American Family Insurance Tips & Trends: Keep Pests Out

We’re thrilled to have American Family Insurance sponsoring the Johnson County Home + Garden Show! American Family Insurance, along with their brand Ambassador Kathy Ireland, will share the latest safety tips and home decor trends. Check our blog frequently for more of American Family Insurance’s insights, or follow @amfam and @kchomeshows on Twitter to get the latest information!

Keep Pests Out

It's important to make the right preparations to ensure your home is pest free and secure.

For more homeowner advice visit the American Family Insurance team in Booth 404 at the Johnson County Home + Garden Show. Learn how they can help you, your family, and home stay safe.

Don't have tickets yet? Buy online and save $3! Click here to take advantage of this exclusive offer.

Sweepstakes Alert: When you're chatting with the American Family Insurance team at the show, don't forget to enter their sweepstakes. You could win a one-on-one consultation with Kathy Ireland and $15,000 in her home decor to reimagine your living space from American Family Insurance and Kathy Ireland World Wide. You can enter in Booth 404 or online at www.amfam.com/homeshows.

About American Family Insurance

Madison, Wis.– based American Family Insurance is the nation's third-largest mutual property/casualty insurance company and ranks 358th on the Fortune 500 list. The company sells American Family-brand products, including auto, homeowners, life, business and farm/ranch insurance, through its exclusive agents in 19 states. American Family affiliates (The General, Homesite and AssureStart) also provide options for consumers who want to manage their insurance matters directly over the Internet or by phone. Web: www.amfam.com; Facebook: www.facebook.com/amfam; Twitter: www.twitter.com/amfam; Google+: plus.google.com/+amfam/.

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Buggy Backyard? 3 Ways to Keep Pests From Your Patio

One of the downfalls of living in this part of the country is that we share our outdoor living spaces with mosquitoes and ticks. These unwelcome critters can ruin the experience of the most luxurious backyard oasis. We clear our properties of standing water and we light all the citronella candles we can find, but for many of us, our backyards remain buggy.

All hope is not lost. We went to three local experts who can help you reclaim your property from backyard pests.

Kill & Deter - One of the things that will attract bugs – especially mosquitoes – onto your property is the carbon dioxide your body emits, says Tina Brogan, president of Mosquito Shield in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Her company’s spray masks that scent, kills adult mosquitoes and deters others from coming back onto the property. For a flat fee of a few hundred dollars, the company will return throughout the summer season an average of once every two weeks – more frequently if it’s rainy.

Confuse - There are several plants and flowers that can be added to your outdoor areas that, because of the scents they produce, act as a natural deterrent for backyard pests from mosquitoes to rabbits. David Groth, partner of Village Nursery & Gardens in Boyertown, Pennsylvania, says marigolds, lavender and catnip are popular options. Homeowners need not build a wall of defense, but can spread these plants throughout their gardens. The perk is that many of these choices produce nice looking flowers to add to the aesthetics of your yard while helping keep the pests away.

Block - For a more permanent solution, some homeowners decide to screen in their outdoor living spaces or even add a three-season or four-season room to their homes. Melissa Skinner of Patio Enclosures says dedicated outdoor living spaces have been a hot trend for the past five years and many people are deciding to put up screens or walls that not only block pests, but protect them from the elements and create a space that can be used beyond the warmer months. She says that many people who start with a screen system to solve their bug problem will upgrade to a glass system to extend the time they can spend in that space.

If you are interested in learning more, the experts in this piece can be found at the following booth numbers: 

• Mosquito Shield: Booth #217
• Patio Enclosures: Booth #419
• Village Nursery & Gardens: Can be found in the Feature Gardens exhibit 

The Philly Home + Garden Show takes over the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks from January 15-17, 2016. With hundreds of home improvement and gardening experts ready to help you with your space, it's a must-attend event for Philadelphia homeowners.

Don't have tickets yet? Buy now and save! Get 2-for-1 tickets when you connect with us on Facebook. Treat a friend or family member to the show - we'd love to see you there!

GREATER PHILADELPHIA EXPO CENTER
JANUARY 15-17, 2016.

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Home + Remodeling Show Exhibitor Spotlight: Mosquito Joe

We're excited to have Mosquito Joe joining us at the 2016 Home + Remodeling Show. Mosquito Joe provides mosquito control treatment to residential and commercial customers. Their technicians are trained mosquito experts dedicated to one thing: getting rid of mosquitoes so that you can enjoy being outside again.

Outfitted with the latest gear and baked by the coordination of a top-notch support staff, Mosquito Joe technicians in the field get the job done swiftly, thoroughly and safely. They offers a variety of services to suit your unique needs, whether you need a barrier spray, misting system, or just a one-time service for a special event.

Make sure to see them at the 2016 Home + Remodeling Show. Can't wait that long? We caught up with the Mosquito Joe team to talk about what they've got planned for the show. Get a sneak peek below!

Please describe your services.

"Mosquito Joe employs State Certified Technicians to provide a highly effective pest control barrier spray around your home and yard area. Our options for type of spray includes a standard mosquito eradicator spray as well an Eco Friendly spray that is garlic based. In addition to mosquitoes, our products are effective at getting rid of ticks, fleas and 23 other flying pests. Our applications are targeted for the warm months between March and October."

What are your best tips for homeowners this season?

"Mosquitoes suck, and they can make working in your garden or flower beds, or even barbequeing, an awful experience. For that reason we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee and never lock you into a contract. If you are not completely satisfied with the effectiveness of our barrier spray services, contact us within 14 days of your treatment and we will re-spray your property at no additional charge. We have absolute confidence in our products and pride ourselves in customer service and our job is not done until you're happy and The Outside is Fun Again!"

Will you have any show specials?

"At the show, we will be offering everyone $39 first sprays for up to 1 acre lot sizes. We will also be offering a chance to win a free spray and some great giveaways."

What are your home and garden pet peeves?

"We hate being exposed to pests that can possibly carry diseases that are very harmful to humans. Lyme disease and West Nile are two of worst, and last year we had both of them in the DELMARVA area."

What is your favorite part about the Home + Remodeling Show?

"In two and half days we are able to get exposure to our neighbors and potential customers. It is a great use of our time and a chance to let everyone know we have a pest control plan that works for anyone."

The Home + Remodeling Show takes over the Dulles Expo Center January 22-24, 2016. With hundreds of home improvement experts ready to help with your latest home project this is a must-attend event for Northern Virginia and DC homeowners.

Don't have tickets yet? Buy 'em online to save big! Click here to SAVE $3 on tickets!

DULLES EXPO CENTER
JANUARY 22-24, 2016.

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