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Expert Tips to Get Your Home Winter-Ready

. Posted by in • Tyler

Even without snow, East Texas winters bring chilly winds, heavy rain, and unexpected cold snaps that can test your home’s comfort and durability. A few quick checks now can help prevent costly repairs and keep your home healthy all season long.

Homeowner Tips for Winter Readiness

Winter in East Texas might not bring blizzards, but it still comes with chilly winds, heavy rain, and sudden cold snaps that can take a toll on your home.  Our expert pest, lawn, and handymen teams compiled a few simple steps to help you care your home and avoid expense repair costs.

1. Seal Up Before It Cools Down

Start with the basics: check your windows, exterior doors, and garage seals. A tight seal keeps warm air in and cold drafts and pests out.

  • Pro tip: Close your garage and turn off the lights. If you see sunlight peeking through, it’s time to replace those seals before temperatures drop.

2. … Read Full Post »

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Moles vs Gophers: How to Tell the Difference

. Posted by • Tyler

Seeing mounds of soil, raised tunnels, or patches of dead grass in your yard can be a frustrating experience. Before taking action, it’s essential to determine exactly what you’re dealing with. While moles and gophers are both underground pests that can damage lawns and landscaping, they differ greatly in appearance, behavior, and control methods. 

Let’s break down the key differences, misconceptions, and what’s important for you to know. 

Are Moles Bad for Your Lawn?

Moles are small, insect-eating mammals that live underground. Many times, homeowners will see molehills in lawns or beds and think they are garden helpers, eliminating other pests. In reality, they can cause significant damage to the plants by tunneling and disrupting the root system. Learning to identify moles and what attracts them can help you protect your yard from damage.

Key characteristics:

  • Diet: Primarily feed on earthworms, grubs, and insects.
  • Read Full Post »
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DFW Commercial Pest Control, Lawn Care & More

. Posted by in • Dallas-Fort Worth
Two ABC team members are wearing hard hats and safety gear outside a commercial facility.

Running a business in North Texas comes with enough challenges. Pest control, building maintenance, and lawn care shouldn’t be among them. That’s why companies across Dallas-Fort Worth count on ABC Home & Commercial Services to help them maintain safe, attractive, and fully functional environments. 

Whether you manage a restaurant, retail store, medical facility, warehouse, processing plant, office, or multi-family property, ABC offers the full range of services you need, all with one trusted partner. 

Comprehensive Commercial Services for Dallas-Fort Worth Businesses 

At ABC, we understand that no two businesses are alike. That’s why we offer a wide range of customizable services to support commercial properties of all sizes, across industries: 

Commercial Pest Control 

Our licensed entomologists and pest managers protect your business from pests that can damage property, trigger health violations, and harm your reputation. Our commercial pest control service addresses everything from crawling and flying insects to rodents and wildlife. 

For food manufacturing … Read Full Post »

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Mosquito Control Tips for Summer

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth, Tyler
Mosquito sucking blood with vibrant background

Summer mosquito season isn’t just an annoyance; it’s a genuine concern for your family’s health, comfort, and ability to enjoy the outdoors. While professional mosquito control services provide a powerful layer of protection, there are some easy mosquito prevention steps you can take.

At ABC Home & Commercial Services, we help homeowners take control of mosquitoes with professional treatments and practical advice that works. Here’s what you need to know, including some surprising facts and common misconceptions. 

Why Am I Seeing So Many Mosquitoes? 

Ever wonder Why There Are So Many Mosquitoes in Dallas? Well, the short answer is that North Texas has the perfect storm of mosquito-friendly conditions: warm weather, high humidity, and frequent rain. These create ideal breeding grounds for common species like Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. 

Some quick facts: 

  • Mosquito season typically runs April through October. 
  • Mosquitoes need … Read Full Post »
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A Homeowner’s Guide to Termite Prevention

. Posted by in • Dallas-Fort Worth
active termites

Subterranean termites cause billions of dollars in damage to structures every year. Learn how to prevent termites and protect your home with this straightforward guide to recognizing signs of a termite infestation. Join our termite specialist, Reece, as he walks through a home inspection to help you learn more about these pests and termite prevention treatments to protect your property from destructive subterranean termites found in North Texas.

What Are Subterranean Termites?

Subterranean termites are a type of wood-destroying insect that lives underground. They are known for their ability to cause significant damage to homes and wooden structures, accounting for 95 percent of all termite damage in North America. These termites build their colonies in the soil and create mud tubes to access above-ground food sources. Subterranean termites are particularly prevalent in warm and humid climates, making North Texas a hotbed for termite activity.

