Tag Archive for: Grounds Maintenance

Compliments from Blessed Sacrament Church


Dear Blade Runners,

Your team of workers are exceptional and they do a great job for Blessed Sacrament Church. Thanks very much.

Sincerely,
Denise Dauray, President

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Kudos from Park Glen Heights HOA

Eric and Raul –
Just wanted to send you a quick note regarding Park Glen Heights HOA. I know this is still a very new contract but I had a meeting with the Board President this morning and she just couldn’t say enough nice things about Blade Runners and the awesome work the crew has been doing in the association. The entire board and members of the community are incredibly satisfied with the work that has occurred this year and they feel that they definitely made the right decision on choosing you as the landscaping contract.
I wanted to pass this along, as I know in this business, too often the only time emails are sent are when there are issues or problems or concerns. As a manager, I try to make sure I pass along “good emails” to vendors as well.
I hope the both of you have a great rest of the day!
Katie M. Kight, CMCA, AMS
Community Association Manager, Park Glen Heights HOA
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Blade Runners White Grub Fact Sheet

What are White Grubs?
White grubs can devastate your lawn and the best way to take care of them is with professional lawn maintenance.  White grubs (European chafer, Japanese, May and June Beetles) are small plump white larvae which actively feed on grass roots.  They live below the soil surface and actually chew off the roots of the grass plants.  They are C-shaped, have a brown head, and have 3 large pairs of legs
After they destroy the grass roots, the lawn will appear unhealthy, weak, or possibly yellow in patches–as if the lawn is drying out.  Other symptoms to watch for include:  animals like skunks and raccoons digging up the lawn and birds feeding on grubs leaving pencil-sized holes.  Often the damaged turf will roll back like a carpet, as the root system has been eaten away, for this circumstances we highly recommend to reach professional turf management services.
Combo pic
Life Cycle of the Grub
Some grubs complete their life cycle in one year and others require three years to complete. White grubs survive in the winter as larvae in the soil.  In the early spring they begin to feed again.  Later in the spring, they enter a resting stage (pupae), then hatch into adult beetles.  A lot of beetles can mean a grub problem later–as there will be higher populations to reproduce. (The beetles do not damage lawns.)  Beetles lay their eggs, which hatch into grub larvae.  The larvae feed voraciously which results in significant stress to your lawn.  Serious damage can occur in spring, summer, and fall.  Left undiagnosed, grubs can devastate a lawn in a short period of time.
How can I treat Grubs?
Promptly treating potentially devastating white grub infestations can help protect the investment you have made in a lawn care program and your property.  An Investment advice from homebusinessmag.com is that If you notice suspicious brown patches starting to appear in the lawn, DO NOT HESITATE!  Call your Blade Runners account manager. Treatment is usually not required until the white grub population exceeds 4-6 feet.  At this level, the white grubs are feeding on the roots faster than they are able to regenerate.  Consult with your Blade Runners account manager to discuss all options with respect to dealing with insects in your lawn.
If you have any further questions about your lawn, please visit our website:
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Hillcrest Cluster HOA Thanks Blade Runners for Awesome Erosion/Drainage Project


Hi Terry –

I am writing on behalf of the Hillcrest Cluster board to say thank you for a very awesome job on our erosion/drainage renewal project. We are really pleased with everything, and anxiously await the grass germinating, the plants maturing, and the first downpour so we can see how well everything holds up 😉

Thanks again to you and the crew for making sure our requirements were met and having done so in a timely fashion.

Laura Sharon, Manager
Hillcrest Cluster HOA

 

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Concrete Damage and De-Icing Products…What are the answers?


Concrete walkway repair is an important element in the maintenance of your property, the Denver mudjacking service is designed to restore rather than replace, their solutions are functional for residential, commercial, and industrial applications.  Property Managers must scrimp, save, and otherwise plan for this work.  Below find some information Blade Runners feels is important to achieve success.

DO SNOW CONTRACTORS ICE CONTROL PRODUCTS CAUSE DAMAGE?

It is no secret that all saline based ice control products are a threat to concrete surface. Property managers must strike a balance between the safety benefits and potential damage. Blade Runners uses Ice B’gone Magic Salt that is easily the safest product in the industry. With that said, there are some important steps to be taken with new concrete installations.

Spalling 2

WHAT YOUR CONCRETE CONTRACTOR NEEDS TO DO.

Hire the right contractor:  There are many corners that can be cut with this service. Regardless of the price, you should make sure that the chosen contractor fully understands the procedures and standards. Please see the video below that talks about the basics. It is important that the terminology is contained in your bid specifications.

In addition the American Concrete Institute (ACI) has a resource for further information (item 301-10,Specifications of Structural Concrete).    www.concrete.org/store/productdetail.aspx?ItemID=30110                                                                            
  Apply a penetrating sealer (Silane, Siloxane, or Silicate):  This should be applied after the installation and the following year after installation. This will reduce the water penetration and protect the freeze thaw cycles that spall the concrete.

Sealing 2

See a list of products below (there may be others)

https://www.concretetreat.com/outdoor-concrete/protection-de-icer/
https://www.appliedtechnologies.com/home/Concrete_Sealer.html
https://www.wrmeadows.com/lin-seal-emulsion-curing-sealing-compound/
https://www.getnewlook.com/DriveHard.html
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WHAT BLADE RUNNERS CAN DO TO HELP
Pressure wash: It is important to remove any salt residue at the close of the season.

Mark areas: Place markers in areas to avoid ice control application.

 WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE SPALLING
Repair: With or without these efforts, spalling can occur. See the video below that discusses how to make a repair.

 

Learn how to use the MIG welder for home repair needs.

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Cicada Killer Ground Bees

Cicada picture and dirt mound
July and August can bring the ugly, scary looking Cicada Killer ground bees to your property.  Don’t despair…Blade Runners has some information and an action plan.
What is a Cicada Killer?

 The Cicada Killer is one of the largest digger wasps if seen around your home is better to hire trained wasps removal services.  They grow over 1.5″ long and are robust wasps that burrow in the ground in search of cicadas.  They create dirt patches in the landscape and hover around their areas.

Are Cicada Killers dangerous and what damage can they cause?
Cicada Killers use their sting to paralyze the cicadas.  Unlike most social wasps and bees, they do not sting unless handled roughly.  Cicada Killers are generally non-aggressive towards humans, usually flying away when swatted, instead of attacking.  Adults feed on flower nectar and other plant sap exudates.  The wasps are often seen in groups, vigorously challenging one another for position on the breeding aggregation from which they have emerged.  Adults emerge in summer, typically beginning in late June or early July and die off in September or October. They are present in a given area for 60 to 75 days, usually until mid-September.
Cicada killer infestation picture 4

Aside from being rather intimidating, they can cause damage in the landscape in the form of unsightly burrows.  

How do we control Cicada Killers?
To control these pests we must treat the holes in the late night or early morning, while they are resting.  This needs to be completed each week for three weeks. Raccoons in Oakland County Michigan are growing in numbers. So much that Kevin Scappaticci, owner of Platinum Raccoon Removal says that with the rise of raccoons and also homes being built, raccoons are resorting to breaking into attics for a safe place to live and birth their baby raccoons. Contact Blade Runners if you need help in controlling them.
https://www.pestzone.ca/wasp-nest-removal-toronto/
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Seeding Season Is Upon Us

Blade Runners Seeding service  

Our goal is to produce meaningful results with our seeding service. We are certainly at the mercy of mother nature in terms of temperature and moisture. However we want our process to be progressive and effective when the conditions are right.  We achieve this in one of two processes listed below.  Please check with your account manager if you have any questions.  

Square foot approach

This approach arms the seed with the needed tools for success. It also identifies seeded areas to future mowing visits,  so it is not disturbed. 

a) Your contract will stipulate a specific number of sq ft we are seeding.

b) We identify areas on the property that need attention the most.

c) Core aerate the areas selected in 2-3 directions to create maximum seed soil contact.  

d) Apply Hydro seed that contains seed, lime, fertilizer and a stabilization agent ALL AT THE SAME TIME!  
hydro 3

 

 

 

 

Full core aeration and over seeding approach

a) This is used for small properties with less than 30,000 square feet of overall turf.  

b) Sometime used for larger properties that have specific compaction problems where full aeration is needed.

c) Seed is applied with a spreader

d) Property is fully core aerated.     

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Blade Runners Long Range Planning Program Can Revitalize Your Community


Once your property was fresh, young, and new.  All you needed was grass cutting and routine maintenance.  Now there are overgrown trees in need of tree pruning services, over-sized landscaping, erosion issues, dilapidated walls, and drainage concerns.
delipdated associationdrainage 4

This can be a real challenge to an association’s budget!
worried dollar 2

Blade Runners helps you make an extraordinary first impression. We’ve helped homeowners as Parker Landscaper has done in many communities, condo and homeowners associations create a positive, refreshed, and inviting look to their communities.  How do we make this possible?

1)  We assess the entire property and consider what is needed.  We separate what can be salvaged from what needs full replacement.

2)  A budget is submitted for the entire project on a building by building basis.  Priorities are established and a budget is created to stretch from a 3-5 year period.

 Long range right2long range left 4

 3)  Detailed proposals are presented for projects as they are ready for completion.

With a good plan from Blade Runners, your property can be completely transformed in 3 to 5 years. 

https://www.dragonflyld.com
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Blade Runners Creates Landscape Islands to Enhance Your Property’s Common Areas

Messy Island 1Those dirty rings…you try scrubbing them out, rinsing them out, and you STILL have “Ring Around the Collar!” Those bare dirt-ridden islands. Seeding and watering just create a muddy mess. Where can you place your trash cans for pick-up? Blade Runners has created countless island transformations that eliminate the mud, lower maintenance bills, and provide safety zones for your children and attractive landing areas for trash receptacles.Island Solution d2

Here’s a safe spot for children awaiting their school bus.

island solution B2 An excellent location for trash receptacles        Island solution A.jpg2

 Blade Runners will create appealing curbsides and enhance the beauty of your community.


  

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Snow Removal Service Makes Providence Park HOA a Satisfied Customer


Eric,

Your team has done an outstanding job cleaning up all the snow this year!! They have also done a great job cleaning up the sidewalks.  I know it must be pretty hard juggling all the areas you have to clear up.  Take care and thanks again.  Cheers.

James C. Brett, President

Providence Park HOA

 

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About

Blade Runners was founded in 1984 by Eric Storck, a landscape gardener with a passion to deliver quality service in a courteous fashion.

Blade Runners strives to be different and better than our competitors. We believe the devil is in the details when it comes to comparing companies.

What sets us apart? Blade Runners has a commitment to a trained team of excellent employees. We only work in Northern Virginia, with locations in Sterling, Lorton, and Fairfax and we have a large number of clients located in close proximity to one another. We employee a wide range of progressive environmentally safe products. Our attention to technology is ahead of pack, and we have invested in different smart equipment to save time and money for our clients. Blade Runners has developed dozens of videos and articles to save our clients time making decisions and understanding the landscape maintenance process.

But don’t just believe us, visit our testimonials page or view our Google reviews.

Contact Details

Toll-Free: (888) 773-7494

Toll-Free: (703) 865-4017

Blade Runners, Inc.
3150 Spring Street
Fairfax, VA 22031

Blade Runners, Inc.
45763 Elm Wood Ct.
Sterling, VA 20163

Blade Runners, Inc.
7904 Hill Park Ct.
Lorton, VA 22079

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