ABC Blog
Houston

Featured Posts

How To Start an Herb Garden

. Posted by in , • Houston
an herb garden

An herb garden makes a beautiful, fragrant and useful addition to any yard. If you don’t know how to start an herb garden, it can seem like a daunting task. But starting an herb garden is actually a perfect project for beginner gardeners. There are many herbs that are very easy to grow and care for. You can use them in cooking, making delicious drinks or even in homemade flower arrangements. Here are the basics of starting an herb garden, to get you started on your gardening journey.

To start your herb garden, you’ll need just a few basic things: a space for the garden, sunlight, soil that is good for growing herbs and seeds or starter plants. Yes, it really can be as simple as that!

You can grow herbs right in the ground, or in an existing garden bed. Whether you’re building a new herb garden or using an existing … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Bumblebee Versus Carpenter Bee

. Posted by in , • Houston

For most people, when you hear or see a bee buzzing about, the first instinct is to get away. No one wants to get stung, and some people are allergic to a bee’s sting. But, not all bees are the same. Consider two common types you likely encounter around your home: bumblebees and carpenter bees.

Bumblebee Nests

You have probably seen large bees with yellow and black stripes flitting around shrubs and flowers. These are most likely bumblebees, which can also be white and black. They have hairy bodies right down to their bellies and love to spend time with other bumblebees.

These bees usually make their nests underground, either in soil or under trash, like dumps. Unlike other types of bees, bumblebees don’t make enough honey to sell, though they do make some. These bees get almost all of their food from flowers and are known to be helpful … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

How Many Sprinklers per Zone?

. Posted by in , • Houston
a green yard due to having enough sprinklers per zone

Most homeowners would expect installing sprinklers to help their yard thrive in the summertime. Yet the wrong type of irrigation or too much water can damage your lawn. That is why it is important to learn more about sprinkler systems before making a major change to your yard’s irrigation.

Before you install a new sprinkler system, you will have to decide how many sprinklers per zone. Considering the different types of sprinkler heads and understanding the best times to run sprinklers will also help you make the right choice for your lawn.

Some homeowners feel confident enough to redo their sprinkler system on their own. However, it is often more convenient and affordable to consult a sprinkler repair company. Lawn care experts can help keep your yard looking great all year round, even in the heat of the summer.

Figuring Out How Many Sprinklers to Install

Many different factors come into play when deciding … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

No See Ums Versus Mosquitoes

. Posted by in , • Houston

Summertime is a great time to gather with friends and family outdoors. Your backyard is the perfect place to host a hangout, whether you are planning a cookout, a bonfire or a poolside party.

Homeowners know that time spent enjoying your backyard often comes at the price of annoying bug bites. These pests can range from simply frustrating to potentially dangerous. Mosquitoes carry dangerous diseases like Zika or the West Nile virus.

Yet not all bug bites are from mosquitoes. Many other bugs bother humans or even snack on our blood. While you are likely prepared to deal with mosquitoes, you may not know about other biting insects.

Biting midges are a concern for homeowners across the United States. You may know these tiny pests by their more popular name, no see ums. This nickname refers to how small these bugs are and how difficult it can be to stop them before they … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

I Have Tiny Black Mosquitoes in My House

. Posted by in , • Houston
a tiny black mosquito biting someone

If you spend any amount of time at all outside, you are going to encounter mosquitoes. That is just a fact of life. However you might be wondering why you are suddenly seeing a smaller version flying around inside your house. These tiny bugs are mosquitoes, but not necessarily the types that you might recognize.

Typically, you will find Southern house mosquitoes, which are light brown. Smaller varieties are not native to the United States and have distinctive differences from their native cousins. And be warned: These types of mosquitoes, collectively known as Aedes mosquitoes, love to snack on humans.

And these bugs can bring more problems that a little sting on the skin. The Aedes varieties also carry viruses such as Zika, dengue, chikungunya and more.

This grouping of mosquitoes lays its eggs in any water source, which is why they are called “container breeders.” Even a quarter-inch of water is enough … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Why Do I Have Mustard Algae in My Pool?

. Posted by in • Houston
a pool with mustard algae growth

Summer is almost here, which means it is time to enjoy some sun in your backyard. However, if your pool water is cloudy, you may need to think twice before jumping in. The yellow-brown substance covering your pool may not be dirt or sand but mustard algae.

While it may not seem like a big deal, mustard algae in your pool can create a major headache for homeowners. It is particularly challenging for homeowners living in the warmest areas of the United States. Yet this menace can show up anywhere.

Yellow algae, another name for mustard algae, is bad for the water quality in your pool. Too much algae can lead to unhealthy levels of deadly bacteria like E. coli in your pool.

Spotting yellow algae does not need to spoil your summer, but you need to act fast to deal with this issue. If you have questions like how to clean algae … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

How Do Mosquitoes Survive Winter?

. Posted by in , • Houston
a group of mosquitoes flying around in the spring

Sometimes, it seems like mosquitoes can live forever and are indestructible. It’s easy to think that way when they are buzzing about in the spring, summer and early fall, snacking on people and pets at will. However, the pesky pests actually do have a finite life and don’t thrive in certain conditions.

Mosquitoes are insects, and insects are cold-blooded, meaning they cannot regulate their body temperature. That means they take their warmth from their surroundings, and they do not do well as the mercury drops.

They live their best life when air temperatures are around 80 degrees, so they are active all year in tropical climates. In areas where there is more of a change in temperatures throughout the year, mosquitoes struggle. At 60 degrees, the insects start to become lethargic, and at 50 degrees, they can’t function. However, mosquitoes don’t just die when the air turns bitter cold.

Mosquito Survival Tactics

When low … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Types of Bees in Texas

. Posted by in , • Houston
bees on a piece of wood

Springtime in Texas is an enjoyable season to get outside and relax in your yard. But as a homeowner, you may be concerned by the presence of bees around your house. Most homeowners are surprised to learn that most bees are not dangerous for humans and play an important role in our ecosystem.

By understanding more about the different types of bees that live in Texas, you will be better prepared to keep your family safe from bee stings.

The Most Common Types of Bees in Texas

Across Texas, there are many different types of bees, including some that are native and others that migrated here. All bees may appear the same from a distance, but up close, there is huge diversity in the bee population.

Some of the most common types of bees in Texas are honey bees, bumblebees, mason bees and carpenter bees. Some of these bees prefer their time alone while … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Your Guide to Popular Pool Resurfacing Options

. Posted by in • Houston
a backyard pool

If you have lived in the area for long, you know that summer and even late spring can range from warm to scorching hot. When the mercury rises, it can be difficult to even imagine spending time outdoors unless it involves a way to cool off. That is where a backyard pool can be a lifesaver. The idea of jumping into the cooling water of your very own pool is a dream come true.

Of course, pools are not only essential in such a warm climate, they also serve as a beautiful focal point for your yard. Additionally, they can increase your home’s value should you ever be in the market to sell. But like everything else related to a home, pools come with their fair share—or more—of work. Not only keeping leaves out of the water and maintaining the proper chemical balance. The surface of your pool likely will eventually … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

How to Pressure Wash Your Fence

. Posted by in • Houston
a fence that has been pressure washed

Is your fence looking a little worse for wear? Because it is exposed to the elements all day, every day, it will eventually start to look worn and dirty. If you live in an area with extreme heat or cold, cleaning the fence might be needed more often, maybe as often as twice a year. Cleaning off the grime is essential especially if you plan to paint or stain the fence to freshen it up.

The idea of scrubbing each plank by hand probably doesn’t sound very appealing. Maybe you have considered using a pressure washer to get the fence looking its best again. Before you pick up a machine and start spraying, there are several things to consider.

First, remember that the first word in the phrase is “pressure.” And your fence isn’t contained to just your space. You have a neighbor or a road or a forest or something on … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed