ABC Blog
Choose a City

What Bird Builds Nests on the Side of the House?

. Posted by in • Dallas-Fort Worth
a house sparrow

Ever woken up to chirping right outside your window, only to find a messy nest tucked under your eaves? While birds bring charm to the outdoors, their nesting habits can wreak havoc on your home. You might worry about damage to your home, health risks or the mess they leave behind. Knowing what birds build nests on the side of the house and how to handle them makes it easier to protect your property.

What Birds Build Nests on the Side of the House?

Several bird species are known for their tendency to build nests on or around houses. Identifying the culprit can help you tailor your deterrent strategies.

House Sparrows

These non-native birds, pictured above, are highly adaptable to urban environments. They favor building messy, globular nests made of grass, string, paper and twigs in any available opening, including vents, gutters and eaves.

European Starlings

Like house sparrows, starlings, pictured above, are non-native birds that … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

What Do Fleas Eat?

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
a flea on skin

Fleas are parasites that feed on the blood of humans and animals. However, you may be surprised to learn that blood is not the only thing fleas eat. Flea larvae have a different diet from flea adults. It’s helpful for homeowners to understand the feeding habits of these pests so that they can quickly identify a flea infestation.

The most effective and efficient way to deal with a flea problem is to call in a pest control service . The experts have the tools and experience to reach even the most hard-to-find fleas.

What Do Fleas Eat?

Fleas are parasitic insects that attach to a host to feed on their blood. They have various host options but primarily attach to household pets like cats and dogs.

Pets who spend time outside are more susceptible to flea infestations, so it’s important to remember to give your pets their flea-prevention medication. Understanding what flea bites look … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

How Many Legs Do Scorpions Have?

. Posted by in • Bryan-College Station
a scorpion

If spiders make you jump and your hairs stand on end, you won’t like their cousin, the scorpion. Armed with claws and a stinger, scorpions scare many homeowners. With around 50 species living in the US, you may spot one of these creepy crawlies wandering around your home.

The good news is most scorpion species are harmless to humans. However, their stings are still painful. Contact pest control professionals if you see this arachnid in your home. That way, the experts can manage the scorpion population on your property. Aside from scorpions, pest control specialists also know how to deal with other creepy crawlies like the southern house spider .

Here’s How to Identify Scorpions

Scorpions look like lobsters and crabs because they belong to the same group, Phylum Arthropoda. However, not many people know that scorpions have even closer ties to spiders, belonging to the same subgroup Arachnida. It may not be … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Maintaining Your Pool in Extreme Weather Conditions

. Posted by in • Houston
Pool Maintenance

Pool Maintenance

Maintaining Your Pool in Extreme Weather Conditions

Owning a swimming pool brings immense enjoyment, but it also requires a commitment to ensure proper pool maintenance, especially during extreme weather conditions. From scorching summer heat to freezing winter temperatures and from heavy rains to strong winds, each weather condition impacts your swimming pools differently.

This guide will cover essential strategies for effectively maintaining your pool throughout various extreme weather scenarios, ensuring its longevity and functionality. Following a pool cleaning schedule and performing regular tasks to keep the pool clean will help keep your pool filter and other equipment in top shape, making sure your pool remains a source of fun and relaxation year-round.

Preparing Your Pool for Extreme Heat

Extreme heat can stress both the pool’s water and equipment. Proper swimming pool maintenance during these conditions is crucial to keep your swimming pool in top condition. High temperatures can accelerate the … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Are Raccoons Nocturnal?

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth
a raccoon

Some people find raccoons adorable, while others think they are terrifying. Whatever you think, most of us can agree that we don’t want raccoons taking over our property. These intelligent and curious creatures can quickly become nuisances, raiding garbage bins and creating messes in our yards. They can also damage our homes and gardens, and carry rabies and leptospirosis.

Even if you find these masked, bushy-tailed creatures cute, keeping them off your property is important. Contact wildlife control specialists if you have raccoons loitering in your yard. These professionals have the tools and expertise to manage their population and determine them from your property. They can also answer other pest-related questions like, “ How many times can a skunk spray?”