How Termites Damage Structures

Termites damage structures by feeding on … Read Full Post »

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Can Carpenter Ants Sting?

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth
a carpenter ant

Carpenter ants are menacing ants that make bad house guests. It’s natural for homeowners to fear that carpenter ants sting. However, these pests do not sting. Instead, they may bite humans when they feel threatened.

Can Carpenter Ants Sting?

Carpenter ants are large, black ants that are bigger than other common ant species, so it’s normal to wonder if carpenter ants sting. Carpenter ants cannot sting, but they can bite.

However, getting bitten by a carpenter ant is a rare experience. These pests are not aggressive by nature, and they do their best to avoid contact with humans. Carpenter ants only bite in self-defense when they feel threatened, which may occur if you attempt to handle them or disturb their nest.

If you get bitten by a carpenter ant, it’s reassuring to know that their bites are typically not harmful. You may experience mild discomfort and burning, but it typically goes away on its … Read Full Post »

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What Do Red Fire Ants Eat?

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth
a group of red fire ants on a rock

With their bites and destructive behaviors, red fire ants are a headache for homeowners. Red fire ants can take over lawns, gardens and sidewalks, building unsightly mounds to grow their colonies.

From their underground fortresses, they march into flower beds, snack on cat food and raid your pantry for anything sweet like honey, syrup or soda. And if you don’t deal with them, their colonies can multiply like crazy.

These insects hate the cold, so they mostly live in warmer climates, where the temperature is just right for nesting. If you’ve seen reddish-brown ants marching in long, determined lines, chances are, red fire ants are making themselves at home. When this happens, it’s time to contact pest control professionals for help controlling red fire ants.

What Do Red Fire Ants Eat?

For starters, red fire ants aren’t picky eaters. Just like the tawny crazy ant, red fire ants will devour almost anything. Their ability … Read Full Post »

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Why Are There So Many Mosquitoes in Dallas?

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth
Dallas, Texas skyline

As homeowners in Dallas, Texas, know we have large mosquito populations. Unfortunately, our city offers the conditions that mosquitoes love: warm, humid weather, plenty of rain and mild winters.

Contact a pest control service if you’re dealing with a mosquito problem on your property.

Why Are There So Many Mosquitoes in Dallas?

Mosquitoes thrive in hot and humid climates, so Dallas is an ideal home for these pests.

Dallas has so many mosquitoes because the city has warm weather nearly year-long, with summertime temperatures consistently over 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Dallas also enjoys fairly mild winters, which allows mosquitoes to have an extra-long breeding season.

Cold weather can significantly reduce mosquito populations, which is why they like to reside in warmer places like Dallas.

Another factor is humidity. Mosquitoes require moisture to breed, and humid air creates the perfect damp environment. In Dallas, humidity remains high in the spring, summer and fall seasons. Mosquitoes can reproduce and … Read Full Post »

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How to Fix Squeaky Stairs

. Posted by in • Dallas-Fort Worth
stairs in a home

Squeaky stairs are a nuisance. Besides disrupting the peace during quiet moments at home, they indicate that your stairs need maintenance. Thankfully, fixing them typically isn’t hard. It may be as simple as a loose tread, worn wedges or protruding nails. Understanding the cause of the noise is the first step to a quiet staircase.

Identify the Source of the Squeak

Before you can fix the noise in your stairs, you need to know what’s causing it. Start by enlisting the help of a friend or family member and follow these steps.

Pinpoint the Problem Area

Have someone walk up and down the stairs while you listen for creaks. Focus on the exact steps or joints making noise. Stand at the center of the stairs and gently rock side to side, followed by front to back.

If the squeak comes from the front of the stairs, the tread has come loose from the riser. If … Read Full Post »

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How to Get Rid of Weevils

. Posted by in • Tyler
two weevils

If finding weevils in your home makes you cringe, you’re not alone. Imagine opening your pantry and finding tiny bugs crawling all over your flour, rice or pasta. Unfortunately, finding weevils in your home is more common than you think.

Weevils are small and sneaky intruders, but their impact can feel overwhelming. They sometimes arrive in unopened packages or squeeze through small gaps in containers. Once they’re in, they multiply quickly, and a minor problem soon becomes a full-blown infestation.

If you have a problem with these pests, don’t panic. Contact pest control professionals if you notice weevils in your home. These experts have the skills and experience to handle even persistent infestations.

Identifying Weevils and Infested Food

The first step in dealing with weevils is identifying their presence in your home. Weevils are attracted to moisture and feed on grains, nuts and dried fruits. Therefore, you’ll most likely find them around the kitchen … Read Full Post »

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