ABC Blog

Please choose a city to view local blog posts:

Choose a City

How Long Do Tankless Water Heaters Last?

. Posted by in

Tankless water heaters are gaining in popularity. Tankless water heaters heat water on demand instead of pulling hot water from a storage tank. That means you can enjoy a nice hot shower even if you wake up late and everyone has had their turn. But, that’s not the only advantage of tankless units.

Another benefit of investing in a tankless water heater is its durability. Tankless models can be a better value for your money because they can easily outlast tanked units. You might have to pay more upfront, but its longevity makes up for that.

How Long Do Tankless Water Heaters Last? How Can You Maximize Their Lifespan?

They’re not cheap, so many homeowners want to know how long tankless water heaters last before taking the plunge. You’ll be happy to know they can work efficiently for 15 to 20 years. That’s a significant improvement from standard models, which tend to max … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Can You Mow Wet Grass?

. Posted by in • Austin
wet grass

For many homeowners, their lawn is their pride and joy. It adds to the beauty and functionality of their homes. They’re happy to spend their free time keeping their slice of greenery pristine. But there’s one thing that confuses many homeowners about lawn care.

Can You Mow Grass Wet?

This question has been bothering homeowners for years. Should you wait until the grass is dry before cutting it? Ideally, yes. There are many benefits to doing so. But if you don’t have time to spare, turn to the pros for help. A lawn care specialist can mow your lawn at the right time and keep it healthy all year round.

Can You Mow Grass Wet? Here Are Reasons Not To

If it’s been particularly rainy, you might not have a choice but to mow your grass wet. But when the weather permits, wait until the grass dries before cranking up the lawnmower. Your lawn … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Understanding the Life Cycle of a Flea

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth
a flea on skin

If you’re dealing with a flea infestation in your home, it’s important to approach it with the best techniques for controlling these pests. That includes controlling them throughout life cycle, not just the adult fleas.

The Homeowner’s Guide to Understanding the Life Cycle of a Flea

Fleas go through four stages during their life cycle: the egg, larva, pupa and adult stages. They are resilient pests, and each life cycle stage can create a problem for homeowners and pets.

The Egg Stage

Flea eggs are laid on hosts, such as cats or dogs. After a blood meal, adult female fleas prefer to lay their eggs in an animal’s fur where they are barely visible.

However, sometimes, female fleas will lay their eggs in the surroundings of the host instead of on the host. When that is the case, they’ll choose upholstered furniture or bedding to hide their eggs in the crevices of the fabric. They … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

My Pool Is Still Green After Shock and Algaecide

. Posted by in • San Antonio
A pool with green water

Nothing is more refreshing than taking a dip on a blistering hot day. But the excitement can turn to frustration when you see that your swimming pool has turned green overnight. It can happen for various reasons, but algae are the most likely culprit. The best thing you can do is to shock the pool or use an algaecide. However, it can remain green even after these treatments. Let’s go through some possible reasons for this issue and what you can do to prevent it from happening again.

Why Pools Turn Green

It can be a puzzling experience when your pool turns green seemingly overnight, but it is likely due to a chemical imbalance. Here are some explanations behind the mysterious change in your pool’s color.

Algae Overgrowth

Algae is the most probable reason for your pool’s green hue. These organisms are usually kept in check by proper chemical balance, transitions to colder weather … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

How Many Mice Is Considered An Infestation?

. Posted by in , • Corpus Christi
How many mice is considered an infestation

So you’ve found mouse droppings, gnaw marks on your furniture, cardboard boxes and plastic storage bins that have been chewed through and other signs that point to the presence of mice in your home. Maybe you’ve even seen a real mouse somewhere inside your house, or at least heard the tell tale scratching and squeaking sounds of rodent activity within your walls.

Whatever signs you’ve spotted, something has alerted you to the possibility that mice are living in your home, and now you’re wondering whether you’ve got just one or two of the unwanted little rodent pests or a full-blown infestation. How many mice is considered an infestation? It’s a good question to ask, as the answer will inform you as to the scope of your mouse problem and what you need to do next.

The question “How many mice is considered an infestation?” It is a bit complicated to answer. If … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

How Do Wasps Make Nests?

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth
a wasp on a leaf

Wasps don’t have the same kind of notoriety as other pests like rats and cockroaches. But that doesn’t mean they can’t cause us harm and annoyance. Unlike bees, which only sting once, wasps can sting several times. Their stings are painful and can cause the area near the sting to swell.

Wasps sting humans when they feel like you’re invading their territory. You don’t want that kind of hostility on your property. Here’s everything you need to know about these pests so you can stay vigilant. However, it’s best to leave these pests to the pest control professionals. They’ll control the wasps for you.

How Do Wasps Make Nests? Here’s Everything You Should Know

While no one wants to see wasp nests on their property, they are interesting to look at. Intricate and delicate, you can tell how much work wasps put into them. So, how do wasps make nests? It all starts … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

How Do Generators Work?

. Posted by in , • Bryan-College Station

Can you name one activity you do at home that doesn’t need electricity? Even hobbies like reading require turning on the light. That’s how dependent we are on power.

When the electricity at home goes out, everything comes to a halt. We feel unproductive, bored and helpless. That’s why many homeowners choose to have a standby generator installed. With a generator, your home will have electricity during a power outage, allowing your family to continue their daily routine.

If you’re interested in getting a generator for your home, here’s everything you need to know about this equipment. If you are ready to invest in a generator, contact a licensed electrician to install it.

How Do Generators Provide Your Home With Electricity?

Generators are complex appliances, but we’ll break them down so you’ll know how generators work. Standby generators wait until the electrical power supply to a home is disrupted. The generator system has an … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

What To Know About Grass Seeding in Winter

. Posted by in • Houston
grass seed

Is it a good idea to plant new grass seeds in the winter months when your lawn is typically dormant? While it may sound counterproductive, grass seeding in the winter is actually an effective strategy that can help you get a head start on your new lawn before spring.

What to Know About Grass Seeding in Winter

Are you looking to revive your lawn by planting new grass seedlings in spring? You may not have to wait that long. Grass seeding in the winter, also known as “dormant seeding,” is a strategy many lawn care professionals use to ensure a lush lawn when the weather warms up.

As its name suggests, grass seeding in the winter means that you plant new grass seeds in the winter months. The seeds lie dormant until the weather changes and the soil is warm enough for the seeds to germinate.

While it may seem counterintuitive to plant new … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

How Long Do Bed Bugs Live?

. Posted by in , • Austin
a bed bug

Do you know the average life span and life cycle of bed bugs? These unwelcome pests can become extremely annoying for homeowners because they bite humans at night. In order to be proactive about bed bugs, it’s a good idea to learn about their life cycle, feeding habits and hiding places.

How Long Do Bed Bugs Live?

The life span of a bed bug depends on multiple factors, including temperature and available access to blood meals. When those factors work in their favor, bed bugs typically live for around one year. However, it’s common for bed bugs to only live for four to six months.

Bed bugs are extreme annoyances for homeowners, so it’s important to learn about the life cycle, feeding habits and common hiding places for bed bugs. The more you educate yourself about these nuisances, the quicker you can identify an infestation and contact a pest control specialist to control … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Your Guide to Winter Landscaping

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth
poppies

It doesn’t get any cozier than winter. It’s the season for sipping hot beverages, snuggling under blankets and getting lost in books. But it can also be a hard time for your landscaping. Grass, plants and flowers can go dormant, much to the sadness of home gardeners. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy any color during the colder months.

There are ways to protect your lawn and garden before the frost arrives. You can also undertake many fun projects during the winter to help spruce up your property and liven the mood. But if you’d rather stay warm and toasty inside, you can always let landscaping professionals take over. They’ll have your yard looking its best, even as the temperatures drop.

How to Protect Your Lawn and Garden Ahead of Winter

The winter months can be harsh to the foliage on your property. That’s especially true if you live in a chilly … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed