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 »

CPS Energy Rebates For San Antonio Residents

May 4, 2017. Posted by Les Stobart in Air Conditioning & Heating • San Antonio

City Public Service (CPS), based in San Antonio, is the largest municipally-owned energy company in the United States. CPS offers a wide variety of options to heat and cool a San Antonio home or business, and their programs reward residents who are environmentally conscious. The company offers clean energy and serves as a regional leader in solar power, LED lighting, clean coal and smart grid design.

City Public Service actively seeks ways to improve their services and the value of those services. One way the company accomplishes this goal is through the SaveNow energy savings programs and rebates.

Many San Antonio residents are looking for more efficient energy sources that balance a concern for the environment with a desire to save money. Buying a new AC unit that has a high energy rating is a good place to start if you are looking for ways to save on heating costs and how to … Read Full Post »

What To Feed Ducks and Where To Feed Ducks in Austin

May 3, 2017. Posted by Les Stobart in Community • Austin

One of life’s simple pleasures is feeding animals. Feeding ducks is a fun outdoor activity for all ages. Before you head out the door with that old loaf of bread, take a few minutes to learn more about what to feed ducks, what types of ducks you’ll commonly see in the southern states and the best places to feed ducks in Austin.

What to Feed Ducks

Most people think stale bread is the perfect treat for ducks in your local pond, but that’s a common misconception. So, even if the bread isn’t stale, can ducks eat bread? The short answer: yes, but it isn’t the ideal food.

Why Isn’t Bread Ideal for Ducks?

Bread isn’t the ideal food for ducks because it has little nutritional value and can cause health problems in ducklings, lead to overcrowding and contaminate the water in which they live. Crackers, chips, donuts, cereal and popcorn are good sources of … Read Full Post »

When Is Mosquito Season Over?

April 28, 2017. Posted by Les Stobart in Mosquito Control • Austin

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 »

2017 Austin Bucket List, Summer Edition

April 24, 2017. Posted by Les Stobart in Community • Atlanta

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 »

2017 San Antonio Bucket List, Summer Edition

April 21, 2017. Posted by Les Stobart in Community • San Antonio

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 »

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

April 21, 2017. Posted by Les Stobart in Air Conditioning & Heating • San Antonio

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 »

Birds That Eat Ticks: Do Turkeys Eat Ticks?

April 20, 2017. Posted by Les Stobart in Flea & Tick Control, Pest Control • Bryan-College Station

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 »

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

April 17, 2017. Posted by Les Stobart in Pest Control • San Antonio

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 »