HOME BRIEFS

The Nevada State Contractors Board is warning homeowners in the Summerlin area to beware of an unlicensed contractor soliciting homeowners for $350 to high-power wash roof tiles and spray them with an unknown sealant, all under the claim of protecting tiles from harmful ultraviolet rays and to extend their life span.

Roofing industry experts concur that such claims are unsubstantiated and that tiles, which are made of concrete, are sealed when manufactured.

Homeowners should be cautious when approached by door-to-door salesmen soliciting to wash and seal roof tiles. Company representatives are reportedly driving two vehicles with no license plates: a white Chevrolet and blue Ford pick-up.

Homeowners are advised that all Nevada-licensed contractors have a five-digit license number issued by the Nevada State Contractors Board. Either call the contractors board at 486-1100 or visit www.nvcontractors board.com, and reference the number to make sure a contractor is licensed and in good standing with the board.

Plant diagnostics focus of free workshop

Introduced insect pests and plant diseases can threaten plant populations in a very short time if they go undetected. University of Nevada Cooperative Extension will host the National Plant Diagnostic Network’s First Detection Training Workshop from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. June 19 at the Lifelong Learning Center, 8050 S. Maryland Pkwy.

The workshop is designed for those who have a pest, either insect or disease, of concern or who is in the position of noticing an unusual outbreak, including landscape professionals, horticulturists, foresters, agriculturists, extension educators, master gardeners, nursery workers and pesticide applicators.

Experts from University of California, Davis and the Nevada Department of Agriculture will present the sessions at the workshop. Attendees will learn how to recognize and report suspicious landscape pests, how the National Plant Diagnostic Network works, and what pests currently pose a threat.

Attendees also receive a First Detector Certificate of Completion and are enrolled in the National Plant Diagnostic Network.

There is no cost to attend the workshop, but advance registration is required by June 13.

For more information or to register for the workshop, contact Karen Dyka at University of Nevada Cooperative Extension by calling 257-5530 or e-mailing dykak@unce.unr.edu.