As the Austin area begins to see hotter spring temperatures, many homeowners are heading outside to begin work in their gardens. Before you hit the garden this year, take some time to familiarize yourself with the scorpion, a fairly common garden pest. If you aren’t on the lookout for them, startled scorpions may sting and put a serious damper on your gardening day.

Who’s Creeping and Crawling in Your Garden?

Scorpions have a bad reputation due to their nasty sting and frightening pincers. The scorpions found in Texas don’t cause severe allergic reactions in most people, but they can cause a great deal of discomfort. Of course, individuals who are sensitive to other natural toxins may suffer from more severe symptoms if stung by a scorpion. Thankfully, controlling these pests is easy so long as you can identify them and create a management plan for your space.

Identifying pests is the first step … Read Full Post »

Are you ready for bug bombs? No, we’re not talking about the insecticide foggers that kill every bug in an enclosed room. These bug bombs are actually made of bugs, but they aren’t just any bugs—they’re bugs with voracious appetites for specific unwanted weeds. The future of biocontrol weed management may involve aerial attacks that drop “bombs” filled with hordes of flea beetles or other beneficial insects on the vegetation below.

The idea was presented in a slide show by West Virginia University entomologist Yong-Lak Park at the 2013 Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America held in Austin, Texas. It depicted unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, armed with biocontrol payloads that can bombard crops, fields and other open areas with hungry bugs ready to turn weeds on the ground into their own private buffets.

Bug Bomb Pros and Cons

The concept of biocontrol isn’t new. Introducing bugs to kill other bugs … Read Full Post »

With so many companies offering pest control services in the Austin area, where do you start your search? Find out what questions you need to ask to narrow your options down fast and find the right fit for your home.

When you’re dealing with a pest infestation, every minute counts. From termites that make permanent marks in the home’s structure to blood-sucking bedbugs, common household pests can instantly lower your quality of life and eventually cause a big dent in your bank account. The sooner you contact a professional pest management company, the sooner you can get back to living life without fear. Below, we share all of the tips you need to know to find the best pest control company for your needs and budget.

• Get leads and information online. For a searchable register of pre-screened pest management companies in Austin and step-by-step pest identification guides, check out this comprehensive … Read Full Post »

The Austin area is among the country’s fastest-growing metro regions. Anyone who spends time here understands why: It’s a vibrant, economically diverse city with a unique local culture and plenty of natural amenities. Unfortunately, the area’s pests seem to like it just as much as its human residents. If you’re new to Austin, take some time to learn about the creepy, crawly and occasionally dangerous critters that also call the region home.

Wasps and Other Stinging Insects

Several species of wasp are endemic to the Austin area. The most visually stunning of these is the Cicada killer, a 1.5-inch beast that can kill a tarantula with its venom. The area also harbors several varieties of paper wasps. These smaller creatures aren’t as scary to look at, but their stings can be dangerous for children and those who have a sensitivity to venom. Meanwhile, fire ants like to create colonies near structures and … Read Full Post »

Austin-area homeowners have to deal with a wide range of rodent, insect and arachnid pests. To combat these critters, many turn to our powerful pest management programs. Of course, it’s natural to have concerns about our pest control solutions, and we’re more than happy to answer any questions that you might have. We offer answers to some commonly asked questions below.

What Types of Pest Control Do We Offer?

ABC Home & Commercial proudly administers a diverse array of pest control services. Some of our most popular services include:

• Wasp and flying insect control
• Termite and structural pest mitigation
• Bed bug control
• Rodent and wildlife services
• Mosquito control

Each service begins with a licensed inspector’s thorough examination of the affected property. We’ll identify problem areas and determine which pests are at fault. After looking for mitigating factors and sanitation issues, we customize a powerful, proactive pest control plan.

How Do We Minimize the Impact … Read Full Post »