Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

New York, NY (PRWEB) December 27, 2013

The rise of bed bugs across the United States has left homeowners and business owners frustrated, but been a boon for the Pest Control industry, which experienced heightened demand for its services. During the five years to 2013, the industry is expected to grow at an annualized rate of 1.9% to record $11.1 billion in revenue, including an increase of 3.3% in 2013. While bed bugs were typically confined to hotels and some residences in the past, the creatures have begun to pop up in unlikely spots, including movie theaters, offices and even clothing stores. The increased occurrence of these pests has led to substantial demand for pest exterminators and rising service prices, according to IBISWorld Industry Analyst Stephen Morea. Furthermore, the more insecticide-resistant strain of bed bugs has driven operators to research product innovation to deliver solutions to homeowners and businesses. Heightened demand for bed bug extermination has also caused the number of industry companies to rise. In the five years to 2013, the number of industry enterprises is expected to increase at an annualized rate of 2.2% to 22,533 companies.

Rising demand and service prices have resulted in higher profit margins for pest control companies. While profit margins declined slightly during the recession due to rising fuel expenses and price-based competition, heightened demand for industry services has favorably affected margins overall and allowed operators to pass on price increases to consumers, says Morea.

Conditions are expected to further improve over the five years to 2018, with industry revenue forecast to increase. Increased business and consumer spending will drive demand for regular inspections for pests. Furthermore, with increased income, businesses and consumers will be less likely to opt for cheaper household products from home and garden stores. Instead, they will favor more effective and expensive professional exterminating treatments. Housing sales and residential construction are also expected to rise, further supporting demand for fumigation services. Increasing and changing pest populations across the United States will characterize the next five years for the Pest Control industry.

For more information, visit IBISWorlds Pest Control in the US industry report page.

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IBISWorld industry Report Key Topics

The Pest Control industry includes companies that provide bird control and exterminate mosquitoes, rodents, termites and other insects and pests for residential and commercial clients. Operators also provide fumigation services. This industry does not include extermination services for crop and forestry production.

Industry Performance Executive Summary Key External Drivers Current Performance Industry Outlook Industry Life Cycle Products & Markets Supply Chain Products & Services Major Markets Globalization & Trade Business Locations Competitive Landscape Market Share Concentration Key Success Factors Cost Structure Benchmarks Barriers to Entry Major Companies Operating Conditions Capital Intensity Key Statistics Industry Data Annual Change Key Ratios

About IBISWorld Inc. Recognized as the nations most trusted independent source of industry and market research, IBISWorld offers a comprehensive database of unique information and analysis on every US industry. With an extensive online portfolio, valued for its depth and scope, the company equips clients with the insight necessary to make better business decisions. Headquartered in Los Angeles, IBISWorld serves a range of business, professional service and government organizations through more than 10 locations worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.ibisworld.com or call 1-800-330-3772.

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Pest Control in the US Industry Market Research Report from IBISWorld Has Been Updated

Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE Sin Chew Daily

With a plague hung above its doors, the old house features carved wooden doors tiles in traditional colors, just like other old houses. When you open the door, you can find a wooden screen with another plague, a classical cabinet and red tiles covering the floor. However, if you walk further inside, you can find a modern interior design concept, restoring vitality to the old house.

House owner He Run Zhen combined the items left by the former house owner with modern design, such as the plague hung on the main entrance is meant to commemorate the house's history of serving as a goldsmith shop. Meanwhile, the wooden screen is actually a patchwork of some old items.

He said that the house had been turned into an office after the goldsmith shop was relocated.

He, who was born in Petaling Jaya, remembered that she grown up in a similar old house, "the house was divided into many small rooms being rented to different people and there were two patios in the house. The environment was not so good and the water pressure was very low."

Before settling down in Penang, her husband, who is engaged in the hotel industry, had to move between different Asian cities and thus, the couple did not stay in one place for a long time. However, when their son needed to further his study about a decade ago, her husband was working in Langkawi and she decided to send their son to a school in Penang for a better studying environment. She then moved to Penang to take care of him.

She found the old house through a friend, bought it in 2003 and completed the renovation in 2005.

The old house reminded her of her childhood and thus, she insisted not to make the old house look "very old".

"This is my home and I did not spoil anything. I just don't want to decorate it with old design," she said.

Therefore, she sealed the patio and installed a window on a wall instead for better ventilation. She also turned the concave part of the patio into a pond.

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Old house in modern design

Sol, Inc 3210 SW 42nd Ave Palm City, FL, 34990, USA

New products offer historical appearance with energy-efficient solar and LED technology

PALM CITY, Fla. -- Sol Inc., a global leader in commercial outdoor LED lighting solutions powered by solar energy, today announced it has launched a new line of decorative LED lighting fixture and arm options for the company's solar-powered outdoor commercial lights, meeting commercial demand for lights that keep to the esthetics of neighborhoods with traditional or historical architecture.

These products, which are designed to be reminiscent of lights from the 19th and mid-20th centuries, expand on Sol's already extensive product offerings, integrating cutting-edge technology while offering customers a traditional look. The new fixtures are designed for a variety of applications, including lighting for streets, boardwalks, parks, recreational areas and commercial complexes. The products include:

-- Pendant style Hampton luminaire -- Pendant style Liberty luminaire -- Pendant style Parkridge luminaire -- Traditional post top Acorn luminaire -- Decorative matching arms powder coated to match each system

Sol's solar commercial outdoor lighting systems are easy to install and offer "plug and play" connectivity. Because they are powered by solar energy, an electrical grid connection and complex wiring are not required, making them ideal for situations in which there is no grid infrastructure or a reluctance to disturb existing paving, permanent structures or landscaping.

"These new offerings give our customers a high-performance solar-powered light with all of the efficiencies achieved through technological advancement in LEDs, batteries and solar panels, along with a visually appealing design," said Dibs Tailor, CEO of Sol Inc. "Designers and their clients are looking for systems that seamlessly integrate with the traditional atmosphere and appearance of their community, and we are now able to fulfill this need."

In addition to the esthetic and easy installation benefits, Sol's decorative lighting systems offer reduced operations and maintenance costs, offer immediate payback in many situations, and produce no greenhouse gas emissions, providing a visible statement of an organization's environmental stewardship.

These systems also incorporate the highest quality and technologically sophisticated LED lights available, featuring an advanced LED optical system providing high uniformity, glare control, improved light distribution and reduced light trespass. All lights have been rated at 50,000 hours (L(70)), are certified as Dark-Sky friendly and include dimming functionality. In addition, the LED luminaires come with a five-year warranty.

Sol's standalone systems provide bright, crisp high quality light that works all year long, including during the longest nights and periods with the lowest levels of solar irradiance. Sol's lighting solutions are integrated and customized - all components are designed to work with one another and are tailored to meet customers' needs while keeping esthetics at the forefront.

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Decorative Solar LED Outdoor Lighting meets commercial demands.

Q: I have a queen palm that appeared to stop growing, and the existing fronds have drooped. The top looks fried.

B. P., Miami

A: Queen palms are very susceptible to frizzle top, which is a nutritional (manganese) deficiency. To correct the manganese deficiency, begin your first treatment in spring its too late in the season now. Use manganese sulfate at the rate of two to four pounds per palm four times per year spread over the soil under the palm canopy. Applications can be repeated every two to three months, depending on the severity of the problem and soil type. However, an improvement in the new growth may not be seen until three to six months after applications. You will also need to apply 8-2-12 + 4 percent Mg as your routine fertilizer.

To prevent this problem, use palm special type fertilizer (8-2-12 + 4 percent Mg) and follow the rate on the bag. Be aware that there are other palm fertilizers so check to make sure its 8-2-12 + 4 percent Mg. Based on University of Florida research done in South Florida, this is the only type of fertilizer that should be used within 50 feet of landscape palms. So, if you fertilize nearby plants such as the lawn, use the palm fertilizer instead of a lawn fertilizer.

Manganese sulfate and 8-2-12 + 4 percent Mg fertilizer is available from some garden centers, and fertilizer companies and distributors in South Florida. If you need a list of these companies, call your local UF Extension office (Broward 954-357-5270, Miami-Dade 305-248-3311 x228, Monroe 305-292-4501, and Palm Beach 561-233-1700).

After treatment, it will take several months to see new growth that is healthy. If the deficiency is too advanced, the palm will probably need to be replaced.

Manganese deficiency is very common on alkaline soils, but can occur when soil temperatures are cool. Most species of palms can be affected, but queen palm, royal palm, paurotis (Everglades) palm, pygmy date palm, and African oil palm are particularly susceptible.

To learn more about palm problems, please visit this UF website: http://flrec.ifas.ufl.edu/

Adrian Hunsberger is an entomologist/horticulturist with the UF/IFAS Miami-Dade Extension office. Write to Plant Clinic, 18710 SW 288th St., Homestead, FL 33030; e-mail aghu@ifas.ufl.edu.

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What’s wrong with my queen palm?

Growing Together

The fruits of American viburnum can persist all winter, providing beauty and food for wildlife. David Samson / The Forum

Don Kinzler

Landscape talk in late December in North Dakota might seem a bit odd, but we have a seasonal golden opportunity. Rather than viewing six months of landscape dormancy as a season half-empty, lets relish it as half-full.

I realized the beauty of winter landscapes when we sold Christmas trees years ago. In mid-December, sales wound down, and I would look out our windows to the large display plantings that Mary and I had developed. I was struck by the quiet beauty of the shrubs and trees, their twigs and bark, shapes and colors against the snow. Evergreens contrasted with redtwig dogwood. The shaggy bark of river birch was exotic. Snow-covered benches and fences completed the scene, which would have been a photographers dream snapshot. It was serene and amazingly intriguing.

The simple beauty reminded me that we can embrace the winter landscape and enjoy its offerings. Best of all, it can be experienced looking out a window from the comfort of our home. Plus we dont need to mow the lawn yet, and the first weeds are still months away.

Lets accomplish two winter landscape tasks.

First, we can spend time looking out the window to appreciate existing nature while reawakening our sense of horticultural awe.

Second, we have the opportunity to do some thought gardening to plan improvements to our winter wonderland. When spring arrives, the last thing on my mind is our yards appearance in the dead of winter. So I should make notes now for spring implementation. Otherwise, I wont remember and it wont happen.

There are six principles for developing or improving a winter landscape:

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Growing Together: Tips for creating a beautiful winter landscape

Delawareans are encouraged to give their recycling spirit a boost after the holiday season by delivering their Christmas trees to one of many yard waste recycling facilities located throughout the state. Many of the facilities will accept the trees for free.Please note that Christmas trees are no longer accepted for recycling at any Delaware State Park locations.

Christmas trees will be accepted from familiesfor recycling until Jan. 25 at the facilities listed below. Trees will not be accepted from commercial haulers or tree vendors without prior approval. Artificial decorations, including hooks, wire, tinsel and ornaments, as well as wood and metal tree stands, must be removed from all trees before dropping them off for recycling.

Many Delawareans have been recycling their Christmas trees for many years, and we encourage everyone to establish or continue this eco-friendly tradition, said Bill Miller, program manager in the states Solid and Hazardous Waste Management Section. Recycling these trees that are a product of nature is a wonderful way of giving back to the environment.

Christmas tree recycling saves valuable landfill space. At least 18 percent of residential waste is composed of grass, leaves, brush, trees and other lawn maintenance and landscaping materials. Prior to Delawares yard waste ban, these materials - considered a resource for composting and reuse rather than waste - were deposited in landfills, taking up valuable space and limiting local markets for mulch and compost products.

Many companies such as waste haulers and landscapers also collect Christmas trees. Regular trash haulers may offer one-time collection for Christmas trees in January. For a partial listing of entities that collect Christmas trees and other yard waste, go towww.dnrec.delaware.gov/yardwaste and click on Yard waste collection options.

Christmas trees, stripped of all decorations and detached from tree stands, can be dropped off by Delaware residents for free at any of the following locations:

Blessings Greenhouse, 9372 Draper Road, Milford; 302-393-3273; hours: Monday-Saturday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Wednesday, Jan. 1

Blue Hen Organics, 33529 Fox Run Road, Frankford; 302-732-3211; hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed Jan. 1

Grizzlys Landscape Supply Service, 18412 The Narrow Road, Lewes; 302-644-0654; hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed Jan. 1

Kaye Construction, 22288 Coverdale Road, Seaford; 302-629-7483; hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; closed through Jan. 1

Continued here:
Christmas tree recycling carries on statewide

home section Interior Design Housekeeping Entertaining Home Improvement Gardening & Plants Landscaping eHow Home & Garden Landscaping & Outdoor Building Special Outdoor Projects How to Landscape With Rocks on a Hill

Gryphon Adams

Gryphon Adams began publishing in 1985. He contributed to the "San Francisco Chronicle" and "Dark Voices." Adams writes about a variety of topics, including teaching, floral design, landscaping and home furnishings. Adams is a certified health educator and a massage practitioner. He received his Master of Fine Arts at San Francisco State University.

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Hills present a challenge in landscaping. Without planning, the area may present an eyesore. Erosion, landslides, weeds, run-off, wasted topsoil, mulch, gravel and other topical treatments provide ongoing hassles without ongoing maintenance. Landscaping with rocks provides a cost-effective solution that can turn a hill into a pleasing focal point on the property. With some planning plus the right tools and materials, you can create a hill landscape that's an asset to your property.

Look over some pictures of hills with rock landscaping. Designs range from rocks that form planned patterns of abstract art to natural-looking landscapes where the rocks sit in the earth amid native plants to create the look of a long-standing natural terrain. Adding plants to the hill will help reduce erosion by creating a network of roots that hold the soil.

Choose what types of rocks and plants you will use for the hill landscaping. It may be useful to list the pros and cons of the materials you are considering. For example, lava rock comes in black and red and have the advantage of being porous and lightweight. They may be more convenient to carry up the hill than solid boulders.

Mark the desired positions for the largest rocks or boulders with plant stakes or tent stakes. Go down the hill and check the effect from different vantage points. For a natural effect, place the rocks in a random configuration with uneven spacing. For a more formal effect, place rocks in a pattern, such as a spiral, or space them evenly apart.

Dig a hole into the hill for each boulder. Make the hole large enough to bury at least 1/4 of any boulder or large rock. The larger and heavier the rock, the deeper you need to seat it in the earth to reduce the risk of a rock slide and potential property damage or injury. For example, if the boulder is 40 inches tall, make the hole 10 inches deep.

Place each rock or boulder in the corresponding hole and fill the earth back in around it. Stamp the earth firmly around the rock with your feet.

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How to Landscape With Rocks on a Hill | eHow

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in...

As Democrats survey a troubled 2014 political landscape, it's easy to forget how optimistic they seemed less than a year ago.

"I would expect that Nancy Pelosi is going to be speaker again pretty soon," President Obama told cheering House Democrats at a party retreat last February.

In the rosy scenario that took hold in some Democratic circles, the party was positioned to recapture the House in 2014 and maintain control of the Senate, allowing Obama to defy the history of second-term presidential decline. Great successes and good years lay ahead.

Had Democrats forgotten Obamacare, the law they passed in 2010 that was scheduled to take effect in 2014? It almost seemed as if they had.

Obama and his allies put off the arrival of Obamacare until after the president faced re-election in 2012. His administration also delayed releasing key rules regarding the law until after the election for fear of angering voters. But now they can't put it off any longer. 2014 will be the year Democrats pay for Obamacare.

