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What You Need to Know About Black Carpet Beetles

. Posted by in • Austin
a black carpet beetle

As a homeowner, you might be worried about black carpet beetles, since their larvae can cause damage to your belongings. The black carpet beetle, or Attagenus unicolor, is a common household pest. Black carpet beetle larvae eat just about anything, from animal by-products (wool, hides and feathers) to natural fibers and plant products (vegetables, grains and cereals).

If you’re dealing with a black carpet beetle problem, your best option is to contact pest control professionals to handle these pests. You can also ask them questions like, “When do mosquitoes come out?”

What Do Black Carpet Beetles Look Like?

Adult black carpet beetles are small, oval-shaped insects, typically one-eighth to three-sixteenths of an inch long. They are dark brown or black, with a shiny, smooth appearance. Their larvae are light brown to black and covered in bristly hairs, growing up to a quarter inch long. The larvae have a long, elongated and carrot-shaped body … Read Full Post »

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How to Identify Brown Patch Fungus

. Posted by in • Austin
brown patch on grass

Is brown patch fungus damaging your lawn? This fungal disease can wreak major havoc on not just the appearance of your lawn, but the health.

An expert can identify the root cause of the brown patch fungus in your lawn, create a personalized treatment plan and put prevention methods in place to help maintain the health of your lawn for the long-term. Additionally, they’ll advise you on proper lawn maintenance techniques to avoid fungal diseases in the future.

How to Identify Brown Patch Fungus

Brown patch is a fungal disease that can turn a beautiful lush lawn into a patchy and brown one in a short amount of time. This disease typically appears in mid to late summer and affects some types of grasses more than others.

Brown patch fungus appears as circular or irregular brown patches of grass across your lawn. The grass will look dead, and the patches range in size from … Read Full Post »

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What Is Flea Dirt?

. Posted by in , • Austin
flea dirt on a pet

What is flea dirt, and does it mean a flea infestation is nearby? Unfortunately, the answer is yes.

Flea dirt is the feces of fleas, and it’s made up of their waste and the blood of the host they feed on. It looks like regular dirt, but it’s an undeniable sign of a flea infestation. If you see flea dirt on or around your pet, you need to treat the flea problem.

The most effective way to deal with a flea problem is to call in a pest control specialist. The experts can treat the fleas and put prevention methods in place to deter them from coming back.

What is Flea Dirt?

Have you spotted mysterious flecks of black or dark brown dirt in your pet’s fur? It could be flea dirt, which is the feces of fleas. When fleas feed on the blood of their hosts, they excrete black, crumbly flecks that resemble … Read Full Post »

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What is the Preferred Generator Wattage for a House?

. Posted by in • Austin
a generator being installed

When choosing a standby generator, one of the most common questions is, “What is the preferred generator wattage for a house?” 

Simply put, there’s no “preferred” generator wattage for a house. Selecting the right generator size requires careful consideration of individual household needs. For example, would you like your generator to support just a few appliances, like your fridge and your HVAC unit? Or, are you looking for a generator that can power your whole home? A licensed electrician can consult with you on what your needs are to determine what generator wattage will work best for your home. 

Selecting the right wattage is important because it ensures your home is comfortably functional during an outage without straining the generator.

How do generators work? In simple terms, they operate like small power plants. A generator engine creates mechanical energy, which is then converted into electrical energy to keep your home running. This electrical … Read Full Post »

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How to Fix Hard Water

. Posted by in , • Austin
a glass of water

With so many other responsibilities, many of us forget to pay attention to our water supply at home. However, water quality is important and should be a priority. It affects everything, including your pipes, clothes, hair and skin.

Hard water is a common problem you shouldn’t ignore. It might seem like no big deal, but it’s the notorious culprit behind many household problems.

If hard water is causing problems for you at home, don’t hesitate to contact a professional. A licensed plumber will provide an effective solution to improve the quality of your water.

How to Fix Hard Water: Here’s the Best Solution

You might not know it, but hard water might be why you have frustrations with your home. Hard water can affect every aspect of your home life, including energy consumption, longevity of appliances and the look of your skin and hair. Problems start popping up one by one when minerals accumulate … Read Full Post »

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Is Well Water Hard Water?

. Posted by in , • Austin
a glass of water

Because water is part of our everyday lives, we often don’t put much thought into the quality of it. However, water quality should be at the top of every homeowner’s priority list because it affects almost everything. From the shine of your hair to the longevity of your appliances and plumbing fixtures, your water at home has an impact.

If there’s a well near your home, can you use it instead of your city’s public water? While it’s an option, it’s important to first determine if the water is hard or soft. If it’s hard, it can cause various issues at home. That’s where a water softener can help. Contact a licensed professional to install one so you can enjoy clean well water.

Is Well Water Hard Water? Here’s Everything You Should Know

If you’re thinking about using well water for your home, you might be wondering: is well water hard water?

First, let’s … Read Full Post »

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How to Test Christmas Lights

. Posted by in • Austin
Christmas lights

Time flies by fast, and it’ll be the holiday season again before we know it. That means making our homes as festive and cozy as possible. But it could also mean struggling to fix holiday lights. If you don’t want that kind of stress during the holidays, test your lights beforehand and ensure they work before you install them.

If you’re wondering how to test holiday lights, we have easy methods you can try at home. They only take a few minutes and can save a lot of time during the decorating process. However, it’s easiest to leave these tasks up to lighting professionals. They’ll handle the entire decorating process from start to finish.

How to Test Christmas Lights: Six Methods for Homeowners

Imagine spending hours putting up your holiday lights only to find out some strands don’t work. To save yourself the hassle, test your lights before installing them by following these … Read Full Post »

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How Long Does It Take to Charge an EV Car?

. Posted by in • Austin
an EV charging

Charging our gadgets is part of our daily routines, whether it’s our phones, laptops or headphones. However, charging a car is something many of us are still getting used to. One challenge you might face is figuring out how long it takes to charge your EV so you can schedule your day appropriately. There’s no straightforward answer to this question because there are various factors to consider.

If you’re new to the EV world, here’s your guide to EV charging at home. Contact an electrician if you’re ready to enjoy the convenience of home charging. A licensed electrician will assess your electrical panel, upgrade it if necessary and install the charging station correctly.

How Long Does It Take to Charge an EV Car?

Your EV’s charging time is dependent on a host of variables. Even the weather and your charging cable’s length may have an impact. But if we’re narrowing it down to … Read Full Post »

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What Is Forced Air Heating?

. Posted by in • Austin
a living room

Deciding on a heating system for your home can be overwhelming. There are boilers, radiators, mini-splits and baseboard heaters, to name a few. However, the most popular choice among homeowners is forced air heating.

What is forced air heating? While you’ll find it in countless homes, not all homeowners know how it works. Here’s everything you need to know about it, including how it works and its pros and cons.

If you decide on forced-air heating, contact a licensed professional to install it in your home. The HVAC technician can also perform regular maintenance checks to keep it in tip-top shape. Plus, this pro can help address other HVAC issues, like when you ask, “Why am I not getting power to my thermostat?”

What is Forced Air Heating? Here’s How It Works

Forced air heating is a component of an HVAC system that heats homes. It uses a heat source like a furnace or … Read Full Post »

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How Long Can a Mouse Live Without Food?

. Posted by in , • Austin
a mouse

If mice are scampering around in your home and stressing you out, you’re not alone. These resourceful rodents can be challenging to control because they rely on our homes for food and shelter when temperatures drop. They can thrive even if resources are scarce.

If you have a mouse problem, you might wonder if starving them out will encourage them to leave your house. It’s best to contact pest control professionals if you want these rodents out of your life. These experts know how to manage the mouse population in your home and keep them from bugging you. They can also answer questions like “How many mice are considered an infestation?”

How Long Can a Mouse Live Without Food? Here’s What You Should Know

Mice depend heavily on food for survival, and that’s likely why they are in your home. They’re scouring for whatever food they can get their paws on.

Depending on their … Read Full Post »

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