Bed Bugs: They Spread Like Wildfire

February 23, 2016. Posted by ABC Home & Commercial in Bed Bug Control • San Antonio

We all know that bed bugs are a nightmare of a hassle. But there are few things the average person doesn’t know about bed bugs.

For example, did you know that you can have bed bugs and not even know it? Sometimes these bugs don’t bite, and even when they do, not all people react to bed bug bites in ways that are visible to the naked eye.

And while bed bugs are found in people’s beds (and other parts of the home), they are not always hiding in or under the mattress.

ABC has been in the integrated pest management business for years. When it comes to truly problematic pests, like bed bugs, we have quite a few stories to tell.

The Case of the Invisible Bed Bug Bites

A couple in a duplex asked for ABC’s help with bed bugs when they realized they had an issue last year. Of course, because the … Read Full Post »

Rodent Tales of Terror: Austin Edition

February 23, 2016. Posted by ABC Home & Commercial in Rodent & Wildlife • Austin

rodents can enter your home through your AC unit.

One advantage of being in the home services industry for so many years is that there isn’t a problem too large for our wildlife specialists to handle.

The quaint charm of central Austin and surrounding towns’ historic neighborhoods is magnetic. But older homes have weak, pier-and-beam foundations that have deteriorated over the years, creating the perfect entry points for rodents. Whether the issue is rats, mice, raccoons, or nutria, our team knows where to look to find the point of entry.

Because our guys have been in the business so long, they have some pretty terrifying stories to tell of rodents wreaking havoc on homes in Austin.

Tails of Terror from the Field in Austin

One thing we know is a big misconception is that rodent problems are related to economic status. This simply isn’t true. The bigger the house, the more space for rodents to hide. And the more damage they can do.

One … Read Full Post »

Top Bed Bug Myths DEBUNKED

February 19, 2016. Posted by ABC Home & Commercial in Bed Bug Control • Austin

Pesticide-resistant bed bugs are invading homes across Texas

After being all but eradicated after World War II, the past 20 years has seen a bed bugs comeback in the United States. According to Brooke Borel, who wrote the book Infested: How the Bed Bug Infiltrated Our Bedroom and Took Over the World, the combination of a new species of bed bug and an increase in domestic and international travel has meant that bed bugs now have a ticket for the ride — right into your home!

There are a lot of misconceptions about bed bugs. We are setting the record straight and debunking the biggest bed bug myths out there.

Myth: You can’t see bed bugs.

Bed bugs are very small, with a tendency to hide in crevices, so they can be difficult to detect. But if you look closely, especially with a flashlight, you can often spot them. Another telltale sign of an infestation … Read Full Post »

Your Heater Is On — Why Is Your House Still Cold?

February 18, 2016. Posted by ABC Home & Commercial in Air Conditioning & Heating • San Antonio

uneven heat can easily be remedied with hvac system maintenance

It’s not always cold in San Antonio, but it certainly does get chilly every winter. When it is cold outside, we Texans don’t enjoy it. No one likes to roll out of bed in the morning only to be startled by the ice-cold touch of kitchen tiles underneath your feet. In fact, getting out of bed at all is a struggle when the home is drafty.

Uneven heat in your home puts additional strains on your HVAC system and can lead to higher utility bills. So, what causes you to grab a coat or blanket indoors?

Your home should be a refuge when it’s cold outside, but there are a few reasons you might feel a draft in the winter. Usually these issues can be easily fixed, but sometimes a larger furnace breakdown is the culprit.

Air Leaks

That draft you feel in certain rooms in your home could be due to a poorly … Read Full Post »

5 Questions & Answers about Zika in Houston

February 16, 2016. Posted by Vanessa Jenkins Green • Houston

Zika Virus FAQ’s

Zika Virus has been in the news a lot lately. Zika is still rare in the U.S. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t stay informed.

The health and safety of our neighbors are what inspired the Jenkins family to get into this business over 30 years ago. Mosquitoes spread diseases like Zika, so it is part of the ABC mission to keep our customers in Harris County and beyond informed. We’ve put together a list of questions and answers about Zika, travel, and mosquito diseases.

Question: Where did Zika Virus originate?

Answer: Most sources indicate that Zika originated in Africa. That is also where the carriers of the disease, Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, originated. Mosquitoes and the diseases they carry travel the world like most pests — via human transport. Chances are, a few infected mosquitoes were transported from Africa along trade routes around the world, and those insects reproduced.

The disease is … Read Full Post »

5 Surprising Ways Rodents Get In Buildings

February 15, 2016. Posted by ABC Home & Commercial in Rodent & Wildlife • Bryan-College Station

Have you heard the rumor of the mouse that could fit through a space the size of a pencil? Well, it might be true.

We recently saw a video circulating on social media where an expert demonstrates just how tiny of a hole a mouse can actually squeeze through. Rodents get into homes and buildings in more ways than you may think. And rats can be inside your home for days or even months before you detect them since they regularly search for food overnight.

There are any number of entry points on buildings, especially within older homes like the ones we have here in College Station. Dorms and small unit apartment buildings are also common here in town, and those make for easy access too.

How do mice get inside buildings?

1. Through the AC Unit

Check the sealant around the pipe outdoors that connects the AC unit to the inside of your home. … Read Full Post »

Zika Virus in Orlando: What We Know

February 15, 2016. Posted by Vanessa Jenkins Green • Orlando

tiger mosquitoes carry zika virus in south america

By now, you have probably heard of Zika. Zika is a virus carried by mosquitoes that bite during the daytime hours. We have known about Zika for many decades, but the virus has gained much attention over the last four months. New reports have emerged linking birth defects to mothers infected with Zika while pregnant. And the virus has already made its way to Florida.

ABC Home & Commercial Services is dedicated to keeping our customers informed when a public health emergency occurs. Right now, Zika cases are isolated and rare in the United States. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t learn what we can now and work to eradicate mosquitoes in Orlando as a safety measure. Florida mosquito exterminators across the state are working to understand mosquito diseases like West Nile, Dengue Fever, and Zika so that we can do our best to protect our customers.

What is Zika Virus?

Zika virus is … Read Full Post »

Is Your Air Conditioner Running Constantly?

February 9, 2016. Posted by Les Stobart in Air Conditioning & Heating • San Antonio

If your air conditioner is working hard all the time, chances are that you are wasting money, that you will need regular repairs and that your AC’s lifespan will be shorter than it should be.

Contrary to popular belief, shutting down your air conditioner or heater during the day is not the best way to save energy. In this post, we’ll discuss how to balance energy efficiency, the desire for comfort and costs to help you decide how often you’ll want your AC to be running during the day.

Should I Turn My Air Conditioner Off During The Day?

When you leave your air conditioner off during the day, you would imagine that the entire system doesn’t have to do any work, which would save you money in the long run. The problem with this conclusion is that your air conditioner actually works harder to bring your indoor temperature to a desired level … Read Full Post »

Coastal Critters: Rodents Plague Corpus Christi

January 28, 2016. Posted by ABC Home & Commercial in Rodent & Wildlife • Corpus Christi

We Love Corpus Christi.

Did you know that Corpus Christi is made up of more water than land?

Corpus Christi is unique to other Texas cities in many ways. The Corpus Christi metro area is home to 400+ thousand residents, but we like to keep the small-town beachy feeling alive. When the summer tourists head home, we relax and enjoy our coastal lifestyle.

Living near the ocean has its perks, but our humid subtropical climate and proximity to sources of water has its downside, too.

Rodents Are On The Rise.

Our wildlife specialists see a steady increase in the number of rat, nutria, and mouse related calls every year. There are a few reasons why.

1. A Rodent’s Natural Environment Is Near Water.

Rats and mice are attracted to Corpus Christi for all the same reasons that we are! They like to hang out by creeks or lakes when the weather allows it. Along the Texas coast, … Read Full Post »

6 Ways San Antonio Residents Can Lower CPS Energy Bills

January 28, 2016. Posted by ABC Home & Commercial in Air Conditioning & Heating • San Antonio

Did Your CPS Bill Go Up?

Everyone expects a utility bill spike in the summer, but it isn’t entirely uncommon to notice alarming rates in the winter, too. Even in the mildest of winter seasons, it is important to remember that old homes have old furnaces and old furnaces aren’t the most efficient. We love giving our customers insider tips when we can. Read through the following ideas so that you won’t waste a cent on your future CPS bills.

1. Plan Your Budget with CPS’s Help

CPS Energy has begun offering a Budget Payment Plan. The utility provider charges the enrolled customer an average of their previous bills’ amounts, plus a fee for environmental factors. There is an application and approval process. Currently, CPS requires you to call them by phone to sign up. The jury is still out on how useful this option is, but we’re very interested!