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How to Spot and Initiate the Proper Houston Bed Bug Treatment

. Posted by in , • Houston

Houston Bed Bug Treatment

According to the Mayo Clinic, it can be difficult to distinguish Bed Bug bites from other insect bites. In general, the sites of Bed Bug bites usually are:

Red
Itchy
Arranged in a rough line or in a cluster
Located on the face, neck, arms and hands

Some people do not react at all to Bed Bug bites, while others experience an allergic reaction that can include severe itching, blisters or hives.

When to see a doctor
See your doctor for professional treatment if you experience allergic reactions or severe skin reactions to your Bed Bug bites. Here are five signs of a Bed Bug infestation in your home.

1. RED STAINS ON BEDDING OR MATTRESS
It’s possible to kill Bed Bugs while feeding or just after you move around or roll over in bed. The red stains are left on your bedding or mattress when Bed Bugs are crushed. This is easy to see if … Read Full Post »

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Natural Solutions for Austin Safe Pest Control

. Posted by in , • Austin

Though we offer some chem-free options for pest control, some pest issues may not be severe enough to need professional help. For those little nuisances around the house, here are some natural solutions for safe pest control around your Austin home.

Ants

  • Cucumbers – Did you know that some kinds of ants have a natural aversion to cucumber? Try setting out some cucumber slices in the kitchen to keep away these pesky ants.
  • Soapy Water – Put some soapy water into a spray bottle as a pesticide-free way to rid ants from your countertops.
  • Spices & Scents – If you know where the ants are coming in from, try tracing the ant column back to their point of entry. In this area, place one of these at the entry: cayenne pepper, citrus oil, lemon juice, cinnamon or coffee grounds. These items act as deterrents in which ants will not usually cross.

Cockroaches

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Five FALSE Fort Worth Pest Control Solutions for Fire Ants

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth

In most typical cases it takes six months for a fire ant mound to become visible. In Texas, there are hundreds of different ways to get rid of fire ants, or so we’re told. The fact is that most fire ant home remedies are bogus. Here are some of our ABC Fort Worth Pest Control favorites.

1. Pour club soda on the mound and the CO2 will kill everything. False. The thought is that the CO2 will replace the air in the mound, but it is doubtful that the amount of CO2 in a bottle of soda would be able to actually penetrate deep enough to smother the entire colony.

2. Household products like bleach or gasoline will wipe fire ants out. False. These products are not labeled for controlling fire ants and can prove dangerous to your children and pets.

3. Pour boiling water on the mound. False. Boiling water will kill a few … Read Full Post »

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Spider Myths: Separating Fact from Fiction

. Posted by in , • Houston
spider myths

The truth about spiders is that they are more closely related to ticks, scorpions, and fleas than insects. Nearly all spiders are poisonous, although some species’ venom is barely toxic. The silk spiders produce to make their webs is the strongest-known natural fiber on the planet. The tensile strength of a single strand is more significant than bone and about half as strong as steel. Many misconceptions and urban myths exist about spiders. Which are true and which are not?

Spider Myths: Separating Fact from Fiction

For many of us, spiders are creepy crawlies we’d much rather avoid. This may be why there are many myths about spiders. Let’s look at some of the more common superstitions about these eight-legged animals.

Are Brown Recluse Spiders Deadly?

Of the 4,000 known spider species found in America, there are a few many of us are familiar with by name. One is the brown recluse spider, probably … Read Full Post »

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Dallas Lawn and Garden Pest Control

. Posted by in , , • Dallas-Fort Worth

Some might say that Dallas is a city that never sleeps, but neither do the pests that live there. Though it may seem that winter brings a welcomed break from pests that seem to thrive during the hotter parts of the year, winter has its fair share of pests as well. The kinds of pests you encounter will vary throughout the year. This guide will help you know what to expect, no matter what season.  We hope this will give your Dallas lawn and garden pest control activities a boost.

 

SPRING / SUMMER

  • Summer is also a very active time of year for insects. Depending on the humidity and temperature, termites continue to swarm well into the summer months. Ants will also continue to swarm well into July.
  • Cockroaches are seen more frequently indoors during summer because they are searching out more favorable conditions such as moisture and lower temperatures.
  • Isopods (pillbugs) continue to … Read Full Post »

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Possum Control

. Posted by in , • Houston

Opossums are frequently considered a nuisance in and around the garden, mainly when they feed on or trample plants. They can also rummage through garbage cans or “steal” your pets’ food. How to get rid of an opossum can be tricky, but with a bit of perseverance, the backyard possum may be convinced to move elsewhere.

Backyard Possum Control

The best way to combat opossum problems is to understand their habits. While they prefer wooded areas or open fields near streams, they will reside in abandoned burrows; tree crevices; brush piles; or areas beneath steps, decks, and outbuildings.

These animals are also nocturnal, typically active only at night, sleeping throughout the day. This can make it difficult to “see” the intruder attacking your garden. However, they usually leave some telltale signs of their presence through droppings, tracks, overturned pet food dishes or garbage cans, and plant damage. The backyard possum is also considered … Read Full Post »

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Carpenter Ants

. Posted by in , • Austin

Description: Fourteen species of carpenter ants occur in Texas. The largest species is the black carpenter ant,Camponotus pennsylvanicus (Fabricius) and is found primarily in wooded areas outdoors. Common indoor species,Camponotus rasilis Wheeler and C. sayi Emery, have workers that are dull red bodied with black abdomens. Worker ants range in size from 1/4 to 1/2-inch. They can be distinguished from most other large ant species because the top of the thorax is evenly convex and bears no spines. Also the attachment between the thorax and abdomen (pedicel) has but a single flattened segment.

Winged reproductive carpenter ants should not be confused with winged termites (Isoptera). Ants have elbowed antennae, distinctly veined wings of different sizes (large forewings and small hind wings) and a narrow portion of the body (waist) between the thorax and abdomen. The acrobat ants, Crematogaster sp., also occasionally nest in wood. These ants are much smaller and have a heart-shaped abdomen that is often held up over their bodies. They … Read Full Post »

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What Bed Bugs Are & What They Do

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth

If you ever heard that nursery rhyme “Good night, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite,” you know these critters bite in the night. But most of us never heard of them in real life until now.

Some fast facts…

•              Life Stages: Eggs hatch into nymphs. Newly hatched nymphs are tiny—about 1/16th of an inch.

•              Nymphs—which look like small adults—become adults in 5 weeks. They go through 5 molts to reach adult size—meaning they shed their old, smaller skin 5 times. They must feed before each molt.

•              Females can produce 5-7 eggs per week, laying up to 500 in a lifetime.

•              Bed bugs grow fastest and lay most eggs at about 80°F.

•              They feed only on blood.

•              They feed when people are sleeping or sitting quietly, often when it’s dark.

•              They seek shelter in cracks and crevices when not feeding.

•              They poop out “blood spots.” Spots look like dots made by a fine felt-tipped marker. You’d see them … Read Full Post »

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Tips for dealing with Drought

. Posted by in , , • Houston

We’re experiencing a drought close to becoming a record-setter for this time of year in Houston. Here are some of ABC’s tips for keeping your outdoor environment in good shape.

Watering and Irrigation

-If you have an irrigation system, ensure all zones and sprinkler heads operate correctly and cover adequately.

-For most lawns, watering a couple of times weekly is adequate.  Plant beds may need additional watering, especially if they drain well.

-Over-watering is detrimental, contributing to several root-damaging diseases and yellow, weak plants.

Mowing

– St. Augustine grass needs to be mowed weekly. Higher mowing helps St. Augustine conserve moisture.  Shorter mowing heights shock St. Augustine, forcing it to expend energy and moisture, growing new blades and ultimately weakening and thinning it.

-Bermuda and Zoysia lawns are healthier and cut much shorter and more often.

-Make sure your mower blade is sharp, reducing moisture loss.  Dull mower blades fray the ends of the grass blades, allowing rapid … Read Full Post »

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Top 10 Bug Infested States

. Posted by in , • Austin

We’re #3!!! Congratulations Texas, you have the 3rd largest bug population in the United States. Take that North Dakota (or should we say #44)!

But seriously, this was a survey done of homeowners on how bad of a problem bugs are in their area. And according to you guys, the only two states with more problems are Florida(#1) and Louisiana(#2). So why is that? Why is it that Texas is #3?

1. It’s hot! And even when the rest of the country has cooled off it’s still warm here. (Besides last Christmas, I can’t remember the last time I didn’t wear shorts on Christmas Day). Constant warmth throughout the year creates a perfect environment for bugs.

2. Humidity. It can be a beating in the DFW area, but go down to Houston or Austin during the summer and take a step outside-you’re automatically drenched. That is exactly the type of moisture that bugs … Read Full Post »

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