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A Guide On How To Compost For Beginners

killingsworth compost

Composting 101

It’s getting harder and harder to deny that our environment is in trouble. From air, water, soil, and land pollution to climate change, ozone layer depletion, loss of endangered species, and loss of biodiversity, the list of current environmental concerns goes on and on. You might feel like there is nothing you can do to stop these monstrous and inevitable environmental problems, like any changes you make won’t make a big enough difference, or like is too late–but we’re here to tell you that’s not true! We can all make the world a better place! One way you can do so? Compost!   

How does composting help the environment?

One of the biggest environmental problems facing us today is an increase in waste. And one way to reduce the waste you produce is to compost! Our garbage is made up of about 35% food and yard waste, 25% paper, 25% other mixed, 7% plastics, 5% metals, and 3% glass–30% of which could be composted. Composting is a process of decomposition that’s fueled by millions of microscopic organisms who consume and recycle waste to produce a rich and nutritious soil that can then be used as a fertilizer. Besides significantly reducing the amount of waste we produce every day, composting has a whole bunch of other environmental benefits:

    • Fertilizes better than anything else- Because it’s an entirely natural product, compost contains both macro and micro-nutrients. Nutrients that can’t be found in synthetic fertilizers sold in stores.
    • Encourages the best kind of plant growth- Compost aids in plant growth, acts as a soil conditioner, and a natural pesticide.
    • Increases worm count in your garden (yes, that’s a good thing)- Compost prevents soil from eroding and therefore stops the spread of plant diseases, increasing the presence of beneficial garden animals like worms!
    • Retains water- Compost improves the soil’s ability to retain water and therefore decreases runoff. (Runoff is what pollutes our water systems!)The composting process is natural, easy, fun, and essentially free. How can you pass up on the opportunity to help our environment?Not sure where to begin? We’ve created the guide below to help you become a compost master!Your Killingsworth Compost GuideTo compost or not to compost Certain organic matter can be turned into compost, but not all. Good compostable items include fruit and vegetable remnants (like banana peels and apple cores), coffee grinds, egg shells, garden waste (like grass clippings and raked leaves), feathers, nuts, shells, and paper. While, non-compostable items include cat/dog/animal waste, meat, fat, oil, grease, bones, colored paper, ash/ coals, toxic materials and all non-biodegradable material. Check out this full list of compostable and non-compostable items.   Your role in the composting process There are things you can do to creating an optimal composting environment which will help speed up the entire process.
      1. Decide whether you’re going to use a small or large composting bin. Larger bins will compost more quickly because they self-generate heat, but they’ll require more turning. Smaller bins work only if they have solid sides and a lid to keep the heat in.
      2. Start with a layer of soil. Then mix in yard waste and food scraps (“green” materials) and dry materials like leaves and shredded paper (“brown” materials) to add carbon.
      3. Cut up any waste material before adding it to your pile as it will break down more quickly.
      4. Aerate your compost by turning it frequently because the microorganisms that live in your compost pile are working hard to complete the decomposition process and need oxygen.  
      5. Keep your compost damp–not wet though! If you’re composting outside and get a good amount of rain, consider covering your pile or else you’ll end up with a slimy and smelly mess.
      6. Add worms! Again, worms are good especially during composting as they speed up the process.
      Go and use your compost for good!Once your compost becomes a soft, smooth, black or dark brown, earthy smelling material, it’s ready for use! What you have on your hands is an incredibly rich and nutrient soil which can be used all over your yard from your vegetable garden to your flower beds, lawn, and more! For more lawn care tips download your copy of our Killingsworth Workbook for Lawn Care Tips, Tricks, and Checklists from our specialists. Not only will your yard benefit greatly from your magic compost, so will the environment. At Killingsworth we firmly believe in making the world a better place. From the chemicals we use to our humane wildlife control process, we commit to always be as environmentally friendly and conscious as possible. Composting can actually be a great way to get your kids excited about going green, we wrote a blog about it!

Killingsworth knows how important it is to sustain the environment that surrounds you, which is why we offer lawn care services nothing shy of excellent. Schedule an appointment with our lawn professionals today.

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A Guide On How To Compost For Beginners

Bedbug inspection

How to Know if Your Hotel Has Bedbugs

Upon entering a hotel room, do you typically reach for the tiny toiletries, take a leap onto the bed, or perhaps start by inspecting for bed bugs? Knowing what to look for is essential. Anticimex Carolinas Service Manager Christian Tweed has shared valuable insights on identifying bed bugs in your hotel room and preventing them from hitching a ride back home with you. And if bed bugs do become an unexpected part of your vacation, remember that Clark’s Pest Control is here to assist!



Q&A with a Pest Professional


How do bed bugs get inside hotels?


Bed bugs are primarily hitchhiking insects as opposed to foraging ones, meaning that they get carried around on people’s clothes and belongings. Someone with an active infestation in their home can easily bring bed bugs to their hotel, but they can also be picked up during travel (airplanes, taxis, and rideshare services) and brought to a hotel room.


What do people misunderstand about bed bugs in hotels?


From a probability standpoint, all hotels will deal with bed bugs at some point in time. If you think about a bed bug’s method of travel, there’s literally nothing a hotel can do to stop them from being carried in. What I have realized is that luxury hotels are more likely to have an aggressive response to dealing with a bed bug case once it’s identified as they tend to have a higher quality of service and a reputation to protect. While this isn’t always the case, it has been my experience more often than not.

Got bedbugs? Call Clark’s at 866-781-4991 today!

What do you recommend travelers do when they get to their room to check for bed bugs?


Most hotel headboards hang directly on the wall. I start my inspection here before even looking at the bed itself. I have found bed bugs, their exoskeletons, and the telltale black stains they leave behind around the edges of or in the crevices of headboards. If the headboard looks clean, move on to looking over the pillowcases and comforter for any signs or stains. You can dig into the bedding as deep as you want here, but I encourage people to look over the top layer of things at the very least.


What are some lesser-known signs of bed bugs in your hotel room?


The specifics of the black stains they leave behind, which as gross as it sounds, are just digested blood as that’s all that bed bugs feed on. If the stains are on a hard surface, they will be small dots as if left behind by an ink pen and will smear into a brownish gray when moisture is applied. If they’re on fabric, they will usually bleed along the fibers making a small diamond, square or X shape.


If there are bed bugs in your hotel room, can they travel home with you?


They absolutely can, however this is easy to prevent. While staying in a hotel, keep as much of your clothing and luggage off the beds as possible. Storing suitcases in the bathroom might sound odd, but it’s an effective method of prevention.

Don’t tackle bedbugs yourself, call Clark’s at 866-781-4991!

What should you do with your suitcase if you suspect your hotel has bed bugs?


When arriving home from a trip, leave your luggage in the garage or on a porch and bring your clothes in one load of laundry at a time. If the clothes are dirty, wash them like you normally would, if they’re clean then run them through the dryer for at least forty-five minutes. Once your suitcase is empty, vacuum over it meticulously (don’t forget to empty the vacuum when you’re done), or if you’re in the right climate, expose it to heat for a few days by placing it in your vehicle (parked in the sun) or for a few weeks in your attic.


The Clark’s Solution


If you brought bed bugs back to you home, Clark’s is here to help. Our Bedbug Control service is designed to eliminate bedbugs and create a safe, comfortable environment.


A Clark’s Pest Professional will do an inspection and recommend a plan of attack to get rid of bed bugs now and prevent them from hatching in the future. Call Clark’s at 866-781-4991 today for more information.



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