Quick Sumo Pest Control - May 2020

Please enjoy the latest edition of our Newsletter!

NEWS FROM SUMO SAM

QuickSumoPestControl.com

May 2020

I know a lot of parents are spending time working alongside their kids now more than ever — if this is a sudden change of pace, it can be a real challenge. Take it from a business entrepreneur with a family who home-schools full time: It’s good to keep your kids busy. I grew up in a somewhat rural town, and after marrying my wife, I told her that as soon as we could, I wanted to live in the country. Finally, after 22 years of marriage and multiple moves, we found some acreage that met the needs of our family. And best of all, it gave us an opportunity to put our kids to work. By way of pets, we have two dogs and a Mexican red knee tarantula named Chancho (from the movie Nacho Libre). Although she’s very mild, my kids were terrified initially. However, they couldn’t back out of Dad’s challenge to hold her, and eventually, they all overcame their fears. Our two dogs are not so scary, though. Ollie is a teacup Yorkie, and he’s a total prima donna. He’s got to have everything his own way. When you’re on the couch, he’ll sit right behind your head. He’ll curl up so that you’re forced to lean forward until it starts hurting your neck. We recently got a new dog named Zoey; she’s a cross-eyed black lab. It’s pretty funny to see them together because she’s basically 30 times Ollie's size, but he’s the one trying to assert dominance every minute of the day. HELPING OUR KIDS EMBRACE FARMWORK

Go ahead … Google it. It’s a real thing. We’ve also got Pekin ducks. (We had two Mallards, too, but shortly

before this went to press, they ended up on our dinner table.) Now, we’re in the process of bringing home pigs and

Nigerian dwarf goats. If I had my wish, I’d also add fainting goats (check out YouTube), a miniature donkey, and an alpaca to the crowd. What can I say? I think weird-looking animals are awesome! As much fun as we’ve had starting a small farm, ultimately, we wanted this change for more than just returning to my rural roots and dumping our HOA. We wanted our kids to have more responsibilities and more opportunities to work hard outside. We’ve found that for our family, farm work is a great way of doing that. Of course, it was a challenge to get them to embrace it, and some days are better than others, but we’ve seen a positive impact on our kids. In fact, my oldest daughter tells me it’s going to “make her a better mother because it’s given her an opportunity to have empathy for others. It’s hard work, but it truly means something at the end of the day.” What more could a dad want?

In addition to our pets, we have chickens and ducks. And not just any kind of chickens, either. Naked neck chickens.

Josh Hopewell

214-334-1466

THE TIMELESS CHARM OF THE DRIVE-IN MOVIE

Plus, How to Create Your Own Outdoor Cinema

Summertime is synonymous with many childhood experiences: hours splashing in the pool, sleepaway camp, and snow cones, to name a few. A quintessential summer destination that isn’t as common these days is the drive-in theater, yet many childhood memories are built on this little bit of nostalgia.

The first drive-in theater opened in 1933 in Camden, New Jersey. At the time, films cost 25 cents per person, plus 25 cents per car, and drive-ins usually got movies in the second run, after they’d shown at indoor theaters. The trend started off slow, but by the ‘50s, Americans had fully embraced the outdoor theater experience. The ‘80s brought a charismatic Michael J. Fox to audiences in “Back to the Future,” and shortly after, “The Sandlot” hit the big screen and gave us lines that we’d quote for the next decade (“You’re killin’ me, Smalls!”). As of 2018, USA Today estimated that only about 330 drive-in theaters still exist in the United States. But if you don’t have one in your area, there’s a way you can enjoy the outdoor movie experience without having to leave your backyard.

you’ll need a laptop and streaming service or a DVD or Blu-ray player. You’ll connect these devices to your projector through an HDMI port. As long as you’re not broadcasting to the whole neighborhood, stereo or computer speakers should be just fine, but you can also opt for a Bluetooth speaker that will give your audio a big boost. Next, you’ll need a flat surface to display the movie. A plain, white bedsheet makes a good screen, or you can make your own with white fabric from craft stores or online. Cushions, blankets, and outdoor hanging lights add a fun touch to your cinema. Just be sure to turn the lights off before the movie begins — and silence those cellphones!

Your outdoor cinema starts with a projector. If you don’t have one, they are readily available to purchase at most big-box stores. For playing the movie,

Once your setup is complete, select your movie, get the popcorn popping, and enjoy some movie magic right in your backyard.

3 TIPS FOR KEEPING KIDS PRODUCTIVE AT ANY AGE!

REMOTE PICTURE BOOK READ-ALOUDS

Keeping your kids occupied isn’t an easy task. In the middle of the

Do your kids have uncles, aunts, or even cousins who have time to read to them? Set up virtual reading dates! This can be a fun way to keep in touch with family and still practice your kid’s language skills.

day, they might be more used to playing in the schoolyard with their friends than cleaning their rooms. For parents who might be struggling with ideas on how to entertain their kids, here are our tips for keeping your household organized and busy.

HOUSEWORK HELP

This is a great time to introduce your kids to the importance of house cleanliness. A messy house can make our minds feel cluttered, and while that might not be important to your child just yet, you can still encourage clean habits that’ll put them one step ahead for the rest of their lives. Even if they’re not as fast at chores as you are or can’t complete them on their own, they can help you in small steps. For example, they can pass you dirty dishes to scrub or hand you clean dishes to put away. If they’re old enough, have them organize their toys and electronics and make sure they put away their things after they use them. Encouragement is key; they need to understand that a clean house is a daily accomplishment and something to be proud of, not just a chore.

ACTIVITY TOYS AND PLAYING PRETEND ‘OFFICE’

If you have an infant or toddler, they might not be able to do the same work activities you do. But that doesn’t mean they can’t pretend! Get out a “soft book,” an activity book made of felt and soft material pages, and let them do their own “work” nearby. Babies are very skilled at copying their parents, and this can improve their motor ability. For slightly older kids, you could get out crayons and paper and ask that they work quietly nearby. Grown-up things like pencil cases, measuring tapes, old-school calculators, and more can help expand their imagination.

From all our families at QuickSumo Pest Control, we wish you the best of luck!

QuickSumoPestControl.com

Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.TheNewsletterPro.com

E veryone is eating together at home these days, which is great for family and household bonding. However, that means keeping your space clean is more important than ever. Nobody wants a roach problem while they’re spending all hours of the day at home. Here are QuickSumo’s very quick and impactful tips for preventing cockroaches in your home. 1. KEEP IT CLEAN! With recent events, you may be already doing as much as you can to keep the house sanitized. It works in two ways: keeping your family healthy and keeping roaches away. THE TOP 5 QUICKSUMO TIPS FOR PREVENTING ROACHES

2. LIMIT WHERE YOU EAT.

Keep your meals in one room. Not only does it make it easier for you to clean up, but it also limits spills, crumbs, and other debris that you might not notice.

OUTDOORS POLLEN SUNSHINE TAURUS

MAYFLY MEMORIAL MEXICO MOTHERS

BUTTERFLY FLOWERS JEDI LADYBUG

3. EMPTY THE TRASH REGULARLY.

Every trash can needs a tight-fitting lid. Don’t allow bags to build up beside the trash can or inside the house.

GRILLED PRIME RIB

Who says the cookout has to ruin your diet? Try this paleo-friendly recipe for a main dish that’s worthy of your next barbecue.

4. REMOVE ANYTHING ROACHES CAN USE FOR SHELTER.

All those spare Amazon boxes? They’ve got to go. Cockroaches are nocturnal and are happy to hide in dark, undisturbed areas like cardboard boxes, stacks of old paper, or a forgotten trick-or-treat bag left in the back of the pantry. These items should all be recycled, discarded, or properly stored if you’re not using them.

INGREDIENTS

• • •

1 1/2 lbs beef rib roast 1 tsp Himalayan salt 1/2 tsp black pepper

DIRECTIONS

5. DON’T LEAVE FOOD OUT OVERNIGHT.

1. Take rib roast out of the refrigerator 30 minutes prior to grilling. 2. Season roast with salt and pepper and allow it to rest for 10 minutes while you heat a gas grill to 600 F. 3. Sear roast for 3–4 minutes on each side. 4. Turn off the grill but continue cooking the steak, flipping every 4–5 minutes, until it reaches an internal temperature of 125 F. Remove from grill. 5. Allow the roast to rest — its internal temperature will continue to climb — for 5–10 minutes. Slice and serve.

Eliminating food sources can make a huge difference. Don’t leave liquids in sinks or buckets and don’t leave food sitting on the counter. Your dry foods should always be in tightly sealed containers, and you need to rinse your cans, bottles, and plastics before putting them in recycling bins.

We hope these tips help you! Not all pests can be completely prevented, like fire ants, but every effort counts. If you suspect you have any roach problems or need more preventive advice, just give your QuickSumo expert team a call at 214-334-1466.

214-334-1466

Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.TheNewsletterPro.com

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279 Highview Lane, Anna, TX 75409 | 214-334-1466 | quicksumopestcontrol.com

INSIDE

1 Helping Our Kids Embrace FarmWork 2 The Timeless Charm of the Drive-In Movie

3 Tips for Keeping Kids Productive

3 Top 5 QuickSumo Tips for Preventing Roaches

Grilled Prime Rib

4 What Is Gardening Good For?

HEALTH BENEFITS OF FAMILY GARDENING Give Your Kid the Gift of a Green Thumb

Yes, there will always be football season, basketball season, and soccer season, but right now, it’s gardening season. That means it’s time to roll up your sleeves and play in the dirt. If you’ve been searching for a way to get the kids away from technology and engaged with the real world, gardening is the perfect activity for the whole family

Jack Gilbert, a scientist at the University of Chicago and a parent himself, and his co-author, Rob Knight, emphasize the health benefits of garden time in their book, “Dirt Is Good: The Advantage of Germs for Your Child's Developing Immune System.” The two found that exposure to different microbes, like those found in a garden, strengthens a child’s immune system and makes them less likely to develop allergies. If this is your first time gardening, you don’t need much to get started. Grab a few shovels, a pair of gloves for each family member, and fresh potting soil, and you’ll be set. Then, you can decide together which plants you’d like to grow! Carrots are fun because of the surprise factor — just imagine your child discovering that the part they eat grows below the ground! Peas are tasty and fairly easy to grow, as are strawberries. The options really are endless. Depending on the growing season in your area, you can choose to buy seeds or opt for rooted plants.

to enjoy. Not only is it fun, but it’s also beneficial for your kids’ development.

For example, gardening can improve your children’s analytical abilities. As Dr. Wendy Matthews says, “Gardening exercises important reasoning, initiation, planning, and organization

skills.” Furthermore, several studies, including one at Texas A&M University, suggest that gardening improves a

Last but certainly not least, the best part of gardening as a family is the healthy, fresh produce you’ll get to enjoy all summer long!

child’s attitude toward fruits and vegetables and may make them more likely to choose them as snacks. Gardening helps kids identify with where their food is coming from, and nothing tastes better than a freshly picked strawberry or pea pod they grew themselves.