People normally search for real estate that fits their wants and desires.  After they find that special place to call home, that is pretty much it... or is it?  Our Know Your Milton section focuses on certain characteristics of your city that you might not have considered previously. Wonder what kind of tree is in your back yard?  Curious if you have a poisonous snake in your shrubs? Are there really deer and coyotes here?  So many questions and so many hidden answers. It is our job to help you uncover them!

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Wild Life Opossum Snakes  Spiders Wasps Wild Turkeys Fox

Home Improvement Septic Draining For Dummies

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Opossum

The Virginia opossum or "opossum" as it is commonly know is a native mammal in Milton Georgia. Many people are familiar with opossums, but there are several aspects of the opossum with which people are unfamiliar.

The opossum is about the size of a house cat with adult males weighing an average of 5.5 pounds and adult females an average of 4.0 pounds. They have long, dense body fur that is usually a grayish white color, although some opossums in the southeastern U.S. are darker. An opossum's face is white with a pointed snout and whiskers. An adult opossum has 50 teeth, quite a lot, and is not afraid to bare them when scared or angry. Its tail is about a foot long and has very little hair on it. The tail is prehensile which means it can be used to grasp onto objects such as tree limbs.

Opossums are fairly widespread in continental North America, found as far north as the U.S. / Canadian border and as far south as Costa Rica. In the United States, opossums are found in the eastern two-thirds of the country and along a narrow strip on the Pacific coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington. This west coast population is a result of human introduction, and thus is not a native population.

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Fox

Foxes are found throughout the state in both rural and urban landscapes. In Georgia, there are two species of fox; the gray fox and the red fox.

The Gray Fox

Grizzled gray in color with patches of reddish fur on the neck, flanks, legs, and underside of the tail, gray foxes weigh between 8-12 pounds, are 34-40 inces in total length. A black stripe runs along their back and down the tail tip. Sexual maturity occurs at approximately one year of age and the mating season runs from January trhough April. Following a 53-day gestation period, females give birth to 2-7 pups. Considered monogamous, both male and female gray foxes work together to raise pups until the pups become independent after about 3 months of age.

The Red Fox

A furry deep reddish brown to yellowish red animal with a characteristic bushy red tail tipped with white, the red fox weighs between 8-14 pounds, and is 36-45 inches in total length. Sexual maturity occurs at approximately one year of age and the mating season runs from January through February. Following a 53-day gestiation period, females give birth to 4-5 pups. Considered monogamous, both male and female work together to raise pups until the pups disperse at about 6 months of age.

HABITS AND HABITAT

The Gray Fox

Also referred to as a forest fox, the gray fox is native to the eastern forests of both Georgia and the United States. The association of the gray fox with forests may in part be based on the gray foxes ability to elude predators such as predator birds, coyotes, and bobcats by climbing trees - a feature unique among foxes. Even though gray foxes are associated primarily with forested areas, they are also found along woodland edges and in and around urban/suburban areas. Gray foxes are quite territorial spending most of their life in a one-square mile home range. Gray foxes are considered carnivores because a large portion of their diet includes rabbits, rats, mice, squirrels, birds, and insects, however they also will eat carrion and vegetation, including all types of fruits, nuts, and berries.

The Red Fox

Originally introduced into America by European settlers and now found throughout Georgia and most of the United States, the red fox is characterized as an old field or edge-species since it is commonly found in areas of mixed pine-hardwood forests interspersed with fields, cropland and/or grasslands. Red foxes are quite common in urban and suburban areas throughout Georgia because of the abundance of food in these areas and their adaptability. Oftentimes home ragne and territories overlap and vary in size depending on red fox population densities and food abundance. Red foxes are considered carnivores because a large portion of their diet includes rabbits, rats, mice squirrels, birds, and insects, however they also will eat carrion and vegetation including all types of fruits, nuts, and berries. When preyed upon by coyotes, bobcats, and/or predatory birds, red foxes utilize their adaptation of speed and endurance to elude predators. This adaptation is what made this species so popular for fox and hound hunting.

For more information on the foxes of Milton Georgia, check out www.georgiawildlife.com

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Wild Turkeys

The wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), North America's largest gallinaceous bird, was almost extirpated in the early 1900's. Wild turkey populations have since recovered and flourished thanks to reintroductions and stocking efforts by hunters and wildlife agencies. In fact, wild turkeys now inhabit every state except Alaska. There are five subspecies of wild turkey in North America, including the eastern, Florida, Merriam's, Rio Grande, and Gould's wild turkey. The eastern wild turkey is the most numerous and widely distributed subspecies. It occurs throughout Georgia, and an intergrade of the eastern and Florida subspecies occurs across the extreme southern and southeastern part of the state.

The eastern wild turkey was found in Georgia's forests long before Columbus ever landed in the "New World." Wild turkeys were hunted and utilized heavily by Native Americans. William Bartram wrote of seeing large flocks as he traveled across Georgia during the late 1700s. Unfortunately, habitat degradation and unregulated market and subsistence hunting depleted wild turkey numbers during the late 1800s. The turkey population in Georgia reached its lowest point in the very early 1900s. As recently as 1973, Georgia's estimated wild turkey population numbered only 17,000 birds. That year, personnel with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources began an intensive turkey restocking program. Since then, more than 4,856 wild turkeys have been trapped and relocated to over 300 sites across the state. The restoration program, which ended in 1996, along with adequate protection and biologically sound hunting seasons has restored this grand bird to most of its original range.

Georgia's wild turkey population is now about 300,000 birds with huntable numbers of wild turkeys in all 159 counties of the state. In 2002, hunters harvested 27,418 turkeys. The return of the wild turkey to Georgia's forests is one of the greatest success stories in modern wildlife management. Information Courtesy http://georgiawildlife.dnr.state.ga.us/default.aspx

Photo courtesy Milton Fireman Josh Payne

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Snakes

Eastern King Snake Eastern king snakes are large non venemous -- 36 - 48 in shiny-black smooth-scaled snakes with white or yellow chain-link bands that cross the back and connect along the sides. Because of this pattern this species is also referred to as the chain kingsnake. Eastern kingsnakes have a short stout head and small beady eyes. King Snakes thrive in habitats including hardwood and pine forests, farmlands and suburban areas. They are strong constrictors and consume a variety of prey including snakes, lizards, and rodents. Kingsnakes are resistant to the venom of pit-vipers and they readily eat copperheads, cottonmouths, and rattlesnakes.

This King Snake Was Found at a residence on Bethany Road

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Spiders

Milton, Georgia is home to numerous species of unique and beautiful spiders. Many are beneficial to home owners by preying on pests such as roaches, silverfish, yellow jackets, and flies.

While the majority pose no threat to man, the venomous black widow and brown recluse spiders follow a different set of rules.  If bitten, call 911 and / or seek Doctor attention immediately!

Black Widow Black Widows are notorious spiders identified by the colored, hourglass-shaped mark on their abdomens. This spider is small and can easily fit on penny's face. Bites produce muscle aches, nausea, and a paralysis of the diaphragm that can make breathing difficult. Bites can be fatal-usually to small children, the elderly, or the infirm. Black Widows can be found in damp, dark areas such as basements, barns, and wood piles.

Black Widow

Brown Recluse The brown recluse spider color is generally brown, its body showing a peculiar cephalothorax with a dark brown spot in a violin form; the legs are light brown and the abdomen is dark brown, yellow, or greenish yellow. Bites produce inflammation of the affected area, followed by fever, shiverings, nausea and vomiting. Bites usually are more dangerous in kids, young adults and third age people. The brown recluse spider can be found in dark dry areas such as closets, garages, cardboard, and barns. Recluse spiders vary in size from the size of a dime up to a half-dollar.

Brown Recluse

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Wasps

Bald-faced Hornet Despite being called the bald-faced hornet (or white-faced hornet), this insect is not a true hornet. It belongs to a genus of wasps called yellowjackets in North America, and is more distantly related to true hornets like the Asian giant hornet or European hornet, but the term "hornet" is often used colloquially to refer to any vespine with an exposed arial nest. The bald-faced hornet lives throughout North America including Milton Georgia. They are most common in the southeastern United States. They are best known for their large football-shaped paper nest, which they build in the spring for raising their young. These nests can sometimes reach 3 feet tall. Like the median wasp in Europe, bald-faced hornets are extremely protective of their nests and will sting repeatedly if disturbed. Each year, queens that were born and fertilized at the end of the previous season begin a new colony. The queen selects a location for its nest, begins building it, lays a first batch of eggs and feeds this first group of larvae. These become workers and will assume the chore of expanding the nest - done by chewing up wood which is mixed with a starch in their saliva. This mixture is then spread with their mandibles and legs, drying into the paper-like substance that makes up the nest. The workers also guard the nest and feed on the nectar, tree sap, and fruit pulp. They also capture insects and anthropods, which are chewed up to be fed to the larvae. This continues through summer and into fall. Near the end of summer, or early in the fall, the queen begins to lay eggs wich will become drones and new queens. After pupation, these fertile males and females will mate, setting up next year's cycle of growth. As winter approaches, the wasps die - except any just-fertilized queens. These hibernate underground or in hollow trees until spring. The nest itself is generally abandoned by winter, and will most likely not be reused. When spring arrives, the young queens emerge and the cycle begins again. Bald-faced hornets visit flowers, especially in late summer, nd can be minor pollinators. Bald-faced hornets will sting repeatedly if disturbed. To make the swelling go down, put baking soda on the area of the sting. The hornet is able to sting repeatedly because the stinger does not become stuck in the skin. If stung, call 911 and / or seek Doctor attention immediately! Information Courtesy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page ____________________________________________________________________________________ Yellow Jackets Yellow Jacket or yellow-jacket is the common name in North America and Milton Georgia for the predatory wasps of the genera Vespula and Dolichovespul. Members of these genera are known simply as "wasps" in other English-speaking countries. Most of these are black and yellow; some are black and white, while others may have the abdomen background color red instead of black. They can be identified by their distinctive markings, small size (similar to a honey bee), their occurence only in colonies, and a characteristic, rapid, side to side flight pattern prior to landing. All females are capable of stinging which can cause pain to the person that has been stung. Yellowjackets are important predators of pest insects IDENTIFICATION A typical yellowjacket worker is about 12mm (0.5 in) long, with alternating bands on the abdomen while the queen is larger, about 19 mm (0.75 in) long (the different patterns on the abdomen help separate various species.) Workers are sometimes confused with honey bees, especially when flying in and out of their nests. Yellowjackets, in contrast to honey bees, are not covered with tan-brown dense hair on their bodies and lack the flattened hairy hind legs used to carry polen. Yellow jackets have a lance-like stinger with small barbs and typically sting repeatedly, though occasionally the sting becomes lodged and pulls free of the wasp's body; the venom, like most bee/wasp venoms, is primarily only dangerous to those who are allergic, unless a victim receives a large number of stings. All species have yellow or white on the face. Mouthparts are well-developed for capturing and chewing insects, with a proboscis for sucking nectar, fruit, and other juices. Nest are built in trees, shrubs, or in protected places such as inside human-made structures (attics, hollow walls or flooring, in sheds, under porches, and eaves of houses), or in soil cavities, mouse burrows, etc. Nests are made from wood fiber chewed into a paper-like pulp. Yellow jackets' closest relatives, the hornets, closely resemble them but have a much bigger head, seen especially in the large distance from the eyes to the back of the head. LIFE CYCLE AND HABITS Yellowjackets are social hunters living in colonies containing workers, queens, and males. Colonies are annual with only inseminated queens overwintering. Fertilized queens occur in protected places such as hollow logs, in stumps, under bark, in leaf litter, in soil cavities, and human-made structures. Queens emerge during the warm days of late spring or early summer, select a nest site, and build a small paper nest in which eggs are laid. After eggs hatch from the 30 to 50 brood cells, the queen feeds the young larvae for about 18 to 20 days. Larvae pupate, emerging later as small, infertile females called workers. By mid-summer, the first adult workers emerge and assume the tasks of nest expansion, foraging for food, care of the queen, and colony defense. From this time until her death in the autumn, the queen remains inside the nest laying eggs. The colony the expands rapidly reaching a maximum size of 4,000 and 5,000 workers and a nest of 10,000 and 15,000 cells in late summer. At peak size, reproductive cells are built with new males and queens produced. Adult reproductives remain in the nest fed by the workers. New queens build up fat reserves to overwinter. Adult reproductives leave the parent colony to mate. After mating, males quickly die while fertilized queens seek protected places to overwinter. Parent colony workers dwindle, usually leaving the nest and die, as does the foundress queen. Abandoned nests rapidly decompose and disintegrate during the winter. They can persist as long as they are kept dry but are rarely used again. In the spring, the cycle is repeated (weather in the spring is the most important factor in colony establishment.)Although adults feed primarily on items rich in sugars and carbohydrates (fruits, flower nectar, and tree sap), the larvae feed on proteins (insects, meats, fish, etc.) Adult workers chew and condition the meat fed to the larvae. Larvae in return secrete a sugar material relished by the adults. This exchange is known as trophallaxis. In late summer, foraging workers change their food preferences from meats to ripe, decaying fruits or scavenge human garbage, sodas, picnics, etc., since larvae in the nest fail to meet requirements as a source of sugar. This is why yellowjackets are known largely as pests that are capable of ruining picnics. Although they lack the pollen-carrying structures of bees, yellowjackets can be minor pollinators when visiting flowers. In Milton Georgia, yellowjackets are primarily found in ground. Thus, be sure to walk an area prior to clearing or cutting the grass. If stung, call 911 and / or seek Doctor attention immediately! Information Courtesy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page ___________________________________________________________________________________ Red Wasps The Red Wasp is a type of paper wasp that makes umbrella shaped nests attached by small stem and having a honey-comb-like cells opening to the bottom. The red wasp is a social insect, with each nest occupied by a single queen that lays eggs and similar looking female workers who are her daughters. Males, born only later in the season, perform the sole duty of mating with future queens. Most members of a nest die at the end of the summer, but the mated queens hide in safe places through the winter and survive to start new colonies the next spring. The females are capable of giving a painful sting but males cannot, as the stinger is actually a modified ovipositior. While red wasps are not particularly aggressive, the tend to build their nests in hidden locations and will sting when these are disturbed. The stings may produce severe reactions in people who are allergic to them. Red wasps are considered beneficial because they consume caterpillars. The adults actually eat nectar from flowers, but they spend much of their time hunting in order to feed the grubs developing in their nests. If a wasp finds a caterpillar that is too large to carry away, it will cut it up on the spot and sometimes eat some and carry back just a portion to the nest. The bits of flesh are chewed up before being fed to the developing grubs. If stung, call 911 and / or seek Doctor attention immediately!