Here’s What You Should Know About Raccoons

If you suspect raccoons are wreaking havoc in your yard but you can’t catch them in the act, that might be because of their sleeping habits. … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

How to Start a Community Garden in Your Neighborhood

. Posted by in • Houston
A Complete Guide

How to Start a Community Garden in Your Neighborhood: A Complete Guide

Starting a community garden is an exciting project that brings people together, grows fresh food, and enhances your local area. To begin, form a garden group with friends, family members, or neighbors who share your interest.

Find a suitable location, such as a vacant lot, park, or backyard, ensuring it gets enough sunlight and has good soil. Contact local nonprofit organizations for advice or resources to support your project. Collect natural resources like soil, compost, seeds, and tools, and seek support from grocery stores for donations or discounts.

Once you have everything, prepare the soil by clearing weeds and adding compost to enrich it. Plan the layout of your garden, leaving space for walking paths and ensuring that all plants receive sufficient light.

Choose easy-to-grow vegetables such as tomatoes, lettuce, and carrots, and follow planting instructions. Regular maintenance is key: water … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Can Weevils Fly?

. Posted by in • Dallas-Fort Worth
a weevil on a leaf

Weevils are tiny beetles known for infesting dried foods such as grains and flour. But can weevils fly? The answer depends on the species.

Weevil infestations spread rapidly, so it’s important to act quickly if you spot weevils in your food. Throw the infested food away immediately, clean out your pantry and call in a pest control specialist to control the weevil population.

Can Weevils Fly?

Can weevils fly? The answer is not cut and dry, as some weevil species can fly and some cannot. However, the two weevil species that commonly infest pantry items, the rice weevil and the maize weevil, do fly.

One way that weevils can reach your panty items is by flying. They can also enter a home if you have purchased a package at the grocery store that they have infested. They enter your home by flying through your vents, windows or doors and then find their way to … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

The Benefits of Participating in Local Clean-Up Events

. Posted by in • Houston
The Benefits of Participating in Local Clean-Up Events

Participating in local clean-up events is a great way to make a positive impact in your community. These events often involve people coming together to clean up parks, beaches, and local waterways, helping to keep them beautiful and safe.

Coordinate:

Joining these clean-ups is simple. Just look for local announcements or social media posts about upcoming events, and you can sign up to participate.

History:

Clean-up events have been around for decades, starting as small neighborhood efforts and growing into larger community initiatives. They help raise awareness about environmental issues and encourage people to take responsibility for their surroundings.

Money:

Many clean-up events are free to join, though some might ask for a small donation to cover supplies like gloves and trash bags. Often, local businesses or organizations sponsor these events to support the community.

Easy to Understand:

These clean-up events are a fun way to get involved, meet new friends, and make a difference. Just bring some … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Do Birds Eat Cicadas?

. Posted by in • Dallas-Fort Worth
a bird

Are you seeing an uptick of cicadas around your yard? These noisy pests come out in droves during the warmer months.

Many bird species enjoy eating cicadas because they are abundant during the summertime. Their size makes them easy to trap and provides nutritional value to birds.

It’s also important to know that having too many birds on your property has downsides. Birds are noisy, can cause property damage, and may become aggressive when they feel threatened.

Do Birds Eat Cicadas?

Many bird species do eat cicadas, including chickadees, bluebirds, cardinals, sparrows, woodpeckers, crows, hawks and more. Birds are carnivores that seek high-protein meals, which cicadas can provide. Cicadas are also easy for birds to catch, especially in the summer months when they’re everywhere.

If you’ve noticed an influx of pesky cicadas on your property, birds may help keep the population in check. However, even though birds may help reduce the number of cicadas on … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

The Benefits of Regular Power Washing for Your Home

. Posted by in • Houston
The Benefits of Regular Power Washing for Your Home

Power washing is a powerful cleaning technique that uses a pressure washer to blast away dirt, grime, and other unwanted substances from various surfaces around your home. This tool sprays water at high pressure, which can clean everything from driveways and sidewalks to decks and house exteriors. It’s like giving your home a supercharged shower!

One of the best things about power washing is how quickly and effectively it gets rid of stubborn stains and buildup. Whether it’s mold on your siding or oil stains on your driveway, power washing can make surfaces look brand new. Plus, it’s much easier than scrubbing by hand and can save you a lot of time.

If you’re curious about how it works and why it’s so beneficial, keep reading to learn all about this handy tool and its advantages! From making your home look fresh to extending the life of your surfaces, power washing is … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed