ABC Blog
Choose a City

Scientists Discover Neuropeptide That Can Prevent Insect Reproduction

. Posted by in • Dallas-Fort Worth

Many of our customers express concerns about whether the pesticides that they treat their lawns with are safe for the environment. While a number of the chemical agents currently on the market are fine when used in a controlled fashion, scientific research has recently revealed that new natural methods of controlling insect populations could be even better for the planet. Natalisin, a recently discovered chemical, may be able to cut down on the number of pests that reproduce, without causing the side effects common with other treatments.

What Is Natalisin?

Natalisin is a neuropeptide that naturally occurs within the brains of insects. What is a neuropeptide you may ask? It is a chemical that controls the majority of biological activity in insects, including actions like muscle movement. One of the most important functions that natalisin controls is pheromone creation.

Pheromones help male and female insects signal each other, via scent, when they’re ready … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Rodents: From Dirty Pests to Fancy Pets

. Posted by in • Austin

To many homeowners, rodents are disgusting, filthy creatures, but for some people, they’re fuzzy little friends that fit in a shirt pocket. Mice, rats, hamsters and other rodents are welcome guests in homes across the globe, but although their genetic codes are similar, there are major differences between pets and pests.

The History of Rodents as Pets

Half of the world’s mammal population belongs to the rodent family, but only a few species have managed to penetrate the wall of squeamishness that separates them from human affection. Syrian hamsters were first discovered by a zoologist working in the Middle East. They were sent to labs for breeding and arrived on the American and European pet scene in the 1930s. Many domesticated hamster breeds now exist, and hamsters are among the best-selling rodents in pet stores. Other popular pet rodents include gerbils, guinea pigs and chinchillas.

Cuteness Overcomes a Sordid Past

The history of mice … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

From Yard to Plate: Pests as Food

. Posted by in • San Antonio

They aren’t on many North American menus, but pests like roaches and arachnids may become a more common food source in the future. In parts of the world where animal meat is scarce, people have long enjoyed eating a variety of healthy, nutritious bugs. Those who advocate the practice believe that edible insects like crunchy crickets, chewy mealworms and juicy locusts could potentially solve hunger problems in underprivileged countries. In Western society, they might be more likely to put an end to binge eating.

The Benefits of Bug-Eating

Insect meat has a lot to offer. It’s inexpensive and easy to process and prepare. With little fat, tons of vitamins and minerals and high-quality protein, it provides near-perfect nutritional balance. If you’re concerned about green living, you should note that bugs emit 10 times less methane and 300 times less nitrous oxide than traditional livestock, so they have a smaller carbon footprint. Most … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

San Antonio Pest Control Specialists Battle Invasive Bug Species

. Posted by in • San Antonio

Armadillos, rattlesnakes, fire ants and scorpions are common sights in Texas, but there are new pests on the block who are trying to take over the state. The most recent offenders include crazy ants, Africanized bees and stink bugs. Of all invasive species in Texas, insects are the most damaging. Arthropods and insects are responsible for more than half of all invasive species management costs, which equal about $150 million per year.

Crazy Ants

As the name suggests, these wildly invasive ants are crazier than fire ants, which have plagued Texas for years. These populous ant colonies were first discovered in 2002, but no one knows their exact origin. Since their discovery, colonies have spread throughout the state. Sensitive electrical equipment and air conditioners are prime targets for these loony ants. Although their bite isn’t as fierce as a fire ant’s bite, they cause costly damage to electrical equipment. They’re even capable … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Wanna be Green? Try Losing Your Lawn!

. Posted by in • San Antonio

As a homeowner, you probably take pride in your grassy front yard. There’s no shame in this: For many homeowners, nothing says “I’ve made it” like a fenced-in patch of brilliant green grass.

Unfortunately, San Antonio has been experiencing severe drought for several years on end, and forecasters expect the problem to continue. There’s a good chance that already tight city and county water restrictions will become even stricter: in nearby Austin, watering your lawn during the day is punishable by a $475 fine. Cut down on lawn care and get out in front of this looming problem with eco-friendly drought-resistant landscaping that uses native, drought-tolerant plants instead of water-guzzling grass.

What’s a Drought-Tolerant Landscape?

