Blog Posts - Aloha Home Watch Services, LLC

Oh No, Is This What I think It Is?

5/31/2018

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.

Learn More About DryWood Termites

Watch the foaming process

Are Your Plants Being Mysteriously Pruned?

4/30/2018

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

Live Your Dream.

3/31/2018

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.

I Love A Good Sense Of Humor. Especially When It Has Good Taste.

2/28/2018

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!

Why Partner With An Accredited Home Watch Service?

1/31/2018

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.

2017 - The Year In Review.

12/31/2017

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

Armadillo holes

HVAC drain clog

HVAC drain clog

Dirty air filter

Black widows in garage

Mystery moisture

Water tank leak

Overheating transformer

Tripped breaker

Water intrusion

Plenty For Which To Be Thankful!

11/30/2017

Rekeying Can Be Simple And Inexpensive.

10/31/2017

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!

Hurricane Irma

9/30/2017

Stay Connected To Local Weather.

8/31/2017

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.

Preparing For The Peak Of Storm Season.

7/31/2017

Here is some great information from NOAA and the National Hurricane Center, describing various tropical cyclones. Notice in the graph above that the peak of storm season is late August into early September.

A tropical cyclone is a rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms that originates over tropical or subtropical waters and has a closed low-level circulation. Tropical cyclones rotate counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere. They are classified as follows:

Tropical Depression: A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 38 mph (33 knots) or less.
Tropical Storm: A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph (34 to 63 knots).
Hurricane: A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 74 mph (64 knots) or higher. In the western North Pacific, hurricanes are called typhoons; similar storms in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific Ocean are called cyclones.
Major Hurricane: A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 111 mph (96 knots) or higher, corresponding to a Category 3, 4 or 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

Interesting Sightings

6/30/2017

Here are a few interesting sights I came across during the last month. There's never a dull day when home watching. DO WHAT YOU LOVE AND YOU'LL NEVER WORK ANOTHER DAY IN YOUR LIFE!

You may be wondering about a few of pictures. Yes, that is a bobcat, the raccoons beat the gardener to the pineapple and what are the odds of having this actual house number?

Aloha
Live your dream!

Q. What Do Frogs Like To Drink? A. Croak-A-Cola ...And Sometimes Your Toilet Water!

5/31/2017

If you're not a frog lover, this blog may creep you out. I had been trying to catch this fellow for about 3 weeks. When I would lift the toilet lid in one of my customer's home, this guy would be tucked under the rim. As quickly as I could make a move to grab him, he would make his escape by jumping off his resting spot and disappearing down the drain. It seemed as if he was experienced with this routine.This went on for about three weeks and he was starting to become a formidable challenge.

But unfortunately for Mr. Frog, all good things must come to an end.

On my third visit, I flipped the toilet lid while holding a toilet brush in one hand (ready to clog his escape route) and my net in the other prepared to make the capture. To my surprise and disappointment, the toilet bowl was empty. But as I looked more closely at the rim, I saw a part of his foot barely visible over the edge. Pay-dirt! At last I caught him being careless and sitting outside the bowl (pictured above). After chasing him around the bathroom like we were on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, his days of squatting in homes of gated communities came to an end. But this story has a happy ending. I did let him go next to the pond out back where I am sure he found more to eat.

He is about the seventh frog I've captured at various homes over the years. This would explain why I carry a net and glove in my trunk. With the help of The Tampa Bay Times, here is the best theory I could find for how frogs end up in toilets.

They say tree frogs like to climb trees and jump or drop onto roofs of houses. Being cold-blooded, in the morning they enjoy the warmth of the tiles or shingles. Once warmed up, they start looking for a cooler area to rest and the toilet vent pipe that protrudes from the roof is often the most convenient spot. Some fall down into the pipe and end up in your toilet. So when you lift the toilet lid, there's your surprise.

If you are not a frog fan, here are a couple of things you can do to diminish the chances of finding one in your toilet:
• Trim the tree branches that are nearest to your roof which allows access to the frogs.
• Put a mesh wire screen over your toilet vent. This will keep them out for good. Just make sure the mesh is wide enough that the vent can "breathe".

If you have had a "frog in the toilet experience" yourself, share it in the comment section below.

Never Bored With Bougainvillea!

4/30/2017

Bougainvillea are one of my favorite plants. I took these pictures recently while performing my home watch visits. I never get tired of the vibrant color. Bougainvillea love arid conditions and prefer drier soil and full sun. They love the hot, intense Florida sunshine and rarely seem bothered by drought-like conditions. They make the perfect plant for our area. Certain varieties can grow to sizes that are hard to manage, but I think the effort needed to keep them under control is well worth the view.

Aloha, Until We Meet Again!

3/31/2017

As our winter residents prepare to head north, we wish them a healthy and enjoyable summer in whatever state or country they call home.

Aloha and thank you for the wonderful season!

Rest assured, your home is in good hands with Aloha Home Watch Services, LLC.

See you next season!

Accreditation News!

2/28/2017

As of this week, I am proud to report that I have completed the accreditation process with the National Home Watch Association and I am now a nationally accredited home watch company. As part of this accreditation review, I am vetted for proper insurance, screened for consumer complaints and truthful website content as well as agreeing to follow the mission statement and code of ethics established by the NHWA. In addition, I have the opportunity to attend professional training seminars and network with other accredited home watch companies to improve my professional competencies.

Receiving my accreditation fits well with my mission to continually improve upon my qualifications which translates into improved home watch services for my homeowners.

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.

DOING MY PART TO PROTECT OUR GROUNDWATER!

1/31/2017

Hazardous waste recycling day is the third Saturday of the month at the Manatee County landfill off Lena Road. Dropping off some unused paint and sealer from a homeowner's garage. The drop off is FREE and is a great way to protect our environment. In addition to hazardous waste, they also collect E-scrap.

Farewell to 2016

12/31/2016

As seasonal residents return and I look back on 2016, it was a great year.
I added many new families to the Aloha community and counted it a privilege to watch their homes. While the majority of home visits were uneventful, here is a sampling of some of the surprises of 2016. Glad I was there to catch them!

Happy New Year
Looking forward to a great 2017

Broken sprinklers

Popping wine corks

Water leak from an upstairs condo

Mower versus wall

Rats in the attic

Dough popping in the fridge

Mower versus condensate drain

Clogged AC drain line

Leaking drain connection

Crazy golf shot

Corroding toilet flappers

Slab moisture damaging hardwood floor

Damaged backflow

And more roof leaks

The Things We Take For Granted!

11/30/2016

Have you ever noticed that we often take our sewer lines for granted? Typically, what is out of sight is out of mind. That is until there is a problem with the "old drain system" and then life as we know it, comes to a halt.
These pictures show what happens when a cast iron drain pipe meets the ravages of time. The yellow objects on the right are the old cast iron pipes removed from below the foundation of one of my homeowner's living room. For several years the drain pipe had been backing up from time-to-time and needed to be cleared. After sending a camera down the pipe to search for the cause of the chronic clogs, the deterioration of the pipe was evident. The decision was made to replace the pipe with a new PVC drain.
After sealing off the area to prevent dust from entering the rest of the home, the slab was cut, the old pipes removed and the replacement PVC drain was put in place. Problem solved.
Fortunately for most of us, cast iron drain pipes have not been used in our area for years. So the next time you flush your toilet, appreciate the wonders of the PVC pipe!

Getting Ready For The Return.

10/31/2016

Welcome back to the early seasonal arrivals.
The Sarasota/Bradenton area is a beautiful place to live.

Stormy Weather In Your Future?

9/29/2016

Stay connected with my Tropical Weather page www.alohahomewatch.com/tropical-weather.html. When storms develop, I post current tracking maps and have links to an evacuation zone map, the local ten day weather forecast, Caribbean satellite images and real-time webcams of local beach conditions. Don't get caught uninformed.

The Peak Of Storm Season

8/30/2016

Here is some great information from NOAA and the National Hurricane Center, describing various tropical cyclones. Notice in the graph above that the peak of storm season is late August into early September.

A tropical cyclone is a rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms that originates over tropical or subtropical waters and has a closed low-level circulation. Tropical cyclones rotate counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere. They are classified as follows:

Tropical Depression: A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 38 mph (33 knots) or less.
Tropical Storm: A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph (34 to 63 knots).
Hurricane: A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 74 mph (64 knots) or higher. In the western North Pacific, hurricanes are called typhoons; similar storms in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific Ocean are called cyclones.
Major Hurricane: A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 111 mph (96 knots) or higher, corresponding to a Category 3, 4 or 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

Keep Looking Up!

7/31/2016

It always pays to look up! Summer rains can bring welcomed relief to a hot, summer day, but with these cooling showers can come unexpected leaks. These spots recently appeared on a garage ceiling after a very heavy rain shower. Gusty winds combined with heavy rains can cause leaks to appear out of nowhere. This leak was along the flashing, next to a faux dormer on a tile roof. I made a quick call to the roofer and they removed the tiles and repaired the leak. I'm glad I caught it early before further damage may have resulted.

Home watch tip:
Before repainting over the stain, here's a tip to be sure the leak has been successfully repaired. Using a pencil, make several small 1/4" marks along the outside edge of the stain. Later, when you check the stain after several new storms, you can see if the leak has progressed and extended beyond the original marks. When nothing has changed and you are sure the repair has been successful, it's time to repaint.

DON'T LET YOUR LEAKS GO UNDETECTED. CALL US TO WATCH YOUR HOME WHEN YOU'RE AWAY.
ALOHA HOME WATCH SERVICES, LLC

The Party Started...But Without you!

6/30/2016

Ever wonder what happens in your home while you're away? I bet you'd never expect a party to start without you. Recently, while checking on a new customer's home for the very first time, I stumbled upon a mess in the kitchen. My first impression was that maybe they left in a hurry and didn't have time to clean up.

After looking more closely at the red colored stickiness, I noticed it extended beyond the kitchen floor to include the wall, table and even the fabric covered seats. I had no idea what could have caused the mess, but after a quick inspection, I discovered the culprit.

As it turned out, one of the bottles of wine (second from the right in the picture above) continued to ferment and "popped its cork". I learned from a wine importer that while very high temperatures can trigger this event, when wine is not properly stabilized during the production process, popping corks from continued fermentation can also be an issue - even in a climate controlled environment such as your home.

The good news was that Aloha Home Watch Services was there to discover it and quickly clean it up before it attracted insects or left permanent staining on the walls and furniture.

Have you ever ruined clothing due to wine stains?
Here is a cleaning tip from a wine importer:
Fels Naptha Laundry Soap, is a yellow bar of soap found in most grocery and hardware stores. It is a great pre-laundry cleaner used to remove many stains including wine. Just scrub the stain lightly with this soap and water and watch the stain turn a bright blue. Throw it into the wash and like magic, the stain disappears. No need to ever fear wine stains again.

It Was Just A Matter Of Time.

4/28/2016

This is what can happen when the HOA's lawn crew are not careful. This backflow line has been hit in the past, but today it ruptured. If this happened to you and you were a thousand miles away, would you have someone to call? Let me be that person!

Aloha Home Watch Services......live your dream!