HARMON & SONS

The person on the phone was very helpful explaining my options and later calling to let me know they would be there the next day. They came during the time she said. The weeds visibly died back and the grass greened up. She said to call for a repeat weed spray if they weren’t gone in two weeks. I called and they came the next day to spray again. Good service.

They are good, if you have a question about something on the lawn you can ask them about it when they are here or you can call them up.

We had Harmon & Sons come out in the spring (April 2015) to treat our ailing Austrian pine tree. At that time, they described several treatment options. One being an insecticide injection using the Wedgle system (cost $200), another being a spring time spray to treat the problem. We chose this option ($70)
Research:
In the interim, I called the USU Extension agent to discuss our tree issue.  We talked at length and he suspected that we most likely have a pitch borer moth infestation.  These are the only pests they have trapped on Austrian Pines in the Salt Lake Valley.  He warned me about companies that may attempt to sell chemical treatments that are not proven to be effective.  He also recommended that if we choose an injectable treatment, the only proven treatment for this was Emamectin Benzoate.  (http://utahpests.usu.edu/IPM/files/uploads/UPCLA_Alston_2015.pdf)  A USDA study showed Emamectin Benzoate 99% effective for up to 2 years on this and pine beetles.  Imidachlorprid was only 60% effective, required two treatments. Other sources also warned about the highly pressurized systems that can cause damage to the tree's bark. ( http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/publication/NR_FF_020pr.pdf)

Harmon & Son's Consultation :
Seeing continued pest activity with our Austrian Pine, and not knowing what the injectable chemical option was, we asked Harmon and Sons to send out an arborist for additional consultation and treatment plan. We were told that as customers this would be a free consultation.
Taylor, the arborist, had to be encouraged to even step close to the tree to take a look at the pitch masses developing. With no direct physical examination of the tree, he concluded that the tree was suffering from black & red turpentine beetle. He recommended the injection treatments using Imidachlorprid.  The cost magically jumped to $250 and would need to be done at least twice.  We would also need to spray in the spring ($70).  As well, he recommended a paint-on fertilizer.  These services were going to cost $570+  We chose to get another bid, because of the diagnosis, increased service contract price and the chemical Taylor advised we use.
A Second Opinion:
Subsequently, we got another arborist who spent quite a bit of time examining the tree and explaining that we had pitch masses (associated with clear winged pitch boring moth), not pitch tubes (associated with turpentine beetles).  This consultation was at no cost and with no obligation!  The recommended treatment was a single injection of Emamectin Benzoate that lasts 2 years - cost $175 total.  We asked about fertilization and he felt it was not necessary, but was available if we wanted it.
 
Cancelling service through Harmon & Son's:
When we called Harmon & Son's office (Sept 13 2015) to let them know we were going to choose another service provider and the reasons why, they demanded immediate payment of $75 for the Arborist "consultation".   I explained that the invoice provided us 30 days from the time of service (4 Sept 2015) and that we were told there would be no charge for the consultation.  We would, however, pay the invoice and would like to cancel service.   We again received a phone call from April Harmon, on (21 Sept 2015) demanding payment.  Again, I reminded April that we had 30 days and they would indeed receive payment in full and on time.
In Summary:
This was a judgment call for us and we did not want to continue service with Harmon & Son's.  Harmon and Son's should notify customers that have paid for a service and then requested an arborist consultation, that it will cost $75 should the customer decide to go elsewhere.  H & S needs to clarify their policy up front.  We felt deceived and in our dealings and the owner, April Harmon, it became unpleasant her demands for immediate payment when we in fact had 30 days (payment was sent on 24 Sept 2015).  This was totally unnecessary and unprofessional.  We would not recommend this company to anyone.

I am happy with them. They are good.

Four applications are applied to the lawn over the summer. During the initial consultation he spent time looking around and reviewing things with me. He was very knowledgeable and took the time to explain things to me.

I have used this company for 10 years. One of the reasons I have stayed with them is because they are approachable. Talking to them is like talking to your neighbor.