ABC Blog

Please choose a city to view local blog posts:

Choose a City

Why Do I Have Silverfish in My House?

. Posted by in • Dallas-Fort Worth
a silverfish

While being a homeowner is rewarding, there are some frustrating parts. Finding silverfish in your home is one of them. Dealing with pests is an inevitable part of being a homeowner, and silverfish could be one of the insects wreaking havoc in your home.

While these creepy crawlies don’t pose any danger to humans, they can cause damage to your property and belongings, so it’s important to address the situation promptly. Here are some possible reasons they’re attracted to your home and how to find their nests.

If the silverfish infestation in your home is hard to manage, get professional help. Pest control specialists have the tools and expertise to keep these pesky insects in check. They can also help with other pests, like carpenter ant queens.

Dealing With Silverfish in the House? Here’s What’s Attracting Them

While you generally don’t have to worry about silverfish harming you, they have some off-putting habits you … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

How to Test Christmas Lights

. Posted by in • Austin
Christmas lights

Time flies by fast, and it’ll be the holiday season again before we know it. That means making our homes as festive and cozy as possible. But it could also mean struggling to fix holiday lights. If you don’t want that kind of stress during the holidays, test your lights beforehand and ensure they work before you install them.

If you’re wondering how to test holiday lights, we have easy methods you can try at home. They only take a few minutes and can save a lot of time during the decorating process. However, it’s easiest to leave these tasks up to lighting professionals. They’ll handle the entire decorating process from start to finish.

How to Test Christmas Lights: Six Methods for Homeowners

Imagine spending hours putting up your holiday lights only to find out some strands don’t work. To save yourself the hassle, test your lights before installing them by following these … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Are Rats Nocturnal?

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
a rat

Rats are among the most hated pests, and no homeowner wants to run into one inside their house. Not only do rats carry diseases, but they also have destructive habits that can damage properties.

So, how likely is it that one of these rodents will give you a jump scare during the daytime? Here’s what you should know about their active hours and sleeping habits.

Don’t let a rat problem steal your peace. Contact rodent control professionals to handle the infestation. They have the tools and expertise to manage the rat population on your property.

Here’s Everything You Should Know About Rat Behavior

Are rats nocturnal? They are, meaning they do their rodent business at night. They are the most active at night, dawn and dusk, particularly 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise. These resourceful pests will travel 100 to 300 feet away from their nests each night to locate food. … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Can Skunks Climb?

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth
a skunk

While different wildlife can wander into our yards, a skunk might be the most unwelcome. No one wants the smell of one lingering on their property. Aside from their odorous scent, they have other habits that can rile up homeowners. They become a nuisance when they burrow under homes, get into garbage cans and dig up holes in lawns to search for grub.

If you have these smelly creatures in your yard, you might be wondering how they got there in the first place. Can skunks climb? Here’s a closer look at how they move about and what you can do to keep them away.

If you need backup, don’t hesitate to contact wildlife control specialists. They have the tools and expertise to manage the skunk population on your property. These experts can also address other pest issues, like identifying possums versus opossums.

Can Skunks Climb? Here’s How They Get Onto Your Property

Skunks … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

How to Maintain Artificial Turf

. Posted by in • Corpus Christi
artificial turf

A lush lawn is every homeowner’s dream, but it can quickly become a nightmare because of the maintenance requirements. From weeding to watering to mowing, it can get overwhelming for a busy homeowner. That’s where artificial turf comes in. You get the same aesthetic without devoting as much time, effort and money to maintenance. You also don’t have to worry about the best time of day to fertilize your lawn and other technicalities.

However, artificial turf still needs regular TLC to keep it looking its best and last as long as possible. If you’re wondering how to maintain artificial turf, here are some of the best care tips to help you maximize your investment. A lawn care specialist can help you install artificial turf and keep it in pristine condition for many years.

How to Maintain Artificial Turf

If you’re tired of spending your free time caring for your lawn, you’ll be glad … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Holiday Events & Christmas Parades in Bryan, Texas

. Posted by in • Bryan-College Station
Santa on his sleight at a Christmas parade in Bryan, TX

If you’re looking to experience fun and festive holiday events and a Christmas parade, Bryan, TX, is the place to be this holiday season.

Downtown Bryan Holiday Stroll & Lighted Parade

This is Bryan-College Station’s one and only lighted Christmas parade. Beginning at 6 PM on Thursday, December 12, 2024, the parade starts at the intersection of 24th Street and Bryan Avenue and heads south, snaking through historic downtown Bryan as it turns on 28th Street before heading back up Main. Visitors can expect spectacular floats as well as lighted fire engines and more—and a visit from Santa at the end of the parade! You can even get some holiday shopping done at the many booths. Best of all, the parade is free to attend!

Do Some Christmas Shopping—Bryan, TX

Aside from Christmas parades, there are lots of other fun events going on around the Bryan–College Station area this holiday season. Here’s where to … Read Full Post »

How Long Does It Take to Charge an EV Car?

. Posted by in • Austin
an EV charging

Charging our gadgets is part of our daily routines, whether it’s our phones, laptops or headphones. However, charging a car is something many of us are still getting used to. One challenge you might face is figuring out how long it takes to charge your EV so you can schedule your day appropriately. There’s no straightforward answer to this question because there are various factors to consider.

If you’re new to the EV world, here’s your guide to EV charging at home. Contact an electrician if you’re ready to enjoy the convenience of home charging. A licensed electrician will assess your electrical panel, upgrade it if necessary and install the charging station correctly.

How Long Does It Take to Charge an EV Car?

Your EV’s charging time is dependent on a host of variables. Even the weather and your charging cable’s length may have an impact. But if we’re narrowing it down to … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

My Icemaker Is Not Working: What’s Wrong?

. Posted by in • San Antonio
an icemaker

With an icemaker, drinking your favorite cold beverages just got easier. Gone are the days of manually refilling ice trays, waiting for the water to freeze and prying out the ice cubes with your fingers. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t run into trouble with an icemaker. Unfortunately, a malfunctioning icemaker is one of the common refrigerator problems homeowners experience.

Is your icemaker not working? Several refrigerator components can be responsible for the problem, including the water filter, water inlet valve and freezer compartment. Before you get too frustrated, here’s a rundown of the possible culprits and how to troubleshoot the issue. If you lack DIY experience, let an appliance repair specialist take over. They have the tools and expertise to get your icemaker up and running again. These pros can also resolve other issues, such as when you’re asking, why is my fridge making a loud noise?

Icemaker Not Working? How … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Do Ticks Fly?

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth
a tick

Ticks are creepy-crawling insects that no one wants to encounter, especially since they are parasitic pests that carry diseases. The more you understand about tick behavior, the easier it will be to avoid them.

Do Ticks Fly?

Ticks do not fly and do not have wings. Instead, these parasitic insects latch onto animals and humans by crawling onto them. The most common way to encounter a tick is when you’re walking through tall grass or bushes.

The process of a tick attaching to a host is called “questing.” They patiently hide out in a bush or tall grass until a potential host walks by, and then they crawl onto them. They then use their hosts for their blood meals.

While ticks do not fly, researchers have discovered another unique way that they hoist themselves onto a new host. Instead of crawling, they use static energy to launch themselves into the air. They can shoot … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

What Is Forced Air Heating?

. Posted by in • Austin
a living room

Deciding on a heating system for your home can be overwhelming. There are boilers, radiators, mini-splits and baseboard heaters, to name a few. However, the most popular choice among homeowners is forced air heating.

What is forced air heating? While you’ll find it in countless homes, not all homeowners know how it works. Here’s everything you need to know about it, including how it works and its pros and cons.

If you decide on forced-air heating, contact a licensed professional to install it in your home. The HVAC technician can also perform regular maintenance checks to keep it in tip-top shape. Plus, this pro can help address other HVAC issues, like when you ask, “Why am I not getting power to my thermostat?”

What is Forced Air Heating? Here’s How It Works

Forced air heating is a component of an HVAC system that heats homes. It uses a heat source like a furnace or … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed