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Do Roaches Shed?

. Posted by in • Austin
a roach on a neutral background

Cockroaches are excellent at adapting to their environment, making them difficult to control. Most homeowners have had a run-in with cockroaches at some point, but it can be frustrating when you notice more and more of them making your house their home.

Learn how roaches infiltrate a household, how to identify the breed and what you should do to control them.

Do Roaches Shed?

Many homeowners are surprised to learn that roaches do shed. They shed their skin multiple times throughout their life to accommodate their body’s growth. You may find cockroach exoskeletons in their nests, beneath electrical equipment, furniture, closets, drawers and corners of rooms.

The exoskeleton is a solid outer coat that protects roaches. Roaches cannot grow over the limitations of their hard shell, so they have to molt to become larger. Cockroaches will molt anywhere from 6 to 14 times in their lives, depending on the species.

Cockroaches lose their old skin … Read Full Post »

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Types of Wasps That Live in the Ground

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth

There are around 100,000 species of wasps, and they all build impressive nests. However, some wasps choose to build their nests underground. It’s important for homeowners to understand the difference between ground wasps and other types of wasps so that they can deal with them properly.

One type of ground wasp is the cicada killer wasp. While they prefer to leave humans alone and focus on hunting cicadas, female cicada killer wasps will sting when they feel threatened. Understanding their appearance and life cycle will help homeowners avoid an unfriendly encounter with cicada killer wasps.

Finally, wasps often appear in gardens because they like to feed on plant nectar. While they can provide some benefits, they can also become an annoyance. Contacting a pest control specialist is the best way to deal with a wasp problem in your garden.

Types of Wasps That Live in the Ground

Wasps are known for building impressive nests, … Read Full Post »

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What To Do About Ants in Your Lawn

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
ants in a lawn

Are ants invading your lawn? Ants are pesky nuisances, but there are ways you can manage their population to protect and preserve your lush lawn.

Ants in lawns are often an annoyance for homeowners during warmer months, particularly as nest-building ants may damage your lawn by building nests and tunnels in it. Some species can even bite or sting. Therefore, it’s important that you act when you see ants in your lawn.

What Conditions Attract Ants?

Ant species typically prefer lawns with dry, well-drained soil and low water-holding capacity. These conditions allow ants to easily build nests for food storage, colony defense and protection.

Ants are drawn to lawns that contain organic matter, such as dead leaves, grass clippings and debris. These materials give them the essential nutrition needed to survive and reproduce.

Finally, ants need water for survival. That’s why they are drawn to lawns with access to collected sources of moisture like sprinkler … Read Full Post »

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Do Bats Hibernate?

. Posted by in , • Orlando
a bat in a tree

Bats are intriguing creatures to learn about. They’re known for their echolocation capabilities and being nocturnal by nature.

Bats possess incredible talents, which could be vital in survival situations like natural disasters. But have you ever considered whether bats hibernate like other mammals do?

Hibernation is an instinctual behavior used by animals during winter to conserve energy and survive harsh conditions. Of the over 1,400 bat species globally, only some hibernate. When they do, they might find comfort within your home or nearby spaces such as backyard sheds or treehouses.

Do Bats Hibernate?

During the winter months, when food becomes increasingly scarce, bats enter a state known as torpor. Their heart rates and breathing slow, their metabolic rates diminish, and body temperatures decrease to conserve energy and resources.

Hibernation allows bats to survive winter weather by tapping into their fat reserves while resting. However, not all species hibernate; some fly south, searching for warmer climates … Read Full Post »

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Ideas for a Drought-Tolerant Front Yard

. Posted by in • Houston
a home's front yard

Most areas in the United States experience drought to some extent, with climate change and water shortages worsening the dry periods. While water conservation has never been more crucial, it doesn’t mean you should let your front yard dry out and wither away. With drought-resistant techniques, you can maintain lush greenery around your home without wasting resources.

Here are some landscaping tips that can help no matter how hot and dry it gets in your area.

How To Create a Drought-Tolerant Front Yard

Front yards can consume much water, especially if it has turf grass that needs irrigation. You can create a drought-tolerant front yard and reduce water consumption by growing water-wise plants that thrive in dry conditions. Let’s go through some drought-tolerant landscaping ideas.

Plant Groundcovers

You don’t have to maintain a massive lawn. You can reduce its size and plant groundcovers instead. The roots will prevent soil erosion, and the flowers will add … Read Full Post »

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Aerating Versus Dethatching: What’s the Difference?

