Renee, I now know that skinks don't eat roots and I know that toads don't. They do however make holes and I do know that air pockets in your soil are not good for the plants roots. These holes are numerous and destroy soil stucture. At first I thought maybe whatever it was was eating the roots but I no longer think that. I think the actual holes could in fact be causing damage. I don't consider ACE a big box store at all. These are small buisnesses and they do hire people who actually know what they are talking about which is why I like to shop there verses Lowes or Walmart and I would never ask those people advise on plants cause they know squat! This women is a master gardener with 35 years experience and knows what she is talking about (everything she says line up with things I have read). I also come to these forums as well (use to be on here a lot more at one time) in fact I have a link on my blog for this and the antique rose forum because there are so many wonderful people from all over to get there opinion or advice from and I think it's great. Very helpful people on the Garden Web! I have a bad feeling now though that is may in fact be voles as I dug up one of my antique roses that hadn't been doing good (with 2 holes near it) and it roots didn't look right. So I am going to try this method and see what I come up with. Easy and cheap without waasting money on traps and bait or having to buy harmful bait to gget rid of them. Wish me luck! ~Meghan

The One Hour is a national frnchise. They bought up bunch of small mom and pop contractors, whom now pay expensive dues to get marketing and business advice. If it is made by Amana it is made by Goodman equipment. With this in mind, get a few other quotes, the Goodman (One Hour) should be at the lower end of the scale. Amana WAS good stuff until they were taken over by Goodman.

In full disclosure, I work for URC (The Manufacturer). First of all I want to comment on the following comment made by "Doug_GB" I'm a computer scientist, not an electrician. But I can tell you that there are and have been a lot of different automation systems out there. Unfortunately, most of them never become popular, and the manufacturer either limps along or goes out of business. So after 5 years, there may be no more techs to support the thing. ---- To this point, URC is one of the largest manufacturer of Remote Controls on the planet. I can almost guarantee anyone reading this has used a URC Remote Control at some point. Your cable box, tv, etc very well may utilize a remote that we manufactured. Additionally, integrating audio and video? What happens when you need to replace the TV or receiver? What kind of integration would you have then? ---- To this point, when your system changes, you will need to have things reprogrammed but as opposed to other options, URC is much faster and easier to make changes and the cost will not be substantial. Dealers can access and reprogram the system from offsite if you allow them to. I sure as hell wouldn't tie my HVAC to the system. ---- Tying in the HVAC system is simple and doesn't affect or change the operation of the HVAC system when it is by itself. It simply communicates with the thermostat to give the control. The biggest problem with these proprietary whole house automation systems is just that - they are proprietary. ---- It is not as proprietary as you'd think. The whole concept is that while some stuff is required, it will communicate with many various systems and components such as other lighting systems, hvac systems, and more. Want to upgrade something or add a new product? Got to call the installer. Problem with your HVAC? Got to call your HVAC person who then may blame your home automation control, which then means you have to call your installer again. Want to add some new product they advertise? Well, you got to get it from your installer. ---- This is true. So is the fact that should your plumbing go bad? Gotta call a plumber, your house collapses - probably gotta call an architect. I think you get the picture. There are professionals in every field - but should you behappy with your installer, you should be happy to call them when you want to add or change the system. That being said, you are not forced to stay with that dealer and there is nothing a dealer can do to stop another URC dealer from taking over the system without starting over and reprogramming the entire thing. URC does not make their programming software available to anyone except their "authorized dealers". ---- This is true and for good reason. The system is complex and without extensive hours of training, you wouldn't do anything but harm with the software in hand. Be careful, you're basically marrying your "home entertainment guys" for life. ---- You are marrying the fact that you will need some sort of "Entertainment Guys" to make changes to your entertainment system down the road. Nothing is forcing you to stay with the same dealers should you feel wronged by them - but I would hope you stay satisfied and loyal to them into the future should they have put hard work into making you happy with your system! If any specific questions arise I am always happy to answer them and provide insight into what is possible with the system, dealers in your area that do great work (if I know them), etc. Please feel free to email me at any time - I am the West Coast Specialist for URC. My email is bnapier (AT) universalremote.com

I bought a Japanese maple from them last fall, planted it within 24 hours. It was dormant, but seemed to be OK. This spring, there were buds. The leaves were slow to emerge from the buds, though (other Japanese maples in the neighborhood were in full leaf before the buds started opening). And then about six weeks ago, everything went dead. The buds/leaves seemed dead, but the trunk was still green, so I did not (yet) despair. I made sure it was watered once a week. At first, it looked like there might be new buds, but those have not materialized, and the trunk is now black. In short, the tree never leafed out. I contacted them, and they said their policy is to not provide refunds after 48 hours of receipt of the tree. I have bought plants regularly from a handful of places, and this is the first time I have had anyone refuse to either replace or refund. More than $200 down the drain. No leaves ever. I will not be buying from Plant Lust again.