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RETAIL CUSTOMER QUESTIONS
Pet Questions
Q1. Aren't all dog foods really the same?
A1. No. What we refer to as "grocery brands" are grain-based feeds. Typically the first ingredients are corn, corn gluten meal, and soybean meal, for example. They're 60% to 80% digestible. What we refer to as "super premiums" are meat-based, with the first ingredients being, typically, animal flesh, rice, and corn. They're 85% to 95% digestible. While grain-based feeds are complete and balanced, meat-based feeds are fed in much lower quantities, contain higher levels of linoleic acid, and cost less to feed.
Q2. Do I need to feed vitamin supplements?
A2. Usually not. Commercial pet foods are complete and balanced, which is the key to optimum nutrition. Supplementing can over-nutritionalize an animal, and there are consequences to that. Supplementing should be done upon the recommendation of a veterinarian.
Q3. My dog has terrible breath. Is there anything I can do to correct that?
A3. Dogs don't normally have bad breath, and when it occurs, it often is a symptom of a medical condition. Quite commonly, periodontal disease. There are pet " breath fresheners" on the market, but they don't correct the problem and, in fact, probably delay medical treatment. If your dog or cat has bad breath, make an appointment with your vet.
Q4. Is rawhide bad for dogs?
A4. Not inherently, but it can be a choking hazard or can cause an intestinal obstruction. Generally, if your dog rips large chunks off a rawhide chew, it may be safer to provide a different treat. Like any other pet supply store, we sell large quantities of rawhide products. That tells us that rawhide is an acceptable treat. You should never leave a dog unattended with toys or treats that could be a choking hazard.
Q5. Is "tug-of-war" an appropriate play activity for my puppy and me?
A5. It's probably not a good idea. You could damage your puppy's teeth or jaws. Also, you're probably trying to teach the puppy not to be aggressive with his mouth. Playing tug of war could send confusing messages to him.
Q6. What is it about chocolate that's bad for pets?
A6. There is a substance in chocolate called theobromine that acts as a cardiac stimulant in dogs and cats. The more pure the chocolate, the higher the level of theobromine. Two ounces of baking chocolate is enough to kill a small dog.
Q7. Should I occasionally pour pan drippings over my dog's food to improve his coat?
A7. Pan drippings and other high doses of fat can trigger attacks of acute pancreatitis, a life-threatening condition. Feed a super premium pet food and you won't need to supplement for a shiny coat.
Landscaping Questions
Q8. How do I determine the amount of mulch, loam, or crushed stone I need to dress up my property?
A8. One cubic yard of product covers approximately 100 square feet to a depth of 2 to 3 inches. Determine the sqaure footage of the areas you wish to dress up, and order the product accordingly.
Q9. If I want to build a stone wall, how do I determine the number of pallets of wall stone I'll need?
A9. The rule of thumb there is, that a pallet of wall stone is enough for about 30 linear feet, 1 foot high and single face.
Q10. Is it true that mulch attracts insects?
A10. Mulch doesn't necessarily attract insects, nor is it likely to support an infestation. Wood chips, on the other hand, though they don't necessarily attract insects, would more likely support an infestation. Wood-eating insects, such as carpenter ants, target wood, not the bark, so bark mulch doesn't usually offer anything attractive to them.
Q11. What repellents work best to keep woodchucks and other destructive animals out of my garden?
A11. There's no easy answer to that one. There are a number of products on the market, and people report various results. Predator urine, especially fox or coyote, has become very popular in recent years. It creates the illusion that predators are nearby, and that's a powerful deterrent. It's also all-natural. There are chemical and physical barriers, plus traps, woodchuck bombs, and scarecrows. Varmints are a perennial problem and there's no single solution.
Q12. I'd like to plant some shrubbery that blooms all summer. Any suggestions?
A12. About the only thing that fits that bill, and that can survive our winters, is the rose. Creating annual and perennial gardens will bring lots of vibrant color to your property, as well.
Q13. The guy at the discount department store said it's OK to put Grubex down in April, my neighbor says you wait till Fall, the bag says anytime from April through August. When DO I apply Grubex?
A13. There's a tremendous amount of confusion out there about this product, but here's the real deal: in southern New England, you apply Grubex, or Lebanon's Merit, in mid June to early July.
It all makes sense when you understand the biological timetable of the Japanese Beetle. It goes like this. Japanese Beetles terrorize your gardens in June. In July they burrow into the ground to lay their eggs. In late August and September, the eggs hatch into larvae ( the grub) and begin feeding on the roots of your lawn
In October, the grubs migrate below the frost line where they winter over in a dormant state. In March and April, they return to the root line for a Spring feeding. In May, they spin their cocoons, and in June emerge from the ground as adult Japanese Beetles
Merit and Grubex are in your soil for about 5 months, but it takes the active ingredient about a month to reach full strength. If you apply it in April, by the time it's at full strength, the grubs have spun cocoons and are protected. And by September, when you need it for the new crop of grubs, the active ingredient is pretty much depleted.
If you apply it in the Fall, the grubs may have migrated below the frost line before it reaches full strength. By the time they become active again in the Spring, the product has depleted.
If you apply it in late June or early July, the product is at peak effectiveness through August, September, and October, when you need it the most. You'll get a 97% kill rate, which will all but eliminate your grub problem next Spring.
Our thanks to Bob Schnabel of Lebanon-Seabord Corp. for his assistance in providing this information.
If you have any questions not answered here, please email us by clicking here.
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