Should You Be Worried About Tarantulas in Texas?

June 7, 2017. Posted by Les Stobart in Pest Control • Bryan-College Station

You and your family are still settling into your new home. There are boxes that need to be unpacked, but you need a break so you decide to walk around the property. It’s gorgeous out and you enjoy looking at the birds, pointing out butterflies and ladybugs, watching squirrels play. But then you see it: the largest spider you’ve ever come across and you realize, there are tarantulas in Texas. It seems as big as your hand and it looks terrifying.

Should you be worried? Will it hurt your kids? Are other tarantulas around? How do you keep them from getting in your house?

Should You Be Worried About Tarantulas in Texas?

First, let’s get something out of the way. Tarantulas are about as dangerous to people as bees are. In fact, that’s a really good comparison. If you’re bitten by a tarantula, it’s probably going to feel–and look–a lot like a bee sting. There will be … Read Full Post »

What is Refrigerant?

June 6, 2017. Posted by Les Stobart in Air Conditioning & Heating • Austin

Like your other home systems, you probably don’t think about your air conditioner—that is, until it stops working. Luckily, there’s one thing you can do to help your air conditioner run longer: pay attention to the refrigerant charge. But what is refrigerant and how does it work in your air conditioner? Let’s explore this fluid more in depth below.

What is Refrigerant?

There’s no question that summers in the southern states are more than hot–they can be brutal. Most homeowners living in these states can agree on one thing: air conditioning is not just a luxury; it’s a necessity.

How does a home air conditioner work?

Your home air conditioner works much the same as your refrigerator – they both use a chemical refrigerant to move heat. The main difference is that one works inside a relatively small, contained box, while the other circulates air throughout your home.

Air conditioners have four main parts:

Compressor
Condenser
… Read Full Post »

Animals That Eat Mosquitoes

June 5, 2017. Posted by Les Stobart in Landscaping, Mosquito Control, Pest Control • San Antonio

The first mosquito bite of the year is never a celebrated occasion. At the very least, mosquitoes are annoying, but at their worst, they can bring diseases such as West Nile virus, the Zika virus, and in more tropical climates, even malaria. This is why it can be beneficial to keep animals that eat mosquitoes in your yard to help protect your home.

Animals That Eat Mosquitoes

Protecting yourself from mosquito bites can mean everything from citronella candles to mosquito repellents containing DEET. But what about building an environment in your backyard that attracts animals, insects and birds that eat mosquitoes?

A Mosquito’s Natural Enemies

Most insects have natural enemies and finding the ones that make your backyard comfortable just takes a little research. For mosquitoes, their most common natural enemies, other than man, are bats, dragonflies, birds, fish and turtles.

Bats: Man’s (Other) Best Friend?

Bats have had a bad reputation since the … Read Full Post »

What Temperature to Set Your Thermostat in Summer

May 16, 2017. Posted by Les Stobart in Air Conditioning & Heating • Austin

If you live in an area with a warmer climate, your air conditioner works hard during the summer months. What is the best temperature to set your thermostat during the summer to prolong the life of your unit and keep your home comfortable while not spending too much on electricity? Let’s learn about some ways to keep your cool even when the temperature climbs.

What Temperature to Set Thermostat in Summer

If you find yourself blasting your home’s air conditioning during the summer, you’re not alone. The trick, though, is understanding summer thermostat settings. Read below for tips and tricks on controlling your thermostat during the hot months of summer.

Consider a Programmable Thermostat

Installing a programmable thermostat is one of the first things you should consider, if your home isn’t already equipped with one. That’s because a programmable thermostat can help you set different temperatures throughout the day without having to do so … Read Full Post »

Save Money Using Smart Summer Thermostat Settings

May 11, 2017. Posted by Les Stobart in Air Conditioning & Heating • San Antonio

When it’s blazing hot outside, the temptation to crank your air conditioner down to Arctic settings to make your home cool and comfortable is strong. What temperature to set your thermostat in summer depends a lot on your goals. Do you want to conserve energy, thereby saving money on your monthly electricity bills? Or do you prioritize personal comfort, regardless of cost? Either way, the smartest summer thermostat settings are probably a little higher than you think, for several good reasons.

Smart Summer Thermostat Settings

Average air conditioner temperature settings vary from season to season. Even within a given season, you might adjust your thermostat in response to days when the weather is hotter, cooler, or more or less humid than normal.

Regardless of those factors, when determining the best summer thermostat settings for our homes, many of us place a priority on both personal comfort and conserving energy (costs), and will … Read Full Post »

Best Temperature For Heater In Winter

May 11, 2017. Posted by Les Stobart in Air Conditioning & Heating • San Antonio

You may be wondering what’s the best temperature for a heater in winter? You might be surprised to hear that an experienced air conditioning technician may tell you that most homeowners keep their thermostat set too high in the winter. Some families realize on their own that turning the thermostat down a few degrees not only feels more comfortable but also saves a lot on heating costs.

When you are just lying around, you may find that it feels a little cool in your home. If you are active in any way, you will probably warm up in no time. Besides, you can always put on a sweatshirt or a pair of socks, or you can get cozy under a blanket during the winter months.

Experts say that the best temperature at which to set your thermostat during the winter is 68 degrees. This setting is warm enough for most people, no matter … Read Full Post »

How To Calibrate A Thermostat Properly: Expert Tips

May 9, 2017. Posted by Les Stobart in Air Conditioning & Heating • San Antonio

You can set the thermostat in your home or office at the perfect temperature—whatever that means to you personally—but how do you guarantee that the thermostat is reading the room’s temperature correctly?

If the thermostat isn’t calibrated correctly, you could find yourself looking for a better night’s rest because you’re uncomfortable with the indoor temperature. Even more alarming, you could be leaving your air conditioner running constantly and driving your cooling costs way up trying to find the perfect temperature to set the thermostat.

Your thermostat can lose its calibration if dirt gets inside it or if it gets bumped. The result is that you may set it on 75 degrees, but it will only cool the room to 78 degrees. Constantly readjusting the thermostat can raise your utility bill by up to 10 percent. The same is true for an incorrectly calibrated thermostat that “thinks” it’s running at a lower temperature … Read Full Post »

San Antonio Power Washing, Window Washing and Gutter Cleaning Services Now Available from ABC

May 8, 2017. Posted by Les Stobart in Handyman, Power Washing • San Antonio

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Looking for an easy way to freshen up your home’s exterior? Power washing can remove the pollen, dirt and grime from your driveway and walkways. Window washing can allow more light to enter your home. Cleaning out your gutters can remove unsightly leaves and debris which can harbor pests and lead to other damage.

San Antonio Power Washing, Window Washing and Gutter Cleaning Now Offered by ABC

ABC Home & Commercial Services has been making life easier for Texas homeowners for over 60 years. As a part of the company’s continuing commitment to providing high-quality and reliable home services, owner Bobby Jenkins announced that ABC will now provide power washing, window washing and gutter cleaning services in the greater San Antonio area.

“We are grateful to our loyal customers for allowing us to expand ABC’s service offerings in San Antonio,” Jenkins noted. “Homeowners can count on the background-checked, highly-trained staff to … Read Full Post »

How to Deter Bees From Making Your Home Theirs

May 5, 2017. Posted by Les Stobart in Pest Control • Bryan-College Station

Bees serve a vital function in nature. But having bees come to visit is very different than having bees who come and stay.

How to Deter Bees from Making Your Home Theirs

In case you’re wondering how to deter bees from building a hive in or around your home, we’ve got some things you need to know.

The Truth About Bees

Worker bees are attracted to flowers and budding trees, landing on open flowers and picking up pollen on their legs and bodies as they suck up the nectar in the flowers. The pollen is then distributed across the area as they land on each flower. Once full, bees return to their hive and deposit the nectar they’ve picked up. The deposited nectar is stored and used to feed the queen and the rest of the hive, creating the honey we use in our tea, on toast and when baking.

Bees do not go looking … Read Full Post »

Can Sand Fleas Travel Home With You? Banishing Sand Fleas

May 4, 2017. Posted by Les Stobart in Pest Control • Corpus Christi

Many of us enjoy spending time in coastal areas, soaking up the sun at our favorite beach. While the feeling of the sand in our toes and the cool ocean breezes are welcome, there are some things about spending time near the water which aren’t as nice. One of the drawbacks is that we share the coastal environment with many other animals, some of which bite. One group of these creatures is commonly called sand fleas, which can leave behind irritating, itchy welts.

The next natural question you might ask as you are packing up to head home or to your hotel is “Can sand fleas travel home with you?”

The short answer to that question is that Americans typically don’t have true sand fleas in their homes. That’s because what we commonly call sand fleas in the United States and what are actually sand fleas, which are found in South America, … Read Full Post »