When Obama spoke to the House retreat, polls consistently showed Democrats leading in the so-called "generic ballot" question, that is, whether voters will choose a Democratic or a Republican representative in the next election. Now, however, there's been a big swing away from Democrats and toward Republicans.

In addition, a new CNN poll found that 55 percent of voters surveyed said that when it comes to congressional races, they're more likely to vote for a candidate who opposes Obama than one who supports the president. "Those kind of numbers spelled early trouble for the Democrats before the 1994 and 2010 midterms, and for the GOP before the 2006 elections," CNN polling director Keating Holland reported on the network's website.

Meanwhile, support for Obamacare, already low, could fall further as more middle-income Americans voters figure out that they are the ones who will be paying for the Democrats' national health care scheme.

In 2009 and 2010, Obama, Pelosi and their fellow Democrats sold Obamacare as a kind of miracle. It would give health insurance to 30 million previously uncovered people and cut the federal deficit by more than a trillion dollars at the same time. And the only taxes needed to pay for it all would fall on the very wealthy. It seemed impossible, but that's what they claimed.

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Democrats will pay political price for Obamacare in 2014

CREATED 9:36 PM

The giant hill in Camels Back Park has been a hot spot for outdoor lovers in Boise for generations.The iconic area in the North End is the gateway to the foothills, and could soon be getting a facelift.

Ridge to Rivers trail experts, city engineers and landscape architects have developed a proposal that would convert the top third of the steep trail into stone steps and landscaping with native plants.

"They do a lot of maintenance and a lot of it makes sense, park regular Fred Roe said. Once there starts to be erosion it can really take off, so it's good to stem it before it gets worse."

Other trail regulars dont seem to mind the changes either.

"I think it serves the purpose that people use the hill for well- to climb to the top," Roe said.

"Looks like the proposal is going to be pretty beautiful, Daniel Walsh said. I'd still use the stairs and probably still get as good of exercise."

Some say if they cant stop Mother Nature from running its toll, they'll just have to fix what they can to keep the landmark around for generations to come.

"You know, sometimes I wish it could stay the same, but the reality is it doesnt, Roe said. So if it's going to change on its own, and we want to keep it, we need to maintain it."

The plan is still in its beginning stages and is estimated to cost $70,000. The city is seeking a grant from the State of Idahos Non-motorized Recreational Trails Program to help fund the project in 2014.

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Possible changes to iconic Boise landmark

Home security camera catches FedEx deliveryman throwing package 20 feet onto porch Home security camera catches FedEx deliveryman throwing package 20 feet onto porch

Updated: Friday, December 27 2013 11:02 PM EST2013-12-28 04:02:50 GMT

A home security camera in southern Maryland caught a FedEx deliveryman tossing a package 20 feet onto a concrete porch. The homeowners complained to the company and posted the video online. The driver has been fired.

A home security camera in southern Maryland caught a FedEx deliveryman tossing a package 20 feet onto a concrete porch. The homeowners complained to the company and posted the video online. The driver has been fired.

South Carolina authorities say a 44-year-old woman angry at a man for returning home without beer on Christmas beat and stabbed him with a ceramic squirrel.

South Carolina authorities say a 44-year-old woman angry at a man for returning home without beer on Christmas beat and stabbed him with a ceramic squirrel.

Updated: Thursday, December 26 2013 5:27 PM EST2013-12-26 22:27:36 GMT

A big country star opened a huge, new restaurant last week in Woodbridge, Va. But a house rule for the new establishment is roiling some Virginians: no guns are allowed inside.

A big country star opened a huge, new restaurant last week in Woodbridge, Va. But a house rule for the new establishment is roiling some Virginians: no guns are allowed inside.

Updated: Thursday, December 26 2013 1:34 PM EST2013-12-26 18:34:20 GMT

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Home security camera catches FedEx deliveryman throwing package 20 feet onto porch