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Celebrating the Big Tree in Goose Island Park

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Big Tree Rockport Texas

 The Big Tree at Goose Island State Park north of Rockport, Texas. Photo Credit: Larry D. Moore

The Oldest Known Tree in Texas.

We’ve all marveled at different types of trees from around the world. From Redwoods in California to Banyan trees in India to Baobab trees in Madagascar, there are unique and incredibly old trees all over the world. Have you ever wondered what the oldest or most unique tree in Texas is?

The oldest tree on record in Texas is right in our neighborhood, a 1,000-year-old Coastal Live Oak nicknamed “The Big Tree”. Over its lifetime, the tree has withstood between 40 and 50 hurricanes and narrowly escaped destruction during the Civil War as Union troops set fire to the town of Lamar not far away.

Where did the Big Tree come from?

So, how did this tree, like a handful of other old trees around the world, manage to live so long? … Read Full Post »

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What To Know About The Striped Bark Scorpion

. Posted by in • Corpus Christi
striped bark scorpion

Scorpions may be small, but their stings pack quite a wallop! While the pesky critters can be found in states like Florida and Arizona, there is one species that we are most likely to see here in Texas: the striped bark scorpion.

Let’s learn more about one of the most common types of scorpions in texas and answer some common questions: where do scorpions live? Why do they sting? What should you do if you get stung? How can you avoid falling into their clutches?

What You’ll Learn:

  • Types of Scorpions
  • Striped Bark Scorpion Appearance
  • Striped Bark Scorpion Habitat and Habits
  • How Bad Is A Striped Bark Scorpion Sting?
  • How to Treat A Striped Bark Scorpion Sting
  • How to Avoid The Striped Bark Scorpion

Types of Scorpions

Scientists estimate that there are approximately 1,500 different species of scorpions around the world. You will find some of the most poisonous scorpions in the world in Mexico. The most dangerous scorpion in … Read Full Post »

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[Infographic] When to Repair or Replace Your Air Conditioner.

. Posted by in • Corpus Christi
Get your AC ready for the hot Texas summer.

It’s hot outside. Is your A/C ready for the summer heat?

One of the biggest questions our customers ask us is when to repair or replace their AC units. We’ve put together a nifty flow chart to help you navigate the HVAC repair and replacement process. Sometimes, a maintenance routine is all you really need. But other issues require repairs — and sometimes, replacement parts or an entirely new air conditioner.

Always keep in mind that regular maintenance will keep your A/C in perfect working condition for the entirety of its lifespan.

Embed this Infographic on Your Site:

<p style=”text-align:center;”><a href=”https://blog.abchomeandcommercial.com/infographic-when-to-repair-or-replace-your-air-conditioner/”><img src=”https://blog.abchomeandcommercial.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/ABCCorpus_AC_Flowchart.png” alt=”abc corpus christi repairs old air conditioners” title=”Click to enlarge” /></a><br />Source: <a href=”https://www.abchomeandcommercial.com/”>ABC Home & Commercial Services</a></p>

ABC Can maintain, repair, and replace your HVAC system.

If your journey suggests that your A/C needs some work or needs to be replaced, give us a call. From all of us at ABC … Read Full Post »

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Mosquito Bite On Foot: Why Do Mosquitoes Bite Ankles?

. Posted by in , • Corpus Christi
why mosquitoes bite feet

Stepping outside during certain times of the year requires a layer of clothing and mosquito repellent—otherwise, you risk getting eaten alive by mosquitoes. Even when you spray yourself down, you still may find yourself complaining to friends and family, “I have a million mosquito bites on my foot!” and asking yourself, “Why Do mosquitoes bite ankles?” Why is it that these pesky critters always seem to find us and bite that one spot that we missed? Researchers have been studying the behavior of mosquitoes to see what repels and attracts these biting bugs.

Why Is There A Mosquito Bite On My Foot?

According to a story on National Public Radio, researchers at the University of California, Riverside have learned that mosquitoes use specific sensors near their mouths to determine the presence of carbon dioxide. If carbon dioxide is in the area, mosquitoes assume that humans or animals that provide the blood they … Read Full Post »

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Does your plumber know his permits?

. Posted by in • Corpus Christi

Your bathtub won’t drain, and you need help fast, but choosing a plumber can be tough. How can you tell if the expert you are talking to knows what he’s doing or if he’s going leave you with more problems and headaches?

It’s tempting to call out some random neighborhood handyman to fix your plumbing woes. After all, he says he’s cheap and can get your drain working in no time. But you risk a lot by going with unpermitted plumbers in Corpus Christi. Here are just five of the many reasons you should hire a licensed plumber to resolve your next plumbing disaster or to install new fixtures.

