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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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What is Crown Molding?

. Posted by in • Dallas-Fort Worth
crown molding

Whether you’re looking to add something special to a room or upgrading an entire house, crown molding is a simple way of adding elegance. It is especially useful for making small rooms feel larger. With crown molding, the ceiling can look higher and the windows can look taller. Installing it on your own can be difficult, so it’s best to call in a professional handyman for help.

What is Crown Molding?

Crown moldings, or cornices, are decorative elements used where walls meet ceilings. They typically feature a gentle curve with attractive designs to create a smooth transition between vertical walls and horizontal ceilings. Crown moldings are made from various materials, including plaster, wood and composite materials (polyurethane foam, extruded polystyrene, vinyl or PVC).

Additionally, crown moldings help hide building imperfections, including drywall joints, poor painting or wall cracks. They also make rooms feel bigger by making ceilings appear higher and windows larger.

That said, … Read Full Post »

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Are Termites Attracted to Light?

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth
termites

Termites are elusive pests that are hard to spot, which is why it’s important for homeowners to learn as much as possible about their behavior. Whether or not termites are attracted to light is a common question because homeowners often spot flying termites around light sources.

Some termites are attracted to light, but turning your lights off is not an effective way to deal with a termite problem.

Are Termites Attracted to Light?

Are termites attracted to light? The answer is yes, termites are attracted to light when they are swarming.

Swarming can occur during the spring and summer when swarmer termites leave their colonies to mate and start new colonies. Unlike soldier and worker termites, swarmer termites have wings and will find a mate in the air.

If there is an active termite colony on your property during swarm season, you may see a termite swarm or notice the aftermath of a termite swarm. … Read Full Post »

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What Bird Builds Nests on the Side of the House?

. Posted by in • Dallas-Fort Worth
a house sparrow

Ever woken up to chirping right outside your window, only to find a messy nest tucked under your eaves? While birds bring charm to the outdoors, their nesting habits can wreak havoc on your home. You might worry about damage to your home, health risks or the mess they leave behind. Knowing what birds build nests on the side of the house and how to handle them makes it easier to protect your property.

What Birds Build Nests on the Side of the House?

Several bird species are known for their tendency to build nests on or around houses. Identifying the culprit can help you tailor your deterrent strategies.

House Sparrows

These non-native birds, pictured above, are highly adaptable to urban environments. They favor building messy, globular nests made of grass, string, paper and twigs in any available opening, including vents, gutters and eaves.

European Starlings

Like house sparrows, starlings, pictured above, are non-native birds that … Read Full Post »

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