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Cool Pest Science: Using Beetle Pheromones for Pest Control?

. Posted by in • San Antonio

Over the years, modern science has come up with a stunning range of solutions to everyday pest problems. Many of these are conventional and even boring, but others capture the imagination of the public. We’re betting that you’re not familiar with an offbeat yet effective means of controlling structural pests and other unwanted insect visitors: beetle pheromones.

What Are Pheromones, Anyway?

Pheromones are biological compounds that animals excrete to attract mates, communicate or perform other important tasks. Human pheromones exist mainly to strengthen ties between mates and family members, but other animals use these chemicals for different purposes. Although some pheromones are associated with strong odors, many of these compounds are odorless and can’t be detected by the human sensory system.

Origins and Application

According to groundbreaking research, the female Asian longhorned beetle—an invasive species that has devastated structures and foliage across wide swathes of the United States—secretes a powerful sex pheromone that attracts … Read Full Post »

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New to Austin? Become Familiar with Our Most Common Pests

. Posted by in • Austin

The Austin area is among the country’s fastest-growing metro regions. Anyone who spends time here understands why: It’s a vibrant, economically diverse city with a unique local culture and plenty of natural amenities. Unfortunately, the area’s pests seem to like it just as much as its human residents. If you’re new to Austin, take some time to learn about the creepy, crawly and occasionally dangerous critters that also call the region home.

Wasps and Other Stinging Insects

Several species of wasp are endemic to the Austin area. The most visually stunning of these is the Cicada killer, a 1.5-inch beast that can kill a tarantula with its venom. The area also harbors several varieties of paper wasps. These smaller creatures aren’t as scary to look at, but their stings can be dangerous for children and those who have a sensitivity to venom. Meanwhile, fire ants like to create colonies near structures and … Read Full Post »

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Can Your Lawn Reveal Your Deepest Secrets?

. Posted by in , , • San Antonio

You probably won’t find lawn conditions mentioned in many pop psychology books, but if you look carefully, there may be a correlation between a person’s lawn and their personalities and priorities. At first glance, it might not seem important, but if you’re looking for a mate or trying to impress your neighbors, your personal environment and what it reveals about you could be a make-or-break factor. Here are a few personality types that could potentially be linked to lawn condition (and of course, we take these results with a grain of salt!).

The Control Freak

The Control Freak’s lawn is never more than a fraction of an inch too long or short. It’s the perfect shade of green, and any blemishes are quickly isolated and treated intensively until they’re back in formation. The Control Freak regularly inspects every plant in the yard and references the Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab when necessary.

The … Read Full Post »

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Ants: They’re Mightier than You Think

. Posted by in • Bryan-College Station

When you see a spider, you probably run or at least flounder helplessly in a corner until someone removes it. Cockroaches likely make your skin crawl and your hair stand on end. A scorpion might send you into convulsions, but an ant is probably lucky to inspire a raised eyebrow. Granted, the presence of one or two ants is no reason to sound an alarm. Unfortunately, when several hundred join forces, they can do a surprising amount of damage.

Never Underestimate the Ant

Ruining your picnic is child’s play for some ants. Here are a few ways various types of Texas ants can make your life miserable.

• Common household ants can contaminate your food stores in record time. They’re especially fond of sweets. They carry bacteria on their feet, so once an army of ants invades a food item, it’s theirs.

• Red imported fire ants typically nest outdoors. Their mounds can damage … Read Full Post »

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FAQ: Is My Dog, Cat, Bird, Fish, and Child Safe with a Pest Control Program?

. Posted by in • Austin

Austin-area homeowners have to deal with a wide range of rodent, insect and arachnid pests. To combat these critters, many turn to our powerful pest management programs. Of course, it’s natural to have concerns about our pest control solutions, and we’re more than happy to answer any questions that you might have. We offer answers to some commonly asked questions below.

What Types of Pest Control Do We Offer?

ABC Home & Commercial proudly administers a diverse array of pest control services. Some of our most popular services include:

• Wasp and flying insect control
• Termite and structural pest mitigation
• Bed bug control
• Rodent and wildlife services
• Mosquito control

Each service begins with a licensed inspector’s thorough examination of the affected property. We’ll identify problem areas and determine which pests are at fault. After looking for mitigating factors and sanitation issues, we customize a powerful, proactive pest control plan.

How Do We Minimize the Impact … Read Full Post »

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Nothing Eliminates Bed Bugs Better than a Heat Treat

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth

Do you wake up in the morning with unexplained sores on your trunk and legs? Are you plagued by itching and pain throughout the day?

Your home could be infested with bed bugs. While this might sound disgusting, it’s an increasingly common fact of life in the Metroplex. The good news is that it’s relatively easy and painless to dispatch bed bugs. Learn more about the effectiveness of heat treatments.

What Is Heat Remediation Treatment?

Heat remediation treatment is the practice of exposing bed bugs to lethal doses of heat. There are several means of applying said heat. For small or diffuse items like slippers or carpet, simply running a hair dryer across the affected space for several minutes should be enough to kill most bed bugs. For beds and bulkier pieces of furniture, heat chambers may be required.

How Does It Work?

Although some organisms are more tolerant of heat than others, all have … Read Full Post »

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A Snappy History of the Mousetrap

. Posted by in • San Antonio

Throughout history, humans have looked for ways to manage mice and rats. The small, furry creatures can cause a host of problems by invading food stores, chewing building materials and spreading disease. One classic mouse management tool is the spring-loaded mousetrap. A subject of both controversy and humor, the mousetrap consists of a flat wooden base and a wire spring mechanism triggered by a rodent’s weight.

A Brief and Snappy History

British inventor James Henry Atkinson created the “Little Nipper,” the prototype on which the modern spring-loaded mousetrap is based. Atkinson sold his patent to Proctor in 1913, and the company has been manufacturing the traps ever since. Not to be outdone by the Brits, American inventor John Mast received a patent for a similar snap-trap in 1903. His became the best-selling mousetrap of all time. Mast claimed that his design was safer; human users wouldn’t risk losing their fingers while loading … Read Full Post »

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Three Quick Home Plumbing Upgrades You’ll Love

. Posted by in • Austin

Whether you’re the go-to neighborhood handyman or can’t tell a tire iron from a toilet seat, you probably don’t give your DIY skills enough credit. With a little preparation and a lot of discipline, it’s possible to execute many straightforward plumbing upgrades and fixes without calling on a professional or buying special tools. We outline three simple tasks that take less than half a day and leave your home in even better shape.

Upgrading Faucets with Aerators and Other Water-Saving Devices

If your home suffers from low water pressure or has wasteful, outdated faucets, you don’t have to replace your entire piping system. Instead, tack a simple aerator onto your faucet head to increase the perceived speed at which water shoots out of the tap. You can buy aerators at most home improvement stores, and installing them simply demands some manual twisting or clipping.

If you’re more interested in sprucing up your faucet’s … Read Full Post »

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Going Tankless at Home

. Posted by in • Austin

How Tankless Water Heaters Can Improve Your Austin Home

To the extent you think about your water heater at all, odds are that you think of a big, bulky contraption with a large tank that stores hot water. Thanks to modern technology, though, you can get rid of the tank and save plenty every year.

Unlike an ordinary water heater, a tankless system heats water on demand. As soon as you turn on a faucet or start up an appliance that uses hot water, cold water flows into the heater. The system warms it up directly using gas or electric heat, then pumps the hot water right where it’s needed. As soon as you shut off the hot water, the system shuts down, too.

The biggest upshot of such a system is that there’s no power wasted heating up water that you don’t really need. A tankless heater gives you exactly as much … Read Full Post »

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FAQ: How Toxic Are the Pest Control Products Used by ABC Home & Commercial Services?

. Posted by in • San Antonio

If you have a pest problem in your home, you may be willing to try just about anything to dispel the threat. At the same time, you’re probably cognizant of the fact that some pest control products are toxic. We’re sensitive to these issues as well. In fact, we take pains to ensure that our approach to pest mitigation doesn’t jeopardize your family’s health and well-being. These commonly asked questions explain more about our services and philosophy.

What Specific Products Do We Use?

The products we use contain the following:

• Insect growth regulators
• Pyrethrins
• Pyrethroids
• Indoxycarb

Each of these materials acts on specific pests in certain ways. Although they may be harmful if ingested or under other circumstances of misuse, they lack the dangerous side effects that make certain other pest control products unacceptable for indoor use.

What Other Pest Control Methods Do We Employ?

Pest control products are only part of our pest control … Read Full Post »

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