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What You Need to Know About Black Carpet Beetles

a black carpet beetle

As a homeowner, you might be worried about black carpet beetles, since their larvae can cause damage to your belongings. The black carpet beetle, or Attagenus unicolor, is a common household pest. Black carpet beetle larvae eat just about anything, from animal by-products (wool, hides and feathers) to natural fibers and plant products (vegetables, grains and cereals).

If you’re dealing with a black carpet beetle problem, your best option is to contact pest control professionals to handle these pests. You can also ask them questions like, “When do mosquitoes come out?”

What Do Black Carpet Beetles Look Like?

Adult black carpet beetles are small, oval-shaped insects, typically one-eighth to three-sixteenths of an inch long. They are dark brown or black, with a shiny, smooth appearance. Their larvae are light brown to black and covered in bristly hairs, growing up to a quarter inch long. The larvae have a long, elongated and carrot-shaped body … Read Full Post »

How to Choose the Right Grass for Your Climate and Soil

Grass Types For Climate

Grass Types For Climate

How to Choose the Right Grass for Your Climate and Soil

Selecting the right grass for your lawn is crucial for achieving a beautiful, healthy, and vibrant landscape throughout the year. Your local climate and soil conditions should guide your choice and specific lawn needs.

For warm season grass, options include Bermudagrass, which thrives in sunny, hot climates; Zoysiagrasses, ideal for areas with both sun and shade; St. Augustinegrass, suitable for tropical and subtropical regions; and Buffalograss, a drought-resistant choice for dry, sunny areas. On the other hand, cool season grass like Kentucky Bluegrass, known for its lush coverage in cooler climates; Perennial Ryegrass, which establishes quickly and grows well in cooler conditions; Fine Fescue varieties, great for shady areas; and Tall Fescue, offering robustness and drought tolerance, are excellent choices for cooler regions.

Choosing the appropriate grass type will ensure your lawn remains healthy and attractive.

Understanding … Read Full Post »

How to Fix Squeaky Stairs

stairs in a home

Squeaky stairs are a nuisance. Besides disrupting the peace during quiet moments at home, they indicate that your stairs need maintenance. Thankfully, fixing them typically isn’t hard. It may be as simple as a loose tread, worn wedges or protruding nails. Understanding the cause of the noise is the first step to a quiet staircase.

Identify the Source of the Squeak

Before you can fix the noise in your stairs, you need to know what’s causing it. Start by enlisting the help of a friend or family member and follow these steps.

Pinpoint the Problem Area

Have someone walk up and down the stairs while you listen for creaks. Focus on the exact steps or joints making noise. Stand at the center of the stairs and gently rock side to side, followed by front to back.

If the squeak comes from the front of the stairs, the tread has come loose from the riser. If … Read Full Post »

Do Carpenter Ants Have Two Sets of Wings?

a carpenter ant with wings

Can you identify carpenter ants? The more homeowners know about their appearance, the easier it is to spot and control a carpenter ant infestation. One interesting feature of carpenter ants is that some of them have two sets of wings while others have no wings at all.

If you have a carpenter ant problem, contact a pest control specialist. They will find the nest, treat the colony and can put prevention methods in place to stop the carpenter ants from returning.

Do Carpenter Ants Have Two Sets of Wings?

Do carpenter ants have two sets of wings? The answer depends on the type of carpenter ant. For example, worker carpenter ants do not have any wings.

Reproductive carpenter ants, on the other hand, do have two sets of wings. This type of carpenter ant is also known as the alates. They are the ants that leave their colony to mate and form new colonies.

Alates … Read Full Post »

Why Does My Breaker Keep Tripping With Nothing Plugged In?

a circuit breaker

Circuit breakers are silent protectors. From sudden power surges to ground faults or short circuits, breakers ensure our homes and appliances stay protected from electrical issues. A breaker works by immediately terminating electricity flow into the home in case of an overload or overheating and can prevent electrical fires.

If your breaker keeps tripping even when no appliance or device is plugged in, there might be a serious problem. Understanding why this issue is happening can be helpful. However, the best option is to consult a licensed electrician. The electrician has the training and skills to determine the cause and can address the electrical issue.

Why Does My Breaker Keep Tripping With Nothing Plugged In?

Even when you’re not using any appliance or gadget, your breaker can still trip due to the following reasons.

Ground Faults

A ground fault happens when a current takes unintentional paths to the ground. When this occurs, anything in the … Read Full Post »

The Role of Mulching in Lawn Health

Mulching in Lawn Health

Mulching in Lawn Health

The Role of Mulching in Lawn Health

Mulching is a fundamental practice in maintaining a healthy lawn and promoting overall lawn health. By incorporating mulch into your lawn care routine, you can significantly enhance the vitality and appearance of your yard. Regularly mulching grass clippings from your lawn mower is one effective way to achieve this.

As you mow, instead of bagging and disposing of lawn clippings, continue collecting grass clippings and let them naturally decompose on the lawn. This practice not only returns valuable nutrients to the soil but also helps to mulch clippings, enhancing the overall health of your lawn.

A lawn healthy and thriving yard benefits immensely from the proper use of mulch. Mulch grass from mowed lawns provides a natural layer that protects and enriches the soil. By allowing grass clippings to remain on the lawn, you can avoid the need for additional fertilizers, … Read Full Post »

How to Identify Brown Patch Fungus

brown patch on grass

Is brown patch fungus damaging your lawn? This fungal disease can wreak major havoc on not just the appearance of your lawn, but the health.

An expert can identify the root cause of the brown patch fungus in your lawn, create a personalized treatment plan and put prevention methods in place to help maintain the health of your lawn for the long-term. Additionally, they’ll advise you on proper lawn maintenance techniques to avoid fungal diseases in the future.

How to Identify Brown Patch Fungus

Brown patch is a fungal disease that can turn a beautiful lush lawn into a patchy and brown one in a short amount of time. This disease typically appears in mid to late summer and affects some types of grasses more than others.

Brown patch fungus appears as circular or irregular brown patches of grass across your lawn. The grass will look dead, and the patches range in size from … Read Full Post »

What is Crown Molding?

crown molding

Whether you’re looking to add something special to a room or upgrading an entire house, crown molding is a simple way of adding elegance. It is especially useful for making small rooms feel larger. With crown molding, the ceiling can look higher and the windows can look taller. Installing it on your own can be difficult, so it’s best to call in a professional handyman for help.

What is Crown Molding?

Crown moldings, or cornices, are decorative elements used where walls meet ceilings. They typically feature a gentle curve with attractive designs to create a smooth transition between vertical walls and horizontal ceilings. Crown moldings are made from various materials, including plaster, wood and composite materials (polyurethane foam, extruded polystyrene, vinyl or PVC).

Additionally, crown moldings help hide building imperfections, including drywall joints, poor painting or wall cracks. They also make rooms feel bigger by making ceilings appear higher and windows larger.

That said, … Read Full Post »

Incorporating Native Plants into Your Landscaping Design

Incorporating Native Plants into Your Landscaping Design

Creating a stunning and sustainable landscape design with native plants is an excellent way to enhance the beauty and functionality of your outdoor space. Native plants are those that have evolved naturally in a specific region over thousands of years, making them well-suited to the local climate, soil, and wildlife. By incorporating these plants into your landscape, you can reduce maintenance, support local ecosystems, and enjoy a more resilient and vibrant garden. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore various landscape design elements, offer practical landscape design ideas, and provide tips for selecting and caring for native plants in your landscape designs.

A well-thought-out landscape design plan begins with an assessment of your property and the unique characteristics of your yard. Identify the common themes you want to highlight, such as the incorporation of trees, shrubs, and other plant materials that are native to your region. Consider the design process in stages, … Read Full Post »

Turf Versus Artificial Grass: What’s the Difference?

artificial turf

For many homeowners, their lush lawn is their pride and joy. It’s the first thing neighbors and guests see, making it one of the most valuable parts of the home. While natural grass can dramatically boost curb appeal, there’s a lot of maintenance work behind the scenes. All the weeding, watering and mowing can take a toll on your hands and back.

That’s where artificial grass comes in. Resembling natural grass, you can use it to beautify your property without the backbreaking maintenance work. You don’t have to worry about technicalities like “When is the best time of day to fertilize your lawn?” Contact lawn care professionals if you want the look of a sprawling, pristine lawn minus the stress. They will install artificial grass in your yard and make it look seamless.

Turf Versus Artificial Grass: Pros and Cons

While artificial and turf grass are both synthetic, their main difference lies in … Read Full Post »