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Toilet Auger vs. Snake: Which Tool to Use and Why

. Posted by in • San Antonio

 

Have you ever walked into your bathroom to find a clogged toilet? If you have, we’re sure you’d prefer not to have to experience that again. If you haven’t, we hate to break it to you, but you probably will at some point. You’ll want to be ready to know what to do when you have to deal with a clogged toilet and which tools are best for the job. Two of the more common tools homeowners use for basic plumbing repairs are toilet augers and snakes.

Toilet Auger vs. Snake

When do you need a toilet auger and in what situations is a snake the right tool for the job? Read on to find out.

The Toilet Auger

One of the most common tools for unclogging a toilet is the toilet auger. Also known as a water closet auger or plumbing snake, this device is designed to move through the drain of the toilet … Read Full Post »

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How Long Do Flies Live?

. Posted by in • Orlando
How Long Do Flies Live

What’s that buzzing around your outdoor picnic? It’s probably fly. That’s because the housefly (Musca domestica) is one of the most common insects people interact with daily. And with more than 16,000 species of flies in North America alone and an ability to produce an estimated 1,000,000 offspring in weeks, it doesn’t look like they’re going anywhere anytime soon.

How Long Do Flies Live?

Let’s learn more about the lifespan and lifecycle of a common fly and how you can rid your home of them. We’ll also address common myths about flies and dive into the world of these pesky pests.

The Lifespan of a Fly

Contrary to popular belief, the common fly lives longer than a mere 24 hours. Entomologists say that mature house flies can live up to 25 days. And while the typical range is between 15 to 25 days, some reports indicate a lifespan of two full months.

A few … Read Full Post »

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What Attracts Mosquitoes to Humans?

. Posted by in , • Houston
What attracts mosquitoes to humans

For a small insect, mosquitoes can be quite aggravating. A common topic of conversation when mosquitoes are out, and biting is why certain people seem to be the target of mosquitoes and not others.

What Attracts Mosquitoes to Humans?

Let’s take a look at why mosquitoes like to bite us, what makes them choose some people over others, and what we can all do to protect ourselves from these pesky pests.

Why Do Mosquitoes Bite?

Did you know all of the mosquitoes who bite you are females? They seek out warm-blooded creatures for a meal. The mosquito’s proboscis, a part of its mouth, works like a hypodermic needle. She injects a little of her own saliva into our skin, which thins the blood and allows her to draw it out of the capillaries in our skin.

The mosquito doesn’t drink your blood for herself but uses the proteins and other substances in the blood to … Read Full Post »

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Types of Poison Ivy and How to Identify Them

. Posted by in • San Antonio
Types of poison ivy

Grilling with friends, swinging in a hammock or lying on a blanket, gazing up into the trees: leisure time spent outdoors is what homeowners look forward to after a long day at work or during the weekends. But enjoying your outdoor living space—or just getting outside to do some yard work—can be a dicey prospect if you have pockets of poison ivy hiding on your property. This invasive plant produces a volatile oil (called urushiol oil) that can cause real injury to humans in the form of an itchy, blistering rash that develops after skin-to-plant contact. 

Types of Poison Ivy and How to Identify Them

To avoid the unpleasant experience of dealing with the rash associated with contact with this plant, you’ll want to know how to identify poison ivy, including learning about the different types of poison ivy. If you know what to look out for, you can avoid this plant … Read Full Post »

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How to Get Rid of Birds in the Attic

. Posted by in • Bryan-College Station
How to Get Rid of Birds in the Attic

One of the pleasant sounds you can experience in nature is the chirping of birds. When these calls become too close for comfort, however, you may start to suspect something else is going on: you might have birds living in your attic.

How To Get Rid Of Birds In The Attic

Read on to learn how and why birds seek refuge in our homes, what signs we should look for that they are inside and how can you move them back to their proper habitat.

How do birds enter my home?

While it might seem odd to find a bird in your attic, it’s not uncommon, especially during the spring, as birds are migrating back from the south. During this time of year, our feathered friends are looking for a new place to call home and often attics, garages and chimneys offer the shelter and protection the birds are looking for.

Although these … Read Full Post »

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Corpus Christi Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017

. Posted by in , , , , , , • Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017

Although Corpus is a great place to live year-round, springtime is an especially nice time of year. Flowers are blooming, the beaches are quiet, before peak tourist season hits and the weather is temperate. Spring is a perfect time to take a closer look at your biggest investment—your home—to make sure you are taking the right steps to maintain your property and make any improvements that will allow you to better enjoy it.

Corpus Christi Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017

ABC Home & Commercial Services is a family-run company which prides itself on making homeowners’ lives easier with reliable, high-quality services. As a trusted resource in the community, ABC employees go above and beyond to treat your home as we would our own. As a part of this commitment to superior home services, we created a Corpus Christi Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017.

This 9-page Guide includes:

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Orlando Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017

. Posted by in , , , , , • Orlando
Orlando Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017

People worldwide flock to Orlando for many reasons, one being the year-round sunny weather. Here in Orlando, homeowners know that it’s the most excellent time of year to enjoy our yards, parks, and outdoor spaces. That’s one reason spring is a perfect excuse to take a closer look at your most significant investment—your home—to ensure you do what you can to take advantage of your most important investment.

Orlando Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017

Orlando homeowners have grown to depend on ABC Home & Commercial Services to keep their property free of pests. Our skilled and knowledgeable technicians treat your home as they would their own and do anything they can to be helpful. As an extension of this philosophy, ABC has created an Orlando Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017 to provide valuable resources for indoor and outdoor spaces.

The 9-page Guide includes:

  • Ten things to do in Orlando this Spring
  • Spring Home Maintenance Checklist
  • Spring … Read Full Post »
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Houston Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017

. Posted by in , , , , , , • Houston
Houston Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017

Houston is a great place to be during the spring months. Everything is green, the weather is pleasant, and there are many excuses to get out and enjoy local festivals, art exhibits, and other happenings. Spring is already associated with renewal, making it the perfect reason to take a hard look at your home to ensure you do all you can to maintain and improve upon your most significant investment.

Houston Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017

ABC Home & Commercial Services has made life easier for Texas homeowners for over 60 years. Our background-checked employees provide reliable, top-notch home services and treat your home as we would our own. As an extension of this philosophy, we created a Houston Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017.

The 9-page Guide includes:

  • Ten things to do in Houston this Spring
  • Spring Home Maintenance Checklist
  • Spring Cleaning List of Where to Donate or Dispose of Common Household Items Locally
  • Advice on How … Read Full Post »
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San Antonio Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017

. Posted by in , , , , , , • San Antonio
San Antonio Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017

 

Spring is a great time of year to turn your focus as a homeowner to how to improve your living and outdoor spaces. The return of nicer weather is also a great excuse to get out, enjoying all San Antonio has to offer.

San Antonio Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017

ABC Home & Commercial Services has been making life easier for homeowners for over 60 years. Our San Antonio Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017 is full of resources and helpful information to continue on that tradition.

The 9-page Guide includes:

  • Ten Things to Do in San Antonio This Spring
  • Spring Home Maintenance Checklist
  • Spring Cleaning List of Where to Donate or Dispose of Common Household Items Locally
  • Advice on How to Mosquito-Proof Your Yard
  • Spring Gardening Tips
  • 6 Signs You May Need to Repair Your AC
  • What You Need to Know About Oak Wilt
  • Easy Home Improvement Projects

Download the guide here. Read on for a taste of the information you’ll find … Read Full Post »

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Austin Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017

. Posted by in , , , , , , • Austin
Austin Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017

Austin is the place to be during the spring months. Flowers are blooming, the sun is out and temperatures are still usually mild. Take advantage of this time of year to make some subtle improvements and to conduct home maintenance so that you can enjoy your home for the rest of the year.

Austin Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017

For over 60 years, ABC Home & Commercial Services has been making life easier on Texans. Our Austin Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017 provides you with tips and other information to help you take care of your biggest investment.

The 9-page Guide includes:

  • Ten things to do in Austin this Spring
  • Spring Home Maintenance Checklist
  • Spring Cleaning List of Where to Donate or Dispose of Common Household Items Locally
  • Advice on How to Mosquito-Proof Your Yard
  • Spring Gardening Tips
  • 6 Signs You May Need to Repair Your AC
  • Pool Opening Checklist
  • Easy Home Improvement Projects

Download the guide here. Get a preview of … Read Full Post »

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