ABC Blog

Please choose a city to view local blog posts:

Choose a City

Deer Mouse Vs. House Mouse: Which Is The Bigger Pest?

. Posted by in , • Austin

Have you noticed signs of mice in your home? If so, you may want to know what type of mice is taking up residence in your home.

If you suspect that a mouse infestation is taking over your home, contact a pest control service.

Deer Mouse Versus House Mouse: Which Is the Bigger Pest?

Deer mice and house mice, pictured above, are two common rodents that homeowners encounter inside their houses. Deer mice transmit hantavirus, making them more of a problem than house mice. However, you’re more likely to find house mice in or around your home. It’s helpful for homeowners to understand the difference between deer mice and house mice so they can correctly identify a mouse infestation and take the proper steps to control it.

These two types of mice differ in three main ways:

  • Appearance
  • Behavior
  • Nesting and habitat

Let’s examine these in more detail.

Deer Mouse … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Organic Lawn Care: Techniques and Benefits

. Posted by in • Houston

Organic Lawn Care: Techniques and Benefits

Organic lawn care is becoming increasingly popular among homeowners who want a lush, healthy lawn without the use of synthetic chemicals. This approach focuses on nurturing the soil and grass through natural methods, leading to a sustainable and environmentally friendly yard. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore various techniques and benefits of organic lawn care, helping you transition to a chemical-free lawn that thrives year-round.

Organic lawn care revolves around the principle of feeding the soil, which in turn nourishes the grass. Organic fertilizers, such as alfalfa meal, feather meal, and compost tea, provide essential nutrients and improve the soil surface health. Unlike conventional lawn care, which relies on synthetic chemicals, organic methods promote long-term grass roots development and seed germination.

Conducting a soil test is essential before starting your organic lawn journey. A soil test reveals the pH level, nutrient content, and organic matter present … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Heater Blowing Cold Air? How To Solve This Problem

. Posted by in • San Antonio
Heater Blowing Cold Air

Have you ever turned on your heater, only to notice cold air blowing through the vents? Calling in an HVAC technician to repair the unit might be your first move. Before you do that, you can start by understanding why your heater is malfunctioning.

Some issues are easy to fix on your own, while others require help from an HVAC pro.

Common Reasons Why Your Heater Is Blowing Cold Air

A frequent complaint of homeowners during the colder months is noticing that their heater is blowing cold air. There are typically eight reasons why this happens.

  • The heater is still warming up
  • The pilot light is out
  • The heater is not powerful enough
  • Incorrect thermostat setting
  • Dirty air filter
  • Blower motor problems
  • Cracked heat exchanger
  • Blocked or leaky ductwork

Let’s dive into each of these issues.

The Heater Is … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Maintaining Lawn Equipment: Best Practices

. Posted by in • Houston

Lawn Equipment Maintenance

Maintaining your lawn equipment is essential for ensuring optimal performance and extending the lifespan of your tools. Proper care and maintenance are crucial whether you’re using a traditional lawn mower or a more specialized electric mowers. This comprehensive guide will provide you with the best practices to keep your lawnmowers and other equipment running smoothly throughout the mowing season and beyond.

Regular lawn mower maintenance is key to preventing breakdowns and ensuring that your equipment performs efficiently. Proper upkeep includes tasks such as sharpening lawn mower blades, cleaning the mower deck from grass clippings, and checking for any signs of wear and tear. To avoid issues, it’s important to perform lawn mower maintenance consistently and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

If you’ve recently purchased a new lawn mower, establishing a maintenance routine early on will help you get the most out of your investment. This guide will cover essential steps … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Rewiring Your Home Electrical System

. Posted by in • Austin
rewiring a home

When renovating, many homeowners focus on improving the home’s aesthetic appeal. They could add a fresh coat of paint, upgrade appliances or replace old furniture. But what about the wires behind the walls? These might be due for a change, too.

Rewiring a home’s electrical system can help ensure that your family is protected from electrical mishaps, especially if you have an older home. A whole-house rewire involves replacing all of the old wiring throughout your home and installing a new fuse box.

Home rewiring is a highly complicated task and should not be attempted as a DIY project. That’s why you should ask a licensed electrician to handle this task. 

How Do Electricians Rewire a Whole House?

A professional electrician follows six key steps when rewiring a house, which include the following:

  • Electrical system assessment
  • Layout planning
  • Outlet and fixture marking
  • Old wiring removal
  • Read Full Post »
Comments Closed

Understanding Lawn Fertilization: Types and Schedules

. Posted by in • Houston

Lawn Fertilization

Understanding Lawn Fertilization: Types and Schedules

Maintaining a lush, vibrant lawn requires more than regular mowing and watering. One critical component of lawn care is proper lawn fertilization. Lawn fertilizers provide essential nutrients that grass needs to grow strong, green, and resilient.

This comprehensive guide explores the different types of lawn fertilizers, including liquid fertilizer, their benefits, and optimal fertilization schedules to ensure your lawn thrives throughout the year.

Understanding the fertilizer bag labels can help you choose the right product for your lawn. It’s crucial to perform a soil test to determine your lawn’s specific nutrient needs. This will guide you in selecting a fertilizer that addresses any deficiencies and provides the appropriate essential nutrients.

Knowing how much fertilizer to apply and when to do it is key to achieving a vibrant lawn. Whether you opt for granular or liquid fertilizer, following a tailored schedule can make a significant difference.

Regularly … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Moles vs Gophers: How to Tell the Difference

. Posted by • Tyler

Seeing mounds of soil, raised tunnels, or patches of dead grass in your yard can be a frustrating experience. Before taking action, it’s essential to determine exactly what you’re dealing with. While moles and gophers are both underground pests that can damage lawns and landscaping, they differ greatly in appearance, behavior, and control methods. 

Let’s break down the key differences, misconceptions, and what’s important for you to know. 

Are Moles Bad for Your Lawn?

Moles are small, insect-eating mammals that live underground. Many times, homeowners will see molehills in lawns or beds and think they are garden helpers, eliminating other pests. In reality, they can cause significant damage to the plants by tunneling and disrupting the root system. Learning to identify moles and what attracts them can help you protect your yard from damage.

Key characteristics:

  • Diet: Primarily feed on earthworms, grubs, and insects.
  • Read Full Post »
Comments Closed

Signs of Tree Roots in Your Sewer Lines

. Posted by in • Bryan-College Station
tree roots in a sewer line

Planting trees is a simple and cost-effective way to enhance your home’s curb appeal. But their benefits go beyond making your yard more attractive. Trees help clean the air around us and give us fresher air.

However, tree roots are notorious for breaking into sewer lines and causing issues with your plumbing systems. The question is, “How do you know there are tree roots in your sewer lines?” When is the right time to call in a plumber? Let’s dive into this issue.

How Tree Roots Get Into Sewer Lines

Most of the time, tree roots grow around a sewer pipe. Other times, they can break into the pipe. If you’re wondering how this happens, here are the three most common ways:

  • They find existing cracks
  • They break pipes
  • They dry out the surrounding soil

Let’s take a closer look at these.

They Find Existing Cracks

A sewer pipe degrades … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Common Lawn Diseases and How to Treat Them

. Posted by in • Houston

Common Lawn Diseases

Common Lawn Diseases and How to Treat Them

Many homeowners take pride in maintaining a lush, green lawn, but achieving this ideal can be challenging due to various common lawn diseases that affect the health and appearance of turf.

Among the most prevalent are snow mold, fungal lawn diseases, and other turf diseases. Snow mold often appears as pink snow mold or gray snow mold on your lawn during the winter and early spring when snow cover lingers.

To manage snow mold, ensure proper lawn aeration, avoid heavy fertilization before winter, and consider fungicide applications if needed. Fungal lawn diseases, such as dollar spot, brown patch, and rust, can cause discolored patches and a decline in grass health.

Other turf diseases, including leaf spot and powdery mildew, require maintaining good lawn hygiene, avoiding excessive watering, and using disease-resistant grass varieties.

Identifying specific lawn problems and addressing them promptly is crucial for … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Heater Is Not Turning On: Troubleshooting Tips

. Posted by in • Corpus Christi
a thumbnail from the video in this blog post

Homeowners rely on their heaters to keep their homes comfortable during the cold. Unfortunately, heaters can stop working out of nowhere, leaving you wondering what went wrong. The good news is that there are several ways to troubleshoot heating issues. However, it’s important to understand that all major heating system repairs should be left up to professionals. Your heater serves a vital purpose in your home and deserves the best care to ensure its longevity. If you can’t figure out why your heater isn’t turning on, contact a local HVAC repair service to inspect your system.   

Heater Is Not Turning On: Troubleshooting Tips

There are several potential reasons why your heater is not turning on. Most of them are simple fixes that homeowners can troubleshoot on their own. However, if fixing the following issues doesn’t resolve the issue, you should contact an HVAC expert to inspect your system. These steps include:

  • Read Full Post »
Comments Closed