ABC Blog

How Long Does It Take for Termites to Do Damage?

termites

Are you dealing with termites? If you’re noticing signs of wood damage around your home, you may have a termite infestation.

Termites can cause damage for months or years before homeowners notice them. In fact, most homeowners don’t identify a termite infestation until a year or two after the termites first arrived. The reason for this is that termites chew wood from the inside out and are stealthy pests that remain out of sight.

Because of their unseen activity, termites are hard pests to control. It’s important to work with a pest control specialist to control a termite population fully. Experts have the tools and experience to offer solutions for controlling termites.

How Long Does It Take for Termites to Do Damage?

How long does it take for termites to do damage? The length of time depends on several factors, such as the size of the termite colony, the type of termites, what they … Read Full Post »

What Do Red Fire Ants Eat?

a group of red fire ants on a rock

With their bites and destructive behaviors, red fire ants are a headache for homeowners. Red fire ants can take over lawns, gardens and sidewalks, building unsightly mounds to grow their colonies.

From their underground fortresses, they march into flower beds, snack on cat food and raid your pantry for anything sweet like honey, syrup or soda. And if you don’t deal with them, their colonies can multiply like crazy.

These insects hate the cold, so they mostly live in warmer climates, where the temperature is just right for nesting. If you’ve seen reddish-brown ants marching in long, determined lines, chances are, red fire ants are making themselves at home. When this happens, it’s time to contact pest control professionals for help controlling red fire ants.

What Do Red Fire Ants Eat?

For starters, red fire ants aren’t picky eaters. Just like the tawny crazy ant, red fire ants will devour almost anything. Their ability … Read Full Post »

Why Are There So Many Mosquitoes in Dallas?

Dallas, Texas skyline

As homeowners in Dallas, Texas, know we have large mosquito populations. Unfortunately, our city offers the conditions that mosquitoes love: warm, humid weather, plenty of rain and mild winters.

Contact a pest control service if you’re dealing with a mosquito problem on your property.

Why Are There So Many Mosquitoes in Dallas?

Mosquitoes thrive in hot and humid climates, so Dallas is an ideal home for these pests.

Dallas has so many mosquitoes because the city has warm weather nearly year-long, with summertime temperatures consistently over 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Dallas also enjoys fairly mild winters, which allows mosquitoes to have an extra-long breeding season.

Cold weather can significantly reduce mosquito populations, which is why they like to reside in warmer places like Dallas.

Another factor is humidity. Mosquitoes require moisture to breed, and humid air creates the perfect damp environment. In Dallas, humidity remains high in the spring, summer and fall seasons. Mosquitoes can reproduce and … Read Full Post »

What You Need to Know About Black Carpet Beetles

a black carpet beetle

As a homeowner, you might be worried about black carpet beetles, since their larvae can cause damage to your belongings. The black carpet beetle, or Attagenus unicolor, is a common household pest. Black carpet beetle larvae eat just about anything, from animal by-products (wool, hides and feathers) to natural fibers and plant products (vegetables, grains and cereals).

If you’re dealing with a black carpet beetle problem, your best option is to contact pest control professionals to handle these pests. You can also ask them questions like, “When do mosquitoes come out?”

What Do Black Carpet Beetles Look Like?

Adult black carpet beetles are small, oval-shaped insects, typically one-eighth to three-sixteenths of an inch long. They are dark brown or black, with a shiny, smooth appearance. Their larvae are light brown to black and covered in bristly hairs, growing up to a quarter inch long. The larvae have a long, elongated and carrot-shaped body … Read Full Post »

How Small Are Termites?

termites

Have you ever seen a termite? These pests are hard to spot, especially since they spend most of their lives staying out of sight from humans. However, it’s still important for homeowners to learn about the appearance of termites, such as how small they are and what termites look like.

If you suspect a termite infestation in your home, contact a pest control company.

How Small Are Termites?

How small are termites? There are several species of termites, like subterranean and drywood termites, but they are all small pests. In fact, termites only range in size from one-eighth to three-eighths of an inch long. The tiniest termites are around the size of a grain of rice while larger termites are near the size of a paper clip.

While understanding the size of termites is helpful, it’s important for homeowners to know other aspects of termites’ appearance. The more you know, the easier it will … Read Full Post »

Do Carpenter Ants Have Two Sets of Wings?

a carpenter ant with wings

Can you identify carpenter ants? The more homeowners know about their appearance, the easier it is to spot and control a carpenter ant infestation. One interesting feature of carpenter ants is that some of them have two sets of wings while others have no wings at all.

If you have a carpenter ant problem, contact a pest control specialist. They will find the nest, treat the colony and can put prevention methods in place to stop the carpenter ants from returning.

Do Carpenter Ants Have Two Sets of Wings?

Do carpenter ants have two sets of wings? The answer depends on the type of carpenter ant. For example, worker carpenter ants do not have any wings.

Reproductive carpenter ants, on the other hand, do have two sets of wings. This type of carpenter ant is also known as the alates. They are the ants that leave their colony to mate and form new colonies.

Alates … Read Full Post »

How to Get Rid of Weevils

two weevils

If finding weevils in your home makes you cringe, you’re not alone. Imagine opening your pantry and finding tiny bugs crawling all over your flour, rice or pasta. Unfortunately, finding weevils in your home is more common than you think.

Weevils are small and sneaky intruders, but their impact can feel overwhelming. They sometimes arrive in unopened packages or squeeze through small gaps in containers. Once they’re in, they multiply quickly, and a minor problem soon becomes a full-blown infestation.

If you have a problem with these pests, don’t panic. Contact pest control professionals if you notice weevils in your home. These experts have the skills and experience to handle even persistent infestations.

Identifying Weevils and Infested Food

The first step in dealing with weevils is identifying their presence in your home. Weevils are attracted to moisture and feed on grains, nuts and dried fruits. Therefore, you’ll most likely find them around the kitchen … Read Full Post »

The Role of Mulching in Lawn Health

Mulching in Lawn Health

Mulching in Lawn Health

The Role of Mulching in Lawn Health

Mulching is a fundamental practice in maintaining a healthy lawn and promoting overall lawn health. By incorporating mulch into your lawn care routine, you can significantly enhance the vitality and appearance of your yard. Regularly mulching grass clippings from your lawn mower is one effective way to achieve this.

As you mow, instead of bagging and disposing of lawn clippings, continue collecting grass clippings and let them naturally decompose on the lawn. This practice not only returns valuable nutrients to the soil but also helps to mulch clippings, enhancing the overall health of your lawn.

A lawn healthy and thriving yard benefits immensely from the proper use of mulch. Mulch grass from mowed lawns provides a natural layer that protects and enriches the soil. By allowing grass clippings to remain on the lawn, you can avoid the need for additional fertilizers, … Read Full Post »

Creative Landscaping Ideas for Small Spaces

Small Space Landscaping

Small Space Landscaping

Creative Landscaping Ideas for Small Spaces

Designing a beautiful and functional landscape in small spaces can be both a challenge and a rewarding experience. Whether you’re working with a tiny yard or a modest small backyard, creative landscaping ideas can make the most of your limited square footage. In this guide, we’ll explore various strategies to transform your small garden or small patio into a stunning and practical outdoor retreat.

Small yard landscaping presents unique opportunities to enhance the charm and functionality of your outdoor area. One effective approach is to establish focal points that draw the eye and create visual interest. Adding a fire pit or a stylish deck can serve as a central feature in your front yard or backyard, making the space more inviting and functional.

Incorporating a flower garden is another way to add beauty and vibrancy to a small area. Choose plants that add … Read Full Post »

Are Termites Attracted to Light?

termites

Termites are elusive pests that are hard to spot, which is why it’s important for homeowners to learn as much as possible about their behavior. Whether or not termites are attracted to light is a common question because homeowners often spot flying termites around light sources.

Some termites are attracted to light, but turning your lights off is not an effective way to deal with a termite problem.

Are Termites Attracted to Light?

Are termites attracted to light? The answer is yes, termites are attracted to light when they are swarming.

Swarming can occur during the spring and summer when swarmer termites leave their colonies to mate and start new colonies. Unlike soldier and worker termites, swarmer termites have wings and will find a mate in the air.

If there is an active termite colony on your property during swarm season, you may see a termite swarm or notice the aftermath of a termite swarm. … Read Full Post »