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 These graphs provide a historical perspective on the peak arrival time of storms in Florida and where major storms typically come ashore. As you can see, the Sarasota/Manatee area has geography and history on its side. It is not as easy for a major storm to get into the Gulf and hit us directly. Relatively speaking, counties to the north and south stand a greater chance of experiencing stronger storms. This is one of the reasons some residents have specifically chosen our area to live. 
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Stay connected to local weather with my Tropical Weather page. Simply click to see the weather forecast, hurricane tracks, wind speeds, beach webcams and more! Stay connected to your home, even if you are separated by thousands of miles.  Here is a view rarely seen by residents, the rooftop of a condo building. This is where the AC condensers for every unit are located and the point of entry for roof leaks. Since these roofs are typically flat, most depend on drainage holes leading to drain spouts to shed rainwater. Sometimes these holes get clogged with leaves and debris resulting in standing water. When this happens, even the smallest holes in the roofing membrane can lead to leaks. That's what happened recently. While the top floor may have the best view, when the roof leaks the first stop is ....the penthouse. Just another reason it's important to have someone check your condo regularly.  Here are the average rainfall totals by month for the Sarasota/Bradenton area. This chart makes it easy to see the dramatic change from spring to summer.  WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS
When homeowners receive notification from the county that their backflow needs testing, they often wonder why it's required at all. Firstly, it is important to understand why backflows are needed. A backflow prevents the safe, public water supply from becoming contaminated from a tainted source. This is accomplished by a one-way valve (backflow) which permits water to flow in only one direction once it enters your system. Backflow preventers are designed to act as a one-way check valve, preventing the flow of contaminated water from your home back into the public water supply. The compromising of safe water is usually the result of cross-contamination happening when water from another source such as irrigation, well or pond water enters a homeowner's water system via some damage or faulty design. Since water flows in one direction only (into your home) through this preventer, any contaminated water on your property cannot pass back through to the public supply. This ensures that everyone's water is safe and protected. Backflow tests are reasonably priced and easily arranged. Since they are located outside of your home, no one needs to be present when conducted. Most companies typically charge less than thirty dollars, so if you are paying more there are other options. Once the test is successfully completed, the county is notified by the tester and your backlfow is certified for another year.   Finding small problems before they become much larger is one of the most important roles of a good home watch company. I found this washing machine loaded with wet towels after a homeowner left for the summer. Sometimes it's the little things that can get missed but create a much bigger problem down the line. Can you imagine the mold that may have grown if this washer was left unchecked? I am not sure if you could ever get the smell out.
That's why it is always a good idea to go room by room throughout your home before leaving for an extended period. Create a checklist if that makes the job easier. It will be well worth your time. But rest assured, if something does get missed, I am there to catch it!  With Florida red tide in the news so much over the past year, I collected and shared some answers to common question provided by Mote Marine. Mote Marine Laboratory studies Karenia brevis, the organism that causes red tides in Florida. What is Florida red tide? A red tide, or harmful algal bloom, is a higher-than-normal concentration of a microscopic alga (plant-like organism). In marine (saltwater) environments along Florida’s west coast and the elsewhere in the Gulf of Mexico, the species that causes red tides is Karenia brevis, often abbreviated as K. brevis. To distinguish K. brevis blooms from red tides caused by other species of algae, researchers in Florida call it “Florida red tide.” What causes Florida red tide? The Florida red tide alga, Karenia brevis, needs the following components to form a bloom. The first is biology — the organism must be present in the water and it must out-compete other phytoplankton. The second is the correct chemistry — this includes the appropriate temperature, salinity, and nutrients that it needs to grow and multiply. The third component is the right physical conditions to concentrate and transport K. brevis. The fourth component is ecology – the presence or absence of other life forms, such as other marine algae that may encourage or inhibit K. brevis blooms. Has coastal (nutrient) pollution caused Florida red tide? In contrast to the many red tide species that are fueled by nutrient pollution associated with urban or agricultural runoff, there is no demonstrated direct link between nutrient pollution and Karenia brevis red tide formation or frequency (how often they occur). Florida red tides develop 10-40 miles offshore, away from human-contributed nutrient sources. Red tides occurred in Florida long before human settlement, and severe red tides were observed in the mid-1900s before the state’s coastlines were heavily developed. However, once red tides are transported to shore, they are capable of using human-contributed nutrients for their growth. For more information on Florida red tide and to see red tide maps and current beach conditions, click the link to the Mote Marine website. mote.org/research/program/environmental-health/beach-conditions-report-red-tide-information  Leaving shades slanted, in either the "upward" or "downward" position does make a difference. Over time, ultraviolet rays from the sun can do a great deal of damage to fabrics and carpeting. Learning how to position your blinds will protect your furnishings. The picture below shows the same room with blinds in two different positions. The picture on the left shows them in the "upward" position while the right is in the "downward" position. The difference is dramatic. An interesting observation is that while blinds are "upward", they allow plenty of light in without damaging carpeting or furniture. One thing to keep in mind for seasonal residents is that during the course of your absence, the sun's position will change so even though you are not receiving any direct sunlight in your home while you are here during the winter, that may be very different during the summer. That's why I always suggest the "upward position".
So you may heard what you think are rats in the attic and now you're wondering if they have taken up residence in the rafters. Here's a simple test I've learned from the extermination experts that can help determine if your suspicions are correct. Rats typically use attics for shelter and raising young. They spend their other time foraging for food outside of your home and returning for shelter after they are well fed. They are continually moving in and out of homes on a regular basis. So think of it this way, rats use your attic as a hotel while everywhere outside is their restaurant. I have learned that they are especially fond of mandarins and orange sliced jellied candy. So a simple way to check for rats is to offer them something special in a place very easy to find. Take two to three small pieces of either a mandarin or an orange slice candy and place them in areas of your attic you suspect the rats may be found. Check your bait every day or two and if it disappears, that may indicate you have rats. If you suspect rats, don't panic. They're very common in Florida. To confirm your findings, call a pest service to come out and give you a free, through inspection.   Whether it is wind or lightening, summer storms can do damage. Having someone check your home is crucial. Anything can happen in a moment's notice. The bottom two pictures are damage done to an HAVC thermostat following an electrical storm. The power surge followed the electrical line right into the home. Fortunately, this was the only damage done.
 Don't forget to check the refrigerator. I found this array of tasty treats after someone left following a mid-summer visit.
Armadillos are nocturnal animals, generally feeding on insects and their larvae. With a diet including earthworms, spiders, scorpions, snails, cockroaches, wasps, beetles and grasshoppers, they can be seen as a form of pest control. Unfortunately, they become a nuisance when leaving multiple holes throughout your yard and plant beds while foraging. I find the even bigger nuisance is when they return to the same location where they repeatedly dig holes that resemble burrows. Upon closer inspection, most holes typically dead end and extend only about a foot in length. Preferred areas for digging seem to be along home foundations, barrier walls and slabs for pool equipment. While most pose no damage to homes or property, they are an unsightly annoyance. So the most obvious question I receive is, "How do I great rid of them?" Over the years I have read about several methods. My first action is to simply fill the hole with the displaced soil. I find that after several attempts, some armadillos do move on. This may take a half a dozen attempts or so before it is successful. For the more persistent critters other options may include:
On a side note there is often talk about armadillos spreading leprosy to humans. This recently has been found not to be as common as once believed. You can read more armadillos and leprosy at this link. www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/how-armadillos-can-spread-leprosy-180954440/  I came across this scene while inspecting an outdoor kitchen. It is becoming an all too familiar sight. Sure enough, when I met with the pest service to examine the area they confirmed it to be ... drywood termites. These termites don't come from underground like the subterranean variety, but fly in to where they set up home. In this case since the cabinets were relatively new, they may have come via the wood used to build the cabinets for an outdoor kitchen. Unfortunately, before the wood is used it is very difficult to tell if it is infested with termites until they eventually bore tiny holes (kick outs) and begin pushing their frass (waste material) out from their chambers. It was explained to me that they expel these pellets through tiny holes they bore (pic below) when they feel they are running out of space in their current chambers. The color of the pellets is determined by the type of the wood they are eating.  If there is a positive side to this species, it is that they eat very slowly and take many years to do significant damage - unlike their subterranean cousins. In a typical case these termites would be in this wood anywhere between 2 - 10 years before damage like this would be noticed. Even in these pictures the damage looks much worse than it is actuality. If you could look inside these panels, you would find that very little of the wood has been eaten.  The most common method to eradicate drywood termites is tenting of the property or injecting the cabinets with a foam pesticide. I have included a link below that shows how the injecting process is done. If you want to learn more about drywood termites, I've included a link to the Florida Department of Agriculture.   Typically, I've only seen deer in the The Lakewood Ranch Country Club just after sunup or right before sundown. But lately, I have been seeing them at various times throughout the day. The deer in the top picture was spotted about 7 am and the one at the bottom at about two in the afternoon. Both had something in common, they were tempted by the Schefflera plant. The deer below was even caught in the act. It seems they can't resist the variegated variety and for whatever reason, this year I've seen more Scheffleras eaten than in years past. I'll keep my eyes on the plants and if the damage continues, deer repellent will be applied. If you are interested in what plants deer favor or dislike, I've shared a list from an article I've linked below. Deer "Candy" Plants Deer Resistant Plants Impatiens Palms Holly Fern Indian Hawthorn Native Grasses Gardenia Hibiscus Yaupon Holly Petunia Arboricola Ligustrum Plumbago Roses Croton Society Garlic Portulaca Coreopsis Agapanthus Viburnum  ,Click the link below learn ways to keep deer from eating your plants.
patch.com/florida/eastlake/how-to-prevent-deer-from-eating-landscaping Living in paradise is something I feel privileged to experience daily. Helping seasonal residents experience this as well is my passion. The spirit of Aloha. 
This was on the counter of one of my homes. It fooled me for a second! I stood it up to show it is fake. I love a good sense of humor!   Here are 9 reasons you should hire a Home Watch Service that is accredited through The National Home Watch Association (NHWA).
1. Accredited members must pass a strict vetting process for consumer complaints or issues. 2. They must carry the proper insurance. 3. They must uphold the highest ethics in the Home Watch industry. 4. Accredited members will always look out for the best interest of the homeowner. 5. They provide regular visits to your home which may prevent or lesson property damage. 6. Offer protection against uninsured, unbonded and unethical individuals who represent themselves as Home Watch professionals. 7. Act as your liaison between contractors, associations, Realtors and virtually anyone you authorize. 8. Deliver consistent and accurate information to you during your absence. 9. Create a presence in your home which may deter squatters and other intruders. Why take a chance with your home. Make the easy choice that will truly give you peace of mind! Aloha Home Watch Services, LLC - A bonded, insured and accredited Home Watch company. As I look back on 2017, it was a great year. While the majority of home visits were uneventful, here is a sampling of some of the surprises of 2017. Glad I was there to catch them! Looking forward to a great 2018  I recently needed to rekey a deadbolt cylinder and found it surprisingly easy and inexpensive. After calling several locksmith companies and receiving quotes anywhere from $75 - $95 per lock, I decided to try a route suggested by a friend. He had used Home Depot in the past and they had charged just $5 if you bring the cylinder to them.
Taking the cylinder out of the locking mechanism was very simple, just a matter of removing two Phillips head screws. The rekeying process took less than 5 minutes and since it was just one lock, the sales associate only charged me the cost of the two new keys that matched the new cylinder setting. This was a savings of at least $70 and I felt was well worth the time and effort. If you are not handy and are not sure about how to remove lock cylinders, there are plenty of tutorial videos on YouTube that do a great job walking you though each step. Good luck and get ready to save money!  Stay connected to local weather with my Tropical Weather page. Simply click to see the weather forecast, hurricane tracks, wind speeds, beach webcams and more! Stay connected to your home, even if you are separated by thousands of miles.
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August 2019
AuthorBill Medred is the founder and owner of Aloha Home Watch Services, LLC |
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