everythinghomefall2014

homeEverything

Your Guide to Home Improvement and Real Estate

Make your home smarter

Give your kitchen a facelift

Create a crafty Bistro at home

A special supplement to the News~Patriot and Hopewell News.

FALL 2014

2 | EvErything homE Fall 2014

4 Make your home smarter

7Safe, green

ways to protect family & home

9 Give your kitchen a facelift

contents

FALL 2014

Publisher Craig Richards [email protected]

eDiTOriAl James Peacemaker Jr., Managing Editor

ADVerTisiNG Daniel Ayala, Account Executive [email protected] Rachel Cole, Account Executive [email protected]

Amy Hosey, Account Executive [email protected] Kay Johnson, Account Executive [email protected]

Dana Johnson, Account Executive [email protected]

Sandy Paravati [email protected]

PrODuCTiON Freda Snyder, Creative Director [email protected]

Steven Patterson, Composing Donna Fibbiani Pat Cook, Composing

Published by Hopewell Publishing Company 516 E Randolph Road, Hopewell, VA 23860 P.O. Box 481, Hopewell, Va. 23860 www.news-patriot.com • www.hopewellnews.com (804) 458-8511

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©2014 by Hopewell Publishing Company

Paint-free ways to brighten your home

Realtors learn to manage hoarding situations

Defoliation of White Oak Trees worries Virginia homeowners

Tips for a healthier home

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homeEverything

Your Guide to Home Improvement and Real Estate

14Create a craftyBistro at home

EvErything homE Fall 2014 | 3

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Contributed by Family Features

With apps that offer comfort, convenience and security, homeowners are getting more out of their smartphones to make their homes better, smarter places to live. Smart home apps such as those from Nest are expected to link various home devices together to bring peace of mind, control and even energy savings to our lives.

It seems like yesterday when smartphone technology was limited only to voice and text message communications. But today, these handheld, portable gadgets allow users to do everything from setting the thermostat to a comfy temperature to ensuring the garage door is closed. The best part is all of these helpful functions can be performed away from home, so homeowners can monitor their most valuable investment — even while out of town.

Illustration courtesy of Getty Images


Here is a guide to new technologies that exist to make homes smarter than ever before:

A comfortable nook

Brimming with framed memories and other trinkets that show your family’s unique style, you’ve likely put a lot of time and effort into making your home as comfortable as it can be. With schedules growing more hectic by the minute, you deserve a comfortable place to relax. Beyond the basic comforts of plush furniture or toasty bedding, technology can make your abode better. Here are some additional ways to add a touch of comfort through technology:

n Make temperatures just right

Imagine coming home from a trip to learn your town is experiencing extreme weather conditions. There’s no need to worry about how hot or cold your home will be. Special apps allow you to control the temperature settings on the thermostat from your smartphone or tablet, so your home’s temperature will be just the way you like it when you arrive. These capabilities are also eco-friendly, allowing users to regulate the temperature while the home is unoccupied, which can mean big savings on energy bills.

n Let a little sunlight in

Until recently, motorized window shades were a luxury only the rich and famous could enjoy — that is until smartphone technology came into play. With the touch of a finger, homeowners can now adjust their curtains and the natural light streaming into their rooms with one of several applications. These special systems even allow you to set a schedule for opening your shades, so you can wake up to natural light every morning.

Bringing convenience home

With the busy daily schedules today’s families must manage, everyone can use some convenience from time to time. Here are some ways technology makes life at home a little easier:

n Program favorites with ease

Have you ever misplaced your television’s remote control? Do you have a hard time remembering to record your favorite television programs before leaving the house? Both of these problems can be solved with your phone. By downloading an app to connect to your smart TV, you can instantly turn your phone into a remote control. This allows you to schedule your favorite show and film recordings from anywhere.

n Save time in the kitchen and beyond

Standard kitchen appliances are getting a technological upgrade. Cooks can now save time with apps that allow them to preheat, monitor food as it cooks and turn off the oven all from their phone. Many other appliances, such as washers and dryers, are also on board with connectivity. New apps allow homeowners to check laundry cycles and receive alerts when their clothes are clean and dry.