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Septic Draining for Dummies

They say hind sight is 20/20, I think that saying holds true for the recent events that has happened regarding recent service to some of our septic tanks. Looking back at the events that happened throughout the process, I would just like to share some experiences that will hopefully get some clarity to the other homeowners that are going to eventually venture down this path. I am not sure the specifics on everyone’s septic tank, but I will share what we have at our house: We have 2 – 1,500 gallon concrete tanks with 20" access lids on both ends. It looked similar to the picture below. Again, your setup may be slightly different, but it’s good to have a mental picture of what is going on during this entire process.

Some key questions to ask before anything starts. If I have 2 – 1,500 gallon tanks, what is the total cost going to be? Get it in writing. Is there any charge to ‘crust bust’ in the primary tank? We found out that this is usually included in the price. Ask up front. Get it in writing. Do I have to drain both tanks? Is it possible to just drain 1? If so, which one is better to drain? If you dig and inspect my tank and I decide not to drain it because it looks ok, are there an y charges that will be incurred (dig charges)? Are you going to put back the grass where you dig? How extensive is your cleanup after you are done? Are there any charges on locating my tank? Are there any other charges that you (septic company) foresee, based on your experience that may come up as you dig? Are there any environmental or fuel sir charges that are added to the final bill (look for double charges)? If so, How much?

Insist on: Shoveling to dig up the top portion of grass so they can cover their dig spots with grass when they are done (if you care). A good clean up after they are finished Watch for during the service: Watch how they are digging if they are using a back hoe. Do they really need a backhoe, or are they just lazy? Things to take note of while the service is being done: Take measurements to the openings of the tank to known markers around your house. This will help locate openings on the next drain.

Some comments that may come up:
Septic Company: "Your builder used builder grade covers, they are cheap and should not have been buried." Opinion: I have researched this, and have talked to several manufacturers and suppliers. The covers are designed to be buried underground. They are made to hold up the weight of the dirt, and traffic above. They may break if you run them over with a large tractor so just keep that in mind, but under normal wear such as lawn mowers etc. they should not crack. The company that installed the septic tanks used the correct lids. If by chance you need to replace them here is some information to keep in mind, price on the replacement lids are $18.00 if you want to pick them up yourself. The Septic Company at our house wanted $200 each for them ($150 after they talked to the manager… what a deal eh? I like $18 instead) This is what I paid: $18 for a 20″ Lid $18 for a 20″ x 6″ (height) riser

Optional things to do to prepare better for next time, so the question is: To dig or not to dig.

Cons: A little more money, and labor up front (but everything is relative). You may have to dig this up yourself because the septic company wants you to buy their stuff. They are not going to make it easy for you.

Pros: Less digging for the next drain. If you put enough risers, you should be able to have them (or yourself) dig down with a shovel to find the lid (that of course you carefully measured out already right?). No backhoes needed this time around.. Risers: If you are opting to add risers, put enough risers together, along with the lid to get them to about 6‐12″ from the surface. Each riser is 6" in height so just stack the number of risers you need to get to the desired depth from the surface/height from the tank. The risers interlock together, along with the cover. If you are growing grass over your lid, leave about 6" of dirt over the cover. This is up to you. Our Septic was buried from ground level to the top of the tank, 2 feet. We opted to add 2 risers, and the cover. Q: Can the lids be left at ground level? A: Yes, but keep in mind that it goes straight into your septic tank. If the lid cracks, there is a serious danger of falling in. If you have kids… then keep that in mind. It’s your call. Safety first! There are safety products out there so do some searching on the internet. Septic Company: There is a crust that has built up in your primary tank. We need to charge you extra to crust bust it so we can suck it out of your tank. Opinion: Companies usually include this in their pricing. A question that can be asked is: is there any tanks that do not have the crust? Septic Company: You need to replace your filter in your secondary tank, it’s clogged. Opinion: Our filter was located on the second tank near the output going to the drain field (see picture below). It was made of plastic which could be washed off with a garden hose. 30 seconds to save $200, pretty good deal. It’s up to you though.

Final Thoughts: This document is meant to help you through your septic process, not solve all or provide all of the answers. I hope you find this helpful, and I also hope it will save you some money. Any comments or additions to this document is more than welcome. Thanks!