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5 Ways Your Landscaping Can Boost Your Energy Efficiency

. Posted by in • Austin

Beautify your lawn and conserve resources at the same time

Smart landscape design can lower your energy bills all year long. Learning how to arrange plantings for maximum efficiency transforms your lawn into a beautiful oasis that works to reduce heating and cooling costs. Start saving now with these energy-efficient landscaping tips for your Austin home.

Cool Down with Trees

Shade trees have the power to cool your yard by as much as six degrees and reduce indoor temperatures up to 25%. A cooler house can make your air conditioner run 10% more efficiently throughout the season. This not only reduces energy use but also prolongs the life of the unit by reducing wear from regular operation.

Create Dead Space

Planting vines, shrubs and bushes near the walls of your home traps an insulating pocket of “dead air” that helps regulate temperatures in all seasons. Place plants far enough away so that there will be … Read Full Post »

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Bugs That Look Like Termites But Aren’t

. Posted by in • San Antonio
Bugs That Look Like Termites But Aren't

According to the National Pest Management Association, termites cause more than five billion dollars worth of property damage each year in the United States alone. The most destructive type of termite, the subterranean species, feeds 24 hours a day, so this dangerous pest doesn’t ever take a vacation. Homeowners can protect their biggest investment by learning more about bugs that look like termites but aren’t.

Most of us can distinguish between the most common bugs and insects we see in and around our home. Roaches, mosquitoes and flies look quite different from each other. But when it comes to other insects, our knowledge is fuzzy, at best.

Different pests require different types of treatment. Let’s explore what insects resemble termites and how to tell these bugs apart so that you can keep these pests away from your property.

Carpenter Ants 

The bug which is most commonly confused with a termite is an ant. Both … Read Full Post »

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Is Your AC System Asking for Help?

. Posted by in • Austin

7 Signs It’s Time to Service or Replace Your Unit

Austin’s hot summer climate means a serious workout for your air conditioning unit. Just like a football star playing hard in the heat, your AC unit may struggle to keep up with your demands. If you’re worried that your AC can’t keep up, it’s time to study the signs that your unit is in trouble.

Four Indicators That It’s Time to Service Your System

Sometimes, all your AC system needs in order to work well is a little time and attention. Keep in mind that your unit might need service or repair at times other than you expect. Call a pro if any of the four following symptoms sound familiar to you.

The flow of cold air seems weak. Your AC unit comes on and produces cool air, but it doesn’t seem to be circulating throughout your home. This could point to HVAC or … Read Full Post »

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Can I Get A Mosquito Bite In Winter? Your Questions Answered

. Posted by in • Orlando
mosquito bite in winter

Do you wish summer could last all year long? Many individuals live in or move to warm and temperate cities to escape the frigid weather in other parts of the country. Want to wear shorts on Christmas Day? Try Orlando. Prefer flip-flops in February? Check out Houston.

There’s a catch to living where the sun is shining most of the year: mosquitoes.

Warm and humid environments are the perfect habitat for many pesky insects, including mosquitoes. Regarding mosquito season, Florida and other southern states don’t get much of a break from these annoying biting insects, which can transmit the Zika and West Nile viruses, among other illnesses.

Newcomers to these cities may wonder if getting a mosquito bite in winter is possible and what else they need to know to keep these pests away. Let’s explore these topics and other common questions about the mosquito.

Where Do Mosquitoes Go In The Winter? What About … Read Full Post »

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Is Your Florida St. Augustine Grass Turning Brown?

. Posted by in , • Orlando

St. Augustine is the turf of choice for Central Florida lawns. You might notice a color change in the late summer and early fall that could cause alarm.

This common lawn fungus is easy to identify, as it creates circular pockets of grass that appear to have died. We’re talking about Brown Patch.

All warm-season turfs are at risk for Brown Patch, especially Zoysia and St. Augustine grass. The disease pathogen, Rhizoctonia solani, will most likely spread from September through May when temperatures are below 80 degrees. It is usually not observed in summer months, but summer weather can lead to over-irrigation, which can lead to fungus. Florida gets excessive rain and high humidity, which can also over-saturate turf grass and lead to infection.

Symptoms:

If an area of your lawn has poor drainage and lacks sufficient sunlight, it may be prone to getting the disease. You’ll notice a soft, dark rot at the … Read Full Post »

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Brown Patch Lawn Fungus on the Rise in Houston

. Posted by in , • Houston

Have you ever noticed beige patches of dead-looking grass interrupting your lush green lawn? The name of this turfgrass disease is a no-brainer: Brown Patch.

Brown Patch is technically classified as a summer lawn disease. However, our Houston Lawn Specialists have noticed an increase in reported cases in the fall due to excessive lawn watering in an effort to battle the overly rough weather conditions Houston experienced during the past few months.

Brown Patch derives from a disease called Rhizoctonia, which is a fungus that thrives in warm, humid climates (sound familiar, Houston?). It lives in plant debris, or thatch, and enters plants through wounds caused during mowing. In most cases, grass can go several months before showing any sign of disease, but trust us, it is growing beneath the surface – and fast.

Brown Patch damage first appears in your lawn as circular areas of brown, dead grass surrounded by … Read Full Post »

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5 Great Indoor Activities For Summer Fun in Houston

. Posted by in • Houston

If you’re a Houston parent, keeping your children cool during the hot summer is likely a huge priority. More extended periods of direct sunlight and high humidity can harm children, who are more susceptible to heat-related illness and dehydration than adults. Not to mention the crankiness factor. Do you really want to hear your child complain about being hot all day?

Fortunately, indoor family activities can allow you and your kids to add a little variety to summer vacation while staying cool. We are lucky to live in a city with a great selection of kid-friendly museums, indoor play places, and arts and crafts centers.

So, when the family needs a break from the pool or the playground, beat the heat with a few of these indoor alternatives.

1. Sky Zone Sports

photo by Clintus McGintus

www.skyzone.com/houston/
Sky Zone offers kids the opportunity to release some energy. The indoor trampoline park features one area … Read Full Post »

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5 Family Activities to Avoid Orlando’s Summer Heat

. Posted by in • Orlando

Orlando may be blessed with mild winters and tropical showers that cool things off from time to time, but for the most part, our summers are HOT. When it’s 90+ degrees outside, outdoor family fun can be exhausting for everyone. Kids can fall victim to heat stroke and dehydration more quickly than adults, who sweat more and adjust faster to heat.

Sunburns also become problematic in summer. The UV index in Florida can reach extreme levels between June and September.

If your family needs a break from the unbearable summer heat, consider an indoor activity as an alternative to theme parks and trips to the lake.

ABC compiled a list of our favorite indoor activities for families in Orlando.

Read Full Post »

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Mosquitos Drive Your Cat Nuts, Too

. Posted by in • Houston

We care for our pets as we do our own children. They rely on us for food, shelter, safety, healthcare, and, most importantly, love and companionship (which they share with us in return). Our furry family members have many of the same needs as we do when it comes to keeping them healthy and safe.

Whether you are taking a trip to the dog park or hanging out around the yard, it is important to know what to look out for in terms of insects and parasites that can make your pet ill. Animals have allergies, skin sensitivities, and are susceptible to many of the same preventable illnesses as humans. In the summer, common pests like mosquitos, wasps, bees, and ticks can all cause harm to our cats and dogs.

Mosquitos Put Your Dog at Risk for Heartworms
Mosquitos are not only an annoyance for pets and people. They also carry heartworms, which … Read Full Post »

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No More Bed Bugs for One Houston Grandma

. Posted by in , • Houston

Raleigh Jenkins and Houston grandmother Audrey Coffey on the day of bed bug inspection

The opening of the Astrodome and the lunar landing are just a couple of our city’s defining moments that 90-year-old Audrey Coffey has witnessed in her lifetime as a Houston resident. She has raised three children in our city, and those children now have kids of their own. Like the Jenkins of ABC Home & Commercial Services, there are three generations of Coffey’s, which is something both our families can be thankful for. Mrs. Coffey has lived in the fifth ward house where she raised her children since 1946, but for the last year, her home had a problem that caused her both physical and emotional distress – bed bugs.

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