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Safe and secure living

Protecting one’s family and belongings is important to every homeowner. Luckily, technology makes it easy to monitor these valuables no matter where you are. Here are some ways you can add safety to your home with your handy smartphone or tablet device:

n Monitor your garage from anywhere

Since opening and closing the garage door is so much a part of your daily routine, it’s often hard to remember if it was closed. The many families who use their garage as the main door to their home can now have peace of mind. Designed to work with a free smartphone app, MyQ Garage by Chamberlain works with the majority of garage door openers installed after 1993 and uses your home’s existing Wi-Fi, allowing you to open your garage door from anywhere. Are you

afraid you left the garage door open as you left for work this morning or somehow it has been opened unexpectedly? The handy MyQ app sends automatic notifications to your smartphone when the door opens or closes, so you won’t have to go back home to check. Plus, the MyQ Garage can be installed in just minutes with no wiring required. For more information, visit www.chamberlain.com.

n Keeping an eye on things

Frequent travelers and businesspeople will love the remote monitoring capabilities available from various home security providers. With a few taps on your device, you can monitor your home from any location. This can even mean checking on Fido while out running errands.

n Flip the switch

When traveling, many people leave lights on inside their homes to deter thieves. Some smart apps allow you to control various lighting sources within your home through your smartphone or tablet. Now you won’t have to beg your neighbor to house sit while you’re away. Do you have a forgetful family member who always leaves on the lights? Save energy and money with the ability to turn off those lights from anywhere.


Safe, Green Ways to Protect Family & HomeContributed by Family Features

There are many ways to keep pests away from your home, but many homeowners question the safety risks certain products pose on their family and pets. Here are some simple ways to successfully keep the pests at bay without compromising your family’s safety:

KeeP your yArd tidy:

• Always keep trees and shrubs trimmed back away from the house. When branches and leaves hang over, pests have an easy walkway right to your home.

• While picking up leaves, grass clippings and falling debris requires additional effort, it is important to get rid of it. Lingering piles of yard debris can serve as a perfect breeding ground for pests to nest and call home.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images


• Be sure to mow your yard on a regular basis to reduce the risk of a flea or tick outbreak.

• To keep pests from outdoor areas where your family spends time, use Nature-Cide Natural Outdoor Insect & Pest Spray, which can be used to eradicate and prevent outdoor insect, reptile and rodent infestations.

Adorn your yArd with ProPer PLAntS:

• A sturdy, healthy plant is less likely to be attacked by pests. Provide plants with optimal sunlight, water and nutrients so they can grow strong, keeping pests away.

• Look for plants that attract predators of pests, such as earthworms, ladybugs and spiders.

ALwAyS SeeK nAturAL ProductS:

• Before choosing pest protection products, be sure to carefully read the label to ensure that they are safe for use around children, pets and plants.• Some products, such as Nature-Cide natural insect and pest control products, are 100 percent natural and are available in Outdoor, Indoor and All Purpose use formulas.

KeeP the indoorS cLeAn:

• Always keep kitchen

thoroughly cleaned with no food, liquid or water residue on dishes, countertops or appliances. If you have pets, be sure to keep their food in a sealed container and regularly clean out their food and water bowls. By cutting off their food and water source, most pests will look for a different, more welcoming place to dine.

• Empty trash cans throughout the home on a regular basis. These are prime spots for pests to gather.

A natural defense to pests starts by following just a few simple tasks. For more tips to keep your home safe from pests, visit www.nature-cide.com.

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RGive Your Kitchen a Facelift


Ever hear the saying “Kitchens sell a home?” Well it’s true; the kitchen is the most important room in the home. Whether you’re considering putting your house on the market or investing in your home for

personal long-term enjoyment, an upgraded and attractive kitchen can make your home irresistible.

While a well-designed kitchen incorporates elements of luxury and style, it’s also important to focus on kitchen updates that will make everyday life easier — so you can spend less time doing chores and more time making memories with the family.

Easy Updates to Increase Your Home’s Value & Save You Time

Photo courtesy of Getty Images


A simple way to give your kitchen an instant facelift is to replace old, outdated or mismatched appliances with newer models. They are not only aesthetically appealing but they can simplify the cooking and cleanup process. Here are some key points to consider when purchasing:

Maintenance free stainless steel appliances

When potential home buyers walk into a kitchen, the first thing they will look for are updated and matching appliances. An appealing kitchen is one with a complete set of matching appliances for a modern and inviting appearance.

Many buyers love the look of stainless steel appliances but are reluctant to purchase because of fingerprints and watermarks. According to an EMA-NA Refrigeration Attitude & Usage Consumer Study 2011 conducted by Equation Research, 50 percent of consumers report a key pain point is their stainless steel refrigerators show

fingerprints. To alleviate that concern, look for new technologies that resist streaks and smudges. Frigidaire Gallery® makes a line of Smudge-Proof™ Stainless Steel appliances that resist fingerprints and clean easily, keeping your appliances looking great while cutting down on cleanup time.

Maximizing time and space in the kitchen

When trying to maximize space in your kitchen, built-in and counter depth appliances are the way to go. In fact, counter depth appliances, like refrigerators give you back over four inches of kitchen space. Built-in wall ovens and cooktops increase countertop space as well as cooking capacity, not to mention a sleek looking kitchen and entertaining space.

Consider the different types of cooktops available too — gas, electric or induction. Induction cooktops are in high demand because they offer more precise and efficient cooking methods. A perfect

example is the Frigidaire Gallery® Induction Cooktop that can boil water in less than two minutes yet stay amazingly cool to the touch.

The oven you select can also have a big impact on cutting down cooking and prep time in the kitchen. According to the EMA-NA study, 67 percent of consumers think their ovens take too long to preheat and 40 percent are dissatisfied because their food does not cook evenly. A new trend to help alleviate these concerns is a double wall oven, which provides the timesaving benefit by cooking multiple dishes at once. The Frigidaire Gallery® Double Wall Oven saves prep time and cook time with its quick preheat feature and true convection feature. Once the food is out of the oven, the quick self-clean cycle cleans the oven in just two hours helping Frigidaire take you through mealtime in no time, from start to clean.

Flexible storage options that can save you money

When it comes to purchasing

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refrigerators and freezers, it’s important to find something that allows for adjustable storage to meet personal, lifestyle needs. According to the 2013 Frigidaire Freezer Savings Study conducted by Phoenix Marketing International, approximately 60 percent of consumers indicate they don’t have enough storage capacity in their refrigerator’s freezer, causing them to make multiple trips to the grocery store each week. Owning a secondary freezer allows you to make 1 1/2 less trips to the store each month and saves an average of 60 hours per year at the grocery store, according to Frigidaire research. Overall, those who own a secondary freezer say it allows them to stock up on family favorite foods, and the extra storage space lets them take advantage of sales and buying in bulk.

As busy families are looking to streamline and save on meal time, a secondary freezer will not only pay for itself in a year according to the

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Additional Upgrades to ConsiderHere are a few other simple, yet worthwhile, upgrades to improve the kitchen.

Pendant lighting Add visual interest with a beautiful set of pendant lights. Ideally place them above a kitchen island so they don’t interfere with foot traffic.

Hardware This is also an easy fix with a big payoff. Replace cabinet knobs and pulls with a fresh, modern set for a fast visual update and to help tie in the new appliances.

Kitchen faucet As one of the most-used items in the house, this fixture has its fair share of wear and tear. Replacing the faucet is an easy and quick project that will make an impact.

Pull out trays To eliminate the need to dig for pots and pans, install rolling trays in your cabinets.

Frigidaire study, but will also make your home stand out when it’s on the market. The Frigidaire 2-in-1 Classic Slate Freezer or Refrigerator can quickly and easily switch between refrigerator and freezer mode, giving you the flexibility to prepare meals in advance and freeze them or keep extra beverages cold with the flip of a switch.

Making a few easy kitchen upgrades can add instant value and save you time, making your home more enjoyable for you and your family. For more information on the full suite of Frigidaire Gallery® appliances, visit www.frigidaire.com.

12 | EvErything homE Fall 2014Photo courtesy of METRO


Paint-free ways to brighten your home

Autumn is a beautiful time of year marked by pleas-ant temperatures and colorful fall foliage. But

as vibrant as nature can be in the weeks after summer has ended, ho-meowners know that the shortened days of autumn mean less light in-side their homes, which can become dreary even in the weeks before the arrival of winter.

Many homeowners pick up their paintbrushes in an effort to make their homes more colorful. But homeowners need not embrace their inner Picasso to brighten their homes’ interiors. The following are a handful of paint-free ways to add some splashes of color to your home this fall.

• Bring nature inside. Flowers and plants can make colorful additions to a home’s interior. Flowers tend to be aromatic, which can make a stuffy house in which windows need to be kept closed a lot more pleas-ant. Plants and flowers also can improve indoor air quality. Several studies, including one published in the Journal for the AmericanSoci-ety for Horticultural Science, have shown that houseplants improve indoor air quality by filtering out volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, that can be harmful to human health. That’s especially important come late fall and winter, when homeowners typically shut

their windows and keep them shut until spring, making it difficult for fresh air to enter a home.

• Invest in some colorful throw pillows. Natural sunlight brightens a room come spring and summer. But sunlight is increasingly scarce as fall turns into winter, and rooms that do not boast too many color-ful accents can quickly grow drab as summertime sunlight dwindles. Instead of buying new furniture, in-vest in some colorful throw pillows to give a room a more vibrant look. Patterns can be mixed and matched to provide some contrast and trans-form a room from somewhere to spend time into a sight to behold.

• Paper the walls. While many of today’s homeowners prefer paint to wallpaper, those who want a less permanent solution to brighten up their homes may want to consider removable wallpaper. Such paper is less expensive than traditional wallpaper, and many do-it-your-selfers find removable wallpaper is easy to both install and remove. Choose a colorful pattern that can turn an otherwise plain wall into a potent palette that adds some life to your home’s interior. Because re-movable wallpaper does not require a significant financial investment, you can experiment with various colors or change things up each month if you so desire.

• Add some artwork. Another way to add color to the walls inside your home without dusting off your paintbrush is to hang some color-ful artwork. Paintings that feature bold colors tend to draw your im-mediate attention when you enter a room, and that quality can make you forget the room is not benefit-ting from natural light. If you want to go the extra mile, find a painting that features colors which match throw pillows or other accessories in the room. This way your walls and your accessories are working in concert to make a room more color-ful.

• Rug it out. A patterned throw rug is another accessory that can ef-fectively brighten a room without much effort or financial investment on the part of homeowners. When choosing a throw rug, find one that’s colorful but does not clash considerably with existing furnish-ings, as you don’t want the rug to draw attention for all the wrong reasons. You have more freedom with regard to rugs if you’re fur-nishing an empty room, as you can choose whichever rug you look and then choose additional furnishings based on the rug.

Homes tend to darken as late fall turns into winter. But homeowners can brighten their homes in vari-ous ways, even if they prefer not to paint.

Contributed by metro


Create a Crafty Bistro at HomeContributed by Family Features

This fall, toast the coming of cooler nights by gathering friends to enjoy an assortment of wines and refreshments against the backdrop of your very own Bordeaux bistro. You can recreate this simple warmth and elegance in your home with craft projects that set the mood for an evening of intimate laughter and decadent indulgence.

Candlelight can instantly transform a room, so incorporate simple decorative touches featuring candles that blend modern style and old world ambiance. An ombre dye effect creates a vivid impression on a simple arrangement of corks

with the Uncorked Candle Holder, a project from the crafting experts at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores. Burlap and jute detailing bring rustic flair.

On the dinner table, every setting needs some sparkle. Colorful beads shimmer between cork squares on artfully designed Cork and Bead Napkin Rings. Choose beads in coordinating colors for maximum visual appeal, and pair with richly toned linens stitched with contrasting thread for an ultra-sophisticated look.

For more crafty ideas to help you toast the arrival of fall, visit www. joann.com.

Photos courtesy of Getty Images

Create a Crafty Bistro at Home

uncorKed cAndLe hoLder Crafting time: 1-2 hoursSkill level: Some experience necessary

Supplies and tools:Rit dye3 disposable cupsHot water16 decorative wine corksPaintbrushScissors2-inch burlap ribbon3-inch square glass containerAdhesive or glueJute cord

1. Prepare 3 cups of dyeing solutions: 1 cup very concen-trated with dye, 1 cup watered-down with dye and 1 cup of water.

2. Apply dye to corks with paintbrush to create an ombre ef-fect, with the darkest, most concentrated color at the bottom, followed by the watered-down dye. Use the water to blend one layer of color into the next. Allow to dry.

3. Use scissors to trim burlap ribbon to fit around perimeter of glass container. Glue in place and allow to dry.

4. Glue dyed corks on top of burlap ribbon.

5. Wrap jute cord around corks. Use scissors to trim as needed, and finish with a bow or tassel.

corK And BeAd nAPKin ringSCrafting time: 1-2 hoursSkill level: Some experience necessaryMakes 1 ring and 6 napkins

Supplies and tools:ScissorsRuler12 inches stretch jewelry cord1/8-inch thick cork sheetThick needle or pin15-20 bicone crystal beads1 1/2 yards 45-inch home decor fabric3 spools of thread in contrasting colorSerger overlock sewing machineBasic sewing suppliesRotary cutter and mat (optional)

1. Cut a 12-inch length of jewelry cord.

2. Cut 15 to 20 half-inch squares from cork sheet.

3. Pierce a hole through center of all cork squares using needle or pin.

4. Alternate threading bicone crystals and cork squares along 7 inches of jewelry cord.

5. Tie cord ends together and knot three or four times. Trim excess.

6. Repeat instructions to create additional rings for napkins.

7. To make napkins, cut six 18-inch squares from fabric.

8. Serge around edges with short-length overlock stitch.


Realtors and property managers, receive step-by-step instruction on handling hoarding situations


Photos Courtesy of SVAR

Mally Mason, Fair Housing training specialist for the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, leads a two-hour class on how to handle loved ones, friends or tenants who hoard during a presentation at the Southside Virginia Association of Realtors in Colonial Heights. The association offered the class as a public service.

By Victoria HecHt

SoutHSide Virginia aSSociation of realtorS

Mally Mason knew that hoarding would soon come to the forefront of fair housing law in 2011 when she watched an episode of A&E Network’s “Hoarders” featuring a California man whose collection literally ran him out of the house.

What began as a couple of caged pet rats morphed into more than 2,500 – living in the walls, chewing away at the mattresses, crawling on him as he ate and slept – until they overran his home, forcing the collector to began sleeping in his shed. Still, the man wept when the animals were humanely removed from his home, one by one, in individual cages.

“What really struck me is the intensity of the man’s emotion as they took the rats out of the house,” said Mason, Fair Housing training specialist for the Virginia Department of Professional and


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Occupational Regulation, during the class “Hoarders, Hoarding and The Virginia Fair Housing Law” offered this month to the public by the Southside Virginia Association of Realtors.

Mason’s prediction after watching the cringe-worthy episode proved correct: In 2013, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) recognized hoarding – or disposophobia – as a mental disorder and, as such, a disability. Thus, those who hoard are considered a protected class under the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, familial status, national origin or disability.

America’s fascination with the disorder, spawned by “Hoarders” and a second cable series, “TLC’s Hoarding: Buried Alive,” may be recent, but the disorder’s ramifications hit too close to home for family and friends of those who hoard, landlords and property managers who have tenants who hoard and, of course, the hoarders themselves.

According to the APA, up to 5 percent of the population displays symptoms of clinical hoarding. That’s more than 350,000,000 worldwide and, in the United States, over 16,000,000 people. To gain perspective, that’s

more than three times the amount of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease, according to Alzheimer’s Association figures.

Hoarding, defined as the excessive collection of items, along with the inability to discard them, goes far beyond simply having “too much stuff,” and may create cramped living conditions so extreme that homes may be filled to capacity with narrow pathways winding through stacks of clutter. Some people, Mason said, also collect animals, keeping dozens or more pets in unsanitary conditions.

According to the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, hoarding is a chronic and progressive condition, often beginning early in life; 50 percent of hoarders grew up with a family member who hoards. Hoarders, Mason said, are most commonly senior-aged women, noting, “If seniors lived during the Depression, they’re likely to believe it could happen again.” The age demographic is particularly important, she added, because of the growth rate of that population segment; seniors represent 20 percent of Americans.

About 75 percent of hoarders engage in excessive buying, according to Randy Frost, professor of psychology at Smith College and author of “Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things,” while 50 percent excessively acquire free items – think promotional items and “freebies” at events. But, though they may be drowning in their possessions, don’t stereotype hoarders as dirty or disheveled in appearance, Mason said.

“A lot of hoarders look neat and well dressed. What you don’t know is that they got up at 4 a.m. to search for their clothes,” she said.

Common causes for hoarding include trauma, emotional attachment, self-worth issues, decision-making deficit, and issues with responsibility and waste, Mason said. Hoarders may also be battling major depression, general anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder. In some who have suffered loss, “Things become people’s friends – they don’t die or go away.”

Hoarding becomes a problem, Mason said, when it becomes a safety and health issue. And, when the hoarder is a renter, the clutter is not just a code violation, but a lease violation, too. The violations may include hoards so extreme that they block exits, are fire hazards, render rooms unusable for their intended purposes and attract infestations of pests.


Animal-hoarding violations include excessive numbers of animals, damage and unhealthy conditions caused by their waste.

For landlords and property managers dealing with a hoarder, there is no quick solution, Mason said. They should consider all avenues to avoid eviction and work with the individual – within reasonable accommodation – to bring the rental up to code. That may include establishing deadlines for the tenant to clean up and bring the housing into code compliance, and making disposal bins available. She suggested landlords and tenants strive to listen without judgment, treat the hoarder with respect and dignity, and recognize small steps of progress in eliminating clutter with the focus on safe and sanitary conditions within the dwelling.

Class participants left the two-hour class with insight into hoarders’ minds and situations, and advice on how to help and address loved ones who hoard. Real estate professionals, including Realtors and property managers, received step-by-step instruction on handling hoarding situations.

“I think a lot of times it doesn’t start out as hoarding, but as depression – where they feel unloved and shop all the time,” said Cordie Baird, an associate broker with Napier REALTORS ERA® in Colonial Heights. “This was an excellent class. So many people are oblivious to the reasons behind hoarding and think it’s just laziness.”

Added Jennifer McCrary, a Realtor with Harris & Associates in Chester, “If you watch the shows and only watch the shows, you don’t understand. You can’t, because you don’t know what the hoarder feels.”

• Victoria Hecht is the communications and public relational specialist for the Southside Virginia Association of Realtors. Reach her at [email protected]. The Southside Virginia Association of Realtors is a professional organization dedicated to promoting excellence in real estate business practices and advocating on behalf of the interests of private property owners. Its members also are members of the 29,000-member Virginia Association of Realtors as well as the National Association of Realtors. SVAR encompasses Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Petersburg, Chester, Emporia and Ettrick, and Dinwiddie, Greensville, Prince George, Surry and Sussex counties and much of Chesterfield County. For more info on SVAR and more educational opportunities offered by it, go to www.SVARealtors.com.

Commonly hoarded items

• Clothes• Magazines and newspapers• CDs/videotapes• Pens• Bills and receipts• Books• Paper/plastic bags• Old food• Containers• Expired medicines• Freebies• Boxes/cardboard

“Extreme” hoarded items

• Used diapers• Rotten food• Animals• Body products, including hair, nails and feces


Photos courtesy of METRO


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courteSy of tHe Virginia department of foreStry

Homeowners in six Virginia counties have kept the phone lines buzzing at Virginia Department of Forestry and Virginia Cooperative Extension offices expressing concern about defoliated white oak trees. Forestry officials have conducted aerial and ground surveys and determined that, while this occurrence is fairly widespread, it is concentrated in and around the hills of western Fauquier County and adjacent Loudoun County. Portions of Prince William, Culpeper, Orange and Rappahannock counties are also affected.

The culprit appears to be a very tiny insect known as a gall wasp. There are many species of gall wasps, particularly those that affect oak trees. These ‘wasps’ do not sting, and are rarely ever noticed by the public. However, this type of insect injects eggs into plant tissue, which forms a swelling or ‘gall’ around the injection site. Inside a hollow space within the gall, the developing egg hatches into a larva, and ultimately emerges from the gall as an adult wasp, repeating the cycle one or more times each year depending on the species. Each species of gall wasp specializes on a particular host and plant part, and each species produces a unique gall. Thus, there are a wide variety of plant galls that differ in shape, size, color, texture and the part of the plant affected (leaves, twigs, buds, flowers, etc). While gall wasps are a normal component of

every forest ecosystem, they are generally kept under control by other insects and are not typically abundant enough to cause serious damage to trees and shrubs. However, in rare instances they can become so abundant that their galls can cause noticeable damage.

VDOF Forest Health Specialist Dr. Chris Asaro said, “In this case, we are dealing with ‘jumping oak galls’ – also known as ‘oak button galls’ because of their button-like shape. These galls are quite small – about the size of a sesame seed – and are located on the underside of white oak leaves.

They are orange in color and dislodge easily from the leaves when brushed lightly. Each gall leaves a ‘pock-mark’ of dead cells at the point of attachment to the leaf. These dead spots on the leaves can sometimes be so abundant that they begin to run together, eventually enveloping and killing an entire


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leaf. Many trees have lost 50 percent or more of their foliage, and some trees have lost almost 100 percent.”

Outbreaks of this particular gall wasp are not very common, according to Dr. Asaro, but they have occurred before in this area. Typically, gall outbreaks are short-term in nature, and gall wasp populations soon crash on their own after a year or two due to natural predation by other insect species.

“While the current defoliation may seem alarming and sudden to many folks, the good news is that most trees will recover without too much long-term damage,” Asaro said. “While defoliation can be a significant stressor, a tree that is otherwise healthy will normally start to produce new leaves and survive, even when defoliation is near 100 percent.”

On the other hand, trees that experience severe defoliation for two or more years in a row are more likely to succumb, especially when exposed to other stressors. Many oaks across Virginia, especially older ones, often suffer from decline. Oak decline is a complex condition that can be due to multiple factors acting in concert. These factors include site-related stressors, such as poor soil and mechanical damage to

the roots or tree bole from mowing or other equipment or from recent construction and soil disturbance. Areas that have experienced severe drought over the past10 years also see elevated rates of oak decline; even if we aren’t experiencing drought conditions right now, drought impacts can often be seen years later after root disease sets in and slowly weakens trees. Weakened trees become more vulnerable to insects and diseases, which contribute to decline.

Northern Virginia Senior Area Forester Terry Lasher said, “Most people don’t notice tree decline because the initial symptoms can be subtle and occur internally or below-ground. Trees can appear to die ‘suddenly’ when they reach a critical point, but, in most cases, they were rotting from the inside for many years.”

Homeowners should not panic, though, if their trees look bad during the summer months due to brown leaves or defoliation. If the tree is otherwise healthy, it can withstand a lot of defoliation before any long-term health impacts set in.

Lasher said, “Even if an oak tree looks bad for the rest of the year, it’s best to wait until the following spring to see if it leafs out normally. This usually indicates


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the tree is doing well.”

If there is any concern for a tree’s health, especially a large tree of any type that is near a house or other structure or is potentially hazardous to pedestrians, it is recommended that the homeowner contact a certified arborist for an evaluation.

Lasher said, “Often, it is much cheaper to spend money on prevention and maintenance than to take down a large, potentially hazardous tree – a process that can cost thousands of dollars.”

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Every household has its honey-do list, but inevitably you’re not always going to have time to cross off every project on the list. Rather than setting lofty goals that make it easy to procrastinate, the key to a productive and effective list is to be realistic. Start with the projects that will have an immediate effect on creating and maintaining a safer and healthier home.

“Keep your ‘honey-do’ list manageable. Move long-term projects to the end and bump up the jobs that will help make your home healthier,” said Mike Holmes, renowned and trusted contractor on HGTV and healthy home expert. “When you know you’re making a positive impact on your family’s health and safety, doing those jobs is easy.” Mike Holmes


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The Four C’sHolmes also recommends following the four “C’s” for a healthier honey-do list:

CHECk

• Exhaust FansBathroom and kitchen exhaust fans play an important role in reducing moisture in the home. Conduct a simple test by turning on the exhaust fan and placing a tissue up to the vent to check the strength of your vent fans. The fan should be strong enough to hold the tissue in place. Fans not working properly are ineffective at controlling smoke and humidity, and allow fumes, moisture and pollutants to circulate and settle throughout the home.• Flue PipesInspect flue pipes — also known as stove pipes, smoke pipes and chimney connectors — on a quarterly basis for cracks or holes. Cracks in the pipes allow fumes and gases like carbon monoxide to enter the home rather than be funneled outdoors. If the pipes are cracked or corroded, call a professional to inspect them and possibly replace the pipes, as it may be a sign of a larger problem.

CHangE

• air FiltersUse a Filtrete Ultra Allergen Reduction Filter to help clean the air in the home by removing airborne particles, such as mold spores, dust mite debris, bacteria and viruses from the air passing through the filter. Remember to change it at least every three months or more frequently if you have pets, burn candles often or are doing home improvement projects. The American Lung Association says that, poor indoor air quality in the home can cause headaches, dry eyes, nasal congestion, nausea and fatigue. • BatteriesTest your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors every month, and change the batteries at least twice a year. Don’t wait until the detectors are chirping, as that sound usually means the batteries are about to die and your family will no longer be protected. Remember, you can sometimes see smoke in the home but you can’t see or smell carbon monoxide.

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• MoistureInspect your home using a moisture meter to locate hidden areas containing moisture that you can’t see with the naked eye. Mold thrives in areas of the home where moisture is present and can cause hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes and skin rashes, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.• Unwanted guestsInstall weatherstripping around doors to seal gaps and repair or replace damaged window frames to protect the home from rodents, insects and other unwanted guests. Rodents and cockroaches, for example, may trigger allergy symptoms and even asthma attacks in those that are sensitive to them, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The bonus is that by getting rid of gaps you will also improve the energy efficiency of your home.

CLEan

• Roof gutters Regularly check gutters for leaves, pests and other excess debris and clean them out using a rake and hose at least twice a year. (Be careful not to push water underneath your shingles.) Neglected gutters may not drain properly and pose a risk of detaching and leaking water into the home. In addition to structural damage, the leaks provide breeding grounds for mold to grow in areas like ceilings and basements.• garage and Basement Clutter Remove trash and clutter from around the home and be sure not to let it build up for more than a few days. Unattended trash can be a breeding ground for pests and parasites that carry bacteria and viruses into the home.

For more tips and information on maintaining a safer and healthier home, visit www.Filtrete.com.

Four Professional TestsEvery Home Should Pass• Radon tests identify traces of radon in the home that may have entered from cracks in the floors and walls, water supply or pipes. • Carbon monoxide tests check for signs that the gas may have been emitted by fireplaces, wood, coal, gas stoves or heaters and not properly removed from the home.• Water tests assess the water quality in your home and determine if there are high levels of contaminants in your drinking water.• Visual septic dye tests inspect your septic tanks for signs of slow-drainage or back up.

TO-DOsFall


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