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Take That Remodeling Job Outside in Time for Spring

. Posted by in • Austin

Living in the gorgeous city of Austin can present many wonderful opportunities for exciting backyard parties, family nights, events and more. Why not indulge in your very own backyard? After all, nothing can be more spontaneous and refreshing than being outside, close to the nature and its beautiful elements.

Making practical additions to the exterior of your home and adding just a few backyard touches can both work wonders for the aesthetic appeal and real estate value of your property. When it comes to creating the perfect outdoor sanctuary, the sky is the limit.

A Screened Deck Can Be a Welcoming Idea

Imagine spending lazy afternoons reading on your gorgeous deck while your children are playing their favorite board games. Rain or shine, you’ll be able to enjoy your home and garden without ever being confined indoors. Having a deck, complete with an outdoor mini-kitchen, can be ideal for entertaining family and friends. … Read Full Post »

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Compost Piles: Do They Attract Insects?

. Posted by in , • Houston

One of the easiest ways to get rid of kitchen scraps and other organic waste from around our homes is to compost. Maintaining a healthy compost pile doesn’t take much space or attention. The benefit is nutrient-rich soil that develops in just a few months and can be used to improve soil in gardens and around the yard.

Composting reduces the amount of solid waste that would otherwise go to landfills. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that 20% to 30% of what we throw away is organic material that can be composted. By composting, we get good soil and cut down on what goes to landfills.

A compost pile doesn’t need fancy equipment, just a space in your yard or garden that isn’t too wet or too sunny so that the organic materials will get the right amount of air and water to decompose quickly. The climate in the Houston area … Read Full Post »

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Checklist for Cleaning Up Your Lawn Act

. Posted by in , , • San Antonio

You’ve cleaned up the last of the dead leaves, finished mowing the lawn, and trimmed dead flowers from your landscaping beds. Your home’s lawn maintenance is nearly done, but you still have a few last chores to complete.

Clean Your Gutters

Even though you cleaned up your yard, there are likely thousands of leaves trapped in your gutters, which will overflow during heavy rainfall. Besides making the ground around your home a muddy mess, sitting water can actually cause foundation damage, so you want to make sure that your gutters are completely clean before the temperature drops below freezing.

Trim Dead Branches

Dead branches can snap off and cause damage if it snows, so trim off any dead branches that you can easily reach with a ladder. Hire a tree trimming company if you can’t reach high branches. Large branches make great firewood logs, and you can use smaller branches as kindling.

Prepare Engines

Once all … Read Full Post »

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How to Properly Remove a Tick

. Posted by in • Austin

Ticks are tiny, spider-like parasites that fasten themselves to your pet’s skin to feed on its blood. Although these creepy little critters prefer to feed on the blood of animals, they’ll attach themselves to people if necessary. Typically, they can be found in areas where there are a lot of trees or underbrush.

Tick Prevention

Since ticks can carry diseases such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, you’ll want to do your best to prevent them from hopping on you or your pet. Products such as Frontline and Advantix can help to prevent ticks from collecting on your dog or cat. Additionally, the following tips can help keep ticks at bay as well.

• Stay away from heavily wooded areas.
• Wear long sleeves and pants when outdoors.
• Tuck your pants into your socks.
• Wear light-colored clothing.
• Spray insect repellent on yourself and your pet when outdoors.
• Keep your pet away from … Read Full Post »

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Businesses and Biometric Security

. Posted by in • Houston

Houston businesses must be vigilant when it comes to their security protocols. At ABC Home & Commercial Services, we have developed several access control systems that can be used to keep a business protected from intrusion. One of the most essential modern-day aspects of security lies in biometric systems. The use of biometrics for identification purposes has existed in one form since at least the late 19th century. We’ve used the technology behind biometrics to introduce practical, flexible, identity-based solutions that work. Here are some of the ways biometric security can benefit a business.

Increased Protection

If you employ only a lock-and-key system to protect your business, what happens when you run afoul of an expert lockpick? One of the most essential advantages of biometric security systems is that they provide another level of protection. The more you can do to keep your data, assets, and secure information safe from intrusion, the … Read Full Post »

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Help Your Landscape Spring into Warm Weather

. Posted by in • Austin

Like many people, you probably feel the urge to freshen up your home when spring rolls around again. Spring cleaning is well and good, but it shouldn’t be reserved strictly for inside the home. By taking a little time to prepare your landscape for the summer, you’ll have an easier time maintaining it throughout the long, hot season.

Have you ever noticed how some people’s yards seem to instantly look terrific after warm weather returns? They tend to be the ones who get out there right away to prepare their landscapes for the summer. Even if you’re conscientious about raking and otherwise getting your yard ready for the winter, there are things that should be done to help everything spring back to life more easily.

Clean Up the Yard

It’s amazing how much debris and litter can end up in a yard over the winter. This is the time to be fastidious about … Read Full Post »

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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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