[Maryj18]

We need help deciding what we can do ourselves and what really needs to be done around our house. We are confused by all the estimates and companies telling us what has to be done to maintain our home in the Villages. We realize that termite protection and house pest control need to be done, but do we really need shrub control, lawn care(not mowing)We would appreciate any advice given to us

[l2ridehd]

I put this list together. How much you can do yourself depends on how handy you are.

1. Irrigation system on year round, turn off for a while after heavy rain - one week- Adjust sprinkler heads every 6 months
2. Replace furnace/AC filter every 6 months and pour one gallon of hot/warm water mixed with two cups of white vinegar through the condensate drain.
3. Cut grass every week or two in summer and once a month in winter or as needed.
4. Power wash home once a year.
5. Clean and/or polish front door if fiberglass. Old English
6. Steam clean tile every 6 to 12 months or more as needed and re-seal tile grout every two years.
7. Service garage door guides and springs - spray with silicon every three months-tighten all nuts & bolts.
8. Fertilize your lawn with the correct seasonal type In the spring summer and fall
9. Treat for cinch bugs every spring or as needed
10. Spray your shrubs twice a year with the correct seasonal bug and fungus mix. Trim and prune as required.
11. Clean dryer vent annually
12. Replace all batteries in smoke and carbon dioxide detectors once a year.
13. Refurbish mulch once a year or as needed
14. Drain hot water tank annually, about 3 to 4 gallons.
15. Test and reset all ground fault (GFCI) outlets quarterly.
16. Check and reset lawn donuts spring and fall.
17. Change batteries in irrigation timer every 6 months.
18. Weed all beds and Preen every 3 months
19. Replace refrigerator water filter (Every 6 months)
20. Wash and polish wood cabinets every year with a light coat of furniture polish. Don’t use a paste wax and don’t use a polish that contains silicone.
21. Remove and clean faucet screens every 6 months
22. Spray outside perimiter of home, all entry pipes and inside sink base's with Ortho Perimeter Max or Talstar Pro every 2 months.
23. Brush cobwebs from eves, doors and windows every two months
24. Check postlamp bulb quarterly
25. Wash windows inside and out spring and fall

[loveinthesun]

I used Deans services for all of it. I came here to play not to continue to work. ;0) I hope you figure out what makes you happy and you love it here. Just use your own common sense I think allot of people try to confuse us to buy from them. Go with your gut and don't be high pressured into anything.

[Love2cruise]

Originally Posted by l2ridehd

I put this list together. How much you can do yourself depends on how handy you are.

1. Irrigation system on year round, turn off for a while after heavy rain - one week- Adjust sprinkler heads every 6 months
2. Replace furnace/AC filter every 6 months and pour one gallon of hot/warm water mixed with two cups of white vinegar through the condensate drain.
3. Cut grass every week or two in summer and once a month in winter or as needed.
4. Power wash home once a year.
5. Clean and/or polish front door if fiberglass. Old English
6. Steam clean tile every 6 to 12 months or more as needed and re-seal tile grout every two years.
7. Service garage door guides and springs - spray with silicon every three months-tighten all nuts & bolts.
8. Fertilize your lawn with the correct seasonal type In the spring summer and fall
9. Treat for cinch bugs every spring or as needed
10. Spray your shrubs twice a year with the correct seasonal bug and fungus mix. Trim and prune as required.
11. Clean dryer vent annually
12. Replace all batteries in smoke and carbon dioxide detectors once a year.
13. Refurbish mulch once a year or as needed
14. Drain hot water tank annually, about 3 to 4 gallons.
15. Test and reset all ground fault (GFCI) outlets quarterly.
16. Check and reset lawn donuts spring and fall.
17. Change batteries in irrigation timer every 6 months.
18. Weed all beds and Preen every 3 months
19. Replace refrigerator water filter (Every 6 months)
20. Wash and polish wood cabinets every year with a light coat of furniture polish. Don’t use a paste wax and don’t use a polish that contains silicone.
21. Remove and clean faucet screens every 6 months
22. Spray outside perimiter of home, all entry pipes and inside sink base's with Ortho Perimeter Max or Talstar Pro every 2 months.
23. Brush cobwebs from eves, doors and windows every two months
24. Check postlamp bulb quarterly
25. Wash windows inside and out spring and fall

What a great list, thank you for taking the time to post this.

[Paperboy]

On newer ac units don't use vinegar; hot water & a tad of dish soap. Even better, call the co. that installed your ac. for the CORRECT SOLUTION to use.

[jpharmat]

You need to decide just what you are willing to do. I would highly recommend having a "bug" guy for inside and outside.

[Paperboy]

Call Stellar for bug control; they are very thorough & customer friendly & do a GREAT job on their other services.

[carolclarkie]

That isn't really necessary. Maybe, the company you've asked is broke and they need all the money you can give them that is why they are offering unnecessary services. If you need a termite exterminator, try calling someone who offers termite extermination only.