Just this week it was announced in West Palm Beach that because of drought conditions, they were ordering one day watering restrictions.

These restrictions are important because they protect our water supply. However, even with proper nutrition and fertilization, these restrictions in combination with the heat and drought can affect the appearance of your lawn.

Here are a few expert tips you can follow to ensure that when you are watering your lawn, you are watering it effectively:

• Inspect all zones to ensure you have proper coverage
• Water with the right amount of water (3/4 to 1″ per zone is generally sufficient)
• Check your timer to make sure each zone is operating effectively

Check out our video to learn more about proper coverage for your zones!

New TV commercials from pest prevention leader provide fresh and funny perspective for consumers

Massey Films new "My Guy" TV Spots

Massey Services, an industry leader in the pest prevention, termite protection and lawn care industry with locations throughout Florida, Georgia and Louisiana, has launched a new television advertising campaign known as “My Guy Doesn’t Do That!” featuring the first television debut of Massey Services’ GreenUP landscape services. This new advertising direction for Massey Services utilizes humor and “slice of life” story telling that sets Massey Services apart from the rest.
Each commercial reflects a similar storyline which involves two neighbors: one as a Massey Services customer and the other who uses a competitor. Envy ensues when the less fortunate neighbor realizes, through some humorously conspicuous spying, that she is not receiving the same great benefits from her service company that the Massey Services customer enjoys. In the end, she exclaims to her neighbor, “My guy doesn’t do any of that!” The Massey customer responds back with, “Well, maybe you’ve got the wrong guy!”

In partnership with David Nixon Productions (DNP Studios) and Massey Communications, Massey Services’ marketing department strategically developed the new ad campaign theme. DNP Studios, an industry leader in full-service film, high-definition video production and new media innovations, provided state-of-the-art production and post-production services for the commercials, as well as scriptwriting, assistance with concept development and casting talented actors.
“We are excited to launch this new ad campaign which reinforces our commitment to total customer satisfaction,” said Lynne Frederick, Vice President of Marketing at Massey Services. “We are confident this ad campaign will educate viewers on the benefits they receive from being a Massey Services customer and hope they enjoy the fresh and funny perspective of our new spots.”
The new ad campaign will continue to air now through October 2009. The commercials incorporate cable and network television advertising in 12 markets including, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Atlanta, Georgia, and the following cities in Florida: Orlando, Jacksonville, Naples, Tampa, West Palm Beach, Tallahassee, Sarasota and The Villages.

About Massey Services

Massey Services is one of the nation’s largest and most respected service companies. Massey Services and its subsidiary organizations provide residential and commercial pest prevention, termite protection and lawn, tree and shrub care services to more than 185,000 customers from 61 service centers throughout Florida, Georgia and Louisiana. For more information about Massey Services, please visit masseyservices.com.

You already know how great Massey’s Guaranteed Pest, Termite and Landscape services are – so why not Pass It On to your friends, family and neighbors and earn a little something extra for all of you?!

Refer Friends to Massey and Earn

Massey’s New Customer Referral Program that started Friday, May 1st allows you to do just that! As a current Massey customer, you can earn a $25 Publix gift cards* for everyone you refer to Massey who signs up for service! The new customer receives a $10 Publix gift card*.

Just have your contacts call 1-866-302-7950 to schedule a free, no obligation inspection. There’s no limit to the number of people you can refer!

So Pass It On and Earn with Massey Services!

*Louisiana customers earn Cabela’s gift cards.

Now My Guy is a Massey Technician

Massey shoots new television spots and, for the first time ever, features Massey’s GreenUP Landscape Services on TV! Completing shooting this week, the new spots had no short order to fill: feature what Massey does differently and get noticed on TV. So how do you do that on TV today? Let us introduce….Barbara and “My Guy Doesn’t Do That!”

The star of our new television spots, Barbara, a nosey neighbor, can be seen in varying places spying on a Massey GreenUP Landscape Specialist servicing her neighbor’s landscape. With every shrub inspection, aeration and irrigation maintenance technique she sees, she exclaims, “My guy doesn’t do that!” When her neighbor catches her spying she states, “Well…maybe you’ve got the wrong guy!”

The new commercial will start running in all Florida and Louisiana markets beginning Monday, 4/20/09. It will air in conjunction with our new Pest spot so be sure to look out for both!

Mulches provide a multitude of benefits to your landscape, including prevention of water loss, suppression of weeds, and insulation of soil and beautification of your landscape.

Follow these tips when using mulch:

• Use mulches made from recycled materials. This keeps unrecycleable materials out of our waterways and landfills.
• Apply mulch that’s at least 2-3 inches deep after settling.This maximizes the suppression of weeds and the prevention of water loss.
• Do not pile mulch against a tree. Trees need a clear space for air to reach the trunk.
• Do not pile mulch against your house. Mulch helps retain moisture, a vital source of sustenance for termites.

For more landscape tips, visit our GreenUP Landscape Tipsarea.

Proper mowing and watering dramatically impact the health of your lawn. The following tips will help ensure your lawn looks its best:

• Mow frequently. Don’t remove more than 1/3rd  of the leaf blade height in any single mowing. Mow at least once per week during the growing season.
• Mow high. During the heat of the summer, you should mow your lawn at the highest recommended cutting height to help grass retain water.
• Water deeply and infrequently.  Our Florida sands dry out quickly so set your sprinkler system to run twice per week to deliver ¾ inch of water per zone.  Clay soils may not need to be watered as frequently. Check your local extension service for recommendations or contact us fora free inspection.

Look for signs indicating your lawn is too dry:

• A dull bluish-gray coloring to your grass
• Foot tracks that seem to remain in the grass
• Leaf blades that are folded in half or wilted.

The key to a healthy landscape during dry periods is a balance of proper irrigation and proper maintenance. Either too little or too much irrigation can lead to an increase in weed, pest and diseases. For help keeping your landscape healthy and green all year long, contact Massey ServicesGreenUP for a free, detailed inspection.

We hear a lot today about the environment.  In fact, it seems almost as if focusing on improving the environment has become the “coolest” thing to do these days.  But did you know that all you have to do to start being a true environmentalist is by looking right under your feet?

The earth is truly an amazing planet, utterly unique in our observations to date and the shear magnitude of its resources is nearly unfathomable.  While industry and technology have provided jobs and goods to make life easier, the effect on our environment has been substantial.  Many of us who grew up in the 1970’s can remember the widespread and rampant decline of our environment as it was burned into our minds by Chief Iron Eyes Cody in the 1971 public service message the “Crying Indian.”  The tag line of that commercial was “People start pollution, People can stop it.”  (If you were born in a later generation or don’t remember the commercial, watch it here on YouTube.)

Since the 1970’s we have made many strides towards improving the impact our industries and our personal activities have on the environment.  Unfortunately, over the last few years we have begun to see quite a bit of misinformation about the environmental impacts that maintaining a landscape has on our environment. The truth is that a healthy well-maintained landscape is an environmental benefit.

The Benefits of Turfgrass

The U.S. Congress has acknowledged the following positive benefits to our environment:  “Turfgrass sod in urban areas and communities can aid in the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, mitigating the heat island effect, reducing energy consumption and contributing to efforts to reduce global warming trends.”

Our turfgrass lawns, parks, and open areas:

• Provide a natural, comfortable, and safe setting for fun and games.
• Release oxygen and cool the air.
• Control pollution by sequestering more carbon than is released by their maintenance.
• Reduce soil erosion.
• Purify and replenish our water supply.

Our Environment
The satisfaction of creating beauty within the landscape can be rewarding for you and the environment.  With turfgrass sod and landscape trees and shrubs, the rewards are practically immediate.

Research has shown that a well-maintained lawn and landscape can enhance the “curb appeal” adding as much as 15 percent to the value of a home.

Pollution Control
Landscape trees, shrubs and grasses are very effective in reducing pollution.  Landscapes trap and remove dust and dirt from the air.  2,500 square feet of lawn absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and release enough oxygen for a family of four to breathe.

