Safeguarding Your Property from Ticks

Are ticks prevalent in Vermont? YES. In 2020 alone there were almost 7,000 cases of Lyme disease reported in dogs alone! That means of those tested, more than one in six pets were positive for Lyme.

What is the tick treatment for backyards comprised of? Our tick treatment for properties is completely organic so it is totally harmless to pets, people, shrubs, flowers, or plants. It is, however, toxic to fleas, ticks, and mosquitos. It consists of an essential oil derived from conifer trees (trees that bear cones and needle-like leaves) of the pine or cypress families. It has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and is considered safe enough by the FDA (Food & Drug Admin) to be used as a food preservative. The ancient Egyptians even used it in their embalming practices because it kept away insects!

AVOID CONTACT with Wild Parsnip

In VT we typically see this invasive, yellow-flowered weed growing along roadsides, field edges, and meadows. Some folks find its flower and form attractive, often mistaking it for the very common and similar-looking (but harmless) white-flowered plant – Queen Anne’s Lace. Do not make this mistake as the Wild Parsnip causes severe skin damage. Brushing up against this yellow flower will get the sap or oil of this plant on your skin and large and painful blisters will appear on the skin immediately when exposed to sunlight. In some cases, the painful burns are like second-degree sunburns that can cause excruciating rashes and raised blisters.

Training & Teamwork Within Our Own Community

Men in sweatshirts building a model bridge

We had a company training session in May for our entire team at our new headquarters in Pittsford. We do these periodically throughout the year to keep everyone sharp and in tune to our mission – and to our team. Each training session has some fun and creative team-building exercises that everyone seems to enjoy. All four teams had a great time collaborating and gathering ideas and input from all members, on how to design and then build a bridge that met the length requirements and could bear the weight of the dump truck loaded with bricks.

Freezin’ for a Reason for Kids

Shriners Carpenter & Costin

Vermont’s Cairo Shriners hosted the annual Freezin’ for a Reason Polar Plunge and Team Carpenter & Costin took the plunge for the kids once again!
Hundreds gathered to watch the Polar Plungers strip out of the cozy warmth of winter coats and into spirited team uniforms and bathing suits. The plungers dashed into the water with gusto until they realized just a few seconds later how cold it really was. Carpenter & Costin is proud to have co-chaired this event which raises money for the benefit of our local Shriners Hospital for Children located in Springfield, MA.

Rutland Winterfest Snow Sculpting

snow sculpture of Minions by Team Carpenter & Costin

Rutland’s Winterfest was a big hit once again thanks to many volunteers who helped make things happen, and the large crowds that came to enjoy the events. With events spread out over all 9 days of Presidents’ Week, there is definitely something of interest for everyone and every age group. Carpenter & Costin provides the manpower, snow boxes and of course the front-end loader to create the large 4’x8′ blocks for the teams. We’ve set these up for the past few years, and especially appreciate when Mother Nature helped out with some fresh powder.