. Posted by in • Bryan-College Station
green lawn with trimmed landscape and white fence

Keeping your lawn looking its best isn’t always easy, but it can be rewarding. Periodic dethatching and aeration are beneficial treatments for keeping your lawn green, healthy and beautiful.

Dethatching removes built-up dead grass blades and organic matter that resides on the soil surface below the green, creating a barrier. This barrier inhibits water, nutrients and air from getting into the soil to reach the root zone. Dethatching slices this barrier and allows that debris to be removed.

Aerating, on the other hand, helps to break up compacted soil, removes built-up layers of organic matter and introduces pathways for air, water and nutrients to reach deeper into the root zone.

What Is Dethatching Grass?

Dethatching your lawn is a helpful step in keeping your lawn healthy and green throughout the year. Dethatching helps remove any built-up debris or organic matter on the surface that may prevent water, air and other nutrients from reaching the … Read Full Post »

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When To Replace Your Water Heater

. Posted by in • Corpus Christi
a water heater

When water heaters run correctly and efficiently, they operate in the background of your home and make your life easier without you having to think about it. However, when water heaters start having problems, they can become a major headache.

The top question that homeowners ask about their water heater is how they will know when it’s time to replace it with a new model. Luckily, there are several signs to look for, such as an uptick in your energy bill, leaks, weird noises, inconsistent water temperature and more.

Some homeowners also experience a rotten egg smell coming from their faucets or water heater, which is a sign of damage inside their water tank.

Lastly, leaking from the side panel of your water heater is usually due to your temperature pressure relief valve releasing, which is a crucial safety mechanism.

If you experience any of these issues with your water heater, it’s important to … Read Full Post »

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My Dishwasher Is Leaking Water: What’s Wrong?

. Posted by in • Austin
a kitchen with a dishwasher

Dishwashers are a necessity in the kitchen. Just load your dirty pans, plates and utensils, and they will all come out squeaky clean. Dishwashers save you a lot of time and effort, but sometimes, they can cause trouble, too. There is nothing more frustrating than a leaking dishwasher. If you are dealing with this problem, here are the most common causes and how to troubleshoot a leaking dishwasher.

Why Is Your Dishwasher Leaking Water?

If your dishwasher leaks, don’t ignore it. It can lead to more severe issues. With some DIY know-how, you can repair the leak and have your dishwasher running normally again. Here are some possible reasons your dishwasher is leaking and how to resolve the problem.

The Dishwasher Door Is Leaking

If there is water pooling directly under the dishwasher door, your appliance might have a faulty rubber gasket. The gasket surrounds the perimeter of the door and creates a tight … Read Full Post »

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Wheat Weevil: Identification & Control Guide

. Posted by in • Dallas-Fort Worth
wheat weevils on damaged grain

Wheat weevils are pesky pantry pests that can ruin a good box of cereal. As their name suggests, these tiny bugs feast on and live in wheat. They reside in pantries and cupboards where they can access dry foods.

These small pests, which are technically beetles, contaminate food and can become a major headache for homeowners. They reproduce rapidly, meaning a small wheat weevil problem can become a big infestation in no time.

The best thing homeowners can do is educate themselves about wheat weevils so that they can deter them from their kitchens.

If you have wheat weevils in your pantry or kitchen cabinets, the best thing you can do is contact a pest control expert. Using a professional service is the best way to control the infestation.

Wheat Weevil: Identification & Control Guide

Wheat weevils are tiny beetles that typically live in pantries or cabinets. A wheat weevil infestation can become a big … Read Full Post »

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Spray Foam Insulation Versus Fiberglass

. Posted by in • San Antonio
spray foam insulation

Proper insulation is one of the best ways to regulate the temperature in your home and keep everyone comfortable. But with the variety of insulation materials available, it can be hard to settle on one. The usual dilemma homeowners have is choosing between spray foam insulation versus fiberglass. The former is the more traditional option, while the latter has been rising in popularity recently. Here’s an in-depth comparison of the two insulation materials to help you decide.

Fiberglass Insulation

Fiberglass is a combination of fine fibers from recycled materials and melted glass. An adhesive agent, such as aluminum foil or glass, holds these small components together. This bonding of materials creates a vapor barrier. Most American homes use fiberglass because it is an effective and affordable insulation.

Fiberglass can come in batts, which look like cotton candy blankets. They are light and portable, making them perfect for adding insulation to an attic. A … Read Full Post »

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