Swimming Pool Bugs: Types and Risks They Pose

February 20, 2018. Posted by Holt Myers in Pest Control, Swimming Pool Service & Repair • Austin

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 »

What Is Fiesta San Antonio? All About This City Celebration

February 19, 2018. Posted by Les Stobart in Community • 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 »

How Plant Probiotics Promote Soil and Plant Growth

February 16, 2018. Posted by Amberlee Warner in Lawn, Lawn Care • Dallas-Fort Worth, Tyler

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 »

Common Types Of Air Filters For Your Home

February 16, 2018. Posted by Tom Riggs in Air Conditioning & Heating • San Antonio

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 »

Hummingbirds in Texas: How To Welcome Them To Your Yard

February 15, 2018. Posted by Vanessa Jenkins Green in Lawn • Houston

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 »

Benefits Of Mulching For Your Landscape

February 9, 2018. Posted by J Zambo in Lawn Care • Corpus Christi

There are all kinds of gardens in the world, and the most gorgeous ones might have many unique features—native plants that vary from region to region, for example, or a particular gardener’s own artistic stamp on the landscape design. But nearly all the world’s most lush and beautiful gardens have something in common: They use mulch to help keep undesirable weeds away and keep plants, flowers, trees and vegetables thriving. This is because every good gardener knows the benefits of mulching.

Mulch isn’t very complicated or mysterious. At its base, mulch is nothing more than a material, usually something opaque, that is applied over the soil in a garden in order to produce healthier and lower-maintenance plants. Sounds simple, right? Yet the benefits of mulching are many, and they apply to nearly all types of plants and gardens. Whether you’re mulching a flower bed or vegetable garden, applying mulch around trees … Read Full Post »

Ways To Save On Heating Costs This Winter

February 9, 2018. Posted by Tom Riggs in Air Conditioning & Heating • San Antonio

With energy costs taking up a significant portion of your utility bill, it pays to find ways to reduce your home heating bills. In this post, we’ve put together some tips describing different ways to save on heating costs that are easy and will all add up to reduce your home heating bills by a significant amount. Many of you will be relieved to hear that you don’t need to have much background on heating and cooling systems to act upon this advice, either. Some of this advice just takes a minute or two. Even small changes will add up to big savings over the course of a cold winter.

Check For Leaks

Check your air ducts for gaps, leaks or disconnects. If you have any disconnects or leaks in your ductwork, your heating bills could be 25% higher than they would be if these gaps were sealed. Most homeowners choose to hire a professional to properly diagnose and fix … Read Full Post »

Home Remedies For Dog Fleas To Protect Your Pet

February 8, 2018. Posted by Vanessa Jenkins Green in Pest Control • Orlando

Dogs are often said to be man’s best friend, and many people love having dogs as live-in companions. Indeed, these animals are a savvy homeowner’s dream: With their protective instincts and loud barking at strangers, dogs can scare off intruders and help keep your home and family safer. And what can beat that wagging tail and welcoming canine grin when you return home after a long day?

But if there’s one thing homeowners can’t stand about their furry friends, they tend to host thriving bands of tiny, bloodsucking pests. That’s right, fleas! These irritating insects aren’t just annoying—they can be dangerous since they can carry diseases and cause serious health problems for animals and humans alike. Fortunately, home remedies for dog fleas can help keep fleas and ticks at bay.

In this post, we will explore low-impact ways to manage flea infestations in your home or pet. If you are safety conscious … Read Full Post »

Texas Native Trees: Species That Thrive In Our Climate

February 6, 2018. Posted by J Zambo in Lawn, Tree Care & Trimming • Austin

Trees add to the aesthetics of your property, help reduce energy costs and improve your home’s value. But which trees are, in fact, best suited for the extreme heat and dry conditions we often experience here in Texas?

Many homeowners aren’t sure which types of trees have adapted to our climate. They may also not realize that planting these species on your property can reduce your water bills, decrease the time you spend on maintenance and lower the risk of a tree’s limbs falling because of stress from drought. Keep reading to learn more about Texas native trees, the fastest growing shade trees in Texas, Texas evergreen trees, Texas flowering trees and the most common trees in Texas.

Texas Native Trees: Low Maintenance Additions To Your Landscape

A recent study reported that about 90% of the trees found in Austin are native. The survey put the final tally of the number of trees … Read Full Post »

Preparing House For Extended Vacation: What About Your AC?

February 2, 2018. Posted by Tom Riggs in Air Conditioning & Heating • San Antonio

You’ve boarded the pets, asked the neighbors to get the mail and turned off all your appliances and lights. You’ve taken care of everything, and now you can enjoy a few weeks of well-earned vacation away from the hassles and tasks at home—but not quite. Before you hit the road, there are a few things you need to do to prepare your HVAC system for vacation.

Preparing a house for an extended vacation will keep your air conditioner in good shape and ready to resume service when you return. At the end of your vacation, the last thing you want to do is return to a hot, sweltering home and a big heating contractor bill because you failed to take a few simple precautions before leaving on your trip.

Your HVAC unit is one of the most complex pieces of machinery in your home. It’s also one of the biggest consumers of energy. Properly … Read Full Post »