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Outdoor AC Unit In Rain: How To Protect Your Air Conditioner

. Posted by in • San Antonio
Outdoor AC Unit in Rain

With periodic hail, flooding and other types of inclement weather, Texas homeowners can find it a challenge to keep their living spaces comfortable. Many of us rely on our HVAC systems to keep us cozy indoors as spring wind and rain bring colder temperatures and keep us cool during a summer thunderstorm.

But while your family might be safe inside, your HVAC unit may not be.

Hail wreaks havoc on vehicles, windows and roofs. Your outdoor HVAC unit is also at risk of damage as well. What should you do with your outdoor AC unit in rain? Here are five tips to keep your HVAC working through the harshest of storms.

Cover Your HVAC

Two of the biggest enemies for HVAC units are hail and debris. If a hailstorm or heavy winds are in the forecast, place a thick canvas cover on your HVAC system. This will provide protection during the storm and allow … Read Full Post »

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Feel the Berm: Earthworks Make Austin Yards Stand Out.

. Posted by in • Austin
berming austin landscaping earthworks

Positive drainage can help you protect and maintain your home’s foundation. Good builders always construct homes to have “positive” drainage. This term is civil engineering speak for: “Water flows away from the base of the house, and not towards it.”

But over time, negative drainage conditions lead to serious potential damage to the foundation of your home. Negative drainage occurs if for example, a house is missing rain gutters, or if the soil expands and contracts with moisture or temperature changes, or if there has been a general lack of maintenance over time.

Berms may be the solutions to foundation problems.

Berms are little man-made mounds with slopes that adorn the landscape. Adding a strategically located and constructed berm is one of the things you can do to prevent water from pooling near your foundation. This helps prevent expensive foundation damage, flooded crawl spaces, mold proliferation and other fun adventures in homeownership that … Read Full Post »

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[Infographic] ABC San Antonio Presents: Zika Virus 101

. Posted by in • San Antonio
tiger mosquitoes carry zika virus in south america

Have you heard about Zika?

ABC is dedicated to keeping our customers informed when a serious pest-related health emergency arises. Thankfully, there have been few cases of Zika diagnosed in Texas so far this year. However, summer is right around the corner, and we have been getting a lot of phone calls from curious customers wondering: What is Zika Virus and is San Antonio at risk?

We have put together a resource to help keep you informed about Zika. For more information about this mosquito-borne illness and the effects it has on humans, please visit the CDC’s Zika resource page.

We are working with officials to learn what we can about Zika Virus. In the meantime, we urge all of our friends and neighbors in San Antonio to consider starting a comprehensive mosquito control plan with ABC.

Embed this Infographic on Your Site:

<p style=”text-align:center;”><a href=”https://blog.abchomeandcommercial.com/infographic-abc-presents-zika-virus-101/”><img src=”https://blog.abchomeandcommercial.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Zika_San_Antonio_Infographic_v3.png” alt=”mosquito diseases ABC san antonio” title=”Click … Read Full Post »

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Weather Events like El Niño Increase Pest Activity

. Posted by in • San Antonio
El Niño weather makes mosquito season worse

San Antonio didn’t have much of a winter this year. Thanks to El Niño, we experienced the warmest and wettest winter in almost two decades, since the last strong El Niño weather pattern in 1997-98.

As we saw back in 1998, El Niño wind patterns can cause dramatic shifts in weather. In addition to milder winter temperatures, El Niño also means balmy spring weather much earlier in the year. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration confirmed that many states set records for rainfall in December 2015, which was also the warmest December in the US. And as we all know, central and south Texas experienced several heavy rainstorms as well as an unseasonably warm winter.

How does El Nino affect insect populations?

In addition to strong storms, heavy rains, and warm winter nights, this year’s El Niño will be welcoming something else to San Antonio: more insects.

Warm, wet winters encourage population explosions among … Read Full Post »

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The Coolest Pools in Austin, TX

. Posted by in • Austin

Spring is upon us! With such pleasant weather, it’s hard to imagine the sweltering temperatures heading our way in the next several months. Get prepared for the heat ahead of time by scoping out the best public pools Austin has to offer. Austin also has some beautiful hotel pools as well, for those times when you just need an escape, in or out of town.

For the most current opening and closing dates, fees, hours, and locations check the City of Austin’s website.

North: Northwest Hills, Allendale, Shoal Creek

Beverly S. Sheffield Northwest Municipal Pool is located in the park of the same name, near the intersection of Burnet Road and Greenlawn Parkway. It is a large pool with lanes for lap swimming, a more shallow open swimming area, and a wading pool for the little ones. There are shaded picnic tables in the pool area, as well as a playground, picnic tables … Read Full Post »

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In San Antonio, Common Weeds are Abundant

. Posted by in • San Antonio
ABC San Antonio Lawn Division Weed Control

In Texas, weeds arise in March and April

Spring is at our doorstep, and in many cases, so are a whole host of weeds that have cropped up over the winter months. Now is the time to get out in your yard and nip those weeds in the bud – pun intended! Even though weeds may have taken root, you can still keep them from seeding over the spring and summer months. Pulling up weeds is satisfying for homeowners, but feel free to call a professional if the task is too daunting to undertake on your own.

We’ve put together a plethora of common weeds in the San Antonio area. They tend to grow over the winter months, so spring is the time when you’ll see them cropping up in your yard.

Common Weeds of Central Texas

Thistles of several varieties are common the central Texas area – mainly, sow thistles and bull thistles.

Sow … Read Full Post »

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Identi-Fly: What’s buzzing around your home?

. Posted by in • Corpus Christi
fruit flies taking over the kitchen

What’s flying around inside your house?

Springtime is an excellent time of year for Corpus Christi, but along with wildflowers and sleeping with the windows open, it also means a return of flying insects. Below we’ll look at a few of the different insects that may be bugging you inside your home.

Fruit flies

Fruit flies are small gnat-like insects that are attracted to the smell of ripe fruit and other organic materials. You may find them around fruit bowls, bananas or your indoor compost containers. The best way to eliminate them is to make sure to refrigerate all ripe fruit and keep your composting materials outside. If you still have trouble with them, you can make a simple trap with apple cider vinegar (or flat beer) and a narrow-necked bottle. Put a small amount of vinegar in the bottle and cover tightly with plastic wrap and a rubber band. Poke tiny holes … Read Full Post »

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Don’t Be Fooled: Plumbers Without Licenses Aren’t Plumbers

. Posted by in • Austin
Texas law requires plumbers to be licensed

Don’t waste your money.

So, you called Joe the “Plumber” whose number you found in your mailbox one day. Maybe he worked out, maybe he didn’t. But hey! At least, he offered you a taillight warranty! (That means the warranty expired the moment his taillights disappeared down the road.)

The city of Austin has few regulations in place that protect homeowners from shady workers without licenses. Often, a contractor without a license will do the bare minimum work required, if they even finish the job at all. If their work proves to be insufficient, you’ll never reach them on their phone or hear from them again.

When you hire an unlicensed worker, you take full responsibility for anything that goes wrong. You are liable for any injuries or damages to you, your home, or to the so-called “plumber,” who often isn’t licensed because they haven’t gone through proper training.

Texas requires that plumbers have a … Read Full Post »

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Spiders: The Good Guys

. Posted by in • Bryan-College Station
texas writing spiders are good for your garden

Spiders have a bad reputation in Texas. While many people are afraid of them, spiders aren’t the dangerous creepy crawlies people think they are. Most spiders are good guys, ensnaring and eating insects like flies, gnats, mosquitoes and other pests.

Facts about Spiders in Texas

Here are some interesting tidbits about spiders that might help you appreciate their contribution to our homes and gardens.

Most spiders in North America are harmless. In the Bryan-College Station area, we only need to worry about two spiders: the black widow spider and the brown recluse spider. With hundreds of harmless spiders out there, it’s worth learning how to identify these two venomous spiders so you can recognize friends from foes.

Spiders are our friends. Each spider inside your home can consume hundreds of mosquitoes, flies, and gnats. Outside in your garden, spiders often eat the bugs that cause damage to plants. You’ll find spiders that love aphids, … Read Full Post »

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Termite Damage 101: What You Should Know

. Posted by in • Orlando
soldier termites devour wood structures

Termites do billions of dollars of damage each year.

Central Florida offers a perfect environment for termites. Because so many Orlando-area homes are near waterways and ponds, and we have frequent rain showers, moisture-loving termites have a welcoming habitat to make their homes.

Termite Basics

Termites are small social insects that live in large colonies and feed on organic matter. They are particularly attracted to wood and paper. They are dark in color, with 3/8 of an inch long torsos and wings of equal length (as compared to ants, which have pinched torsos and unequal-length wings).

Some termites, including the native subterranean termites and Formosan termites, prefer to live in or close to the soil or near sources of moisture. This includes areas around home foundations and buildings with water from dripping pipes, air conditioner drains, or gutters. Because so much of the Orlando area is damp, termites can become established in many places.

New … Read Full Post »

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