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Are Water Snakes in Texas Poisonous?

. Posted by in • Corpus Christi
water snakes in Texas

Seeing a snake in the water, especially when you’re swimming, can be one of the scariest experiences a water-loving Texan can have. Your first reaction is probably that these slithery creatures swim faster than you and can catch you if they want to. If you live near a body of water or have a pool or water feature, you may also wonder what the possibility is that a snake could make its way onto your property, or even worse, inside your home.

Snakes play an important role in our ecosystem. That said, water snakes are considered to be aggressive, so they can strike when approached, even if you don’t realize they are nearby. Knowing more about the different types of water snakes in Texas and what does (and doesn’t attract them) can give you peace of mind and help protect your family from the risk of being bitten. Better understanding what … Read Full Post »

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Which Salt Tolerant Plants Will Work In My Yard?

. Posted by in , • Corpus Christi
salt tolerant plants

Living along the coast certainly has its advantages: access to the beach every day, coastal breezes, mild temperatures, fresh seafood and pretty views.

However, gardening in these environments can present a challenge. While saltwater has its benefits, most plants and flowers don’t like it. Salinity in the soil inhibits a plant’s ability to absorb important nutrients, thereby disrupting the plant’s metabolism.

Finding salt tolerant plants to for your lawn can be a challenge. In many cases, you can select salt tolerant varieties of ceratin plants which can do well in coastal climates. The salt tolerance of plants is determined by a variety of factors, including a plant’s ability to grow under and resist high winds, salt spray, alkaline soils and infertile, sandy soils.

When choosing plants that will be placed facing the ocean without buildings to protect them, you should choose highly salt tolerant plants. If the plants are protected … Read Full Post »

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Beach Bugs That Bite: Protecting Yourself From These Pests

. Posted by in • Corpus Christi
Beach bugs that bite

You’ve waited for that perfect beach vacation to come. You packed your swimsuit, beach towels and have the perfect day planned. But, once you get set up in the sand, you start feeling little bites on your legs. You look down and can’t see anything. You have no idea what bit you. These beach bugs that bite can be called a variety of things: sand fleas, sea lice, sandflies and no see ums, just to name a few possible culprits.

In this post, we’ll explore what kind of critters dwell in the sand and which ones might nibble on us, how long sand flea bites last, the difference between sand flea bites and bed bug bites and answer the common question, “What are no see ums?”

Sand Dwellers

There are a number of creatures that live in beach sand, most of which don’t bite humans. These sand dwellers include several species of … Read Full Post »

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Winter Heater Temperature Settings: A Complete Guide

. Posted by in • Corpus Christi
winter heater temperature settings

Cooler temperatures mean warmer clothes, chilly nights and maybe even a fire in the fireplace. When the temperature finally drops to the point where we can turn on our heaters, remembering the most energy-efficient thermostat setting can be as perplexing as remembering why you walked into the room.

In this post, we’ll discuss the best temperature to set your thermostat in winter, find out what the experts have to say about it, learn what impacts average house temperatures in winter, talk about programming your thermostat, discuss whether smart thermostats are worth the investment and suggest other ways to reduce energy costs.

What’s the Best Temperature to Set the Thermostat in Winter?

We all just want to be comfortable in our home. Fighting over the thermostat can be an area of contention in a family. Many homeowners seek to balance comfort with affordable heating and cooling bills.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, homeowners can save as much … Read Full Post »

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What You Should Know About the Aedes Triseriatus Mosquito

. Posted by in , • Corpus Christi
Aedes triseriatus

Summer. Mosquitoes. These two things go together like chips and salsa, although we can all agree that we’d prefer our warm weather without the mosquitoes. One of the most common mosquito species you are likely to encounter in the southern states of the U.S. when it’s hot outside is the Aedes triseriatus. 

What You Should Know About the Aedes Triseriatus Mosquito

Your next question is most likely: how can I identify this type of mosquito? Where does it breed? What risks does it pose to me, my family and my pets? Perhaps most importantly, how can you protect against these biting pests? Let’s learn more about this pesky pest.

Aedes triseriatus Identification and Habitat

When you’re sitting in your backyard, enjoying time with friends and family or just listening to the quiet, you’re not likely to pay attention to which type of mosquito is biting you; you only know you’re getting bitten. So how do you … Read Full Post »

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The Kissing Bug in Texas: Friend or Foe?

. Posted by in • Corpus Christi
Kissing bug Texas

You’re out one night sitting on your new back porch and enjoying the stars when you notice a strange-looking bug with a cone-shaped head. Curious, you trap it in a jar and show it to neighbors the next day. Their eyes immediately widen, and they tell you that you need to watch out–it’s a kissing bug.

Kissing Bug in Texas: Friend or Foe?

Slightly amused, you ask what that is, even making a joke that it sounds kind of cute. After hearing their answer, you no longer feel that way.

What is a Kissing Bug, Anyways?

If you don’t know what a kissing bug is, you should. Despite the friendly-sounding name, this small insect is a potential disease carrier, and it can pose a threat to you, your family and your pets.

Not convinced? Perhaps you’d be more inclined to agree with us if we used the bug’s other nickname–the assassin bug. Sounds a bit … Read Full Post »

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Everything You Need to Know About Lawn Bugs, From A to Z

. Posted by in , • Corpus Christi

 

The new furniture is all in place. The moving boxes are (mostly) emptied and put away. Your house is finally coming together. You even made time to plant some flowers in the front and veggies in the back. But one evening you’re sitting out and enjoying the view, and you notice it. Holes and other signs of biting all over your leaves and petals. Upon closer examination, you spot some aphids, so you order some ladybugs to help you deal with the problem. But those two types of bugs are just the tip of the iceberg. Do you know everything you need to know about lawn bugs? 

Everything You Need to Know About Lawn Bugs, From A To Z

We have an extensive guide to the many different types of bugs that can infest your yard, what type of damage they can do, signs you might have them and how to prevent or get rid … Read Full Post »

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Check Out ABC’s Ultimate Corpus Christi Lawn Care Guide [FREE DOWNLOAD]

. Posted by in , , , , • Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi Lawn Care Guide

Keeping your grass, plants and trees healthy and well-maintained can be a challenge. First, you have to have the time to dedicate to your lawn. You also need to make sure you have the right equipment and that it is all in working order. Finally, you need the expertise to know which types of plants work best in which environments, how often to water and how to spot signs of lawn pests and diseases. For homeowners in southern states, the warm climate, lack of rainfall and intense sun make it even more difficult to care for your outdoor spaces.

ABC’s Ultimate Corpus Christi Lawn Care Guide

ABC Home & Commercial Services is dedicated to making homeowners’ lives easier. Our team of lawn care technicians, landscaping experts, pest control pros and sprinkler system specialists have compiled their best advice and tips into the Ultimate Corpus Christi Lawn Care Guide. This 8-page downloadable PDF resource includes sections on:

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The Ultimate Lawn Care Tips Guide From The Experts at ABC [FREE DOWNLOAD]

. Posted by in , • Austin, Bryan-College Station, Corpus Christi, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Orlando, San Antonio
Lawn care tips

Keeping your grass, plants and trees healthy and well-maintained can be a challenge. First, you have to have the time to dedicate to your lawn. You also need to make sure you have the right equipment and that it is all in working order. Finally, you need the expertise to know which types of plants work best in which environments, how often to water and how to spot signs of lawn pests and diseases. For homeowners in southern states, the warm climate, lack of rainfall and intense sun make it even more difficult to care for your outdoor spaces.

ABC’s Ultimate Lawn Care Guide

ABC Home & Commercial Services is dedicated to making homeowners’ lives easier. Our team of lawn care technicians, landscaping experts, pest control pros and sprinkler system specialists have compiled their best advice and tips into the Ultimate Lawn Care Guide. This 8-page downloadable PDF resource includes sections on:

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Can Sand Fleas Travel Home With You? Banishing Sand Fleas

. Posted by in • Corpus Christi
Can sand fleas travel home with you

Many of us enjoy spending time in coastal areas, soaking up the sun at our favorite beach. While the feeling of the sand in our toes and the cool ocean breezes are welcome, there are some things about spending time near the water which aren’t as nice. One of the drawbacks is that we share the coastal environment with many other animals, some of which bite. One group of these creatures is commonly called sand fleas, which can leave behind irritating, itchy welts.

The next natural question you might ask as you are packing up to head home or to your hotel is “Can sand fleas travel home with you?”

The short answer to that question is that Americans typically don’t have true sand fleas in their homes. That’s because what we commonly call sand fleas in the United States and what are actually sand fleas, which are found in South America, … Read Full Post »

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