Licensed Plumbers have appropriate training and credentials.

Be careful of unlicensed contractors! In Corpus Christi, plumbers must be licensed. You should always ensure that the person you hire has a current license to work as a plumber.

A plumbing license means … Read Full Post »

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9 Ways to Bring Butterflies to your Garden

. Posted by in • Corpus Christi
how to attract butterflies

Summer is nearly upon us in Corpus Christi. There’s nothing better in the summertime than a yard filled with flowers and butterflies. Did you know that attracting different species of butterflies can be as easy as adding a variety of flowering plants to your garden, as well as following a few safe gardening practices?

Below we’ll look at some of the ways you can turn your yard into your personal butterfly garden.

How to attract butterflies

There are a number of plants that attract butterflies, and they fall into a couple of categories.

First, there are plants that butterfly larvae (caterpillars) love to eat. Growing some of these plants ensures that butterflies will mark your yard as one of their favorite places to visit.

Second, butterflies are garden pollinators. Like bees and wasps, they help pollinate flowering plants by feeding on their nectar and transferring pollen from one flower to the next. Be sure to … Read Full Post »

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Preparing a Storm-Resistant Yard

. Posted by in , • Corpus Christi

Here in Corpus Christi, it’s possible to maintain a beautiful yard and landscape despite severe thunderstorms and hurricane season that bring hail, high winds and torrential rain to our backyards.

Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can make sure your yard can withstand the forces of Mother Nature year-round.

Lawn

If you plan to reseed your lawn in the spring, be sure to check the weather forecast to ensure that rainy weather isn’t right around the corner. It’s never a good idea to plant seeds or small bedding plants right before severe storms. Heavy rains will wash away seed and fertilizer, and hail and winds will destroy tender bedding plants that haven’t had a chance to get established.

When possible, apply mulches or ground cloth, such as hemp netting, to further protect fragile topsoil from pounding rains. These will hold plantings in place as well as prevent rainwater from washing … Read Full Post »

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Corpus Christi’s Best Garden Stores

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Corpus Christi Garden Supplies

Spring is a lovely time to re-think that backyard garden patch.

Have you considered planting a vegetable garden, but you just don’t know where to start? The idea of starting a garden from scratch can seem like a daunting task. Take it one step at a time and figure out what materials you need and where to get them.

These three gardening stores in Corpus Christi carry all the necessary materials to get you started with your vegetable garden.

Gill Landscape Nursery

Gill Landscape Nursery has 2 locations in Corpus Christi – one just north of 358 on Alameda Street, and one south of 358 on Airline Road. Sally Munroe and James Gill, a local couple with a flair for commercial and residential landscaping, established the first location on Airline Road in 1979. They opened the second location on Alameda Street in 1987.

Both locations offer a variety of gardening supplies, knowledgeable staff, ponds, water … Read Full Post »

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Identi-Fly: What’s buzzing around your home?

. Posted by in • Corpus Christi
fruit flies taking over the kitchen

What’s flying around inside your house?

Springtime is an excellent time of year for Corpus Christi, but along with wildflowers and sleeping with the windows open, it also means a return of flying insects. Below we’ll look at a few of the different insects that may be bugging you inside your home.

Fruit flies

Fruit flies are small gnat-like insects that are attracted to the smell of ripe fruit and other organic materials. You may find them around fruit bowls, bananas or your indoor compost containers. The best way to eliminate them is to make sure to refrigerate all ripe fruit and keep your composting materials outside. If you still have trouble with them, you can make a simple trap with apple cider vinegar (or flat beer) and a narrow-necked bottle. Put a small amount of vinegar in the bottle and cover tightly with plastic wrap and a rubber band. Poke tiny holes … Read Full Post »

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Do Mouse Traps Actually Work?

. Posted by in • Corpus Christi
rodents can enter your home through your AC unit.

One day recently, one of our customers was watching birds and squirrels feeding at her bird feeder when she noticed something shocking. There was a huge rat making its way towards the feeder.

Because the rodent was outdoors, she didn’t want to take the plunge and call out rodent & wildlife control immediately. She decided to opt for mouse trap instead. But weeks went by, and the trap was always empty. She thought the rat was frightened away and didn’t think any more about it. Until she saw the rat again!

Rodents will gravitate towards food sources and shelter.

The sight of a rat or mouse can be rather unnerving on many levels. The truth of it is, in Texas, mice often find their way into our homes (or backyards) in search of dry nesting spots and easy food sources. Because we know some homeowners in the Corpus Christi area may wish to … Read Full Post »

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