ABC Blog
Bryan-College Station

Featured Posts

Yard Fungus: Identification, Treatment and Prevention

. Posted by in • Bryan-College Station
a thumbnail from the video in this blog

Key Takeaways

Yard fungus is common in Texas and often signals underlying lawn stress rather than a surface-level issue. Identifying the disease early and addressing moisture, soil and maintenance problems is key to restoring and protecting your lawn.

Is yard fungus taking over your property? As a Texas homeowner, it’s important to understand how to identify, treat and prevent the most common types of lawn fungus. 

Yard fungus is common in Texas for a couple of reasons. First, fungus thrives in heat, humidity, drought cycles and compacted soil. These are all elements that are abundant throughout the Lone Star State. 

While yard fungus may seem like a small issue at first, it can point to larger underlying turf problems. Fungus is a common symptom of turf stress. These include poor drainage, overwatering, improper mowing, nutrient imbalance, compacted soil and other issues that impact the health and … Read Full Post »

Lawn Pest Identification & Control Guide

. Posted by in , • Bryan-College Station
a thumbnail from the video in this blog

Key Takeaways

Texas lawns commonly face pests like chinch bugs, grubs, armyworms, fire ants and sod webworms. Look for irregular patches, chewed blades, soil mounds or lifted turf. Early detection and proper lawn care help, but often, professional help is needed.

Have pests taken over your Texas lawn? Thanks to the Lone Star State’s humid and warm climate, Texas lawns can be hotspots for lawn pests like grubs, chinch bugs, armyworms, fire ants and other insects that can cause significant damage. 

As a homeowner, it’s important to learn how to identify pest damage so you can control it as early as possible. This guide, developed by ABC’s certified lawn care professionals, covers how to identify, prevent and control the most common lawn pests across Texas landscapes. 

“Grubs feed on the roots of grass,” says J Zambo. “So when you go to pull on the dead areas, … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Pros and Cons of Artificial Turf

. Posted by in • Bryan-College Station
a thumbnail for the video included in this post

Key Takeaways

Artificial turf offers a consistently green, low-maintenance lawn, but it comes with considerations like heat, upfront cost and proper installation. This guide walks you through the pros, cons and what to expect before making the switch.

Every homeowner wants a lush backyard where they can sit back and relax or watch their kids play. However, there are a lot of issues that can arise from a traditional lawn. For one, maintenance and caring for your lawn takes consistent time and energy. Even when caring for your lawn properly, you can still find yourself dealing with disease or insects. Also, water conservation has become increasingly important, and what was once a beautiful green patch of lawn may now be scratchy and brown. 

For all these reasons, you may have considered artificial turf. Artificial turf is great because it looks beautiful year-round, saves water and … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

How Long Do Oak Trees Live?

. Posted by in , • Bryan-College Station
oak trees

Here in Texas, we are lucky to have many species of beautiful oak trees. If you have one of these trees in your yard, you may be wondering, “How long do oak trees live?” You may also be wondering about what you can do to extend your oak’s life and keep it healthy.

According to J Zambo, some oak species can live thousands of years, but most live for hundreds of years. J also states that oak trees in urban settings likely won’t live as long. He says that the best way to extend the life of your oak trees is to develop a long-term relationship with an ISA Certified Arborist. A good arborist will not only develop a great pruning and maintenance program, but they will also have a thorough understanding of the trees in your yard and will be able to quickly diagnose any disease or pests.

J Zambo is … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Where to See Christmas Lights in Bryan, TX

. Posted by in • Bryan-College Station
Christmas lights

The holiday season will be here before you know it, and there are plenty of fun holiday events to enjoy in Bryan, Texas. Our city offers multiple ways to take in Christmas lights to help get you in a festive mood. Along with Christmas light displays, Bryan offers holiday parades, markets, strolls and art fairs.

Looking forward to decking out your home for the holidays? Let ABC do the heavy lifting for you. Our professional Christmas light installers can get the job done so you can enjoy the festive season with your family. 

Where to See Christmas Lights in Bryan

Looking for the best Christmas light displays in Bryan? You’re in luck, because the city is full of dazzling displays for all types of audiences. Whether you’re planning a group outing with your book club, a festive date or a family night out, you can find something fun to do in Bryan this … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Signs of Tree Roots in Your Sewer Lines

. Posted by in • Bryan-College Station
tree roots in a sewer line

Planting trees is a simple and cost-effective way to enhance your home’s curb appeal. But their benefits go beyond making your yard more attractive. Trees help clean the air around us and give us fresher air.

However, tree roots are notorious for breaking into sewer lines and causing issues with your plumbing systems. The question is, “How do you know there are tree roots in your sewer lines?” When is the right time to call in a plumber? Let’s dive into this issue.

How Tree Roots Get Into Sewer Lines

Most of the time, tree roots grow around a sewer pipe. Other times, they can break into the pipe. If you’re wondering how this happens, here are the three most common ways:

  • They find existing cracks
  • They break pipes
  • They dry out the surrounding soil

Let’s take a closer look at these.

They Find Existing Cracks

A sewer pipe degrades … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Where Do Rats Live?

. Posted by in • Bryan-College Station
a rat

Rats can quickly turn a comfortable home into a stressful situation. But the more you understand about their behavior, the easier it is to stop them in their tracks.

For the best results, work with a pest control specialist to control a rat infestation in your home and help deter them from returning. 

Where Do Rats Live?

Where rats live depends on their species. Some live in nests while others live in burrows. The most important thing for homeowners to remember is that rats will always choose to live near a reliable source of food and water.

For example, Norway rats, a common species, burrow into the ground to build their nests. They’re often spotted around crawl spaces, the foundation of a home, under concrete slabs or in basements. Outdoors, you may see them under decks, sheds, porches, near woodpiles or around compost heaps.

Rats that burrow are skilled at digging, and they build complex … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

What Is Fertilizer Burn?

. Posted by in , • Bryan-College Station
fertilizer burn on a yard

Fertilizer is designed to keep your lawn and plants healthy, but too much can cause fertilizer burn, which can cause serious damage. 

The best way to avoid fertilizer burn and maintain a thriving lawn or garden is to work with a lawn care specialist.

What Is Fertilizer Burn?

Fertilizer burn occurs when plants are exposed to excessive amounts of fertilizer. It can cause plants to wilt, turn brown, yellow or die altogether. Luckily, with the right fertilizing techniques, you can avoid damaging your plants through fertilizer burn.

Why does fertilizer burn happen? When your lawn is overloaded with fertilizer, the nutrients no longer nourish it. Instead, the fertilizer draws moisture away from your plant’s roots, causing them to stop absorbing water effectively.

When this happens, your lawn experiences symptoms that resemble drought stress. However, what’s really happening is chemical overload. 

There are several common signs of fertilizer burn. First, your lawn may begin to wilt despite … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

How to Trim Your Tree Canopy the Right Way

. Posted by in , • Bryan-College Station
a tree leaves

Trimming your tree canopy not only makes the yard look its best but also keeps your home protected from falling dead branches.

If you’re wondering how to trim your tree canopy the right way, we’ll walk you through the 3 C’s of pruning, tips and techniques you can follow and times of the year when it’s best to trim. Additionally, we’ll cover when it’s best to call in a tree care professional to ensure that your trees stay healthy.

Why Is Proper Trimming Important?

Trimming serves three main purposes: aesthetics, safety and tree health. Removing dead or diseased branches helps prevent pests and stops the disease from spreading. You’ll also prevent dead branches from falling unexpectedly, which could injure someone or cause property damage.

A trimmed canopy also allows more sunlight to reach the grass below, which can help your lawn get fuller and greener. If you decide to sell your house, strong-looking trees … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

How to Make Lawn Green and Thick

. Posted by in • Bryan-College Station
a green lawn

As soil temperatures warm up and grass blades emerge from their dormant state, making your lawn green and thick becomes a concern for many homeowners.

If you share this dream for your lawn, you’re closer than you think. With the right steps, anyone can achieve a flawless, envy-worthy yard.

How to Make Your Lawn Green and Thick: A Guide to a Healthy Lawn

Developing a healthy lawn is not as difficult as you might think. Here are five simple things you can do:

  • Improve your lawn’s soil
  • Fertilization
  • Mowing properly
  • Overseeding for thickness
  • Irrigation

Let’s dive into each of these a bit more.

Improve Your Lawn’s Soil

Soil holds the nutrients, air and water that grass needs to grow. Sadly, some homeowners do not have soil healthy enough to grow a rich lawn. But luckily, any soil can be improved.

Adding organic material is a solid move. … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed