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Moles vs Gophers: How to Tell the Difference

. Posted by • Tyler

Seeing mounds of soil, raised tunnels, or patches of dead grass in your yard can be a frustrating experience. Before taking action, it’s essential to determine exactly what you’re dealing with. While moles and gophers are both underground pests that can damage lawns and landscaping, they differ greatly in appearance, behavior, and control methods. 

Let’s break down the key differences, misconceptions, and what’s important for you to know. 

Are Moles Bad for Your Lawn?

Moles are small, insect-eating mammals that live underground. Many times, homeowners will see molehills in lawns or beds and think they are garden helpers, eliminating other pests. In reality, they can cause significant damage to the plants by tunneling and disrupting the root system. Learning to identify moles and what attracts them can help you protect your yard from damage.

Key characteristics:

  • Diet: Primarily feed on earthworms, grubs, and insects.
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Mosquito Control Tips for Summer

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth, Tyler
Mosquito sucking blood with vibrant background

Summer mosquito season isn’t just an annoyance; it’s a genuine concern for your family’s health, comfort, and ability to enjoy the outdoors. While professional mosquito control services provide a powerful layer of protection, there are some easy mosquito prevention steps you can take.

At ABC Home & Commercial Services, we help homeowners take control of mosquitoes with professional treatments and practical advice that works. Here’s what you need to know, including some surprising facts and common misconceptions. 

Why Am I Seeing So Many Mosquitoes? 

Ever wonder Why There Are So Many Mosquitoes in Dallas? Well, the short answer is that North Texas has the perfect storm of mosquito-friendly conditions: warm weather, high humidity, and frequent rain. These create ideal breeding grounds for common species like Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. 

Some quick facts: 

  • Mosquito season typically runs April through October. 
  • Mosquitoes need … Read Full Post »
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How to Get Rid of Weevils

. Posted by in • Tyler
two weevils

If finding weevils in your home makes you cringe, you’re not alone. Imagine opening your pantry and finding tiny bugs crawling all over your flour, rice or pasta. Unfortunately, finding weevils in your home is more common than you think.

Weevils are small and sneaky intruders, but their impact can feel overwhelming. They sometimes arrive in unopened packages or squeeze through small gaps in containers. Once they’re in, they multiply quickly, and a minor problem soon becomes a full-blown infestation.

If you have a problem with these pests, don’t panic. Contact pest control professionals if you notice weevils in your home. These experts have the skills and experience to handle even persistent infestations.

Identifying Weevils and Infested Food

The first step in dealing with weevils is identifying their presence in your home. Weevils are attracted to moisture and feed on grains, nuts and dried fruits. Therefore, you’ll most likely find them around the kitchen … Read Full Post »

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How to Keep Birds off Your Porch

. Posted by in • Tyler
birds on a porch

If you love hanging out on your front porch to find peace, you probably don’t want noisy birds invading your space. Unfortunately, porches seem to attract these creatures for various reasons. Birds initially come for the flowering plants and colorful furniture and might stay if they find leaves, strings, lint and twigs for their nests. Your porch is even more appealing to them if there are surrounding tree branches, food sources and standing water.

If birds are stressing you out with their constant noise and nesting, here are some ways to keep them away. However, the most effective way to restore the peace on your porch is to call in bird control professionals. They will assess the situation on your property and provide a long-term solution to manage and deter birds. They can also return for regular maintenance checks to locate and remove hidden nests on your porch. Plus, these experts … Read Full Post »

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What Does a Squirrel Nest Look Like?

. Posted by in , • Tyler
a squirrel's nest

Squirrels are persistent creatures that meticulously build their nests using all-natural materials. Squirrel nests are often camouflaged and difficult to tell apart from regular debris.

However, there are some easy ways to distinguish a squirrel nest, especially once you know more about squirrel behavior.

Squirrels can cause damage to your property, so it’s important to be vigilant about squirrel activity around your home. Call in a wildlife control specialist to control squirrels on your property.

What Does a Squirrel Nest Look Like?

Squirrel nests, also called dreys, can be challenging to identify because they often look like small, round bulbs of leaves and twigs bunched together. It’s common to mistake a squirrel nest for a random clump of debris. However, there are a few ways to tell a squirrel nest apart from debris.

For example, squirrel nests are built in specific locations where squirrels prefer to rest. They are often located in high places, such … Read Full Post »

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What Do Carpenter Ants Eat?

. Posted by in , • Tyler
a carpenter ant

Carpenter ants are often compared to termites because they tunnel through wood. However, unlike termites, carpenter ants do not eat wood. They are fierce predators with a diverse diet that includes insects and plant matter.

What Do Carpenter Ants Eat?

Carpenter ants are known for building their nests in wood; however, they do not eat wood. Instead, they eat a wide variety of food that changes depending on whether they live outside or indoors.

Outdoor Carpenter Ants

Outdoor carpenter ants feed on living and dead insects, honeydew and various plant materials. These pests are predators and scavengers, so they are skilled at hunting down other living insects or finding dead insect carcasses. Carpenter ants prefer to eat other insects because they contain plenty of protein and nutrients.

However, carpenter ants are attracted to honeydew’s sweetness, which aphids and other sap-sucking insects secrete. Surprisingly, ants do not hunt and kill the insects to access the honeydew. … Read Full Post »

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What You Need to Know about Take-All Root Rot

. Posted by in • Tyler
take all root rot

For many homeowners, their lawn is their pride and joy, and they take pride in keeping it healthy and beautiful. But even with your undivided care and attention, your lawn can suffer from fungal diseases and develop unsightly brown patches. Take-all root rot is a turfgrass fungal disease that can leave your green lawn looking unsightly.

If you don’t know what take-all root rot looks like, here are the signs to look out for. If the symptoms are already widespread on your turf, it’s time to contact an expert. A lawn service professional has the tools and expertise to restore your turf to its former glory.

Appearance and Causes of Take-All Root Rot

Take-all root rot is a fungal disease that causes turfgrass to weaken, resulting in brown, irregular patches on your lawn. The fungus Gaeumannomyces graminis is the culprit behind this destructive disease. It lives in thatch, an undigested layer of leaves, … Read Full Post »

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How Big Are Mosquitoes?

. Posted by in , • Tyler
a mosquito

Not many insects are as annoying as mosquitoes. They can ruin a perfectly happy gathering with friends, leaving everyone itchy and irritated. What’s worse, these pests can spread diseases like dengue, Zika and Chikungunya.

It can help homeowners to know how to identify mosquitoes in their homes to prevent their population from growing. To tell mosquitoes apart from other insects, it helps to know how big they are. Here’s everything you need to know about mosquito sizes and other defining characteristics.

If you’re a busy homeowner with no time for pesky mosquitoes, get the pros to help. Pest control specialists have the tools and expertise to manage the mosquito population in your home.

How Big Are Mosquitoes? Size and Other Characteristics

So, how big are mosquitoes? These insects vary in size depending on the species and their stage of life. But on average, they’re usually about a quarter of an inch long.

Mosquito size also … Read Full Post »

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How To Make Grass Green

. Posted by in • Tyler
green grass

Want to learn how to make your grass green? Achieving the lawn of your dreams starts with proper planting and maintenance methods. There are several steps that homeowners can take to ensure a beautiful lawn, including fertilization, weed management, aerating, mowing and more.

How To Make Grass Green

All homeowners desire a luscious, beautiful yard, but not everyone understands how to keep their grass green. When not properly cared for, grass can turn brown or yellow, which reduces the curb appeal of your home.

Achieving healthy, green grass starts with proper care and maintenance, which includes fertilization, weed management, pest control, proper mowing and more.

Fertilization

Healthy grass growth cannot be achieved without proper fertilization techniques. In order for your grass to grow and stay green, it needs the right nutrients. Additionally, the nutrients must be dispersed in the right amounts over time. That’s why it’s important to know more about the different types of … Read Full Post »

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Am I Dealing With Wasps or Hornets?

. Posted by in • Tyler
a yellowjacket

Do you know how to tell the difference between a wasp and a hornet? These stinging pests are often mistaken for each other; however, there are some key differences you can use to tell them apart.

Letting pest control professionals deal with the problem is the most effective option when dealing with stinging pests like wasps or hornets.

Am I Dealing With Wasps or Hornets?

Wasps, pictured above, and hornets are both intimidating, stinging pests, and it can be difficult for homeowners to tell the difference between them. Luckily, it is easy to distinguish them once you learn a few identifying facts about each pest.

Learning whether you are dealing with wasps or hornets is important because it will allow you to take the right pest control and prevention methods to control these unwanted intruders on your property. Some wasps can even live in the ground, so it’s important to control them quickly.

You can … Read Full Post »

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