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Is There a Way to Prevent Clogged Drains?

. Posted by in • San Antonio

Do your drains become clogged so often that you’re on a first-name basis with folks at the Plumbing Contractor’s Association? Life doesn’t have to be so hard. You might just need to tweak your water-related habits. Here are some great tips to help you keep clogged drains from slowing you down.

Simple Ways to Keep Clogs at Bay

1. Run hot water down your drains regularly. It helps to loosen clogs and melt grease, soap and other debris. If you make it a habit to run hot very water for several minutes each time you wash dishes, you may experience fewer clogs in your kitchen sink.

2. Avoid putting grease in your drain. It coats the sides of your pipes and causes other debris to get stuck. Drain and store grease in a metal can or other container instead.

3. Don’t put sticky, gummy or fibrous food waste in sink or garbage disposal. Foods … Read Full Post »

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Will Texas Oak Wilt Spread to Other Trees in My Yard?

. Posted by in • San Antonio

From high blood pressure and Type II diabetes to emphysema and elevated cholesterol, humans have to deal with many diseases that doctors call “silent killers.” You might be surprised to learn that common tree species face similar threats. While your white or red oaks won’t come down with diabetes anytime soon, they may face a “silent killer” of their own: Texas oak wilt. Learn more about how to prevent the spread of this tree-killing disease.

What Is Texas Oak Wilt?

Texas oak wilt is a fungal infection that resides in the vascular systems of healthy trees. Over time, it kills most if not all of the trees that it infects. However, its precise progression depends on the species of the infected tree and certain environmental conditions.

Recognizing the Signs

The fungus that causes Texas oak wilt can spend months in a dormant or semi-dormant state within the vascular systems of affected oaks. In red … Read Full Post »

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After Avoiding the Spotlight for Years, Bed Bugs Are Making a Big Comeback

. Posted by in , • San Antonio

Returning Stars of the Pest Parade

They top the list of unwanted guests with the Texas hospitality industry, and San Antonio homeowners cringe at the idea of sharing space with these tiny trespassers. After a 40-year absence, bed bugs crawled back on the pest scene in the late 1990s, but it’s safe to say they never really retired.

Ancient Players

As far back as 400 BC, Cimex lectularius snuggled down with ancient sleepers and feasted on kings and commoners alike. Over the centuries, the insect’s reputation rose and fell with prevailing attitudes. Some civilizations considered its blood sucking abilities a cure for everything from ear infections to hysteria. These mistaken assumptions eventually fell to the wayside, but early pest control methods, such as dusting with black pepper and filling a home with smoke, involved a good share of nonsense as well.

Old-Fashioned Strategies

By the 1940s, the introduction of heavy-duty pesticides put a dent in … Read Full Post »

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Your Home as Rodent Cuisine

. Posted by in • San Antonio

Your San Antonio home is a safe, welcoming retreat filled with all the creature comforts from soft beds to full pantries. More than 30 native species of mice and rats agree. These furry pests are on the lookout for a warm spot and an easy meal. You don’t intentionally set the table for them, but these rodents relish moving into your home.

An Attractive Appetizer

Mice are always looking for shelter where they can settle in and raise a family. Urbanization has moved field rats into town and forced their city cousins into tighter quarters. This pest housing crisis makes your home an enticing hors d’oeuvre filled with tiny holes and cracks in the foundation, walls and floors. Pet bowls on the porch and bird seed in the backyard become trails of crumbs that invite four-legged invaders into your house. Once they move in, it’s too late to put up the sneeze … Read Full Post »

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Controlling Texas Ants

. Posted by in • San Antonio

“The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah,” is a refrain everyone is familiar with, but does anyone actually cheer when the ants are marching? You certainly won’t be singing if they’re marching across your kitchen counter searching for missed crumbs to feast on. In San Antonio, this is an especially big problem because we play host to several different species of ants, including red imported fire ants, carpenter ants, acrobat ants, pharaoh ants, crazy ants, odorous house ants, rover ants, and leaf cutting ants. To make things even worse, each type of ant has different behaviors and characteristics, often requiring different pest control treatment methods.

So, what is the average person supposed to do when those first brave ants start scouting out your home?

First, it’s a good idea to know what type of ant you’re dealing with. Check out this Texas A&M article about how to identify your new … Read Full Post »

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At-Home Pest Control: What You Need to Know

. Posted by in • San Antonio

Although the vast majority of the population will generally agree that having pests in the home is completely unacceptable, the ways that people deal with these issues vary greatly. By learning a bit more about various pest control options, however, you can get a better idea of how to keep these creatures out of your home.

Store-Bought Pesticides

The first instinct that many people have after seeing an insect, rodent or other household pest is to invest in a store-bought spray or other chemical treatment. If you purchase the right product and use it as directed, you might see some difference in the number of pests that are in your home. These products can be dangerous if they are not used correctly, however, and many of them don’t work as well as advertised. Although store-bought products might work well for minor pest-related issues, they aren’t usually sufficient for handling infestations.

Traps

From small traps … Read Full Post »

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The Hidden Costs of Termites

. Posted by in • San Antonio

Termites are perhaps one of the most dreaded pests in the United States. The sight of a termite around a property can be a homeowner’s worst nightmare. The elusive wood-destroying insects can be dated back to the age of the dinosaurs and are known to cause over $5 billion in property damages every year across the nation. Not only that, a home that has been infested by termites might depreciate substantially in terms of property value.

The humid sub-tropical climate of San Antonio can be very conducive to infestation by both drywood termites and subterranean termites. For homeowners, it can be very beneficial to get acquainted with the different species of termites and their telltale signs of infestation. The slightest indication of an infestation should always be taken seriously and never ignored. Seeking prompt professional assistance is the key to complete eradication of the pests and reduced financial losses for the … Read Full Post »

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Turn Sad Trees into Happy Trees

. Posted by in • San Antonio

Famed television artist Bob Ross was fond of dotting his landscapes with dozens of “happy little trees.” You may not be a pro with a brush and canvas, but you can do the same with your own landscape. Strong, healthy trees provide immeasurable benefit to any home. Not only can they lower the immediate temperature, they provide a habitat for interesting wildlife and can bring up the resale value of the property. Here’s how you can take care of your happy little trees.

Let Them Breathe

Trees are often at their best when left to their own devices. After all, some of the most majestic trees on the planet grew without human intervention. That’s not to say you should take an entirely hands-off approach to landscaping, but it does mean that you can do more harm than good by fussing constantly with tree growth.

Be Cautious with Construction

Planning to dig up a driveway? … Read Full Post »

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Determining Soil Type

. Posted by in , • San Antonio

Your taste in landscaping might run to flowers, vegetables or lush green lawns, but if you don’t take time to identify your soil type, your gardening results could be less than optimal. Soil types in San Antonio will vary by location. Additions can improve it, but first you need to know just what you have.

Clay Soil

If your soil turns hard and cracks in dry weather, what you’ve got is clay. This type of soil drains poorly. When not sun baked into brick-like solidity, it can quickly morph into a pit of mud. Its dense composition can dry, drown or suffocate plant roots, but it does hold nutrients in place.

If you can’t identify this type of soil by sight alone, add some water to a handful and roll it between your hands. You’ll find that clay soil will retain its shape quite well.

Sandy Soil

In contrast to the clay variety, sandy soil … Read Full Post »

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Preventing Scorpion Infestations from the Inside Out

. Posted by in • San Antonio

The thought of having stray scorpions crawling in and around your house is an uncomfortable one to say the least. These resilient pests are known to thrive even in the most extreme temperatures and can survive very well in the cracks and crevices of your home and yard. Infestation by these nocturnal arthropods is becoming increasingly common in the San Antonio area. All species of scorpions can sting with their characteristic venom, but very few of them are known to be actually deadly to human beings. Having these pests in your vicinity can be overwhelming. Taking a few simple measures can be extremely helpful in detracting the pests and keeping your property safe from their occupation.

Say No to Scorpions

Like a lot of other household pests, scorpions love clutter. Leaking pipes, holes, cracks and vents on the walls and sewage drains can serve as the perfect entry points into your home. … Read Full Post »

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