ABC Blog

Please choose a city to view local blog posts:

Choose a City

Florida Carpenter Ants: Controlling An Infestation

. Posted by in , • Orlando
Florida carpenter ant on damaged wood

How to Get Rid of Florida Carpenter Ants

Orlando homeowners searching for pest control solutions often discover carpenter ants after noticing tiny piles of sawdust along baseboards or in attic crawl spaces. Learning how to get rid of carpenter ants starts with proper identification—confirming that the insects are actually Florida carpenter ants, not termites or another species.

Florida carpenter ants have a brown to rusty orange-colored head and thorax, with the bottom half of their bodies being black. This ant grows a circular ring of golden hairs around its abdomen. Antennae are bullet-shaped and segmented into 12 parts. Workers measure in at about a quarter of an inch to a half of an inch in length, while winged swarmers and the queen can reach up to three-quarters of an inch long.

If the ants on a … Read Full Post »

How To Tell if Termites Are Active

. Posted by in • Houston
white termites in soil

Key Takeaways

  • Fresh mud tubes indicate activity — Moist, soft mud tubes that get repaired after breaking signal an active subterranean termite colony. Dry and crumbly? Old damage.
  • The mud tube test works — Break off a small section and check back in 2-3 days. If it’s rebuilt, they’re still using that pathway.
  • Clicking sounds reveal colonies — Soldier termites bang their heads against wood when disturbed. You might hear faint clicking inside walls at night.
  • Swarmers indoors = established colony — Finding winged termites inside your home means a mature colony’s already there. That’s a red flag.
  • Fresh frass confirms drywood activity — Tiny pellet-shaped droppings near wooden items? They’re actively feeding. Time to act.
  • Old damage looks different — Brittle … Read Full Post »

How To Get Rid Of Cockroaches: Advice For Homeowners

. Posted by in • Corpus Christi
How To Get Rid Of Cockroaches

If you’ve found a roach in your home, you may be worried about what comes next. Roaches are a common sight in Texas, but that doesn’t mean they’re any less alarming to see in your home. Seeing one means it’s time to take action to control these pests and help curb future issues.

For more insight into cockroach behavior in Texas homes, we spoke with Alan Brown, Board-Certified Entomologist and Technical Director at ABC Home & Commercial Services. According to Brown, several species are especially common across the state.

“German, American and smoky brown cockroaches are all common in Texas.”

Brown explains that homes are attractive to roaches because they offer everything these pests need to survive.

“Homes provide roaches with all the things they need … Read Full Post »

How Long Do Bed Bugs Live?

. Posted by in , • Austin
a bed bug

Unfortunately for Texans, bed bug activity is high throughout the state. These pests are notoriously hard to control, and you may have a lot of questions and concerns, like how long do bed bugs live? 

To get expert insight, we spoke with Alan Brown, Board-Certified Entomologist and Technical Director at ABC Home & Commercial Services.

“Adult bed bugs can live up to a year in perfect laboratory conditions, in the real world that is generally much shorter.”

Brown explains that under ideal conditions, a bed bug’s typical lifespan is around six to twelve months. Ideal conditions include a warm environment, access to a blood meal and plenty of hiding spots.

However, they can also survive for months in cooler temperatures and without feeding, which contributes to why they’re often hard to control.

Many areas of Texas stay … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

What Do Baby Termites Look Like?

. Posted by in • Houston
what do baby termites look like

Any homeowner who has seen small, winged, ant-like insects in or around their home has probably wondered, What do baby termites look like? It’s wise to worry about a possible termite infestation, as these insects are a severe problem if they infest your home, garage, or other structure. They can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage to your property.

In fact, termites cause more than $5 billion in property damage across the United States every year. Clearly, a savvy homeowner should know how to identify termites. Telling these creatures apart from winged ants, for example, or any other look-alike insect species, however, can be challenging. Many of us know what these insects look like in their adult form, but what about termite larvae? Read on to learn about baby termites, the termite life cycle, the swarming season, and how to keep these dangerous pests away from your most significant … Read Full Post »

Signs of Termites in Houston Homes: The Complete Detection Guide

. Posted by • Houston

Key Takeaways

  • Mud tubes on foundation walls are the clearest sign of subterranean termite activity—check shaded areas and near plumbing penetrations.
  • Common signs of termites in your house include hollow-sounding wood, stuck doors/windows, and unexplained wall damage—all can indicate hidden infestations.
  • Houston’s climate supports year-round termite activity—Eastern subterranean, Formosan, and drywood termites all threaten local homes.
  • Swarmers (winged termites) emerging indoors signal that a mature colony already exists in or near your home.
  • Annual professional inspections remain the most effective prevention—catching infestations early saves thousands in repair costs.

Here’s a number that should make every Houston homeowner pay attention: termites cause more than $5 billion in property damage across the United States every year, according to the National Pest Management Association. And Texas? The state sits right in the thick of it. The warm, humid climate creates the perfect breeding ground for these wood-destroying insects, and Houston homes face threats from multiple termite species year-round.

The … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Do Mosquitoes Bite Dogs? Your Questions Answered

. Posted by in , • Austin
a dog in grass

Texas has a high mosquito population, especially in our state’s warm, humid regions. While these pests are a long-time nuisance for humans, you may also wonder if your dog has to deal with them. Do mosquitoes bite dogs, or are our pets protected by their fur?

The short answer is that yes, mosquitoes bite dogs. Fur helps, but it’s not always enough to keep your pet from getting bitten. Here’s a closer look at why mosquitoes bite dogs and how to help prevent them from pestering your pets.

Do Mosquitoes Bite Dogs?

You may be surprised to learn that mosquitoes bite dogs just as often as they bite humans and other mammals. 

For more information about why mosquitoes bite dogs and how to protect your pet, we spoke with Alan Brown, Board-Certified Entomologist and Technical Director at ABC Home & Commercial Services.

Read Full Post »

Signs of Rodent Infestation After a Freeze

. Posted by • Houston

Signs of Rodent Infestation After a Houston Freeze — Here’s What Houston Homeowners Should Know

Hard freezes don’t hit Houston very often. But when they do, something predictable happens about a week later: homeowners start noticing signs of rodent infestation. Scratching in the attic. Scratching in the attic at odd hours. Droppings in the garage that weren’t there before. Chew marks are showing up in places you’d never expect.

The freeze itself isn’t when people notice. They’re too busy worrying about pipes and staying warm. It’s afterward—once life goes back to normal—that the evidence shows up. If you’re dealing with this right now, you’re not alone. And if you haven’t seen anything yet, this is actually the perfect window for rodent control before another cold snap rolls through.

What Makes Freezes So Bad for Rodent Problems

Rats and mice do just fine outdoors most of the year in Houston. They burrow under … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

What To Do About Mice in Walls

. Posted by in , • Houston
a brown mouse

Scurrying, squeaking or scratching noises in the walls at night typically means one thing; rodents. The 2021 American Housing Survey, conducted by the U.S Census Bureau, reveals that almost 15 million homes in the U.S. reported rodent sightings last year.

Mice and other rodents aren’t just a danger to your walls, wiring and insulation either.

The saliva, urine and feces of mice or rats can spread a host of deadly diseases to humans and pets.

Common Signs of Mice in Walls

Mice can be noticeable house guests, leaving droppings and gnaw marks behind as they search for food and shelter.

These signs can not only indicate their presence in your home but help narrow down the specific areas they’re regularly invading. If you find shredded packaging, food remains or droppings in your pantry, it’s a sure sign that mice are helping themselves to your food.

Scattered bits of insulation, cardboard or plastic wiring are a good … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Bed Bug Feces And Other Signs Of An Infestation

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
Bed bug feces on white fabric

Bed bug feces are often one of the earliest and most reliable signs of a bed bug infestation. The dark brown or black ink-like dots are often tricky to spot but can be found with careful inspection. Early detection is especially helpful in Texas, where warm weather can allow bed bugs to reproduce quickly.

For more insight into what bed bug feces look like and where they’re commonly found, we spoke with Alan Brown, Board-Certified Entomologist and Technical Director at ABC Home & Commercial Services.

“Bed bug feces are digested blood. The fecal spots are black liquid and look very much like ink spots.”

He explains that these spots are typically found close to where bed bugs live and feed, including:

“Bedding, night stands, head boards, … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed