All Posts

If you're new to pet waste removal services or just wondering what exactly Yard of Duty does and how it works, this post is for you. Here's a clear, honest explanation of our service and what you can expect from start to finish. What Is Yard of Duty? Yard of Duty is Ogdensburg's professional pet waste removal service. We serve homeowners throughout St. Lawrence County, including Ogdensburg, Potsdam, Canton, Massena, Hammond, Heuvelton, Waddington, and surrounding communities.

If you're planning to sell your home in Ogdensburg or anywhere in St. Lawrence County, there's one thing you might be overlooking that could affect your sale: dog waste. This isn't just about cleanliness. It's about real dollars — and curb appeal that either draws buyers in or drives them away. Curb Appeal Is Everything in Real Estate Real estate professionals consistently rank curb appeal as one of the most critical factors in a home sale. According to the National Associati

One of the most common things people Google before hiring a dog waste removal service is: how much does it cost? It's a fair question, and at Yard of Duty, we believe in complete transparency. Here is an honest, factual breakdown of what professional dog poop cleanup services typically cost across the U.S. and what you can expect right here in St. Lawrence County, NY. National Average Costs for Dog Waste Removal According to industry data compiled by multiple pet waste remova

If you own a dog in St. Lawrence County — whether you're in Ogdensburg, Potsdam, Canton, Massena, or Gouverneur — there are specific laws you need to know about dog waste disposal. New York State Law New York State's Agriculture and Markets Law requires dog owners to pick up and properly dispose of their dog's waste when on public property. This applies to: - Sidewalks - Parks - Recreational areas - Any public spaces Failure to pick up waste in a public area is a violation un

Many dog owners are surprised to learn just how many different pests dog waste can attract to a yard. If you've noticed increased insects, rodents, or other unwanted visitors, uncollected dog waste may be the root cause. Flies: The Most Immediate Threat House flies, bottle flies, blow flies, and flesh flies are all strongly attracted to the scent of dog feces. Flies can lay eggs in fresh dog waste within minutes of it being deposited. Eggs hatch into maggots in as little as 8

If you have children who play in your backyard, a clean yard isn't just about appearance — it's a direct public health issue. Here's what the science says about the benefits of maintaining a waste-free yard for kids. What Children Are Exposed to in a Contaminated Yard Children play on the ground, put their hands in their mouths, and rarely think about avoiding dog waste. According to the CDC, dog waste can contain Toxocara canis (roundworm), which can infect children who play

Being a good dog owner goes beyond caring for your own pet — it includes being a good neighbor. Here in Ogdensburg and across St. Lawrence County, following proper dog waste etiquette keeps our community cleaner, healthier, and more welcoming for everyone. The Rules Are Simple 1. Always carry waste bags. Every time you leave your home with your dog, carry at least two biodegradable waste bags. They're inexpensive, lightweight, and have no excuse to be left behind. 2. Pick up

Is it safe to compost dog waste? This question comes up often for eco-conscious homeowners in St. Lawrence County. The short answer: not recommended for home composting, but there are some specific exceptions. Here's what the research says. Why Dog Waste Is Different From Other Compostables Home composting works well for vegetable scraps, leaves, and other plant matter. But dog waste is different because: - It contains harmful pathogens including E. coli, Salmonella, roundwor

Thinking about doing dog waste cleanup yourself instead of hiring a service? Here's an honest comparison of DIY versus professional pet waste removal — with the facts you need to make the right decision. The Real Cost of DIY Cleanup On the surface, DIY cleanup seems free. But consider: - Time: The average dog defecates 1-3 times per day. For a single dog, you're looking at 7-21 pickup events per week. Multiply that by the time to find, bag, and dispose of each one, and a week

Pet ownership is extremely common across St. Lawrence County, with thousands of dog owners in communities including Ogdensburg, Potsdam, Canton, Massena, Gouverneur, and Waddington. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), approximately 38.4% of U.S. households own at least one dog. (Source: AVMA, avma.org) Applied to St. Lawrence County's population of approximately 108,000 residents (U.S. Census Bureau) and average household size of 2.4 people, this

Here's something most Ogdensburg residents don't think about: when it rains, the dog waste in your yard doesn't stay there. It travels. Rain runoff carries dog waste — along with the E. coli, Salmonella, roundworm eggs, and excess nitrogen it contains — across yards, down driveways, into storm drains, and ultimately into local waterways including the St. Lawrence River. The EPA's Position on Dog Waste The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies dog wast

If you've noticed a strong, persistent odor coming from your yard, dog waste is likely the primary cause. Here's why it smells, how long it lasts, and what you can do about it. Why Dog Poop Smells So Bad Dog waste contains a combination of bacteria, sulfur compounds, indoles, skatoles, and ammonia that are released as the waste breaks down. The high-protein diet of most dogs means their waste is particularly pungent and acidic compared to livestock manure. Warm temperatures a

Every dog owner should know the warning signs that their pet has been exposed to parasites through contact with contaminated waste. Roundworms, hookworms, Giardia, and Parvovirus can all be transmitted through infected feces, and early detection is critical for treatment. Warning Signs in Your Dog If your dog has been exposed to contaminated waste, watch for the following symptoms: - Visible worms or worm segments in feces or around the tail - Scooting or rubbing hind end on

Ogdensburg and St. Lawrence County offer a great outdoor life for dog owners. From parks along the St. Lawrence River to open trails and recreational areas, there are plenty of places to take your dog. Morrisette Park, Ogdensburg Located at 2 Caroline Street, Morrisette Park sits right along the St. Lawrence River and offers beautiful waterfront views. Dogs are welcome on a leash. Always pick up after your dog here — waste left near the river directly pollutes the St. Lawrenc

Every spring, gardeners across Ogdensburg and St. Lawrence County work hard to prep their vegetable gardens. But if you have dogs, there's one important hazard to understand: dog waste in or near your vegetable garden is a genuine health risk. Why Dog Waste Is NOT Fertilizer Many people assume that because cow and horse manure fertilize crops, dog waste works the same way. It does not. Livestock manure (cow, horse, chicken) comes from animals on plant-based diets and breaks d

If you live in Ogdensburg, Massena, Potsdam, Canton, or anywhere in St. Lawrence County, you know what real winter looks like. Snow accumulates for months. Temperatures stay below freezing for weeks at a time. And in the back of your yard — out of sight, under the snow — dog waste is quietly building up. Many homeowners assume that frozen poop is harmless poop. That assumption is incorrect, and potentially dangerous. Freezing Does NOT Kill Bacteria or Parasites This is the mo

Most dog owners focus on the smell and the mess — but here's a fact that surprises many people: dog waste actively attracts dangerous pests to your yard. If you're a homeowner in Ogdensburg, Potsdam, Canton, Massena, or anywhere in St. Lawrence County, this is something worth understanding before your next outdoor gathering. The Three Main Pests Dog Waste Attracts 1. Flies House flies, flesh flies, and blow flies are powerfully attracted to the odor and organic matter in dog

If you're a dog owner in Ogdensburg, Potsdam, Canton, Massena, or anywhere in St. Lawrence County, one of the most important yard maintenance questions you need to answer is this: how often should you be picking up your dog's waste? The short answer — according to veterinarians and health experts — is daily, or at minimum once per week. Here's why that matters, and what happens when you let it go longer. Why Frequency Matters: What's Actually in Dog Waste According to experts

Relocating to Ogdensburg, New York is an exciting move. Whether you're coming for a job at the Correctional Facility, SUNY Canton, Clarkson University, a government position, or simply choosing the North Country for a quieter pace of life, you're going to love this community. If you're bringing dogs — and let's be honest, most great families do — there are some things specific to Ogdensburg and St. Lawrence County that you should know before you arrive. Welcome to Ogdensburg:

If you have dogs and you've noticed brown or dead patches scattered across your lawn, dog waste is almost certainly the culprit. This is one of the most common and misunderstood lawn problems for dog owners in Ogdensburg and throughout St. Lawrence County — and the damage is more complex than most people realize. The Myth: Dog Poop Is a Natural Fertilizer Many homeowners assume that because dog waste is organic, it must be good for the lawn — similar to how cow manure is used