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How To Get Rid of Mice in Your Garden

. Posted by in , • Austin
a mouse outside

For many homeowners, their garden is a prized part of their home. They tend to it regularly and do their best to keep pests away. But did you know that some animals can encourage your garden to grow? Having butterflies, birds and lizards close by can help your plants reach their full potential. However, there is one creature you should never welcome in your garden–mice.

Mice can cause extensive damage to a garden. They can even make their way into your home. All they need is a dime-size hole to come into your living space.

If you have mice problems, here are some tips to help drive them away. But the best solution is to get the help of a professional. A pest control specialist has the tools and expertise to restore peace in your home and garden.

Mice in the Garden? Keep Them Away With These Tips

If you see mice invading your … Read Full Post »

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How To Make a Flower Bed

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth
a flower bed

Do you want to add a beautiful flower bed to your property? The most intimidating part of this project is deciding what it will look like. When it comes to designs, colors and layout, the options are endless. The good news is that there is plenty of room for fun experimentation.

This guide will provide a step-by-step guide on how to make a flower bed, annual flower bed ideas and flower bed edging ideas. For the best results, contact a landscaping specialist for help.

How To Make a Flower Bed

The first step to making a flower bed is to choose the right location on your property, and you have several options when it comes to aesthetics. A few possibilities are in your front yard, behind a pool and along the fence line in your backyard.

Flowers will not survive in waterlogged soil, so make sure you choose a spot with proper drainage, or … Read Full Post »

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If You See One Mouse, How Many Do You Have?

. Posted by in , • Austin
If You See One Mouse, How Many Do You Have

You’ve had some strange happenings around your home lately, including noticing weird grease marks on your walls and your pets acting strangely. Your normally-calm dog starts barking and growling at your walls out of the blue, and you’re not sure what the issue could be. Then, you spot it: a mouse. But you just saw one, so it can’t be that bad of a situation, you tell yourself. But in reality you’re thinking: If you see one mouse, how many do you have?

Unfortunately, locating a single mouse on your property is not that different than finding a needle in a haystack. These small rodents keep to themselves, and they’re relatively quiet. With their main predators being adept hunters—including cats, snakes, owls, hawks and foxes—they have learned how to be excellent hiders and know how to get around without being detected.

So, if you’ve seen a mouse, especially during daylight hours, it … Read Full Post »

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Where Do Fleas Bite Humans?

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
a flea on skin

Did you know that fleas bite humans as well as pets? These pests can cause significant itching and annoyance. Homeowners should know where fleas are likely to bite humans and how to identify flea bites.

The fastest and most effective way to control a flea problem is to work with a professional pest control service. The experts have the experience and tools to control fleas.

Where Do Fleas Bite Humans?

When you think about flea bites, you most likely think about them biting animals such as pets. However, these pests also bite humans and can quickly become a major annoyance for homeowners. Homeowners can even notice that they have fleas in the house but no pests.

Fleas are known for biting humans and animals for a blood meal. When you have a flea problem, the biting can feel relentless.

Humans can experience flea bites on any part of their body; however, fleas are more likely … Read Full Post »

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Do Chigger Bites Spread? Your Questions Answered

. Posted by in • Bryan-College Station
a chigger

When you’re walking your dog through a field or just in your yard and suddenly feel an itching sensation, it could be because of chiggers, which are also sometimes called grass mites. Within hours of being bitten, you can feel an intense itching sensation around the affected area. One thing that might be stopping you from scratching is the question that you can’t get out of your head: do chigger bites spread?

If you’ve spent enough time outside in warmer parts of the country, you’ve probably already fallen victim to chigger bites. These microscopic pests, which are red, orange, yellow or straw-colored, latch onto passing people and animals. The chigger larvae, with six legs, are what actually attach to your clothing and skin. Once these creatures become adults, they are referred to as mites. They also gain another set of legs.

