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What To Feed Ducks and Where To Feed Ducks in Austin

. Posted by in • Austin
What to feed ducks

One of life’s simple pleasures is feeding animals. Feeding ducks is a fun outdoor activity for all ages. Before you head out the door with that old loaf of bread, take a few minutes to learn more about what to feed ducks, what types of ducks you’ll commonly see in the southern states and the best places to feed ducks in Austin.

What to Feed Ducks

Most people think stale bread is the perfect treat for ducks in your local pond, but that’s a common misconception. So, even if the bread isn’t stale, can ducks eat bread? The short answer: yes, but it isn’t the ideal food.

Why Isn’t Bread Ideal for Ducks?

Bread isn’t the ideal food for ducks because it has little nutritional value and can cause health problems in ducklings, lead to overcrowding and contaminate the water in which they live. Crackers, chips, donuts, cereal and popcorn are good sources of … Read Full Post »

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When Is Mosquito Season Over?

. Posted by in • Austin
When Is Mosquito Season Over

In certain parts of the country, thermometers might reach freezing temperatures on only a few days of the year. During those periods, mosquito season can seem like a year-round nuisance, which may not be far from the truth—especially since mosquitoes can move underground during the colder winter months.

When Is Mosquito Season Over?

It’s a good question, especially in the southern parts of the country with mild winters. Mosquitoes have an annoying habit of taking up residence in some people’s homes, living in drains, potted plants or anyplace where they have access to water and warmth. So when is mosquito season over in warmer climates? Let’s look at the facts.

Why Mosquitoes Are Considered Pests

Mosquitoes can carry infectious diseases that may have serious consequences for humans. Over a million people worldwide die every year from mosquito-borne illnesses, and the United States is not exempt from that statistic.

In certain areas of the U.S., pregnant … Read Full Post »

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Summer Lawn Care Tips

. Posted by in • Austin
summer lawn care tips

Let’s see if this sounds familiar: You buy a new barbecue to enjoy grilling out while the weather is nice and warm. You plan your menu. Get all the fixings. But when you head out back to get started, you barely recognize your yard. There are just as many patches of weeds as there are brown spots and you can’t walk more than a few feet without stepping on an anthill.

What happened? There are many reasons our lawns can look a little worse for the wear during the summer months. Luckily, we have a few suggestions on how to keep your outdoor spaces looking great, even during the hottest months of the year.

Summer Lawn Care Tips

Summers in southern states can be brutal for lawns. Temperatures frequently reach triple digits. Rain may come infrequently – if at all– and insects and weeds are out in full force. If you’re not paying attention, your … Read Full Post »

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Scorpions in Texas and What To Do If You Encounter One

. Posted by in • Austin
Scorpions in Texas

 

Scorpions truly look like something out of a movie, but they’re actually a member of the arachnid species. You’ll immediately recognize them – they have the claws of a lobster and the tail of a pug that curls up over their backs. Their bodies are covered in a hard shell and the end of their curved tails are tipped with a stinger. And sting they do, but only when surprised.

Scorpions in Texas

About 1,500 known species of this predatory arachnid live across the world. More than 90 types live in this country alone. Texas is home to over a dozen different types of scorpions, with the most common being the striped bark scorpion or Centruroides vittatus. It’s a medium-sized, pale-colored scorpion, about two to three inches long. What sets it apart from the other scorpions are the two dark stripes across its back with a dark triangle on its head.

There’s no escaping … Read Full Post »

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Deck Maintenance Ideas and Tips

. Posted by in , • Austin
deck maintenance ideas

Do you have an outdoor deck, but not enough knowledge about how to maintain it? Looking for deck maintenance ideas, or tips on how to maintain a wood deck?

Deck Maintenance Ideas and Tips

Here’s everything you need to know about maintaining your deck throughout the year, so you can continue to enjoy a functional, safe and beautiful outdoor living space.

Why Do Decks Need Maintenance?

Any deck, whether made of wood, composites or any material, is bound to start showing some wear and tear over time. Outdoor decks, after all, are exposed day in and day out to the elements: heat, cold, sunshine, rain, sleet, hail and snow. In some climates, decks might have to withstand inches of precipitation and a thirty- or forty-degree temperature shift all within a single day. As building materials expand and contract with temperature changes and absorb or repel moisture while also withstanding the effects of dryness, … Read Full Post »

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Austin Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017

. Posted by in , , , , , , • Austin
Austin Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017

Austin is the place to be during the spring months. Flowers are blooming, the sun is out and temperatures are still usually mild. Take advantage of this time of year to make some subtle improvements and to conduct home maintenance so that you can enjoy your home for the rest of the year.

Austin Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017

For over 60 years, ABC Home & Commercial Services has been making life easier on Texans. Our Austin Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017 provides you with tips and other information to help you take care of your biggest investment.

The 9-page Guide includes:

  • Ten things to do in Austin this Spring
  • Spring Home Maintenance Checklist
  • Spring Cleaning List of Where to Donate or Dispose of Common Household Items Locally
  • Advice on How to Mosquito-Proof Your Yard
  • Spring Gardening Tips
  • 6 Signs You May Need to Repair Your AC
  • Pool Opening Checklist
  • Easy Home Improvement Projects

Download the guide here. Get a preview of … Read Full Post »

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How To Get Rid Of Weeds Without Killing Grass

. Posted by in • Austin
how to get rid of weeds in lawn without chemicals

It’s exciting when plants you have nurtured begin to grow in your yard. Green, lush grass. Colorful flower beds. A thriving vegetable garden. UUnfortunately, when it comes to caring for our lawns, there’s always one thing you can count on: you’re going to have to deal with lawn weeds. One topic that’s always in season is how to kill weeds, not grass – and how to do it naturally.

If you make a lawn weed control plan in advance and attack the problem early in the season, you can make less work for yourself over time. Below, our experts identify some common weeds in the south and what you can do to get rid of them naturally without killing grass or plants.

Common Lawn Weeds

Many weeds in our lawns and gardens spread through airborne seeds or runners and can be difficult to fully eradicate. Here’s what to watch out for when planning … Read Full Post »

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2017 Zilker Park Events

. Posted by in • Austin
Zilker Park events

Just as Austin is deep in the heart of Texas, Zilker Park is right in the center of the city’s vibrant and growing downtown area. Overlooking the skyline, Zilker is our own Central Park, with a lush carpet of grass that provides a fun weekend or weekday escape for both two and four-legged Austinites. With Barton Springs, the Austin Nature & Science Center, the Zilker Botanical Garden and the Butler Hike and Bike Trail just a stone’s throw away, Zilker Park offers something to please just about anyone.

2017 Zilker Park Events

The centerpiece of Zilker is the Great Lawn, which also doubles as a venue for some of Austin’s most popular annual events. Here’s what’s in store at our city’s most popular park during 2017.

Fly a Kite at the ABC Kite Festival

March 12, 2017

**The 2017 ABC Kite Fest has been canceled due to inclement weather.**

Can you imagine a better kick-off to … Read Full Post »

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Japanese Beetle Vs. Ladybug: Why Does It Matter To Me?

. Posted by in • Austin
A Japanese beetle on a leaf

The most common type of insects are beetles. These bugs are found in nearly every type of marine and terrestrial environment, so we do see them in our lawns and gardens. When comparing the Japanese beetle vs. the ladybug, what do we need to know about which might be beneficial and which is destructive?

While ladybugs or lady beetles are among the most beloved of all insects, Japanese beetles are seen as an agricultural threat. Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica Newman) are invasive pests which feed on the fruit and leaves of many types of crops, shrubs, trees and vines. As their name suggests, these insects were brought into the U.S. in the early 1900s from Japan. These beetles have infested many of the states east of the Mississippi River and have partially infested Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska and South Dakota. Japanese beetles are metallic green with copper-brown wing covers and reach … Read Full Post »

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Spring Lawn Care Tips For A Thriving Outdoor Space

. Posted by in • Austin
spring lawn care tips

Spring is just around the corner. Many homeowners take this time of year to get your lawn ready for the growing season. We share our best tips for spring lawn preparation and a spring lawn care schedule to help showcase the beauty of your outdoor space.

Spring Lawn Care Tips

The most important part of spring lawn care is to make sure that your lawn has plenty of opportunity to come back to life gently during the early spring months. The sun and soil will do most of the work for you.

For many of the southern states, spring is a time to nurture warm-season grasses like as Zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede and Bermuda, which typically thrive in the heat and go dormant during winter.

Water Wise

Once your grass starts growing, make sure that your lawn gets at least one inch of water per week. Until then, you can water less frequently, … Read Full Post »

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