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Rodents: From Dirty Pests to Fancy Pets

. Posted by in • Austin

To many homeowners, rodents are disgusting, filthy creatures, but for some people, they’re fuzzy little friends that fit in a shirt pocket. Mice, rats, hamsters and other rodents are welcome guests in homes across the globe, but although their genetic codes are similar, there are major differences between pets and pests.

The History of Rodents as Pets

Half of the world’s mammal population belongs to the rodent family, but only a few species have managed to penetrate the wall of squeamishness that separates them from human affection. Syrian hamsters were first discovered by a zoologist working in the Middle East. They were sent to labs for breeding and arrived on the American and European pet scene in the 1930s. Many domesticated hamster breeds now exist, and hamsters are among the best-selling rodents in pet stores. Other popular pet rodents include gerbils, guinea pigs and chinchillas.

Cuteness Overcomes a Sordid Past

The history of mice … Read Full Post »

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Beware the Dangerous “Kissing Bug”

. Posted by in • Austin

On the surface, a kissing bug sounds fun. Sadly, it doesn’t cause the world to smooch in perfect harmony. A kissing bug is just that: a bug. These bugs don’t cause property damage, but the bug’s bite and risk of transmitting Chagas disease render them worthy of strict pest control. Kissing bug sightings are currently on the rise in Central Texas.

Kissing bugs, also called conenose bugs, assassin bugs and Mexican bed bugs, often lug around the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite and earned their primary name by biting around people’s mouths and eyes. If the kissing bug releases feces when it’s feeding, T. cruzi becomes absorbed into the kissing bug’s chosen buffet source; usually, humans and canines are unsuspecting buffet tables. During the first few weeks, a person infected with Chagas disease experiences swelling at site, fatigue, fever, a rash, constipation and abdominal pain. This is the acute phase, which becomes chronic … Read Full Post »

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Your Home May Not Be as Clean as You Think

. Posted by in • Austin

If you’re like most people, your housecleaning routine ends with feelings of relief, accomplishment, pride and exhaustion. The floors shine, and the toilet sparkles. Even the toaster gleams, but did you look inside? If you didn’t get all the crumbs out yourself, something small and creepy might do the job for you.

Housecleaning is quite a chore, and sometimes it’s impractical to move every appliance and cover every square inch with disinfectant and a toothbrush. Unfortunately, if you neglect the little nooks and crannies for too long, dirt accumulates, and it may become a free smorgasbord for insects like the dreaded German cockroach.

Your Home’s Dirty Little Secrets

Pests love all the obvious lures like dirty dishes, overflowing garbage cans and smelly clothes, but they also love the spots that nobody ever thinks about. Grease, dust, food particles, mold and mildew can hide almost anywhere. Here are a few commonly overlooked areas you … Read Full Post »

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How to Add a Water Feature Without Attracting Mosquitoes

. Posted by in • Austin
How to stop mosquitoes breeding in water features

 

Ponds, fountains and other water features can transform your backyard into a tranquil oasis. If you live near a highway or in a noisy area, water features can drown out ambient noise and replace it with a soothing, natural sound. Adding a water feature can also enhance existing landscaping, often at a marginal cost and with little required maintenance. Lastly, providing a water source in your yard can help local wildlife, including birds, butterflies and hummingbirds. There is one animal that you don’t want to attract when you add water to your landscape, however: mosquitoes.

How to stop mosquitoes breeding in water features

Most species of mosquitoes lay their eggs in water. Larvae can thrive in even an ounce of standing water. With that in mind, if you do want to add a pond, waterfall or a fountain to your landscape, you’ll want to learn how to add a water feature without attracting … Read Full Post »

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5 Famous & Unexpected Plumbers

. Posted by in • Austin

If someone asked you to name famous plumbers, you’d probably think of Super Mario and his brother Luigi, the duo who defined video games in the 80s. Desperate Housewives’ hunky plumber Mike Delfino, played by James Denton, might also come to mind. Not all famous plumbers are fictional. Some celebrities quietly worked in the plumbing trade before their rise to fame, so most people have no idea they started out in such non-glamorous roles. Here are five examples that might surprise you.

 

1. Ozzy Osborne

Before Black Sabbath, Ozzfest, reality shows and a diet of bat heads, John Michael “Ozzy” Osborne wielded a totally different kind of snake than the one he famously wore around his neck. The English heavy metal singer and songwriter left school at 15 and worked as a plumber. With his net worth exceeding 140 million, few people remember his expertise with clogged drains.

2. Michael Flatley

In a true … Read Full Post »

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The Marsupial, The Myth, The Legend: The Opossum

. Posted by in , • Austin

If you’re a longtime resident of Austin, you’ve probably seen your fair share of opossums. At first glance, these silvery, pointy-nosed scavengers don’t seem like anything special. In truth, opossums are far from ordinary; they have many unusual features and a rich and fascinating history full of myth and legend.

Interesting Opossum Facts

Here are some unusual facts you may not have known about the everyday opossum:

  • An opossum can “play dead” for up to four hours when it feels threatened, but contrary to popular belief, the reaction is actually involuntary.
  • Opossums are immune to rattlesnake venom and they often eat the rattlers that dare to strike.
  • Although commonly mistaken for a rodent, the opossum is a marsupial and it’s the only one found in North America.
  • Like a kangaroo, the mother opossum carries her young in her pouch.
  • Opossums have opposable thumbs on their hind feet. They use the digits to grasp and climb. They also … Read Full Post »
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Pests in the Attic

. Posted by in , , • Austin

Animals and other urban wildlife are always looking for places to breed, store food and hide from predators. Unfortunately, some creatures may choose to take up residence in your attic. They use vents and other small openings to gain entry. Some of them stay inside the attic; others leave during the night to search for food.

An assortment of pests live in attics. They include various insects, rodents, birds and bats. Some raccoons and opossums also appreciate the shelter that an attic provides. Most of these creatures are nocturnal and can carry small parasites, such as fleas and ticks.

Pests often damage the attic and eventually harm other parts of the home. Rodents may chew on telephone or electrical wires. Some animals destroy insulation or air ducts. Raccoons can even tear holes through the roof. This kind of destruction may cause major water leaks or a fire.

Pests can also defecate and urinate … Read Full Post »

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What Attracts Scorpions to My Home?

. Posted by in • Austin

Of all of the common household pests here in Texas, one may be the creepy-crawliest of them all: the scorpion. While some scorpions may be limited to crawling on the floor, others are able to climb walls, drapes and hide in the folds of clothing. You might find a scorpion in a variety of places, such as inside of a shoe or under a piles of clothing. In addition to being painful, a scorpion’s sting is venomous and can cause serious illness. In a few cases, the sting may even cause death. To know how to eradicate these poisonous pests, homeowners must understand what attracts scorpions to homes.

What Attracts Scorpions to My Home?

The more you know about these arachnids, the more equipped you are to know where and when to spot them, how to know they have made it inside of your home, and most importantly, how to get them out—for … Read Full Post »

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Good Mowing Practices for Austin Lawns

. Posted by in , • Austin

Austin lawn care techniques need to change throughout the year because maintenance and mowing techniques for each season are different. Your lawn can be a compliment to the beautiful Austin landscape when you know the best practices to use for various weather conditions.

Winter Maintenance

During the winter months, it’s important to winterize your sprinkler system, lawn mower and lawn tools to prepare them for springtime use. Continual maintenance is important, even when they are in disuse.

Mowing

If you plan to use a riding lawn mower this Spring, make sure you know how to operate it safely. Set your mower height one or two notches lower if you plan to mow during the winter to help prevent damage by winter winds that can dry out new growth. If the grass is too long through the winter, it may smother itself, succumb to disease or suffer injury from repeated freezing and thawing. However, cutting … Read Full Post »

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Tackling Plumbing Fixtures During Bathroom Remodeling

. Posted by in • Austin

Many Austin homeowners will remodel their bathrooms this year. While there is a wealth of information on the Internet about DIY projects, it is important to remember that not all resources offer good information. Homeowners should limit themselves to cosmetic projects and avoid major plumbing tasks. When it comes to actual plumbing procedures, it is important to contact a professional plumber. There are several good reasons for this.

Some Plumbing Projects May Require Permits

In nearly every city, there are special codes for plumbing projects. For example, Austin has special requirements for water heater placement and toilet water consumption. Violations of local plumbing codes may make it very difficult for homeowners to resell their properties in the future. Most homeowners will be required to hire a professional to fix the problem, which will cost even more money. In some cases, violations may result in fines if they cause damage to city property … Read Full Post »

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