When you pass through an area with chiggers, you could have … Read Full Post »

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Furnace Is Not Kicking on When Temperature Drops

. Posted by in • Corpus Christi
a home

The coming of the colder months means digging out your scarves, gloves and jackets from the depths of your closet so you can stay toasty. It also means preparing your home for the cold weather and ensuring it doesn’t take any damage. That includes checking on your home’s HVAC system. If the furnace is not kicking on when temperatures drops, it can lead to a number of issues. Not to mention, you’ll be uncomfortably cold.

If you want to make your home as warm and cozy as possible, here are some ways to troubleshoot a furnace that won’t turn on. If all else fails, contact an HVAC specialist. An HVAC specialist will have your furnace running smoothly again so you can enjoy the cold months to the fullest.

Furnace Not Kicking on When the Temperature Drops? Here’s What To Do

Several factors can prevent a furnace from turning on despite a temperature drop. … Read Full Post »

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Mice in the Walls but Not in the House

. Posted by in , • Orlando
a mouse outside

Did you know it’s common for a mouse colony to live in your house undetected? Mice are discreet and cautious pests that spend the daytime hiding and sleeping. However, at night, they emerge to hunt for food, water and nesting materials.

When you have a mouse infestation in your home, it’s common to hear them scurrying around in your walls, especially at night. It will sound like scratching inside your walls. You may notice it long before you see an actual mouse inside your home.

Mice can fit through tiny spaces, which is how they often enter homes unnoticed. However, several signs will alert you to their presence, such as finding holes in your clothes, spotting mouse droppings and smelling their urine.

Mouse pee smells like strong ammonia when it is fresh. Over time, the odor changes to smell like damp wood.

You do not need to see an actual mouse to know that … Read Full Post »

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Where To See the Best Holiday Lights in Houston

. Posted by in • Houston
holiday lights in houston

Wondering where to see the best holiday lights in Houston this year? Houston has a ton of sights and experiences to offer both locals and visitors year-round, and the holiday season is no exception. Whether you love spectacular winter wonderlands that twinkle with millions of lights, or your tastes run toward smaller, more intimate neighborhood displays, we’ve got you covered.

It’s always a good idea to start planning early. This is doubly true if you’ll be venturing out to one of the bigger, ticketed lights displays. As any Houstonian knows, parking and traffic can get hectic, especially around the holidays. Fortunately, a bit of advance planning will reduce some of the stress, so you and your loved ones can enjoy a purely festive time.

Here are some of the best options for taking in some holiday magic around Houston this Christmas:

  • Lightscape at the Houston Botanic Garden: This unique holiday lights and music … Read Full Post »
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How High Can Rats Jump?

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth
a rat on a windowsill

Did you know that rats are excellent jumpers? These pests may be known for climbing and scavenging; however, they are also extremely agile.

The best way to keep rats out of your home is to identify and block all potential rat entry points into your house. Working with a professional pest control service is the best way to cover all of your bases with these pests. An expert can identify all rat entry points for you, including the ones that most homeowners do not think about. If you already have a rat infestation, working with a pest control service is much more effective than trying to control the rat colony on your own.

How High Can Rats Jump?

Rats are known for being excellent climbers, but many homeowners don’t realize that they are also skilled jumpers. Rats can jump up to four feet high. In particular, roof rats can jump and climb their … Read Full Post »

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Mosquito Prevention for Yard: Tips and Tricks

. Posted by in , • Austin
a group of mosquitoes

Do you dream of sitting out in your backyard, enjoying the weather or a beautiful sunset, without fear that mosquitoes are lurking about and waiting to bite? You’re not alone!

Mosquitoes are a common pest found in nearly every part of the world. In fact, more than 3,000 species of mosquito have been identified around the globe.

Mosquitoes can be a major nuisance, ruining outdoor relaxation and gatherings, and generally making gardening and other yard tasks miserable. Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take to reduce the number of mosquitoes in your yard, in addition to contacting a pest control professional to help.

Tips for Mosquito Prevention

Your outdoor spaces should be enjoyed without the annoying buzz of mosquitoes. A few common tips for mosquito prevention include:

  • At least once a week, remove, cover or throw out any items that can hold standing water. Look for tires, buckets, planters, toy pools, birdbaths, etc.
  • Ensure you … Read Full Post »
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