ABC Blog

Do Opossums Dig Holes?

an opossum

There’s nothing more frustrating and puzzling than leaving your yard pristine at night, only to find holes the next day. These mysterious holes could be in your yard, outside your garage, under your deck or around your fence. If you’re wondering what creature is causing this havoc, opossums might be to blame.

With their white faces, pink noses and beady eyes, these animals might look innocent. However, they have capable paws that can do some damage. If you suspect opossums are the culprit behind the unsightly holes around your home, contact the experts. Wildlife control specialists will confirm the presence of opossums on your property and take the necessary measures to deter them. These pros also help you with other problems, like how to get rid of mice in your garden.

Do Opossums Dig Holes? Here’s What You Should Know About These Marsupials

Do opossums dig holes? Are they responsible for the mess … Read Full Post »

How Long Can a Mouse Live Without Food?

a mouse

If mice are scampering around in your home and stressing you out, you’re not alone. These resourceful rodents can be challenging to control because they rely on our homes for food and shelter when temperatures drop. They can thrive even if resources are scarce.

If you have a mouse problem, you might wonder if starving them out will encourage them to leave your house. It’s best to contact pest control professionals if you want these rodents out of your life. These experts know how to manage the mouse population in your home and keep them from bugging you. They can also answer questions like “How many mice are considered an infestation?”

How Long Can a Mouse Live Without Food? Here’s What You Should Know

Mice depend heavily on food for survival, and that’s likely why they are in your home. They’re scouring for whatever food they can get their paws on.

Depending on their … Read Full Post »

Are Rats Smart?

rat

Do you have a rat problem in your home? The first thing you’ll likely want to know is how to control these annoying pests. However, it’s important to recognize that rats are smart creatures with savvy survivalist instincts.

Rats use their intellect to adapt to their surroundings, communicate with each other, avoid threats, solve problems and more. Homeowners need to understand that rats are smart and that controlling a rat population is not simple. It’s best to leave the job to a professional pest control service.

Are Rats Smart?

Did you know that rats are considered very smart animals? Their intellect is part of why controlling rats can be challenging. The rodents are excellent at using their wits to stay out of sight and avoid traps.

Rats also use their intelligence to adapt and find ways to survive in rough and changing circumstances. They have great survival instincts and practice extreme caution in unfamiliar … Read Full Post »

When Do Mosquitoes Come Out? How To Avoid These Pests

mosquitoes on a person's arm

As winter winds down, the days grow longer and the weather slowly begins to warm up. The beauty of it all almost makes us forget that it’s about time for mosquitoes to come out again. As many people know, mosquitoes are more active when it’s warmer outside. This is unfortunate because the same is also true for humans. Many of us, especially those of us with pleasant outdoor spaces, hope to get in as many comfortable afternoons and evenings outdoors as we can before mosquitoes come out in full force once again.

Of course, different people react to mosquito bites differently. Not everyone finds them terribly itchy and annoying, though many people do. Additionally, these pests seem drawn to certain people more than others—is it due to differences in pheromones? Carbon-dioxide output? Body heat levels? Do some people just have sweeter blood? Are mosquitoes attracted to perfume? As you feel yourself … Read Full Post »

Mosquitoes in Texas: What Homeowners Should Know

Mosquitoes in Texas

https://blog.abchomeandcommercial.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Mosquitoes-in-Texas.mp4

You’re proud of your home. You’ve spent years caring for it, improving it and making it suit your style. Your home and landscape have never looked better. But there’s still a problem you’ll encounter, simply because you live in Texas: mosquitoes.

In addition to being an annoyance, these tiny biting creatures pose a risk to you, your family and your pets. Maybe you’re starting to feel their presence every time you step outside, or you’re tired of getting covered in itchy bites. You might find yourself wondering: what mosquito species live in Texas?

Mosquitoes in Texas: What Homeowners Should Know

You probably can’t spend much time outside without feeling the itch of new mosquito bites. New reports of cases of mosquito-borne diseases, such as the Zika virus, don’t seem to be going away.

Now may be the time to rethink the measures you take to protect yourself and your family from mosquitoes. Pest control professionals can … Read Full Post »

When Is Mosquito Season in Texas?

a group of mosquito

Mosquitoes can be a nuisance when you are trying to enjoy time outside. Not to mention, these pests can spread diseases. Many types of mosquitoes carry diseases like the Zika virus, yellow fever and the West Nile virus.

Mosquitoes are usually the most active during the warmer months of the year. They thrive when it is consistently at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit outside and in areas with standing water or moist climates. Unfortunately, Texas has one of the longest mosquito seasons in the country. Several factors can affect mosquito activity from year to year. For one, mosquito populations rise when there are warm temperatures early in the year and when it stays warm at night. Mosquito activity can also increase in years with lots of rainfall, since there is more of an opportunity for females to lay eggs.

In Texas, temperatures can stay warm far into fall and even winter months. This … Read Full Post »

What Do Mosquitoes Do with Blood?

a mosquito

A perfect night at home with friends can quickly go south when mosquitoes intrude on the party. These pests not only leave itchy bites but can also transmit diseases.

But, what do mosquitoes do with blood, anyway? Believe it or not, they don’t bite just to annoy you. Female mosquitoes need animal or human blood for reproductive purposes.

If mosquitoes are taking over your property, let pest control specialists help. They know how to manage the mosquito population on your property. You can also schedule regular treatments with them so they can deal with any lurkers and help prevent future infestations.

Why Do Mosquitoes Bite and What Do They Do With the Blood?

Only female mosquitoes bite animals and humans. They have a long mouthpiece called a proboscis that they use to pierce our skin and suck blood. They then secrete saliva into our system to prevent the blood from coagulating. Our bodies will … Read Full Post »

Small Black Tick: Identification & Control Guide

a deer tick

Do you know how to identify a small black tick? These pests, also called deer ticks or black-legged ticks, are among the most common tick species. While they may be tiny, they can carry and transmit a host of dangerous diseases, including Lyme disease.

Small Black Tick: Identification & Control Guide

Ticks can become major annoyances for both humans and animals, so homeowners need to be able to identify these pests. The most common type of tick is a small black tick, also known as a deer tick or a black-legged tick.

You can identify this type of tick by its black legs, which is where it gets its name. Small black ticks are also smaller than other tick species. An adult is around the size of a sesame seed, while a nymph, a younger tick, is no bigger than a poppy seed.

Next, as the name suggests, most small black ticks are black. … Read Full Post »

Does Eucalyptus Repel Mosquitoes?

eucalyptus

Mosquitoes are frustrating and persistent pests. Homeowners search high and low for solutions to mosquito infestations, so it’s natural to try anything. One common way to try to repel mosquitoes is to use the eucalyptus plant. But does this method work?

Does Eucalyptus Repel Mosquitoes?

While there is evidence that mosquitoes will tend to avoid eucalyptus, you would need to plant many, many eucalyptus trees in your yard to see any benefits. One or two eucalyptus trees will not make a dent in a mosquito infestation. Highly concentrated eucalyptus oil that has been found to be effective in pest control methods is very different from having a tree in your garden.

For homeowners who want to try eucalyptus as a DIY method to complement professional pest control, you can mix eucalyptus oil in water and spray it around the house and yard. However, using eucalyptus alone is not a sufficient mosquito control strategy.

Additionally, … Read Full Post »

What Are Mosquitoes Attracted To?

a mosquito on skin

As a homeowner, do you know what attracts these pests and how to deter mosquitoes from your property? Mosquitoes are annoying pests that seek out humans and animals as hosts. It’s important to understand what mosquitoes are attracted to so that you can take steps to avoid them.

The best way to deal with mosquitoes is to call in pest control professionals. An expert can control mosquitoes on your property.

What Are Mosquitoes Attracted To?

Mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide that humans and animals emit when they exhale. These pests use their receptors to pick up on the carbon dioxide in the air, and they use their vision to find people and animals.

Their impressive receptors, located on their antennae, allow them to detect carbon dioxide from a great distance. Once they fly into the vicinity of a host, they rely on their vision to land on the host.

Mosquito vision is not … Read Full Post »