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Is That Spider a Troublemaker?

. Posted by in • Houston

No one likes to see spiders in their home, but it’s essential to understand which of these eight-legged pests is dangerous for you and your family. After all, making this distinction will make it easier for you to determine whether or not it’s appropriate to scream when a tiny arachnid unexpectedly appears in your living room.

The Most Dangerous Spiders in Texas

There have been several news stories about venomous spiders finding their way to unexpected regions by hitching a ride in produce. However, for the most part, Houston residents only need to worry about two dangerous arachnid family members. Unfortunately, both terrifying pests have a habit of being found indoors and outdoors. Because of this, you should take the time to familiarize yourself with the brown recluse and the black widow.

Black Widow: The venom that the black widow injects into its intended prey is a highly dangerous neurotoxin that has led … Read Full Post »

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How to Ease the Burn of a Fire Ant’s Bite

. Posted by in • Dallas-Fort Worth

When a fire ant bites you, you’ll notice it. The venom that fire ants secrete causes pain, itchiness and small red welts. Symptoms usually go away within a couple of days, but those days can seem like an eternity. Fortunately, there are several ways to minimize the sting of fire ant bites.

Allergen Warning

Very few people are allergic to fire ant venom. Pain and slight swelling are to be expected in the case of a fire ant bite, but you should waste no time in going to the emergency room if any of the following symptoms manifest, as they may indicate a serious allergic reaction:

• Parts of your body other than where the bite occurred begin to swell, itch or break out in hives
• Stomach discomfort, vomiting or diarrhea
• Difficulty breathing
• Tongue, throat or lip swelling
• Trouble swallowing
• Dizziness or blackouts

How to Deal with Fire Ants and Their Bites

Since fire ants … Read Full Post »

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Caught Between a Web and a Hard Place

. Posted by in • Orlando

If you have long been afraid of spiders, you will likely look for signs of infestations during all seasons of the year. Arachnids, however, are savvy creatures and can often begin building nests in out-of-the-way locations. Before you’ve had time to respond, you’ll be dealing with an infestation that can be very tough to eradicate. By checking for spiders in hidden areas, you can ensure that your house remains free of pests (and keep your anxiety from exploding into full-blown arachnophobia).

Furniture Items

Though spiders most commonly spin webs in the rafters, a rarely moved piece of furniture may also make a lovely home. Couches or chairs that have remained in one place for several weeks should be closely examined. In nearly all instances, the critters will be found on the underside of the upholstery.

Sinks

Sinks are perfect havens for spiders that are looking to breed. The cabinet areas underneath sinks usually feature … Read Full Post »

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Exposing Mowing Myths

. Posted by in , • San Antonio

Do you spend a lot of time primping and preening your San Antonio lawn, only to notice that it still doesn’t look as nice as you’d like? Have you noticed that your neighbor rarely spends any time at all on lawn maintenance and yet his grass looks terrific? If so, this article may help. There are many myths surrounding mowing and proper lawn care, and described below are the top five myths of all time.

1. You should mow your grass extra short at the end of fall.

Many people are under the belief that they should mow their grass extra short right before winter begins. However, this is simply not so. If you have cool-season grass, a two-inch cut is fine. On the other hand, two and a half inches is recommended for tall fescue.

2. Never leave grass clippings on your lawn.

This couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, in … Read Full Post »

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Why Is That Mouse in My House?

. Posted by in • Austin

Having pests in your home is always a troublesome experience, and you probably aren’t pleased by the idea that there are mice and rats living in the house alongside your family. Understanding a bit more about what causes these infestations and how to get rid of them, however, can help you handle your own pest control problem.

What Causes Rodent Infestations?

There are actually quite a few reasons why rodents enter homes. Many of them look for warm homes to find shelter from the cold, and some simply look for places that offer food, water and other necessities. Having a dirty and unsanitary home can cause rodents as well, although even clean, clutter-free houses are susceptible to infestations.

How Can You Tell If You Have Mice or Rats in Your Home?

There are several things that you can look for if you think that you might have a rodent infestation:

• Mouse or rat droppings … Read Full Post »

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Keeping Crawlies off Indoor Plants

. Posted by in • Houston

Having houseplants is a great way to improve your home’s aesthetic appeal and air quality, but you might be afraid that your indoor plants will attract insects. Although different types of bugs love plants, following these tips will help you keep critters away from them.

Choose the Right Plants

Choosing the right plants for your home’s environment and lighting conditions is an essential first step. Before investing in house plants, research to ensure they will do well inside your house.

Use Clean Soil

Although digging up a bit of dirt from your backyard might be tempting, this should usually be avoided. Outdoor dirt can contain insects and larvae, and you don’t want to bring these pests into your home. Instead, opt for high-quality potting soil that can be purchased at your local retail store or garden center. The soil will be clean and free of bugs and might also have more nutrients for your … Read Full Post »

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Why Aren’t Your Rat Traps Working?

. Posted by in • Dallas-Fort Worth

If you have recently spotted mice or rats in your home, you might have set a couple of traps to try to capture them. Unfortunately, rat traps really aren’t the best solution to a rodent problem.

Some Traps Just Don’t Work

Many traps are not sensitive enough to pick up on the lightweight scurrying of a mouse or rat, so rodents can run right over them without getting trapped.

Some Rodents Are Very Crafty

A lot of rodents are experienced with traps and able to snatch the cheese right off of them without getting trapped. Many are frightened of these apparatuses and will avoid them completely. In most cases, mice and rats can find food in your home without having to resort to snatching it from a trap.

Dealing with a Trapped Rodent Isn’t Pleasant

If you have ever had to deal with the remains in a rat trap, you know that it really isn’t a … Read Full Post »

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Ants Are Only Cute in Movies

. Posted by in • Orlando

In the movies, ants are cute creatures that everyone roots for; however, they can damage your home in real life. Because of this, contacting a professional pest control company is vital as soon as you notice signs of an infestation. Remember that ants nest in the crevices and cracks of your property and that they will also scavenge through your home, looking for food supplies.

The Danger of a Carpenter Ant Infestation

If you notice giant black ants in your home, you most likely have an infestation of carpenter ants. This particular ant species can cause extensive and costly damage to your home. Once their nests have been built into your home, you will likely experience issues with your structural wood, rigid foam insulation, sheathing, and subflooring. Unfortunately, carpenter ants are widespread in many areas, including Orlando. Remember that carpenter ants that nest outside don’t pose any risk to your home.

Other Ant … Read Full Post »

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Does Your Property Have a Raccoon Problem?

. Posted by in • Houston

Raccoons may look harmless, and you may consider them only a nuisance, but they can cause severe damage and injuries. A hungry raccoon might dig holes in your lawn and tear garbage bags open. It may attack pets or farm animals after it begins to feel safe on your property. Raccoons could even attempt to enter your home.

These furry mammals usually look for food at night to avoid being seen. There are many ways to detect raccoons on your property, though, even if you can actually spot them. Vegetables in the garden may go missing at night, or seeds from a bird feeder may vanish.

You can also look for a restroom. No, raccoons haven’t figured out how to use toilets. They leave excrement in large piles that are known as latrines. Rather than defecating in random locations, they prefer to select certain rocks, trees, and stumps. Unfortunately, your deck or … Read Full Post »

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Why “Out of Sight, Out of Mind” Is a Bad Way to Protect Your Home from Termites

. Posted by in • Dallas-Fort Worth

We’ve all heard the old phrase, “Out of sight, out of mind.” If you apply it to some things, like dieting, it works wonders: Stash those Keebler brownies and you might find it’s easier to lose weight. On the other hand, it’s a horrible method of dealing with other problems. One such problem is termites. Just because you don’t see swarms of hungry insects eating through your home’s wood doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Termites do their work behind the walls. That said, termite colonies often leave clues if you know what to look for.

Pest Control Inspection

How many times have you taken your car in for an oil change only to have the mechanic tell you that you have some serious engine trouble looming on the horizon? One of the best things you can do to guard against a termite infestation is to invest in regular pest control inspection. Professionals … Read Full Post »

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