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Why Is My Light Switch Hot?

. Posted by in • Austin
a hot light switch

Light switches usually don’t cause any trouble for homeowners, but that doesn’t mean they can’t have issues. If you notice that a light switch in your home is hot to the touch, that usually means too much electricity is running through it. Don’t ignore this issue because it can lead to dangerous consequences like an electrical fire.

There are various possible causes for a hot light switch. But whatever the reason, it’s best to let a licensed electrician deal with it. Even if you have DIY experience, electrical problems aren’t something homeowners should ever attempt to fix on their own.

The Possible Causes for a Hot Light Switch

Before you panic, it’s normal for light switches to get a little warm, particularly dimmer switches. Electricity first goes through the switch to get to the light fixture, explaining the slight temperature increase. But it should never be hot. If it does, these are the … Read Full Post »

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Can You Mow Wet Grass?

. Posted by in • Austin
wet grass

For many homeowners, their lawn is their pride and joy. It adds to the beauty and functionality of their homes. They’re happy to spend their free time keeping their slice of greenery pristine. But there’s one thing that confuses many homeowners about lawn care.

Can You Mow Grass Wet?

This question has been bothering homeowners for years. Should you wait until the grass is dry before cutting it? Ideally, yes. There are many benefits to doing so. But if you don’t have time to spare, turn to the pros for help. A lawn care specialist can mow your lawn at the right time and keep it healthy all year round.

Can You Mow Grass Wet? Here Are Reasons Not To

If it’s been particularly rainy, you might not have a choice but to mow your grass wet. But when the weather permits, wait until the grass dries before cranking up the lawnmower. Your lawn … Read Full Post »

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How Long Do Bed Bugs Live?

. Posted by in , • Austin
a bed bug

Do you know the average life span and life cycle of bed bugs? These unwelcome pests can become extremely annoying for homeowners because they bite humans at night. In order to be proactive about bed bugs, it’s a good idea to learn about their life cycle, feeding habits and hiding places.

How Long Do Bed Bugs Live?

The life span of a bed bug depends on multiple factors, including temperature and available access to blood meals. When those factors work in their favor, bed bugs typically live for around one year. However, it’s common for bed bugs to only live for four to six months.

Bed bugs are extreme annoyances for homeowners, so it’s important to learn about the life cycle, feeding habits and common hiding places for bed bugs. The more you educate yourself about these nuisances, the quicker you can identify an infestation and contact a pest control specialist to control … Read Full Post »

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Fleas In House, No Pets: Why Do I Have A Problem?

. Posted by in , • Austin
A flea on skin

If you think that you can only have fleas in your home if you have a dog or a cat, you aren’t alone. Flea infestations are more common if you have a dog or a cat. But, these parasites can make their way inside on any type of fabric. This includes any piece of clothing on your body or any item you may bring inside your house that has been in an infested area.

If you have grass in your front or back yard, these tiny parasites can hitch a ride with you or a guest into your home. Fleas could also enter your living spaces if you return from a friend’s house with a flea problem. Another possibility is that a wild animal with fleas, such as an opossum, feral cat, skunk or raccoon, may have taken up residence on your property. In these cases, these creatures may introduce fleas … Read Full Post »

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My Dryer Smells: How To Eliminate Bad Odors

. Posted by in • Austin
My dryer smells

If you’ve ever been hit with a whiff of something nasty while doing laundry and thought “Wow, my dryer smells!”, you’re not alone. Having a dryer that smells musty, sour, mildewy or worse is certainly unfortunate, but it’s not uncommon. Still, opening your dryer after doing a load of clean laundry and finding that it stinks can be a shocking experience. What could have caused the smell? Are your clothes ruined—or your dryer? Is there anything you can do to get rid of that unpleasant smell?

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to eliminate bad odors from your dryer. The very first step is to figure out what’s causing the stench. These are the likely culprits:

  • Something stinky was in your clothes in the washer and transferred with them to the dryer.
  • Something in the dryer or exhaust vent shouldn’t be there, such as a rat, squirrel or another wild animal that … Read Full Post »
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How To Get Rid of Mice in Your Garden

. Posted by in , • Austin
a mouse outside

For many homeowners, their garden is a prized part of their home. They tend to it regularly and do their best to keep pests away. But did you know that some animals can encourage your garden to grow? Having butterflies, birds and lizards close by can help your plants reach their full potential. However, there is one creature you should never welcome in your garden–mice.

Mice can cause extensive damage to a garden. They can even make their way into your home. All they need is a dime-size hole to come into your living space.

If you have mice problems, here are some tips to help drive them away. But the best solution is to get the help of a professional. A pest control specialist has the tools and expertise to restore peace in your home and garden.

Mice in the Garden? Keep Them Away With These Tips

If you see mice invading your … Read Full Post »

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If You See One Mouse, How Many Do You Have?

. Posted by in , • Austin
If You See One Mouse, How Many Do You Have

You’ve had some strange happenings around your home lately, including noticing weird grease marks on your walls and your pets acting strangely. Your normally-calm dog starts barking and growling at your walls out of the blue, and you’re not sure what the issue could be. Then, you spot it: a mouse. But you just saw one, so it can’t be that bad of a situation, you tell yourself. But in reality you’re thinking: If you see one mouse, how many do you have?

Unfortunately, locating a single mouse on your property is not that different than finding a needle in a haystack. These small rodents keep to themselves, and they’re relatively quiet. With their main predators being adept hunters—including cats, snakes, owls, hawks and foxes—they have learned how to be excellent hiders and know how to get around without being detected.

So, if you’ve seen a mouse, especially during daylight hours, it … Read Full Post »

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Mosquito Prevention for Yard: Tips and Tricks

. Posted by in , • Austin
a group of mosquitoes

Do you dream of sitting out in your backyard, enjoying the weather or a beautiful sunset, without fear that mosquitoes are lurking about and waiting to bite? You’re not alone!

Mosquitoes are a common pest found in nearly every part of the world. In fact, more than 3,000 species of mosquito have been identified around the globe.

Mosquitoes can be a major nuisance, ruining outdoor relaxation and gatherings, and generally making gardening and other yard tasks miserable. Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take to reduce the number of mosquitoes in your yard, in addition to contacting a pest control professional to help.

Tips for Mosquito Prevention

Your outdoor spaces should be enjoyed without the annoying buzz of mosquitoes. A few common tips for mosquito prevention include:

  • At least once a week, remove, cover or throw out any items that can hold standing water. Look for tires, buckets, planters, toy pools, birdbaths, etc.
  • Ensure you … Read Full Post »
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Why Does My Toilet Keep Clogging?

. Posted by in • Austin
a bathroom

We all take our toilets for granted because it’s always there. But we realize its value when we ask, “Why does my toilet keep clogging?” A clogged toilet is frustrating and even embarrassing, especially when you have guests over. Several things can cause this problem, but the usual culprit is excess toilet paper down the drain.

If your toilet keeps clogging, here’s how to troubleshoot the issue and have it running smoothly again. If these solutions don’t work, it’s time to seek the help of the pros. Professional plumbers will diagnose the problem and perform the necessary repairs and replacements.

Reasons Your Toilet Keeps Clogging

Here are the common answers to the question, “Why does my toilet keep clogging?” and how to address these issues.

You Flush Foreign Objects Down the Toilet

Many homeowners think they can get away with flushing various items down the toilet. But, many of these things can cause clogging. Paper … Read Full Post »

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What Do Rats Like To Eat?

. Posted by in , • Austin
a rat on a pipe

Rats are voracious eaters who spend most of their time looking for food. Most people assume that these unwanted pests will eat anything they find. However, rats have preferred types of food and even favorite food items. Keep reading to learn more about what rats like to eat.

The best way to control rats is to enlist the help of professional pest control services. An expert can provide a treatment plan that is tailored to your home and rat infestation.

What Do Rats Like to Eat?

Rats are big eaters with what seem like insatiable appetites. They are considered omnivores, which means they prefer to eat fruits, vegetables and meat.

If they had their way, rats would prefer a diet of sweet fruits such as berries, apples and bananas. For vegetables, they like carrots, lettuce and broccoli. They will eat any type of meat and they enjoy grains.

However, rats are not picky when they … Read Full Post »

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