ABC Blog
Choose a City

Signs You Have Termites

. Posted by in • Orlando
Signs you have termites

Signs You Have Termites

Termites cause billions of dollars of damage each year, and the average termite infestation can cost homeowners tens and even hundreds of thousands of dollars in repairs. We’ll share the common signs of Eastern subterranean-type termites found in and around Orlando and help you with termite prevention.

Common Termites in Orlando

Subterranean termites nest in the soil to obtain moisture and can nest in wet wood. Essentially, they can quickly attack any timber in contact with the ground.

The subterranean termite colony members regularly seek food to feed themselves and their nestmates. They will travel hundreds of feet to find cellulose material to return to their nest. Subterranean termites are highly attracted to cellulose, the plant fiber used in wall and roof cavities to insulate, draught proof, and reduce noise in homes. During their travels, they may stumble upon the wood of your house and begin feasting. Termites in … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Snakes in Texas

. Posted by in • Houston
Snakes in Texas

Snakes.

If the very word sends shivers down your spine and makes you recoil in fear, you aren’t alone. Snakes in Texas are as ubiquitous as cowboy hats, horses and prickly pear cactuses—which is to say, you may not see them in urban areas on a daily basis but get even just a little bit rural and they’re sure to start popping up (or slithering along). While newcomers to Houston or any other Texas metropolis may not expect to deal with wildlife, snakes in Houston—and the rest of the state—are a simple fact of life. That’s why it’s so important to educate yourself about this much-maligned and often misunderstood animal.

Snakes in Texas

The two broad categories of snakes are venomous and non-venomous. Texas is home to a wide variety of species within those two groups, including many that present little or no threat to humans. Of course, plenty of snakes that are … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

What You Need to Know About Mosquito Season in Florida

. Posted by in , • Orlando
mosquito season florida

While the year-round temperate weather is one of the many perks of living in Florida, any resident of the Sunshine State can tell you those perks come with a price—including a nearly year-round mosquito season. Thanks to plenty of warmth and moisture, two conditions where mosquito populations thrive, mosquito season in Florida doesn’t have a clear beginning or end point. However, Florida mosquito species are most active in the spring and summer months, when warm temperatures combined with frequent, heavy rains produce thriving mosquito populations.

What You Need To Know About Mosquito Season in Florida

In any geographic region, mosquito season depends on rainfall and temperature. In many parts of the country, the first warm days of spring signal the start of mosquito season, and winter’s first frost signals the end—except in more arid areas, where mosquito populations don’t pose a problem even in colder months.

But while January is typically Florida’s coldest … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

How To Dispose of Household Items In Orlando

. Posted by in • Orlando
How to dispose of trash Orlando

Practically every day, we bring new items into our homes. While it’s relatively easy to add items to our households, it can be difficult to know exactly how to dispose of certain things. Yes, we realize we can recycle plastic containers, and we shouldn’t put grease down the drain, but what about when your fridge goes on the fritz, when you have to replace that CFL light bulb, or when you change out the batteries in your child’s favorite toy?

How to Properly Dispose Of Common Household Items

It’s easy to throw something in the trash can when you no longer need or want it, but can your item help someone else in our community? If you are considering throwing away a piece of clothing, a book, or a pair of shoes, for example, look at our list of where you can donate household items in Orlando before adding them to the … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

How to Turn Up Your Water Heater

. Posted by in , • Houston
How to turn up water heater

Don’t you hate it when you try to take a hot shower and the water is barely lukewarm? Or maybe your dishes aren’t getting as sparkly clean as you’d like them to be. One easy fix is to check your hot water heater. You might just need to turn it up a bit, or your cold water might be a cry for needed maintenance.

How To Turn Up Your Water Heater

Below we’ll look at where your hot water comes from and what you can do to resolve the cold water blues.  

Water Heater Basics

To know what could be going wrong with your hot water, you must understand what kind of water heater you have.

There are two basic types of water heaters: gas and electric. Most water heaters in the U.S. are conventional tank water heaters—tall cylinders that heat the water slowly at the bottom of the tank and must … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Where To Donate Household Items In Houston

. Posted by in • Houston
Where to donate household items Houston

Springtime and the start of the year are two traditional times to declutter your living space, clearing out unused and unwanted items to make space for new, updated ones. But even though January is Get Organized Month, you don’t have to wait for the new year (or springtime!) to roll around before you get started on getting organized.

Any time of year is the right time to organize and declutter—and there’s no time like the present to begin. So what’s your first step? Since one man’s junk is another man’s treasure, your first step should be finding out where to donate household items in Houston.

Where to Donate Household Items in Houston

In Houston, deciding where to donate unwanted clothing, furniture, and household goods is just a matter of choosing which charity you’d like to benefit. Most charities accepting donations serve individuals in need, and your charitable donation is tax-deductible. It’s a … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Where To Donate Household Items In Orlando

. Posted by in • Orlando
Where do donate household items Orlando

Spring cleaning? How about any time cleaning?

When clearing clutter from your home, attic, or garage, there’s no time like the present—no matter the month or season. Getting rid of possessions that are broken, unused, or past their prime doesn’t just create space in your closets and storage areas; it also has psychological benefits as well.

You know that sense of inner calm you get from a clean, well-organized desk or room? You can have that feeling anytime you decide to go through your things and let go of items no longer in use. And if you donate your unwanted items, they can positively impact here in Orlando via charity organizations assisting people in need. It’s a win-win!

All you have to do to get started is to find out where to donate household items.

Where to Donate Unwanted Household Items in Orlando

Your closet and dresser drawers are perfect for your de-cluttering … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Everything You Need To Know About Rodents in Orlando [INFOGRAPHIC]

. Posted by in • Orlando
Rats in Florida

We feel fortunate to be based here in Orlando. From museums to sporting events to outdoor activities, our city always has something fun to do. While other parts of the country are experiencing freezing temperatures, it’s usually sunny and warm here in Central Florida.

Even living in the best city on the planet, there is one thing we wish we didn’t have to deal with: Florida rats and rice. Rodents might seem cute and furry, but they are considered household pests for a good reason.

Rodents can damage your home by chewing on wood and cause a mess by getting into birdseed, pet food, and your pantry. In addition, these tiny creatures can transmit serious diseases.

What rats and mice live here in Orlando, and how do they enter our homes? What are the warning signs to tell that they might be inside? Perhaps most importantly, how can you eliminate rodents … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Everything You Need To Know About Rodents in Houston [INFOGRAPHIC]

. Posted by in • Houston

As the fourth largest city in the nation, Houston is known for its vast array of restaurants, the museum district and as the home of NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

Unfortunately for those of us that live here, Houston is also known as the pest capital of the United States. Why? In addition to a large human population, whose trash provides a plentiful and consistent food source, the city’s warm and humid climate is a perfect place for all types of pests.

One common pest Houston homeowners contact us about most frequently are rodents. In Houston, Texas, rats and mice find their way into your home, eat and chew wood and food, leave a mess and can infect humans with some very serious diseases.

What kinds of rodents are found here in Austin? How do they make their way inside our homes? What are some warning signs? And perhaps most importantly, what can … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed