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Mosquitoes are more than just annoying pests—they can also carry serious diseases like West Nile and Zika. That’s why it’s important to prevent them from breeding in your yard. Mosquitoes need only an inch of standing water to lay eggs, and one mosquito can quickly turn into hundreds.

One of the simplest ways to keep mosquitoes from ruining your summer is to get rid of standing water; since mosquitoes can breed almost anywhere water collects.

Be sure to check these common problem areas:

• Remove discarded tires from your property. If tires are used for swings or playground equipment, drill holes in the bottom so water can drain.
• Turn over or remove water-holding containers such as tin cans and plastic jugs.
• Drill holes in the bottom of unused containers so water cannot collect.
• Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.
• Eliminate any standing water on your property.
• Change birdbath water weekly and clean the bath to remove organic matter, eggs, and larvae.
• Clear leaves and twigs from eavestroughs, storm drains, and roof gutters throughout the summer.
• Check flat roofs regularly and remove standing water.
• Remove dense brush and weeds where mosquitoes rest during the day.
• Turn over compost piles regularly.
• Fill in low areas in lawns where water may collect.
• Promptly throw away raked leaves and decaying fruit, such as fallen apples or berries. If not composting them, store them in a closed container until disposal.
• Add a filter to your pond to keep the water moving.

Tree and shrub spraying is another effective way to reduce mosquitoes in your yard. Aronica Plant Health Care offers mosquito and tick spraying that is highly effective and safe for your family and pets. To set up a tick and mosquito spraying program for your yard, call Aronica Plant Health Care at (631) 928-9000.

After what felt like the longest winter in history, warm weather is finally here. The days are getting longer, the sun is shining, and we can finally get back outside to enjoy our yards, patios, and gardens. But as welcome as the heat may be after months of cold, it also means one unwelcome guest is making a comeback: mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance. They can also carry serious illnesses such as West Nile virus, Zika virus, and other mosquito-borne diseases. The good news is that there are several simple steps you can take to make your yard less inviting to them and help protect your family all season long.

Tips to Help Prevent Mosquitoes in Your Yard

1. Eliminate Standing Water
Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, and it doesn’t take much for them to breed. Check your yard regularly for items that collect water, such as:

• Buckets
• Flower pots and saucers
• Birdbaths
• Kiddie pools
• Old tires
• Clogged gutters
• Tarps and outdoor furniture covers

Empty, clean, or drain these areas often to stop mosquitoes before they hatch.

2. Keep Your Grass and Landscaping Trimmed
Mosquitoes like to rest in cool, shady, and damp areas. Overgrown grass, thick shrubs, and piles of leaves can give them the perfect place to hide during the day. Mow your lawn regularly, trim bushes, and keep your yard tidy to reduce mosquito-friendly shelter.

3. Change Water Frequently
If you have birdbaths, pet bowls, or other outdoor water containers, change the water at least every few days. Fresh water is less likely to become a breeding ground.

4. Clean Gutters and Drains
Clogged gutters can hold stagnant water without you even noticing. Make sure gutters, downspouts, and yard drains are clear so water flows properly and does not collect.

5. Use Screens and Outdoor Protection
If you spend a lot of time outside, make sure window and door screens are in good condition to keep mosquitoes from getting indoors. You can also consider using outdoor fans, mosquito traps, or approved repellents in patio areas for extra protection.

6. Watch for Items After Rain
After a storm, take a quick walk around your yard. Rainwater often collects in unexpected places, and even small puddles can become mosquito breeding spots.

7. Consider Mosquito-Safe Yard Treatments
If mosquitoes are especially bad in your area, you may want to use mosquito dunks for standing water that cannot be emptied or speak with a pest control professional about treatment options.

Enjoy the Warm Weather — Without the Bites

Now that winter is finally behind us, everyone wants to make the most of the sunshine and fresh air. Taking a few preventative steps now can help cut down on mosquitoes later and reduce the risk of mosquito-borne illnesses in your yard.

A little yard maintenance goes a long way toward making your outdoor space safer, more comfortable, and more enjoyable all season long.

Even though we had an extremely cold winter, the time has once again come for ticks. So, which tick spray should you choose for your family?

Ideally, you’d avoid ticks by wearing long pants and sleeves and staying out of tall grass and wooded areas. But it’s summer—shorts and swimsuits are the norm—so tick sprays and repellents are often the most practical option.

The Health Risk of Ticks: Ticks can carry serious diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists Lyme disease, Powassan Virus, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, and more as possible outcomes of a tick bite. The longer a tick stays attached, the higher your risk; so good repellents and regular checks are essential. With that in mind, here are some top-rated flea and tick repellents to help protect you this summer.

When choosing an insect repellent, always read the label. Consumer Reports has found that certain ingredients reliably protect when used on exposed skin. Look for products with 20–30% of at least one of these: DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or picaridin; and remember that DEET and picaridin last longer than oil of lemon eucalyptus, which must be reapplied more often. 

Sprays containing these ingredients help repel fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and other biting insects. Overall, DEET-based products tend to work best.

You can also protect yourself by wearing clothing treated with permethrin or by using a permethrin spray on your clothes. Just remember: never apply permethrin directly to your skin.

Some people turn to essential oils to kill or repel ticks. However, Consumer Reports notes that, aside from oil of lemon eucalyptus (which isn’t a true essential oil), none have been proven effective against fleas, ticks, or mosquitoes.

Regular Scheduled Tick Spray: If you don’t want to keep reapplying bug spray every time your kids go outside, consider regular tick treatments for your yard. Keeping your outdoor space as tick-free as possible can give you extra peace of mind when your family is at home.

As winter fades and warmer days approach, your lawn is waking up—and what you do now sets the tone for the whole season. A few smart treatments before real heat arrives can mean the difference between a lush, green yard and a thin, weedy one.

Clear and Check

Start by giving your lawn a quick reset:

• Rake up leaves, sticks, and leftover thatch so sunlight and air can reach the soil.
• Note bare or thin spots you may want to overseed later. A clean surface helps everything you apply work better.

Test and Treat the Soil

Healthy lawns start with balanced soil.

• Do a soil test to learn your pH and nutrient levels.
• Most cool-season grasses common in zone 7a do best around pH 6.0–7.0.

If your soil is too acidic, apply lime; if it’s too alkaline, sulfur-based products may help. Adjusting pH early gives these amendments time to work before summer stress.

Block Weeds Early

A pre-emergent herbicide is one of your best tools against crabgrass and other annual weeds.

• Apply when soil temps are about 55°F for several days in a row—often early March to mid-April.
• Follow the label and water it if directed.

If you plan to overseed, be careful: most pre-emergents also prevent grass seed from sprouting. Either delay the herbicide or choose a product labeled safe for seeding.

Feed, Don’t Force

As the grass greens up, it needs nutrition—but not a huge nitrogen blast.

• Use a balanced, moderate fertilizer (or a slow-release/organic option) based on your soil test.
• Avoid over-fertilizing, which creates weak, fast growth that struggles in heat.

Relieve Compaction and Overseed

If the lawn feels hard or puddles form, your soil may be compacted.

• Core aeration in early spring can improve air, water, and nutrient flow.
• Pair aeration with over-seeding thin areas using a grass blend suited to zone 7a and your sun/shade conditions.

Keep new seed consistently moist until established—and remember the conflict with standard pre-emergents.

Support With Good Habits

The basics still matter as warm weather arrives:

• Mow high (about 3–4 inches for cool-season grasses) to shade the soil and discourage weeds.
• Water deeply but infrequently once growth is steady, instead of light daily watering.

By cleaning up, balancing your soil, blocking weeds, feeding wisely, and fixing compaction or bare spots now, you give your zone 7a lawn a strong start. A little effort before the heat hits pays off in a thicker, greener, more resilient lawn all summer long.

When do ticks start to become active? Earlier than you’d think!

On Long Island, ticks don’t just show up in summer. They often become active in March, as soon as temperatures regularly rise above 40°F. Mild winters, damp leaf litter, and plenty of wildlife mean blacklegged (deer) ticks and other species can start questing for hosts long before the hot weather arrives, even with our recent cold snap.

Tick season here is really a long stretch, not a short window. Adult deer ticks wake up on mild days in late winter and early spring. In late spring and summer, tiny nymphs—responsible for many Lyme disease cases—are active, along with lone star and American dog ticks. In fall, adult deer ticks surge again and stay active until it’s consistently below freezing. Even in winter, a warm, snow-free day can bring some activity.

In March, you’ll most often encounter ticks along wooded trails, forest edges, leaf litter, brush piles, and overgrown yard borders, especially where deer, mice, and birds are common. Even tidy yards can have ticks if they border woods or attract wildlife.

You don’t have to avoid the outdoors, but you should treat March as the start of tick season. Use an EPA-registered repellent on exposed skin, consider permethrin-treated clothing, wear long pants and sleeves when you can, and choose light-colored fabrics to spot ticks more easily. After spending time outside, check your body carefully—behind knees, around the waist, under arms, around ears, and at the hairline—and shower soon after. Check pets daily and keep them on vet-recommended tick prevention.

In early spring, clean up leaf piles and brush, keep grass trimmed, and, if possible, create a wood-chip or gravel border between woods and lawn to reduce tick habitat. If you find an attached tick, remove it promptly with fine-tipped tweezers, clean the area, note the date, and watch for rash, fever, or flu-like symptoms. On Long Island, once March brings regular mild days, tick season has already begun, so a few simple habits can make a big difference in staying protected.

February is when gardeners quietly set the stage for spring. Even in cold climates, there’s plenty to do.

First, plan. Review last year’s wins and losses, sketch your beds and containers, and plan a simple crop rotation for vegetables.

Next, order what you need. Take stock of old seeds, then order the vegetables, herbs, and flowers you want. Restock seed-starting mix, trays, labels, compost, fertilizer, and tune up your tools.

Then, start seeds indoors. Using your last frost date as a guide, start peppers, eggplants, some tomatoes, onions, leeks, and early flowers in a seed-starting mix under good light. Label everything to keep track of varieties.

Prune while plants are dormant. Remove dead or crossing branches from trees and shrubs, but skip early spring bloomers until after they flower. In mild areas, you can prune roses now; in colder ones, wait a bit longer.

Do some light cleanup. Pull spent annuals and diseased material, and throw the diseased parts in the trash. Weed on mild days, but leave some stems and leaf litter in place to shelter overwintering beneficial insects.

Prepare beds where possible. If the soil isn’t frozen or soggy, spread compost and any needed amendments, and avoid walking on very wet ground so you don’t compact it. Adjust mulch so plant crowns don’t stay constantly wet but still have some protection.

In mild climates, you can begin planting. Direct-sow peas, salad greens, radishes, and some root crops, and set out hardy plants like kale and cabbage under row covers or other protection.

Check containers and perennials. Make sure pots drain well, repair or replace damaged containers, and gently firm back any plants that have been heaved up by freeze–thaw cycles. Top-dress with compost to give them a boost.

Indoors, tend to houseplants. Watch for pests and treat them early, water sparingly according to winter needs, rotate pots for even growth, and wipe dust from leaves so they can better use available light.

Finally, use the quiet time to learn and dream. Read about gardening, connect with other gardeners, and set a few clear goals for the season. A little planning, pruning, seed starting, and soil care in February will make the rest of your gardening year more productive and enjoyable.

Winter storms routinely dump ice and snow on trees and branches. Falling branches and trees can destroy cars and homes and knock out power. If a particularly bad storm hits, there can be a long wait for licensed tree service companies to address the damage.

Many Long Island tree service professionals agree that prevention is key to protecting your property from tree damage during a winter storm.

Know the Signs of a Weak Tree

You should routinely inspect your trees throughout the year, especially after storms or heavy winds. Watch for visible signs of decay, such as mushrooms growing at the base of the tree or dead and hanging branches.

Not All Trees Are Created Equal

Certain trees are more likely to fall during a winter storm than others. Silver maple hybrids and fast-growing trees, such as poplars and cottonwoods, are more likely to fail in a storm due to their brittle wood. When planting these trees, avoid placing them too close to structures or power lines.

For stronger, more storm-resistant options, consider planting hardwoods such as oaks and maples.

Tree Pruning Is Important

Regular tree pruning helps keep problematic branches from endangering your property. If you notice a weak or broken branch, consider calling a local tree trimming company or certified arborist before a storm to assess any potentially hazardous trees.

Pruning at an early age can help a tree develop a strong structure and prevent damage caused by storms. However, homeowners often neglect pruning young trees because they assume there’s no immediate threat to their property.

Pruning can be done any time of year, but there is an advantage to assessing a tree when its leaves are off.

Fall leaves are more than just a chore waiting to be raked—they’re nature’s free resource; ripe for creativity, sustainability, and fun. Here are some delightful alternatives to raking your leaves into lifeless piles.

1. Make Leaf Mulch or Compost

Shred leaves and spread them over your garden beds as mulch. This naturally fertilizes your soil and protects plants from frost. Or, add them to your compost bin for nutrient-rich compost next spring.

2. Create Leaf Mold

Pile up leaves, moisten them, and let them decompose for a year. The result? Leaf mold: an excellent soil conditioner for gardens.

3. Shelter for Wildlife

Leave leaves in garden corners or under trees. They provide habitats for insects, overwintering butterflies, spiders, and even small mammals like hedgehogs and chipmunks.

4. Craft Projects

Gather colorful leaves for art: make garlands, wreaths, pressed-leaf bookmarks, or framed seasonal displays with kids or for home decor.

5. Insulate Plants and Beds

Use leaves as a protective blanket over perennials or sensitive plants to help them weather winter temperatures.

6. Leaf Piles for Play

Sometimes, the best thing to do is…nothing! Leave a pile for jumping, tossing, and having classic autumn fun with family and pets.

7. Pathway Padding

Spread leaves over garden paths to reduce mud and help prevent weeds.

Final Thoughts: Before you haul leaves to the curb, consider their broader benefits. By leaving leaves where they fall or repurposing them, you nourish your landscape and support the ecosystem right in your yard. Nature does know best—let’s follow her lead!

If your shrubs and trees suffered during spring and summer—due to pests, diseases like fungal infections, or burrowing insects that damaged fruit trees and other garden plants—consider using dormant winter spray treatments.

‘Dormant spray’ broadly refers to applications like horticultural oil, which smothers overwintering insects such as aphids, mites, and scale, along with their eggs. Another type uses synthetic fungicides or copper to treat fruit and flowering trees and shrubs, giving your plants a healthy start in spring. Sometimes, liquid lime-sulfur is applied to smaller fruit plants, such as blueberries or blackberries, to control fungi and bacteria.

Dormant sprays should be applied after the growing season, but before temperatures drop below 40°F. While a pre-winter treatment can suppress spring pests, it may not provide complete control. Regular treatments throughout the year may be necessary for optimal plant health.

Common dormant sprays include:

• Fixed copper fungicides containing elemental copper, such as tribasic copper sulfate, copper oxychloride sulfate, or cupric hydroxide
• Neem oil is derived from the seeds of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica)
• Lime-sulfur, a mixture of hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide) and sulfur
• A crucial but often overlooked step in keeping trees and shrubs healthy is good housekeeping—regardless of whether you use dormant sprays. Remove fallen leaves from around your plants to prevent pests from laying eggs or overwintering, as they can also spread disease to other plants and undermine your disease control efforts.

If you live in USDA Zone 7 (Long Island is both 7a and 7b, depending on how far east you are), October is the perfect time to plant a wide variety of spring-flowering bulbs. Cooler temperatures and moist soil create ideal conditions for these bulbs to establish strong roots before winter sets in. Here’s a guide to some of the best bulbs to plant this month in Zone 7:

1. Tulips Tulips come in nearly every color and shape imaginable, making them a perennial favorite. For longer-lasting flowers and stronger plants, choose varieties labeled as perennial tulips.

2. Daffodils (Narcissus) Daffodils are reliable, deer-resistant spring bloomers. Plant them at least 6 inches deep and give them full or partial sun.

3. Hyacinths Hyacinths offer fragrant, bold blooms in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white. Plant these bulbs 4-6 inches deep for best results.

4. Crocuses Among the earliest bloomers, crocuses bring color to gardens when winter’s end is barely in sight. They’re also ideal for naturalizing in lawns and under trees.

5. Alliums Known for their striking globes of purple or white flowers, add architectural interest to spring beds.

6. Grape Hyacinths (Muscari) These petite bulbs produce clusters of tiny blue or white flowers perfect for border plantings and walkways.

7. Snowdrops (Galanthus) If you love a very early splash of delicate white, snowdrops are for you! Plant them in clumps for the best visual impact.

Planting Tips for Zone 7

• Plant bulbs when the soil temperature drops below 60°F (typically in mid-to-late October).

• Place bulbs with the pointed end up and follow planting depth guidelines for each variety.

• Water thoroughly after planting.

• Mulch with a light layer to insulate against winter temperature swings.

By planning and planting your bulbs in October, you set the stage for a spectacular, colorful spring garden. Happy planting!