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Central Texas Gardening: Your Ultimate Guide

. Posted by in , • Austin
Central Texas gardening

Look around Austin and the Texas Hill Country and you can see that this area is teeming with plant life. Trees like the Texas Ash, Cedar Elm and Arroyo Sweetwood. Shrubs like Bottlebrush and Pineapple Guavas. Flowers, yuccas, ornamental grasses and vines.

So why is it so hard to grow anything in your own yard?

Flowers wilt. Veggies never seem to get started. Even those bushes you planted in the front several years ago have barely shown any growth.

Yet somehow, your neighbors’ plants are doing just fine. It’s embarrassing. What are the secrets to Central Texas gardening?

First off, take a deep breath and stop beating yourself up so much. Setting up and maintaining a garden in and around the Hill Country is tough.

That lush plant life you see around the area? Mother Nature had to work hard for that, carefully helping plants to adapt to the rugged Central Texas landscape. And your neighbors? … Read Full Post »

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How To Fix Water Pooling In Yard And Other Drainage Issues

. Posted by in • San Antonio
How to fix water pooling in yard

Maybe you traded in your old home for a new one and didn’t notice the issue until after the first hard rain. Perhaps you took up gardening now that you have more time and the extra water you’re using seems to have led to a problem.

Whatever the reason, there are parts of your yard where water just seems to sit. You’re not quite sure why. You definitely don’t like the way it looks and also don’t like the idea of wasting water. You want to avoid having mud tracked into the house by pets or kids. Most importantly, you really don’t want your yard to become a mosquito magnet.

No one wants random, unsightly pools of water marring their yard. Here in the south, it’s an even bigger deal because our warm weather means longer mosquito seasons. Plus, when water won’t drain out of pockets in your yard, you are at a … Read Full Post »

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Help! I Have Carpenter Bees – Warning Signs & Solutions

. Posted by in • Dallas-Fort Worth, Tyler
Carpenter bees warning signs and solutions

Bees, bugs and butterflies are emerging from their winter nests seeking food and new shelter. Spring is in the air… literally.

When most of us think of bees, we think of honeybees, which are the social and mostly-beneficial insects we love and make movies about. But, there are other bee species out there and they are not all as friendly and helpful.

Carpenter bees, for instance, can cause serious structural damage and staining. While carpenter bees don’t eat wood, they burrow narrow tunnels to create chambers for rearing their offspring.

Carpenter Bees

Carpenter bees get their name from their biological ability to drill through wood. When spring comes around, female carpenter bees start to chew into dry wood, normally logs and lumber. Instead of biting into the wood for food, female carpenter bees are actually forming narrow canals for the purposes of laying eggs.

Known as galleries, these small tunnels are around 4-6 inches deep … Read Full Post »

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Dust Mites In Bed: Protecting Yourself From These Allergens

. Posted by in • Houston
Dust Mites In Bed

Imagine your bed and pillows being infested with tiny bugs measuring less than half a millimeter in length that feed off the skin cells you slough off in your sleep. Sound like a horror movie? If the thought of such a thing makes your skin crawl, you aren’t alone. Unfortunately, these little creatures aren’t something out of a sci-fi flick. They are dust mites, and dust mites in bed are prevalent and shared in many homes.

It’s natural, of course, to feel a bit horrified by the idea of harboring dust mites in bed, especially if you’re among the many folks who are allergic to these creatures. But barring a dust mite allergy, are dust mites in bed really something you need to worry about? Many people have heard they should regularly replace pillows, linens, and even mattresses to keep dust mites at bay. Perhaps you’ve been scared into frequent purchases … Read Full Post »

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6 Spring Pest Control Tips | Spring Pest Prevention

. Posted by in • Dallas-Fort Worth, Tyler
6 Spring Pest Control Tips | Spring Pest Prevention

The beginning of spring marks a time of renewal and rejuvenation. Birds are chirping, flowers are beginning to bloom, and animals are venturing out. Spring can be immensely enjoyable, but it can also bring a host of unwanted pest problems.

As we begin preparing for the spring and summer seasons, it’s important to keep pests as far away as possible.

Now that nature is bursting back to life, it’s time to start thinking about pest control tips for spring.

6 Spring Pest Control Tips

Common pests that return with new vigor in the spring include bees, ants, mosquitos, rodents and much more. Don’t let an infestation develop right under your nose.

Common Springtime Pests

  • Cockroaches
  • Ants
  • Rats & Rodents
  • Earwigs
  • Silverfish
  • Flies
  • Mosquitos
  • Bees & Wasps

Here are some things you can do to prevent common springtime pests:

  1. Year-round maintenance with Commercial Pest Control Company

From sickness and disease to damage and disgust, pests can be disastrous for many reasons.

Even if you don’t have a pest … Read Full Post »

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Swimming Pool Bugs: Types and Risks They Pose

. Posted by in , • Austin
Swimming pool bugs types

On a hot summer afternoon, it’s nice to take a dip in the pool for a brief respite from the southern heat. One day, your relaxation is interrupted by a sharp, stinging sensation. Startled, you quickly jump out of the water, then peer into your pool from the edge until you find them: water bugs.

Apparently, they sting. Or bite. Clearly, they need to go.

What should you do?

The first thing you need to realize is you’re likely to find all kinds of bugs and insects in your pool from time to time. Everything from spiders to caterpillars to ants can make their way into your pool water. Bugs are everywhere, and just like people, they can take a wrong turn and slip and fall.

These aren’t the kinds of bugs you need to worry about in your pool. While you certainly don’t want to end up swimming with a wasp, you also … Read Full Post »

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What Is Fiesta San Antonio? All About This City Celebration

. Posted by in • San Antonio
what is Fiesta San Antonio

What is Fiesta San Antonio? Fiesta is the city’s biggest annual festival to celebrate the rich culture and history of the Alamo City. More than one-fifth of Fiesta attendees come from outside of San Antonio and around three and a half million people take part in this popular celebration each year. Keep reading to learn more about Fiesta, the history behind the festival, the parades, Rey Feo and more.

History of Fiesta San Antonio

The history of Fiesta San Antonio dates back to 1891. Previously known and referred to as Fiesta San Jacinto, Fiesta San Antonio began as a flower parade. The initial idea and concept, like most parades and festivals, was meant to be a celebration. According to the Texas State Historical Association, the festival was meant to salute the heroes of the battles of the Alamo and San Jacinto; it was the brainchild of Ellen Maury Slyden, the wife of then … Read Full Post »

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How Plant Probiotics Promote Soil and Plant Growth

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth, Tyler
How Plant Probiotics Promote Soil and Plant Growth

Probiotics, basically helpful bacteria, are recommended for treating everything from digestion to depression. But probiotics aren’t just beneficial to humans. They can also maintain the balance of good and bad bacteria in plants and soil. Helpful microbes, like those found in Holganix, can help plants grow bigger, healthier, and stronger.

What are probiotics?

Probiotics are bacteria or fungi that are non-harmful or helpful. Harmful bacteria and fungi would be classified as a type of parasite.

When the bad bacteria overwhelm the good bacteria, you can get sick. The same applies to your plants and soil. It’s all about maintaining a healthy balance between the trillions of cells and microbes that make up living things.

All plants have endophytes, organisms that live between plant cells, which is normally the term used for the plant version of probiotics.

Endophytes attach themselves to plants and serve a similar purpose for plants that probiotics do for us. In the … Read Full Post »

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Common Types Of Air Filters For Your Home

. Posted by in • San Antonio
types of air filters

Is it time to change your central air conditioning filter again? Although it may sound intimidating, this routine task doesn’t have to be very difficult. As long as you know about the different types of air filters and what is required for their upkeep, you should be fine. The important things to look for in an air conditioning filter is how efficient they are and how much dust they can stop, because the last thing you need is excessive dust in your home.

If you suffer from asthma or allergies, or if you just want the air inside your home to be clean, your first instinct may be to investigate buying an air purifier. Since many air purifiers require replacement filters multiple times a year, thinking about how this appliance might fit into the equation should also be a part of your decision about how to clean the air circulating inside of your home. Although you may find it most cost-effective, especially in … Read Full Post »

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Hummingbirds in Texas: How To Welcome Them To Your Yard

. Posted by in • Houston
Hummingbirds in Texas

You are sitting on your porch, reading a book, when a hummingbird pays you a visit. The impossibly tiny bird flits from flower to flower. Then it hovers. Its wings are a blur of frantic activity while the head barely moves. After a moment, it’s gone, zipping off in search of greener pastures.

The experience is a bit of everyday magic, leaving you with a happy, contented feeling. I wish they’d come by more often, you think.

Seeing hummingbirds in your yard isn’t an everyday occurrence, but you can make hummingbird season in Texas a magical time with just a little preparation. You can do several things to attract hummingbirds and encourage them to stop by more frequently.

It starts with knowing which hummingbirds can be found in Texas–and when.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Types Of Hummingbirds In Texas
  • What Flowers Attract Hummingbirds?
  • How To Attract Hummingbirds

Types Of Hummingbirds In Texas

Believe it or not, Texas hummingbirds are … Read Full Post »

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