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Mosquitoes Are A Post-Flood Problem

. Posted by in • Houston
houston flooding brings more mosquitoes to residential neighborhoods

Photo Credit: Houston Chronicle

Harris County and the Houston metro area have seen a major increase in flooding over the past couple of years. This past weekend through Monday saw disastrous torrential rainfall, totaling close to 20 inches in some northern parts of the metro area, near Cypress Creek. During these highly troubling weather events, we urge our customers’ and their families to stay off the roads.

The floodwaters may be subsiding, but another problem comes with high volumes of rain: mosquitoes. This year, health dilemmas like Zika Virus and weather patterns like El Niño and La Niña are compounding the mosquito issues Southeast Texas residents face every year. As summer quickly approaches, one bad flood after another may spur earlier than usual mosquito problems for Houston residents.

Why do mosquitoes like these conditions?

Mosquitoes are like all other insects in that they begin life as a larva. The most common types … Read Full Post »

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Termite Damage 101: What You Should Know

. Posted by in • Orlando
soldier termites devour wood structures

Termites do billions of dollars of damage each year.

Central Florida offers a perfect environment for termites. Because so many Orlando-area homes are near waterways and ponds, and we have frequent rain showers, moisture-loving termites have a welcoming habitat to make their homes.

Termite Basics

Termites are small social insects that live in large colonies and feed on organic matter. They are particularly attracted to wood and paper. They are dark in color, with 3/8 of an inch long torsos and wings of equal length (as compared to ants, which have pinched torsos and unequal-length wings).

Some termites, including the native subterranean termites and Formosan termites, prefer to live in or close to the soil or near sources of moisture. This includes areas around home foundations and buildings with water from dripping pipes, air conditioner drains, or gutters. Because so much of the Orlando area is damp, termites can become established in many places.

New … Read Full Post »

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Why Do Termites Swarm In Houston?

. Posted by in • Houston
termites damage to home

Termites are an ongoing problem for Houston homeowners. Flourishing in the warmth and humidity of East Texas, they establish large colonies and get right to work eating the wood in our homes and landscaping. Springtime marks termite mating season when termites swarm to find new locations where they can establish additional colonies.

What are termites?

Termites are small insects that live in colonies and feed on organic matter, particularly the cellulose found within the wood. In nature, they play an important role in helping decompose fallen trees. In your home, however, they can be destructive creatures that can weaken structures and damage foundations.

There are three main types of termites in the US:

  • Formosan Subterranean Termites
  • Native Subterranean Termites
  • Drywood Termites

Native subterranean termites eat everything from paper to cotton to wood. Because of their biology, they rely on microbes to help digest cellulose, so they are drawn to areas with rotting wood, such as mulch and … Read Full Post »

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5 Questions & Answers about Zika in Houston

. Posted by • Houston
Zika is spread by tiger mosquitoes

Zika Virus FAQ’s

Zika Virus has been in the news a lot lately. Zika is still rare in the U.S. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t stay informed.

The health and safety of our neighbors are what inspired the Jenkins family to get into this business over 30 years ago. Mosquitoes spread diseases like Zika, so it is part of the ABC mission to keep our customers in Harris County and beyond informed. We’ve put together a list of questions and answers about Zika, travel, and mosquito diseases.

Question: Where did Zika Virus originate?

Answer: Most sources indicate that Zika originated in Africa. That is also where the carriers of the disease, Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, originated. Mosquitoes and the diseases they carry travel the world like most pests — via human transport. Chances are, a few infected mosquitoes were transported from Africa along trade routes around the world, and those insects reproduced.

The disease is … Read Full Post »

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Zika Virus in Orlando: What We Know

. Posted by • Orlando
tiger mosquitoes carry zika virus in south america

By now, you have probably heard of Zika. Zika is a virus carried by mosquitoes that bite during the daytime hours. We have known about Zika for many decades, but the virus has gained much attention over the last four months. New reports have emerged linking birth defects to mothers infected with Zika while pregnant. And the virus has already made its way to Florida.

ABC Home & Commercial Services is dedicated to keeping our customers informed when a public health emergency occurs. Right now, Zika cases are isolated and rare in the United States. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t learn what we can now and work to eradicate mosquitoes in Orlando as a safety measure. Florida mosquito exterminators across the state are working to understand mosquito diseases like West Nile, Dengue Fever, and Zika so that we can do our best to protect our customers.

What is Zika Virus?

Zika virus is … Read Full Post »

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4 Rodent Species Houston Residents Should Know

. Posted by in • Houston

Every Year NPMA declares one week in November Rodent Awareness Week.

It is important to us that our neighbors stay in the know. Rodent Awareness Week 2015 is a great time to brush up on your rodent knowledge so that you can keep your home free from rats and mice. The more you know, the better you can protect yourself and your family.

Houston has a pretty well-documented roof rat problem and has for a few years now. The wet cool months of November-March are when we get the most calls for help with rodent control in Houston, Texas.

4 Rodent Species To Look Out For In Houston

Deer Mice

These are brown-bodied mice with pointy noses, small ears, and
short brown and white bellies and tails. Deer mice mature at 7 weeks and can rapidly reproduce, which is why even just one mouse could signal an infestation. If you find a deer mouse, a nest, … Read Full Post »

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Can I Get A Mosquito Bite In Winter? Your Questions Answered

. Posted by in • Orlando
mosquito bite in winter

Do you wish summer could last all year long? Many individuals live in or move to warm and temperate cities to escape the frigid weather in other parts of the country. Want to wear shorts on Christmas Day? Try Orlando. Prefer flip-flops in February? Check out Houston.

There’s a catch to living where the sun is shining most of the year: mosquitoes.

Warm and humid environments are the perfect habitat for many pesky insects, including mosquitoes. Regarding mosquito season, Florida and other southern states don’t get much of a break from these annoying biting insects, which can transmit the Zika and West Nile viruses, among other illnesses.

Newcomers to these cities may wonder if getting a mosquito bite in winter is possible and what else they need to know to keep these pests away. Let’s explore these topics and other common questions about the mosquito.

Where Do Mosquitoes Go In The Winter? What About … Read Full Post »

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Is Your Florida St. Augustine Grass Turning Brown?

. Posted by in , • Orlando

St. Augustine is the turf of choice for Central Florida lawns. You might notice a color change in the late summer and early fall that could cause alarm.

This common lawn fungus is easy to identify, as it creates circular pockets of grass that appear to have died. We’re talking about Brown Patch.

All warm-season turfs are at risk for Brown Patch, especially Zoysia and St. Augustine grass. The disease pathogen, Rhizoctonia solani, will most likely spread from September through May when temperatures are below 80 degrees. It is usually not observed in summer months, but summer weather can lead to over-irrigation, which can lead to fungus. Florida gets excessive rain and high humidity, which can also over-saturate turf grass and lead to infection.

Symptoms:

If an area of your lawn has poor drainage and lacks sufficient sunlight, it may be prone to getting the disease. You’ll notice a soft, dark rot at the … Read Full Post »

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Brown Patch Lawn Fungus on the Rise in Houston

. Posted by in , • Houston

Have you ever noticed beige patches of dead-looking grass interrupting your lush green lawn? The name of this turfgrass disease is a no-brainer: Brown Patch.

Brown Patch is technically classified as a summer lawn disease. However, our Houston Lawn Specialists have noticed an increase in reported cases in the fall due to excessive lawn watering in an effort to battle the overly rough weather conditions Houston experienced during the past few months.

Brown Patch derives from a disease called Rhizoctonia, which is a fungus that thrives in warm, humid climates (sound familiar, Houston?). It lives in plant debris, or thatch, and enters plants through wounds caused during mowing. In most cases, grass can go several months before showing any sign of disease, but trust us, it is growing beneath the surface – and fast.

Brown Patch damage first appears in your lawn as circular areas of brown, dead grass surrounded by … Read Full Post »

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5 Great Indoor Activities For Summer Fun in Houston

. Posted by in • Houston

If you’re a Houston parent, keeping your children cool during the hot summer is likely a huge priority. More extended periods of direct sunlight and high humidity can harm children, who are more susceptible to heat-related illness and dehydration than adults. Not to mention the crankiness factor. Do you really want to hear your child complain about being hot all day?

Fortunately, indoor family activities can allow you and your kids to add a little variety to summer vacation while staying cool. We are lucky to live in a city with a great selection of kid-friendly museums, indoor play places, and arts and crafts centers.

So, when the family needs a break from the pool or the playground, beat the heat with a few of these indoor alternatives.

1. Sky Zone Sports

photo by Clintus McGintus

www.skyzone.com/houston/
Sky Zone offers kids the opportunity to release some energy. The indoor trampoline park features one area … Read Full Post »

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