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How to Safeguard Your Home Against Common Fall Pests

. Posted by in • Houston

Fall Pest Control: How to Safeguard Your Home Against Common Fall Pests

As autumn arrives, the cooler temperatures and increased moisture can attract various pests seeking warmth and shelter in your home. Fall is a prime time for pests like rodents, spiders, ants, bugs, boxelder bugs, and other insects to invade. Cluster flies and household pests have also become more common. To protect your living space, it’s essential to implement preventive measures, including keeping dirty dishes clean and sealing entryways. Here’s a comprehensive guide to safeguarding your home against common fall pests.

Understanding Common Fall Pests: Stink Bugs and Household Pests

Rodents:

Mice and rats are notorious for seeking refuge in homes as the weather cools. They can cause damage by chewing on wires, insulation, and structural components and may also pose health risks by spreading diseases. They often invade homes looking for food source, including garbage cans and stored food. To minimize … Read Full Post »

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My Icemaker Is Not Working: What’s Wrong?

. Posted by in • San Antonio
an icemaker

With an icemaker, drinking your favorite cold beverages just got easier. Gone are the days of manually refilling ice trays, waiting for the water to freeze and prying out the ice cubes with your fingers. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t run into trouble with an icemaker. Unfortunately, a malfunctioning icemaker is one of the common refrigerator problems homeowners experience.

Is your icemaker not working? Several refrigerator components can be responsible for the problem, including the water filter, water inlet valve and freezer compartment. Before you get too frustrated, here’s a rundown of the possible culprits and how to troubleshoot the issue. If you lack DIY experience, let an appliance repair specialist take over. They have the tools and expertise to get your icemaker up and running again. These pros can also resolve other issues, such as when you’re asking, why is my fridge making a loud noise?

Icemaker Not Working? How … Read Full Post »

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Do Ticks Fly?

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth
a tick

Ticks are creepy-crawling insects that no one wants to encounter, especially since they are parasitic pests that carry diseases. The more you understand about tick behavior, the easier it will be to avoid them.

Do Ticks Fly?

Ticks do not fly and do not have wings. Instead, these parasitic insects latch onto animals and humans by crawling onto them. The most common way to encounter a tick is when you’re walking through tall grass or bushes.

The process of a tick attaching to a host is called “questing.” They patiently hide out in a bush or tall grass until a potential host walks by, and then they crawl onto them. They then use their hosts for their blood meals.

While ticks do not fly, researchers have discovered another unique way that they hoist themselves onto a new host. Instead of crawling, they use static energy to launch themselves into the air. They can shoot … Read Full Post »

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What Is Forced Air Heating?

. Posted by in • Austin
a living room

Deciding on a heating system for your home can be overwhelming. There are boilers, radiators, mini-splits and baseboard heaters, to name a few. However, the most popular choice among homeowners is forced air heating.

What is forced air heating? While you’ll find it in countless homes, not all homeowners know how it works. Here’s everything you need to know about it, including how it works and its pros and cons.

If you decide on forced-air heating, contact a licensed professional to install it in your home. The HVAC technician can also perform regular maintenance checks to keep it in tip-top shape. Plus, this pro can help address other HVAC issues, like when you ask, “Why am I not getting power to my thermostat?”

What is Forced Air Heating? Here’s How It Works

Forced air heating is a component of an HVAC system that heats homes. It uses a heat source like a furnace or … Read Full Post »

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Natural Pest Control Methods for Your Home and Garden

. Posted by in • Houston

Introduction

Natural pest control is an eco-friendly and effective approach to managing pests in your home and garden without relying on synthetic chemicals. By utilizing various natural methods, you can maintain a healthy environment while keeping common pests at bay.

This guide will provide an in-depth look at different natural pest control techniques suitable for both indoor and outdoor settings.

1. Understanding Natural Pest Control

Natural Pest Control Measures

Natural pest control focuses on using organic and non-toxic methods to deter or eliminate pests. Unlike chemical treatments, these methods often utilize biological processes, natural repellents, and physical barriers to control pest populations.

Natural bug control measures involve methods such as using beneficial insects to combat garden pests or applying natural pesticides, such as neem oil.

Organic solutions for pest issues include homemade traps and the strategic use of essential oils to repel unwanted insects.

Benefits of Natural Pest Control:

  • Eco-friendly: Natural pest control reduces environmental impact and helps … Read Full Post »
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Do Opossums Hibernate?

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth
an opossum

Did you know that opossums do not like cold weather? While these creatures do not hibernate, they take special care to stay warm during winter. In warmer areas, they can even stay active year-round.

Understanding opossum behavior is the first step in identifying an opossum on your property. For example, what they eat, how cold they can tolerate and where they shelter are key to understanding their movements. Contact a wildlife control specialist if you suspect an opossum is on your property.

Do Opossums Hibernate?

Do opossums hibernate in the winter? The short answer is no. Opossums do not hibernate. However, they often den in warm places during winter, such as hollow trees and brush piles.

While opossums remain active all year long, their habitats change with the seasons. During the colder months, they seek shelter in enclosed areas, such as under decks or sheds, to stay warm.

A unique aspect of opossums is that … Read Full Post »

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How Does a Dimmer Switch Work?

. Posted by in • San Antonio
a dimmer switch

Homeowners can be hands-on about many things around the house, but electrical work should be handled by a professional. The dimmer switch is one electrical component that could give you problems at home. You might find that it’s not dimming all the way or won’t work with some lights. If your dimmer switch is stressing you out, we’ll explain how this device works and how to troubleshoot common issues.

Let electricians come to the rescue if you can’t figure it out. These licensed professionals have the tools and expertise to solve the electrical mysteries that could be bugging you at home.

What Is a Dimmer Switch and How Does It Work?

It wasn’t until the 1930s that incandescent dimmers entered the picture, used in theaters to set the mood for different scenes. They had massive panels that required manual operation, a far cry from the modern dimmers.

Fast forward 30 years, dimming technology has … Read Full Post »

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The Impact of Weather on Pest Activity and Control Measures

. Posted by in • Houston

Impact Of Weather On Pests

The Impact of Weather on Pest Activity and Control Measures

Introduction

Weather profoundly impacts pest activity, affecting their behavior, lifecycle, and distribution. The impact of weather on pests is particularly noticeable in both temperate and tropical regions, where changes in temperature, humidity, and precipitation patterns can significantly influence insect pest species. For instance, hot weather tends to accelerate the development and reproduction of many insects, leading to larger insect populations. Conversely, cooler temperatures can slow down their activity and reduce their numbers.

Regional Variations

Climate change further exacerbates these effects, altering the distribution and abundance of various insect species. As weather affects pests differently depending on the region and season, it becomes crucial to understand these dynamics for effective pest management. In temperate zones, warm and wet conditions can lead to outbreaks of insect pests, while dry spells might reduce their numbers. On the other hand, tropical regions might … Read Full Post »

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Do Opossums Dig Holes?

. Posted by in , • Corpus Christi
an opossum

There’s nothing more frustrating and puzzling than leaving your yard pristine at night, only to find holes the next day. These mysterious holes could be in your yard, outside your garage, under your deck or around your fence. If you’re wondering what creature is causing this havoc, opossums might be to blame.

With their white faces, pink noses and beady eyes, these animals might look innocent. However, they have capable paws that can do some damage. If you suspect opossums are the culprit behind the unsightly holes around your home, contact the experts. Wildlife control specialists will confirm the presence of opossums on your property and take the necessary measures to deter them. These pros also help you with other problems, like how to get rid of mice in your garden.

Do Opossums Dig Holes? Here’s What You Should Know About These Marsupials

Do opossums dig holes? Are they responsible for the mess … Read Full Post »

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How Many Times Can a Skunk Spray?

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth
a skunk

Skunks are the last thing you want wandering into your yard. They dig up lawns, make dens under houses and, as we all know, they stink.

If you see one on your property, don’t panic. Skunks only spray if they have to. Here’s everything you need to know about these smelly creatures, including their behavior, what causes them to spray and what draws them to your home.

If skunks invade your property, don’t hesitate to get professional help. Pest control specialists have the tools and skills to manage skunk populations and deter them from your home. They can also address other pest issues, like how to get rid of rodents in the attic.

Here’s Everything to Know About Skunk Behavior

In cartoons, we see skunks spraying stink clouds whenever they can. However, that’s far from their real-life behavior. Spraying is a last resort for them, and they only do it when they’ve exhausted other … Read Full Post »

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