tip library, which is loaded with step-by-step guides for basic and advanced carpet cleaning methods as well as solutions to the most common and most difficult spotting challenges.

Looking for hands-on training? Attend an IICRC-certification course in one of our state-of-the-art seminar rooms. Brush up on the basics of carpet cleaning or learn a specialized skill, such as carpet repair or upholstery cleaning.

In addition to products, equipment, and technical expertise, professional carpet cleaners can also turn to Jon-Don for business-building advice and tools. From marketing and sales information to tips on providing value-added service that will separate your business from the competition, Jon-Don goes the extra mile to help your business be successful.

For products, service, training, and support, Jon-Don is your one-stop shop!

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Carpet Cleaning Supplies, Equipment & Chemicals | Jon-Don

1. Reputation: Dan Dan the Carpet Man enjoys one of the best reputations around. The areas most seasoned floor covering experts, interior designers and Realtors refer our services exclusively. We have 1000s of satisfied residential and commercial customers in the greater Orlando area.

2. Fair pricing: We charge a fair price based on the scope of work and the jobsite conditions at the level of cleaning thats appropriate for our property and your budget. Our over-the-phone estimate is verified on-site and before we start the job you receive a firm price quote based on our published price list. No bait-and-switch or high-pressure sales tactics. Only honest, up-front, and fair pricing.

3. Commercial: Grade Products. Discounted and consumer-grade cleaning products tend to leave sticky residue behind and sometimes discolor your floors or fabrics. We refuse to use such products. Insisting instead on top quality products with proper pH levels means cleaner fabrics and floors and a healthier indoor environment.

4. Satisfaction Guarantee: Our Re-clean Guarantee is included in our Hero (Advanced 10-step service-level 2) and super hero (Ultimate 15-step service-level 3) residential packages as well as our 10 step commercial cleaning. If any spots resurface on your carpet within 3-weeks of our service we will return to your property and re-clean the affected area(s) at no additional charge. Coverage does not apply to Berber (Olefin) carpets and is not included in our Good Samaritan Service (Basic 5-step service-level 1)

5. Annual Programs: We offer cost-saving annual cleaning programs to customers who care about the appearance of their property. Pay for 3 full cleanings within 12 months and get the 4th full cleaning FREE (of equal value). Annual maintenance programs with monthly payment plans are available too!

6. Experience and Education: Our company is experiences in all types of fibers and soiling conditions, no matter how unusual they may be. If we cant clean it no one can! Whatever your cleaning challenge is, we can handle it! And, we invest in education. Our Lead technicians are certified by the IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning & Restoration Certification), the worlds most recognized by body of certification for carpet, upholstery, and tile cleaners.

7. Systems: Equipment is very important! We insist on using the highest quality, most advanced, commercial-grade truck-mounted equipment and specialized cleaning attachments. The systems we use will achieve maximum soil and spot removal without over-wetting your floorcoverings or fabrics and without leaving a sticky residue behind.

8. Referral Rewards: For every new customer you refer to us, we will send you a Referral Reward Voucher for $50 when your referred customer pays their invoice. Use the voucher toward any of our cleaning services.

9. Better Customer Service: Our mission is to provide the most outstanding service experience possible. We are committed to showing up on time, carefully deploying abd retracting our equipment, and communication with you throughout the service experience. Our staff will arrive in a properly equipped vehicle, dressed in uniform, and ready to serve you in a courteous manner. No matter what we are cleaning for you, youll see our fully-trained, professional technicians using safe and effective IICRC approved processes and state-of-the-art commercial grade equipment.

10. Credentials: Were proud of our professional accomplishments over 19-years of service and are happy to provide new clients with our industry certifications, proof of insurance, professional references, client testimonials, and social media ratings. We look forward to adding your positive rating!

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Dan Dan The Carpet Man - Orlando Carpet Cleaning | Water Damage

Heavy traffic, dirty shoes, food spills and pet accidents are just a few of the abuses our floors suffer on a regular basis.

It's no wonder, then, that regardless of what they're covered with, most of us will likely need to refinish, recoat or replace at least one, if not all of them sometime during the life of our home.

Depending on the style and expanse, flooring costs can climb into the hundreds, if not thousands of dollars.

With that in mind, it's not a bad idea to treat the ground beneath our feet with a little more respect if we want to protect our investment and keep our floors looking their best.

Got Wood?

For many people, hardwood tops the list of desirable flooring. It's classic, durable, and looks beautiful; at least until the finish begins to look worn.

According to Rob Girard, owner of Mr. Hardwood, a hardwood floor installation, sanding, and refinishing company based in Rocky Hill, many polyurethane manufacturers recommend that, on average, hardwood floors get a recoating every five to eight years based on the amount of traffic in the house, along with other factors like how many pets and people are living there.

To optimize that time, Girard said to vacuum often and avoid wearing shoes in the house as they track in dirt and other corrosive particles that can ruin the finish.

"If you do need to wear shoes, have a pair that are specifically for inside; don't even go out to the mailbox and get the mail with them because you'll bring that sand and salt in and it grinds away at the finish."

Putting felt pads on the bottom of chair legs, couches and other furniture pieces is important in helping prevent excessive wear and abrasions, but Girard said pads alone aren't enough.

"You have to vacuum them off periodically because they, too, collect sand and dirt," which causes scratches and wear marks when the furniture is moved.

Other things to watch out for are steam mops, which are fine as long as they are in constant motion, but can damage the floor if left unattended for even a short time.

"They really apply a lot of heat and that will delaminate the finish from the wood itself," he said.

Girard also cautioned against using wax cleaners, which can do more harm than good.

"They look beautiful at first, but when you walk on it dirt gets stuck in the wax and then it begins to look dull. So, in the traffic areas you have a dull streak, so you put more wax on it, and ultimately you get a buildup that's extremely difficult to get off."

The best way to clean your floor, he said, is to use plain vinegar and water or a small amount of non-wax cleaner like Murphy's Oil Soap diluted in water.

Magic Carpet

Many of us have a love-hate relationship with our carpets. We love how they feel and look, but after just a few years underfoot, they can look stained and shabby.

To maximize their life expectancy, which is typically 10 to 15 years, don't skimp on the initial investment.

"If you put in a really good product to begin with, you can get a longer life out of that carpet," said Leslie Boyko, sales manager at Custom Floors, a flooring retailer based in Rocky Hill.

"Quality remains long after the price is forgotten."

Boyko said that a nylon fiber carpet is often a good choice due to its durability, and that when installing carpet, it's important to take into account where it's going and how much daily wear it'll be subjected to.

"You have to think about the area that you're carpeting; like a bedroom or set of stairs. There's different carpets for each application. So in a high traffic area like stairs, hallway, family room, you want to find a carpet that's very tight and dense."

A shorter nap wears better in common areas, she said, and thicker piles tend to last longer in less used spaces like the bedroom.

To help your carpet last longer, Boyko said to care for it like you would a car.

"You have to maintain it; vacuum it regularly, you have to have walk-off mats at your door, and you really shouldn't be wearing shoes on the carpet."

While many carpets come with some type of lifetime warranty, Boyko said that it's only valid if you adhere to the manufacturer's instructions.

"A lot of people don't know that to maintain the warranty on your carpet, you have to have it professionally cleaned every 18 to 24 months. If you don't do it, that warranty is void."

And renting a rug cleaner at the grocery store won't cut it. Instead the cleaning needs to be done by reputable company and you need to save the receipts. If there's ever a claim, the carpet manufacturer will require them as proof.

For spot cleaning, Boyko said to check product labels to ensure that they are certified for use by the Carpet and Rug Institute before using them. Approved products will display a blue/green seal, which means they've been tested to remove stains without adversely affecting the appearance of your rugs.

Laminates And Vinyl, Oh My!

Synthetic flooring has come a long way since the days of grandma's avocado color kitchen. In fact, some laminates and luxury vinyl tiles look so much like the real deal that it's hard to know which is which.

"The visuals are incredible," said Steve Brody, vice president and co-owner of Atlas Floors in Wethersfield. "You really can't tell."

Unlike hardwood and tile, however, their shelf life can be shorter, lasting anywhere from five to 20 years, depending on the quality and grade of the product.

The upside is that they are often more affordable, durable, and maybe the best part, most of them require very little maintenance.

"Manufacturers know that today's consumer is different; they don't want to spend time doing maintenance," said Brody. "So the products are so easy to take care of and they have texture and embossing that not only helps with scratches and everyday stuff that goes on, it helps mask that wear and tear."

When sanitizing them, he said to avoid using multipurpose cleaners that can leave a film behind.

"If you take a product that is very soapy based and sponge mop it on the floor, then let it dry, it's very tacky and when something's tacky, it's a magnet for dirt."

And since most people don't rinse their floors after an application, a buildup occurs, making the floors appear dull and dirty.

For the best results, he suggested using the manufacturer's recommended cleanser or a small amount of non-soapy ammonia diluted with water.

"If you clean them and maintain them, they're going to last longer and look better for years to come."

Jeff Przech sings "Four Letter Words" and talks about his music after a performance that was part of a summer series of free lunchtime concerts on Constitution Plaza at 12:30 p.m. The concerts are Wednesdays at 12:30 through Aug. 30. Find a schedule of performers here.

Jeff Przech sings "Four Letter Words" and talks about his music after a performance that was part of a summer series of free lunchtime concerts on Constitution Plaza at 12:30 p.m. The concerts are Wednesdays at 12:30 through Aug. 30. Find a schedule of performers here.

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Tips For Keeping Floors, Carpet Looking Their Best - Hartford Courant

Independence's public library will eventually go through a thorough sanitation process, but first the small staff is working to clear the contaminated area of books and shelves.

All the books have been relocated to the safe laminated wood floors in the front of the facility. Staffers are working to dismantle and move the shelves on the carpeted floor that was contaminated by sewage water toward the back of the building.

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Cleaning Ahead - Hammond Daily Star online

ST. LOUIS, MO/July 7, 2017 (STL.News) Expertise.com (Expertise) is an online publication that helps connect people with experts in their communities. Expertise carefully surveys the field to find the experts. Expertise ranks them based on reputation, credibility, experience, availability, and professionalism. They hand-pick the best experts followed by gathering the contact information to write a detailed description for their readers.

Amants Floor Care is proud to announce that they are recognized on Expertises list as one of the Best Carpet Cleaners in St. Louis 2017. Expertise reviewed 89 carpet cleaner candidates and narrowed the experts down to just 19 that met their requirements. Furthermore, Expertise rankings are independent and not sponsored.

Amants Floor Care has been in business since 1969 (almost 50 years) and is now owned and managed by Kevin Amant. They are a full service floor cleaning company that is recognized as the oldest family owned full service floor cleaning companies in the St. Louis metro area.

The company, Amants Floor Care, was founded by Steven Amant on carpet cleaning. While Amants is still one of the largest carpet cleaners in St. Louis, they offer additional specialized services including, Ceramic Tile and Grout Cleaning, Stone/Marble Floor Cleaning, Upholstery Cleaning, Vinyl Floor Cleaning, and Wood Floor Cleaning.

The floor cleaning technicians working for Amants has been employed with the company on average of 20+ years and all are highly trained, certified and professional.

Amants provide floor cleaning services to some of the most prestigious companies and properties in the St. Louis metro area including, home builders, construction companies, banks, large office complexes, property management companies, casinos, hotels, universities, hospitals, realtors and upscale homes.

Amants primary source of referrals are existing customers, realtors and floor dealers in the St. Louis metro area.

Additionally, Amants is recognized by Angies List as a top-rated St. Louis carpet cleaning service provider with the majority of the reviews rated an A.

Amants contact information:

Amants Floor Care

17005 Manchester Road

Wildwood, MO 63040

Phone: (636) 458-2500

Fax: (636) 458-2999

Email: [emailprotected]

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Originally posted here:
Amants Floor Care, one of the Best Carpet Cleaners in St. Louis - STL.News (press release)