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How To Sting-Proof Your Outdoor Activities This Summer

. Posted by in • Houston

Memorial Day usually signifies the semi-official kickoff of the Summer outdoor season — it’s time to let the fun begin with picnics, backyard Bar-B-Qs and pool parties. However, nothing can derail a good time faster than a painful sting from one of the Houston area’s line up of common stinging insects.

Below are the most likely suspects, some info on where they are likely to nest and the best ways to ensure they don’t ruin your good time. It should be noted that many of the below bad bugs are very unlikely to sting you unless they perceive you as a threat to their nests or colonies.

Here we go:

Bald-faced Hornets

Aggressiveness: Bald-faced hornets are the most aggressive wasps in Georgia. Getting within 10 feet of their nests can earn you a pretty nice multi-sting welt or worse.

Where they live: Bald-faced hornets’ football-shaped nests are built of paper and usually are suspended from … Read Full Post »

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Data-Driven Mosquito Remediation

. Posted by in , • Bryan-College Station
data driven mosquito remediation

Scientists are biting back against mosquitoes in Texas

Are mosquitoes getting you down? Not only are they an itchy menace, but mosquitoes can also carry diseases.

Because of the threat to human health, scientists are searching for new ways to reduce mosquito populations. Researchers from around the country, including some at Texas A&M in Bryan-College Station, want to find alternatives to pesticides, which kill beneficial insects and pose health risks to both animals and humans. Even worse, pesticides present only a temporary solution since mosquitoes can develop resistance to their effects.

These entomologists and epidemiologies study both the mosquitoes themselves and mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile and Zika, in a quest to discover better ways we can protect ourselves from mosquitoes.

Mosquito diseases

While the threat of the West Nile virus has worried doctors for a while, now Texas also needs to worry about the Zika virus. So far at least 27 cases have … Read Full Post »

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Does your plumber know his permits?

. Posted by in • Corpus Christi

Your bathtub won’t drain, and you need help fast, but choosing a plumber can be tough. How can you tell if the expert you are talking to knows what he’s doing or if he’s going leave you with more problems and headaches?

It’s tempting to call out some random neighborhood handyman to fix your plumbing woes. After all, he says he’s cheap and can get your drain working in no time. But you risk a lot by going with unpermitted plumbers in Corpus Christi. Here are just five of the many reasons you should hire a licensed plumber to resolve your next plumbing disaster or to install new fixtures.

Licensed Plumbers have appropriate training and credentials.

Be careful of unlicensed contractors! In Corpus Christi, plumbers must be licensed. You should always ensure that the person you hire has a current license to work as a plumber.

A plumbing license means … Read Full Post »

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Open Your Pool: The 10-step Checklist

. Posted by in • Houston

Sit back. Relax. It’s summertime!

Every May, thousands of Houston families open their backyard swimming pools for the summer season. Opening a pool isn’t as simple as pulling off the cover and jumping in.

We have put together a checklist for our ABC family insiders.

1. FILTER PUMPS AND OTHER PUMPS

Are they operable?
Are any of them making a loud noise?
Are they priming ok?
Are there any leaks?
Are the pump baskets intact?

2. CLEANER PUMP

Is it operable?
Is it making a loud noise?
Are there any leaks?

3. FILTERS

Check filter pressure. Your filter may need to be back washed or have the internal assemblies cleaned or replaced.
If your filter has a push/pull valve or multiport valve, do they operate smoothly?
Are there any leaks?

4. POOL CLEANER UNIT

Is it operable?
Inspect tires, wheel bearings, debris bags, etc.

5. WATERSIDE

Are skimmer baskets and skimmer covers intact?
Are there any cracks … Read Full Post »

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Are There Pet-Safe Bug Bombs or Pest Control?

. Posted by in • Bryan-College Station
pet safe bug bomb

We look forward to the warmer times of the year since that often means time spent by the pool, backyard barbeques and longer days. Unfortunately, it is also the time when many outdoor invaders find their ways into homes. From ants on our counters to mosquitoes in the yard, insects are often a big problem in the warm spring and summer months.

It’s easy to pick up a can of bug spray and zap the pesky critters, but what do you do when you have pets around? What if you have a new puppy or suddenly start seeing roaches or rodents? Instead of reaching for the poisons or bug bombs, there are some great pet-friendly alternatives that will help keep you and your family (including the four-legged members) pest-free this summer.

What is Pet-Friendly Pest Control?

Pesticides are especially hazardous to pets for a variety of reasons. Animals are more likely to be on … Read Full Post »

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Summer Air Conditioning: How To Get Your AC Unit Ready

. Posted by in • San Antonio
Summer Air Conditioning

As summer approaches and the days get warmer, you’ll want to know that you can turn on your air conditioner for a little relief.

Before sweltering temperatures are here to stay, make sure you perform some basic summer air conditioning maintenance tasks to make your HVAC perform its best during the peak season.

Replace Dirty Air Filters

The warm weather in Texas forces residents to use about three times as much energy on air conditioning when compared to the average U.S. household.

Replacing your air conditioner’s filter is one of the easiest things you can do to help save on your energy bill. Excessive dust in the house can cause a dirty filter, making it difficult for the system to blow air. The harder your air conditioner has to work, the more money you spend on electricity.

Clean The Evaporator Coils

Your air conditioner uses evaporator coils to remove heat and moisture from the air. If the … Read Full Post »

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Your Summer 2016 AC Health Checklist

. Posted by in • Austin
Get your AC ready for the hot Texas summer.

As a Central Texas resident, you likely experience only a few short months during which your air conditioner is turned off. We’ve had a pretty mild year so far in 2016, so you could have just turned on your AC within the last few weeks! In any case, heading into our 100-degree days of summer, it’s vital to make sure that your AC is ready to operate at full capacity. We’ve all heard stories of people who have had their AC break down in the heat of summer, or been victims of an AC breakdown ourselves. Take some time before it gets too hot to do some DIY AC maintenance. If you run into any problem areas, you’ll still have wiggle room for an air conditioner tune-up.

Doing any air conditioner maintenance yourself can be intimidating – the thought of tampering with (and possibly breaking) your AC unit is pretty scary. … Read Full Post »

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How to Child-Proof Your Swimming Pool

. Posted by in • Austin
pool safety tips

Having a pool at your home can provide endless entertainment for your family, but there’s also the ever-present danger of injury and drowning, especially for young children. The privilege of a beautiful swimming pool comes with the responsibility of protecting those around you from harm. Adopt these pool safety practices below to ensure the well-being of swimmers of any age.

Follow these steps to keep swimmers safe while they are in the pool:

  • Maintain adult supervision of children in the swimming pool at all times.
  • Store a first aid kit in proximity to the pool for the treatment of minor injuries.
  • Keep life preservers, kickboards, rope, and a pole in the general vicinity of the pool for easy access.
  • Learn CPR, and encourage all adult members of your house to become certified as well. The city of Austin provides training in CPR to residents. Learn more.
  • Create a list of pool safety rules, communicate them to … Read Full Post »
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What To Pack For Your Trip to the Swimming Pool

. Posted by in • Austin
what to bring to the pool

We’re inching closer to Memorial Day weekend, and pool season is upon us – once the rains subside! Many of us have already been to a swimming pool in between the rain showers, or are ready to visit the public pool once the summer heat hits in earnest. We have a wide variety of neighborhood and municipal pools to choose from here in Austin – don’t forget to check the City of Austin’s website for a massive list of pools and splash pads to plan your trip.

What to Bring to The Pool

Before heading out to take a dip, take a look at our list of what to bring to the pool below. You may not need all of these items, but there are bound to be a few you might want that you didn’t consider bringing.

Standard issue: for a trip to a public pool (or any pool for that matter) … Read Full Post »

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Xeriscaping 101

. Posted by in • Austin
what is xeriscaping

When you water your lawn during hot Texas summers, you might as well be lining your hose with dollar bills.

Most of Texas, including the City of Austin, experienced historic drought conditions in 2010-2011, leading Austin to impose strict watering restrictions. Even with recent heavy rains, another drought could be right around the corner. Making matters worse, thousands of people are moving to Austin, which causes increased demand for water.

What this means is that water supplies in Central Texas are limited, and costs for water will continue to rise. In light of increased costs and watering restrictions, what’s the best way to keep your front yard looking great through our long, hot Texas summers?

At ABC Home and Commercial Services, we have a solution: xeriscaping.

What is Xeriscaping?

Xeriscaping replaces high-water, high-maintenance plants with native and adapted plants. It also introduces rock formations and other landscape features that require no supplemental watering.

You can incorporate … Read Full Post »

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