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Hummingbirds in Texas: How To Welcome Them To Your Yard

. Posted by in • Houston
Hummingbirds in Texas

You are sitting on your porch, reading a book, when a hummingbird pays you a visit. The impossibly tiny bird flits from flower to flower. Then it hovers. Its wings are a blur of frantic activity while the head barely moves. After a moment, it’s gone, zipping off in search of greener pastures.

The experience is a bit of everyday magic, leaving you with a happy, contented feeling. I wish they’d come by more often, you think.

Seeing hummingbirds in your yard isn’t an everyday occurrence, but you can make hummingbird season in Texas a magical time with just a little preparation. You can do several things to attract hummingbirds and encourage them to stop by more frequently.

It starts with knowing which hummingbirds can be found in Texas–and when.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Types Of Hummingbirds In Texas
  • What Flowers Attract Hummingbirds?
  • How To Attract Hummingbirds

Types Of Hummingbirds In Texas

Believe it or not, Texas hummingbirds are … Read Full Post »

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What Do Baby Termites Look Like?

. Posted by in • Houston
what do baby termites look like

Any homeowner who has seen small, winged, ant-like insects in or around their home has probably wondered, What do baby termites look like? It’s wise to worry about a possible termite infestation, as these insects are a severe problem if they infest your home, garage, or other structure. They can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage to your property.

In fact, Americans reportedly spend $1 billion each year on termite control and repairs to correct damage caused by these small but powerful pests. Clearly, a savvy homeowner should know how to identify termites. Telling these creatures apart from winged ants, for example, or any other look-alike insect species, however, can be challenging. Many of us know what these insects look like in their adult form, but what about termite larvae? Read on to learn about baby termites, the termite life cycle, the swarming season, and how to keep these … Read Full Post »

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Purple Texas Wildflowers: How To Add Color To Your Landscape

. Posted by in , • Houston
Purple Texas wildflowers

A rite of passage here in Texas is taking the family for the annual Bluebonnet photo. Did you know these plants are just the tip of the iceberg for wildflowers in Texas? And you can grow these flowers in your back (or front) yard?

Whether you’re tired of the usual suspects in your home garden or considering wildflowers as another way to use native plants in your landscaping, wildflowers are a gorgeous option that can add a nice splash of color to any property.

Below, we will suggest different types of purple Texas wildflowers you might consider incorporating in your lawn and answer common questions homeowners have about adding these plants to your outdoor spaces.

Different Types of Purple Wildflowers You Can Find in Texas

Bluebonnets and Indian paintbrushes get the lion’s share of attention when it comes to Texas wildflowers, but they’ve got nothing on the many varieties of purple wildflowers that thrive … Read Full Post »

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Do Fleas Die in the Dryer? Flea Control Secrets Revealed

. Posted by in • Houston
Can fleas drown in the washing machine

Fleas. The word makes many homeowners shudder, especially if they also have pets. After all, these pesky insects may be tiny, but a flea infestation can mean big trouble for your pet, your home, and you.

Many homeowners wonder, do fleas die in the dryer? Can they drown in the washing machine, or is washing flea-infested items a waste of time? When you find even one flea in your living space, it’s tempting to toss everything you own—sheets, clothing, cushion covers, your dog’s bed—into the wash. While it seems that that should care for the problem, the reality isn’t relatively so straightforward. Exposure to heat and soap can kill fleas in all stages of their life cycle, so a dryer cycle alone will likely be inadequate to eliminate your flea population. Besides, these creatures are likely widespread across your home, so meticulous vacuuming will be the best initial method to … Read Full Post »

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Winter Pool Chemicals: What Do The Experts Recommend?

. Posted by in • Houston
Winter pool chemicals

Winterizing your pool in warmer climates looks different than getting your pool ready for icy conditions in other parts of the country. Maintaining your winter pool chemicals is essential, whether you use your pool during the colder times of the year, because leaves and other debris that fall into your pool affect your pH levels.

You have a few options when it comes to maintaining your pool during the winter in the South. With our typically mild winters, some pool owners prefer to maintain their current regular service throughout the year or switch to fewer visits per month. Others lower the water level of their pool to just below the tile line and pull the drain plugs on their equipment. Most people don’t even put on a pool cover during this time, although some do.

In this post, we’ll explore what you can do … Read Full Post »

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Tapping Noise in Attic at Night: What Should You Do?

. Posted by in • Houston
Tapping Noise in Attic at Night

When things go bump in the night in your home, it’s usually not a good sign, nor do you experience warm and fuzzy feelings. What do you do when you hear a tapping noise in the attic at night? If you are like most people, you probably sit quietly to try to identify the noise. Suddenly, a slew of questions run through your head: Is a branch hitting the roof? Is a squirrel running right above me? Is something in the attic? Has someone broken in?

As temperatures decrease through the fall and winter, various creatures look for warm places to seek shelter. Your attic may look to them like the perfect spot to settle in for the winter and raise a family. While you may take pity on these critters, you really don’t want them in your attic. There are a number of reasons why, including the damage they can … Read Full Post »

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Add Color To Your Yard With Texas Winter Flowers

. Posted by in , • Houston
plants that grow in winter

Anyone from Texas can tell you that we have unique weather patterns. You can experience all four seasons in just one day in a few other places. The running joke “If you don’t like the weather, just wait a minute” rings true to many of us. While it can be nice to experience summer weather on a December day here in Texas, winter flowers can challenge even the most experienced gardeners. 

While keeping soil type and watering requirements in mind, remember that, on average, Houston gets 18 days each year with temperatures below freezing. Our growing season lasts an average of 300 days, which can be great for growing various plants and flowers. Remember that our days are shorter throughout the winter, so you’ll want to keep that in mind if you choose flowers that require a certain number of hours in the sun.

If you struggle about what to plant during … Read Full Post »

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Your Guide to the Best Holiday Lights Houston 2017

. Posted by in • Houston
Best Holiday Lights Houston 2017

There are many signs of the holiday season here in Houston. Stores put up their holiday displays, gingerbread and peppermint goodies start appearing everywhere, and gift guides flood our inboxes and mailboxes. In addition to making time for holiday decorating, deciding what lights to buy, and getting presents, calendars start to fill up with seasonal events. We’ve compiled a list of Best Holiday Lights Houston 2017 to help you make time for some special memories this year.

Nothing puts everyone in the mood for Christmas quite like lights. Depending on which lights displays you choose to see, you may opt to stay in the car, which can be easier for friends and family members who are younger or older, who might have a harder time walking long distances or standing for long periods of time. Driving around to see lights can also be a good option for those rare Houston days … Read Full Post »

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Too Much Water in Pool Due to Rain? What You Can Do

. Posted by in • Houston
too much water in pool due to rain

Here in the southern states, we almost always enjoy it when it rains. A good soaking typically cools the temperature and provides our lawn and landscaping with much-needed water. However, there are times when a strong storm, hurricane or tropical depression dumps a lot of rain on our property. That’s when there is too much of a good thing, which can lead to too much water in your pool due to rain.

We’ll tell you what you can do when your area experiences heavy rainfall, how to lower your pool’s water level, what happens when your pool is overflowing from rain, the problems a storm or severe weather event can cause and give you some tips on hurricane pool preparation.

How To Lower Pool Water Level

If you have a typical rainfall, or even several inches, your pool should be fine, since drains and skimmers are designed to remove the excess water. … Read Full Post »

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Negative Effects of Floods and How to Clean Up Your Property

. Posted by in • Houston
Negative Effects of Floods and How to Clean Up Your Property

Around the world, the most prevalent kind of natural disaster is flooding. In the United States, floods are the leading cause of weather-related deaths, taking the lives of around 200 Americans each year. During 2016, 19 floods occurred across the United States—the most since record-taking began in 1980. Over the past 36 years, Texas has been the state which has seen the most fatalities from flooding and flash floods.

The adverse effects of floods are numerous, and it can take years to rebuild. So this begs the question: can you do anything to help protect your home from floods? What should you do if your house floods? What can you do after a flood to help your home withstand potential damage from a future flood?

A flooded home isn’t necessarily a total loss. In a Washington Post article, Claudette Hanks Reichel of Louisiana State University’s Agricultural Center, who has written disaster recovery … Read Full Post »

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