Nature’s Air Conditioner
Another benefit that everyone enjoys, usually without notice, is the landscapes tremendous cooling effect.  On a hot summer day, lawns will be 30 degrees cooler than asphalt and 14 degrees cooler than bare soil.  The front lawns of eight houses have the cooling effect of about 70 tons of air conditioning.  That is amazing when the average home has an air conditioner with just a three or four ton capacity.  The cooling effect of landscapes reduces the amount of fuel that must be burned to provide the electricity which powers the air conditioners.  This gives landscapes a positive net effect on atmospheric carbon reduction.

A Natural Filter
Storm water runoff in urban areas carries many pollutants.  Turfgrass acts as a natural filter, significantly reducing pollution by purifying the water passing through its root zone.

Soil Erosion
The clean gentle strength of turfgrass is the most cost-effective method for controlling wind and water erosion.  Bare soil landscape beds or mulch beds are much less resistant to erosion than a dense lawn.

Our Mental Health
Beautiful landscapes quietly add to the beauty of our lives and even our mental and physical health.  Doctors have shown that people recover faster in a hospital when given a landscape view, rather than seeing only the walls of adjoining buildings.

At Massey Services we strongly believe in being a responsible steward of our environment.  Our Landscape Services are a great way to help you improve yours.

Adam W. Jones
Vice President,
Director of Quality Assurance

Nothing is more natural during the summer than kids playing outdoors. But there are a few common pests that can get in the way of that fun.Here are a few common pests that can be aggravations to you and your kids this summer:

• Fire ants. These are the most dangerous ants you’ll find in your lawn. They deliver painful stings, which can cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylactic shock, in some people. In addition to attacking people, fire ants can also sting your pets.  Be sure to teach your kids not to disturb fire ants or their mounds and have a professional take care of the problem.
• Fleas. In our warm environment, fleas can develop from egg to adult in just 2 weeks. Plus, it’s possible for 10 adult fleas to produce over 250,000 offspring in just a month! While fleas are most often found on animals, they will also jump on humans for a blood meal. In addition to causing itching and discomfort, fleas have also been known to transmit diseases like plague, typhus and tapeworm.
• Mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are more than a summer annoyance;they can also carry harmful diseases. This potential danger makes it important to effectively treat the areas where mosquitoes live and breed, including dense foliage and standing water. To help keep mosquitoes away, be sure to replace all standing water, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants if going out at dusk or dawn. If you can’t avoid being in mosquito-infested areas, use insect repellent containing DEET on exposed skin.

Pests don’t have to spoil your family’s fun this summer. To keep them under control – guaranteed – contact Massey Services for a free,detailed pest inspection.

Sod webworms are caterpillars that feed on grass.  They can be found in all grasses, especially St. Augustinegrass.  Sod webworms normally startFlorida as early as mid-June.  From a distance, their damage looks like the grass was scalped too close by the lawn mower.  Up close you will see notches along the sides of the grass blades where the caterpillar has chewed.  They can be difficult to see because they feed only at night and rest in a curled position on the soil surface during the day.  becoming a problem in

Mature sod webworms can cause quite a bit of damage before they develop into dingy brown moths. They can consume enough grass in a short period of time to cause homeowners to think that the damage has occurred “overnight.”

As adults, sod webworms are small moths that do not cause damage.  They tend to hide in shrubs and other sheltered areas during the day and fly low to the ground when disturbed.  Female moths lay clusters of white eggs at night. The eggs can hatch within 7 days and there can be many generations each year.  Grass can recover from sod webworm damage if properly fertilized,irrigated and maintained.

To help keep your lawn looking healthy and green – and free of pests, contact Massey Services GreenUP Landscape Services for a free,detailed inspection and written estimate.

If you haven’t heard too much about chilli thrips, you will soon. These tiny, almost transparent, insects appeared in Florida a few years ago and are here to stay. They attack growing parts of plants and shrubs, feeding primarily on young leaves, buds and fruits.

Chilli thrips damage can be seen on the surface of the plants they feed on, which will typically appear shiny silver at first and then become yellow to greenish brown in color. If you find chilli thrips on your plants,remove the infected plant parts and discard completely. To minimize the damage done by chili thrips, early detection is essential to prevent full-scale infestation.

Keep your landscape protected this summer – contact MasseyServices today for your free, detailed landscape inspection.