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When Is Mosquito Season Over?

. Posted by in • Austin
When Is Mosquito Season Over

In certain parts of the country, thermometers might reach freezing temperatures on only a few days of the year. During those periods, mosquito season can seem like a year-round nuisance, which may not be far from the truth—especially since mosquitoes can move underground during the colder winter months.

When Is Mosquito Season Over?

It’s a good question, especially in the southern parts of the country with mild winters. Mosquitoes have an annoying habit of taking up residence in some people’s homes, living in drains, potted plants or anyplace where they have access to water and warmth. So when is mosquito season over in warmer climates? Let’s look at the facts.

Why Mosquitoes Are Considered Pests

Mosquitoes can carry infectious diseases that may have serious consequences for humans. Over a million people worldwide die every year from mosquito-borne illnesses, and the United States is not exempt from that statistic.

In certain areas of the U.S., pregnant … Read Full Post »

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2017 Austin Bucket List, Summer Edition

. Posted by in • Austin
2017 Austin Bucket List Summer

It’s no secret that Austin has a lot to offer. Summer provides the perfect excuse to get out and enjoy all that the city has to offer. Whether you’re a lifelong Austinite or a newbie, our bucket list includes all the top things to do around town during the summer months.

Top Things To Do This Summer in Austin

Summer fun doesn’t have to be limited to the time you spend poolside.  From indoor activities to culinary treats to museums, we’ve got something for everybody here in the Live Music Capital of the World on our 2017 Austin Bucket List for Summer.  Think outside the box, get creative and see why so many people consider Austin the best place on Earth!

Fuel Up

When people think of Austin, one of the first things that comes to mind is food, and specifically, tacos. What Austinites know (and love) is that the taco isn’t just for … Read Full Post »

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2017 San Antonio Bucket List, Summer Edition

. Posted by in • San Antonio
2017 San Antonio Bucket List Summer

Looking for the top things to do this summer in San Antonio, Texas? It’s heating up outside, and your summer bucket list 2017 starts here!

2017 San Antonio Bucket List, Summer Edition

San Antonio summer fun activities range from cultural events to awesome amusement parks, dining experiences you can’t have anywhere else in the world and so much more. When it comes to the top things to do this summer in San Antonio, there’s truly something for everyone. Read on to get our ideas on how to have the best summer in San Antonio!

Take Your Kids to the Zoo, the DoSeum and Kiddie Park

The San Antonio Zoo in Brackenridge Park is a wonderland of all kinds of animals living in habitats nestled along trails and amongst lush foliage. You can ride the train or the Zootennial Carousel or visit the spectacular butterfly garden. Near the zoo is the DoSeum, San Antonio’s children’s … Read Full Post »

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How To Keep A Room Cool That Faces The Sun: Summer Tips

. Posted by in • San Antonio
How To Keep A Room Cool That Faces The Sun

Ah, summer. The season of cookouts, BBQ, fireworks, splashing in the pool, days at the beach, long nights and family vacations.

It’s also the time of year when you begin to crank up the air conditioning in your home, battling the scorching sun and blistering summer days. We all know the feeling: walking in the front door in the middle of July, only to find the refreshing feeling of cool air spilling out of your AC unit. While we all love that blast of chilled air, we all also love saving money—and in this case, saving money means saving energy. In addition to using your air conditioner this summer, there’s plenty of other ways to help keep your home cool. As you prepare for the hot days ahead, take a look at our summer tips and learn how to keep a room cool that faces the sun.

Utilize Ceiling And Exhaust Fans

Many … Read Full Post »

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Birds That Eat Ticks: Do Turkeys Eat Ticks?

. Posted by in , • Bryan-College Station
Birds That Eat Ticks

Ever been bitten by a tick? If so, you know how annoying they can be, at best. At worst, ticks can transmit serious diseases to humans. Ticks are small, parasitic pests that feed on the blood of a “host”—namely, another animal. Ticks aren’t too discriminating when it comes to their food; they’re all too happy to feast on humans, dogs and cats along with other, wilder animals. Fortunately, there are many different animals that are a tick’s natural predator, including some birds that eat ticks that might make a great addition to your home to assist with natural tick control.

Do turkeys eat ticks? That’s a question many homeowners ask. There are several types of poultry and wild birds that eat ticks, for example, along with ants, centipedes and certain other predatory insects. Keep reading to learn more about these parasitic creatures and how you can keep them away from … Read Full Post »

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Sugar Ant Bites And More: How To Treat Ant Bites And Stings

. Posted by in • San Antonio
sugar ant bites

For such a tiny creature, ants have quite an impact on humans. These insects have lived on Earth for over 100 million years, outlasting the dinosaurs. As social animals, ants live in groups that can number in the millions. Although ants perform an important function in nature, bites from these pests can be annoying, painful and can even trigger a life-threatening allergic reaction in some individuals.

To help better understand how to treat an ant bite, it’s helpful to know about the different types of ants you might encounter and what attracts them to your home. Once you have treated your ant bite, you’ll also want to learn how to avoid an infestation so you won’t getting bitten in the future.

Sugar Ant Bites: Should I Be Worried?

One of the most common ant species you are likely to run across indoors is the sugar ant, which is actually a group of ant … Read Full Post »

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How To Make An Air Conditioner Colder

. Posted by in • Corpus Christi
how to make an air conditioner colder

If your air conditioner is older or overdue for regular servicing, cleaning and other maintenance, it won’t run at peak efficiency—which means it won’t be able to blow air that is as cold as you want it to be during the warmer times of year.

How To Make An Air Conditioner Colder

If you’ve been wondering how to make an air conditioner colder, look no further. Whether you’re dealing with central air conditioning system or a window unit, we have several tips homeowners can use to make your air conditioner work more effectively. Some are basic maintenance tips and some are tricks of the trade that could make all the difference in cooling your home efficiently.

How Air Conditioning Units Work

Whether your home is cooled by a central air system or window units, your air conditioner works by pulling outside air into your home and cooling it while transferring warmer indoor air … Read Full Post »

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Scorpions in Texas and What To Do If You Encounter One

. Posted by in • Austin
Scorpions in Texas

 

Scorpions truly look like something out of a movie, but they’re actually a member of the arachnid species. You’ll immediately recognize them – they have the claws of a lobster and the tail of a pug that curls up over their backs. Their bodies are covered in a hard shell and the end of their curved tails are tipped with a stinger. And sting they do, but only when surprised.

Scorpions in Texas

About 1,500 known species of this predatory arachnid live across the world. More than 90 types live in this country alone. Texas is home to over a dozen different types of scorpions, with the most common being the striped bark scorpion or Centruroides vittatus. It’s a medium-sized, pale-colored scorpion, about two to three inches long. What sets it apart from the other scorpions are the two dark stripes across its back with a dark triangle on its head.

There’s no escaping … Read Full Post »

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Termites in Trees: Is My Home At Risk?

. Posted by in • Bryan-College Station
Termites in Trees

Most homeowners have heard of termite infestations in the wooden structures of a home, such as floors, attics, support beams and the wood frames behind drywall. But did you realize termites in trees can also be a real problem, especially if termites make their way from trees on your property onto your home and other wooden structures?

Termites in Trees

Read on to find out about signs of termites in trees, including termite holes in trees’ trunks and branches, and learn what to do if trees on your property are home to a termite infestation.

Types of Termites

There are two main types of termites that can cause problems to people’s homes and other parts of their property: subterranean and drywood.

True to their name, drywood termites don’t require much moisture to survive, and thus can thrive within the drier woods found in hardwood floors, attic spaces or higher-up areas of a home. While … Read Full Post »

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What Is a Mosquito Hawk?

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
What Is a Mosquito Hawk

Mosquito hawks, also known as crane flies, are often mistaken for huge, threatening mosquitoes—but they are not a type of mosquito at all. In fact, they aren’t even related to mosquitoes, despite the fact that they are rumored—incorrectly—to feed on mosquitoes and their larvae.

What Is A Mosquito Hawk?

What do these huge flying insects eat? Do mosquito hawks bite humans, the way mosquitoes do? And perhaps most importantly, how can you keep these insects out of your home and yard?

What Mosquito Hawks Aren’t

First, let’s clear up a couple of misconceptions about mosquito hawks. Crane flies are not the only insect species referred to by that name. Dragonflies are also sometimes called mosquito hawks since they actually do prey on mosquitoes (along with other small, flying insects) for food. Contrary to popular rumor, however, dragonflies aren’t an effective factor in mosquito control, as they don’t eat nearly enough of those bloodsucking pests … Read Full Post »

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