Also known as a “xeriscape,” drought-resistant landscaping is an area of landscaping that eschews moisture-loving varieties of grass in favor of water-sipping plant species like succulents, prairie grasses and desert-native shrubs. According to the University of Arizona’s Water … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Safety Alert: Spread of the Dangerous “Kissing Bug” in Texas

. Posted by in • San Antonio
bugs are keeping Austin weird too

The kissing bug is not as cute as it sounds. In fact, its other nickname, the assassin bug, may be more accurate. Scientifically known as triatomine bugs, these insects are more than just bothersome. They can carry Chagas disease, which is potentially life-threatening. Although the kissing bug is more common in Mexico, Central America and South America, the pest has been found in 27 of the U.S. states, including Texas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What is Chagas Disease?

Chagas disease is a parasitic disease that is transmitted to mammals through the feces of the kissing bug. The kissing bug feeds on the blood of animals and humans, usually during the night. The insects tend to bite the faces of humans, leaving behind droppings near the bite wound. If the droppings, which may be infected with the parasite that causes Chagas disease, are rubbed into the wound, the … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Beware the Dangerous “Kissing Bug”

. Posted by in • Austin

On the surface, a kissing bug sounds fun. Sadly, it doesn’t cause the world to smooch in perfect harmony. A kissing bug is just that: a bug. These bugs don’t cause property damage, but the bug’s bite and risk of transmitting Chagas disease render them worthy of strict pest control. Kissing bug sightings are currently on the rise in Central Texas.

Kissing bugs, also called conenose bugs, assassin bugs and Mexican bed bugs, often lug around the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite and earned their primary name by biting around people’s mouths and eyes. If the kissing bug releases feces when it’s feeding, T. cruzi becomes absorbed into the kissing bug’s chosen buffet source; usually, humans and canines are unsuspecting buffet tables. During the first few weeks, a person infected with Chagas disease experiences swelling at site, fatigue, fever, a rash, constipation and abdominal pain. This is the acute phase, which becomes chronic … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Is Your Yard a Mosquito Paradise?

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth
mosquitoes atlanta, pest control orlando

When your pool party turns into an all-you-can-eat buffet for mosquitoes, it can feel like you’ve been engulfed by an indestructible horde of the pesky insects. The truth is that mosquitoes are fragile and need very specific conditions to breed. Here is everything you need to know about what a mosquito looks for in a home–and how to make your yard into an undesirable neighborhood.

For a mosquito, curb appeal begins with water. Specifically, dirty water that’s been sitting for a while. Why is water so important? Mosquito larvae filter nutrients from stagnant water, which means the old planter at the corner of the garage is prime real estate. The tire swing can turn into a luxury condo complex just four days after a good rainstorm. And, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), even an upturned bottle-cap can become a studio apartment for the house-hunting mosquito on a budget. … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Could You Have a Worst-Case Plumbing Scenario On Your Hands?

. Posted by in • San Antonio

What happens in the plumbing lines should stay in there. Any unscheduled surface incursion of materials that flow through those hidden pipes, whether clean or waste water, is cause for alarm for homeowners. Plumbers in San Antonio will tell you that problems can quickly turn from minor annoyance to horrifying nightmare, costing serious money to resolve.

As a homeowner, you need to pay attention to little things such as leaky faucets and groaning pipes in the walls because these could be symptoms of bigger problems.

The Toilet Runneth Over

The bathroom can present plumbing problem red flags. Leaky faucets could be the result of a worn out gasket or improper installation. Water running nonstop in a toilet may be a defective flapper. Both cases result in clean water being wasted, higher water bills and rust damage to fixtures.

A clogged toilet can flood your bathroom and render the toilet unusable, which can spell disaster … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Your Home May Not Be as Clean as You Think

. Posted by in • Austin

If you’re like most people, your housecleaning routine ends with feelings of relief, accomplishment, pride and exhaustion. The floors shine, and the toilet sparkles. Even the toaster gleams, but did you look inside? If you didn’t get all the crumbs out yourself, something small and creepy might do the job for you.

Housecleaning is quite a chore, and sometimes it’s impractical to move every appliance and cover every square inch with disinfectant and a toothbrush. Unfortunately, if you neglect the little nooks and crannies for too long, dirt accumulates, and it may become a free smorgasbord for insects like the dreaded German cockroach.

Your Home’s Dirty Little Secrets

Pests love all the obvious lures like dirty dishes, overflowing garbage cans and smelly clothes, but they also love the spots that nobody ever thinks about. Grease, dust, food particles, mold and mildew can hide almost anywhere. Here are a few commonly overlooked areas you … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed