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Tiny Bugs in Pool: What Are They And What Can I Do?

. Posted by in , • Houston
tiny bugs in pool

Last year you finally bit the bullet and did it: you got a backyard pool as a way to beat the Southern heat. And boy, were you glad you did. Few things are better when the summer sun is beating down than cooling off in your pool.

Recently, you decided to take a late afternoon dip. But within a few moments of settling into the water and closing your eyes to relax, you feel a tiny pinprick. Then another. Could that have been another?

You open your eyes to find tiny bugs crawling on you and quickly race to the shower to rinse off.

What was that? Probably thrips. And they might not be the only bugs lurking in or around your pool.

Having tiny bugs in your pool can become a major annoyance, especially when you look forward to spending time relaxing poolside. Below, we will go over several different types of bugs … Read Full Post »

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Tiny Ants: Florida Homeowners Seek Solutions To Big Problem

. Posted by in • Orlando
Tiny ants Florida

As a homeowner in Florida, you realize that you share your property with several ant species. Ranging from the ghost ant to the carpenter ant to the red fire ant, more than 50 ant species live in the Sunshine State. Our subtropical climate provides a home to 65 exotic species as well, the most significant exotic and fauna, or wildlife, in the country.

Included in that list of species are many different types of tiny ants, with a list that consists of the pharaoh ant, sugar ant, black ant, and, most recently, the little yellow ant. While their size might make them seem harmless, some tiny ant species can cause notable damage or even leave us with painful bites.

If you’re curious to learn more about a few species of tiny ants in Florida, including what attracts them and what impact it can have, keep reading—this blog post is for you.

Yellow Ants

While … Read Full Post »

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Dust Mites In Bed: Protecting Yourself From These Allergens

. Posted by in • Houston
Dust Mites In Bed

Imagine your bed and pillows being infested with tiny bugs measuring less than half a millimeter in length that feed off the skin cells you slough off in your sleep. Sound like a horror movie? If the thought of such a thing makes your skin crawl, you aren’t alone. Unfortunately, these little creatures aren’t something out of a sci-fi flick. They are dust mites, and dust mites in bed are prevalent and shared in many homes.

It’s natural, of course, to feel a bit horrified by the idea of harboring dust mites in bed, especially if you’re among the many folks who are allergic to these creatures. But barring a dust mite allergy, are dust mites in bed really something you need to worry about? Many people have heard they should regularly replace pillows, linens, and even mattresses to keep dust mites at bay. Perhaps you’ve been scared into frequent purchases … Read Full Post »

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Hummingbirds in Texas: How To Welcome Them To Your Yard

. Posted by in • Houston
Hummingbirds in Texas

You are sitting on your porch, reading a book, when a hummingbird pays you a visit. The impossibly tiny bird flits from flower to flower. Then it hovers. Its wings are a blur of frantic activity while the head barely moves. After a moment, it’s gone, zipping off in search of greener pastures.

The experience is a bit of everyday magic, leaving you with a happy, contented feeling. I wish they’d come by more often, you think.

Seeing hummingbirds in your yard isn’t an everyday occurrence, but you can make hummingbird season in Texas a magical time with just a little preparation. You can do several things to attract hummingbirds and encourage them to stop by more frequently.

It starts with knowing which hummingbirds can be found in Texas–and when.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Types Of Hummingbirds In Texas
  • What Flowers Attract Hummingbirds?
  • How To Attract Hummingbirds

Types Of Hummingbirds In Texas

Believe it or not, Texas hummingbirds are … Read Full Post »

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Home Remedies For Dog Fleas To Protect Your Pet

. Posted by in • Orlando
Home remedies for dog fleas

Dogs are often said to be man’s best friend, and many people love having dogs as live-in companions. Indeed, these animals are a savvy homeowner’s dream: With their protective instincts and loud barking at strangers, dogs can scare off intruders and help keep your home and family safer. And what can beat that wagging tail and welcoming canine grin when you return home after a long day?

But if there’s one thing homeowners can’t stand about their furry friends, they tend to host thriving bands of tiny, bloodsucking pests. That’s right, fleas! These irritating insects aren’t just annoying—they can be dangerous since they can carry diseases and cause serious health problems for animals and humans alike. Fortunately, home remedies for dog fleas can help keep fleas and ticks at bay.

In this post, we will explore low-impact ways to manage flea infestations in your home or pet. If you are safety conscious … Read Full Post »

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What Do Baby Termites Look Like?

. Posted by in • Houston
what do baby termites look like

Any homeowner who has seen small, winged, ant-like insects in or around their home has probably wondered, What do baby termites look like? It’s wise to worry about a possible termite infestation, as these insects are a severe problem if they infest your home, garage, or other structure. They can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage to your property.

In fact, Americans reportedly spend $1 billion each year on termite control and repairs to correct damage caused by these small but powerful pests. Clearly, a savvy homeowner should know how to identify termites. Telling these creatures apart from winged ants, for example, or any other look-alike insect species, however, can be challenging. Many of us know what these insects look like in their adult form, but what about termite larvae? Read on to learn about baby termites, the termite life cycle, the swarming season, and how to keep these … Read Full Post »

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Purple Texas Wildflowers: How To Add Color To Your Landscape

. Posted by in , • Houston
Purple Texas wildflowers

A rite of passage here in Texas is taking the family for the annual Bluebonnet photo. Did you know these plants are just the tip of the iceberg for wildflowers in Texas? And you can grow these flowers in your back (or front) yard?

Whether you’re tired of the usual suspects in your home garden or considering wildflowers as another way to use native plants in your landscaping, wildflowers are a gorgeous option that can add a nice splash of color to any property.

Below, we will suggest different types of purple Texas wildflowers you might consider incorporating in your lawn and answer common questions homeowners have about adding these plants to your outdoor spaces.

Different Types of Purple Wildflowers You Can Find in Texas

Bluebonnets and Indian paintbrushes get the lion’s share of attention when it comes to Texas wildflowers, but they’ve got nothing on the many varieties of purple wildflowers that thrive … Read Full Post »

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Scorpions In Florida: What Homeowners Should Know

. Posted by in • Orlando
scorpions in florida

There are things you worry about when buying your home in Florida. For example, you knew you’d have to protect against hurricane and flood damage. Maybe you had a passing thought about crossing paths with an alligator.

No one told you about the scorpions, though. You also never got the memo about how many of them have venom in their stingers that can be poisonous. Even when there’s no venom, those stings hurt like crazy.

Just looking at a scorpion, you can tell that they’re formidable, at least as far as bugs are concerned. If you’ve heard stories about how painful the stings can be, the encounter will likely scare you, even if the scorpion doesn’t do much of anything.

In this post, we will give you an overview of scorpions in Florida, including how to identify them, which types are most common here, why more people have been seeing them in their … Read Full Post »

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Bed Bugs And Dryer Sheets: A Deadly Combination?

. Posted by in • Orlando
Bed bugs and dryer sheets

Bed bugs and dryer sheets aren’t two things we usually hear together. But with endless household hacks flooding our inboxes and social media feeds, could they be connected somehow? The short answer is that although dryer sheets are on a list of home remedies to combat bed bugs, many of these tactics are ineffective in controlling this persistent pest.

Despite our insistence that our home could never have bed bugs, these pesky critters sometimes find their way in. And when they do, many of us wonder how we can efficiently extinguish these bugs. You might wonder if bed bugs could survive a round in the washing machine. Are there products and methods that can kill bed bugs and their eggs? If bed bugs are living in my home, what are the chances they are hiding in the folds of my clothes?

Let’s separate fact from fiction to answer some of the most … Read Full Post »

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Do Fleas Die in the Dryer? Flea Control Secrets Revealed

. Posted by in • Houston
Can fleas drown in the washing machine

Fleas. The word makes many homeowners shudder, especially if they also have pets. After all, these pesky insects may be tiny, but a flea infestation can mean big trouble for your pet, your home, and you.

Many homeowners wonder, do fleas die in the dryer? Can they drown in the washing machine, or is washing flea-infested items a waste of time? When you find even one flea in your living space, it’s tempting to toss everything you own—sheets, clothing, cushion covers, your dog’s bed—into the wash. While it seems that that should care for the problem, the reality isn’t relatively so straightforward. Exposure to heat and soap can kill fleas in all stages of their life cycle, so a dryer cycle alone will likely be inadequate to eliminate your flea population. Besides, these creatures are likely widespread across your home, so meticulous vacuuming will be the best initial method to … Read Full Post »

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