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Bugs fascinate children; they love to watch an ant groom itself, a bee gather nectar, or a spider build its web. On the opposite end of the spectrum, adult attitudes toward insects are generally negative — the ant is a nuisance and the bee might sting!

Through these attitudes we send our children a clear, subconscious message that insects are unsafe, unclean, and unappealing. Most children adopt this viewpoint before they leave elementary school that the “only good bug is a dead bug.”

Although we work hard to rid your home of pests, we are insect lovers at heart! We see great value in what insects do for our ecosystem, and want to let you know that not all bugs are pests!

Aside from ladybugs (which are considered cute) and butterflies (they’re pretty), most insects are regarded with a certain degree of fear or revulsion. A few, like honey bees and praying mantis, may be recognized as useful, but all others are just pests.

This notion of pest is unique to humans. We define pests as any organism that causes annoyance or injury to human beings, human possessions, or human interests. The injury may be physical (bites and stings), medical (causing illness or disease), or economic (monetary loss of goods or property). Injury may arise directly from the pest itself, or may develop indirectly as a result of the actions or behavior of the pest.

In reality, many of the insects we label as pests are essential components of our natural ecosystem — we don’t want to live with them, but neither could we live without them!

Termites, for example, are serious pests when they move into the floor joists of a home. An infestation may cost hundreds of dollars to eradicate, and if ignored, could eventually destroy the house. So of course we want to respond to this pest situation.
However, in a forest ecosystem, termites are beneficial. They are a vital component of the biogeochemical cycle that releases nutrients from dead plant material. Without termites and other decomposers living on the forest floor, organic molecules would be locked away in piles of dead wood, unavailable to living organisms until released by fire or erosion.

A fear of insects is quite normal. Some people are so afraid of insects that it can affect their ability to function normally in society due to entomophobia. People with severe entomophobia are frequently confined to their homes; they are unable to enjoy gardening, walking in the woods, or visiting the beach because they dread an encounter with an insect. Psychiatrists estimate that 1-2% of the adult U.S. population is affected by some degree of entomophobia that limits activity or interferes with quality of life.

Of course we’re not suggesting you halt all pest control services, and live amongst the bugs! Protect your home when necessary, but appreciate the beauty of all creatures living amongst us in their natural environment.

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Do I need to brush my pool regularly?

Your pool maintenance brush attaches to the telescopic pole, and is most commonly used to brush algae off of the walls. To quote the Pool Janitor; “Plaster pools like to be brushed…” Brushing your pool will keep dirt from occupying the small pores and starting small organic farms. Steel bristled brushes, called algae brushes, are very effective on, you guessed it, algae. Do not use a steel brush on a vinyl lined pool.

Done regularly, brushing can also reduce the time spent vacuuming. Brush from the shallow end towards the deep end in overlapping strokes. Circle the pool towards the main drain, and much of the dirt will be swept up into the filter in this manner.

If your pool needs go beyond what you have the time for, give us a call! Don’t forget to pair your pool services with Fire Ant Control or Weed Maintenance!

Information Courtesy: www.poolcenter.com

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When I vacuum, the dirt passes right through…

When doing some pool cleaning and vacuuming fine, silty dirt or debris, you may notice a cloudy stream of dirt coming back into the pool via the return. This can continue slowly, long after you stop vacuuming, and can create a frustrating cycle for the pool janitor at your pool. More common in sand filters than in other types, the dirt can be pushed right through the filter, especially one which may need a sand replacement. Indeed, this situation may indicate internal filter problems. It may also indicate a problem with the filter control valve. Old, loose multiport or push-pull valves can allow water to bypass the filter and return to the pool unfiltered. For more info on valves, click on link.

Another possibility is that the pump is oversized for the filter, and is pushing the water so hard, it pushes dirt right through the filter medium. A sand filter actually works a little better when it’s a little dirty; the added dirt helps to trap more dirt, so don’t backwash prior to vacuuming a pool with a sand filter. You may also use filter aids, added through the skimmer, which provide a gelatinous layer on top of the sand bed to help trap dirt. Another tip is to vacuum to waste, especially if the debris is a fine silt that can clog the filter quickly. To do this, overfill the pool first, and set the multiport valve to the ‘Drain’/ ‘Vacuum to Waste’ position. Roll out the backwash hose, and vacuum the dirt (and water) right out of the pool…to waste.

If your pool needs go beyond what you have the time for, give us a call! Don’t forget to pair your pool services with Fire Ant Control or Weed Maintenance!

Information Courtesy: www.poolcenter.com

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Austin ABC Home and Commercial Services knows that keeping customers happy is critical to success.  ABC strives to go above and beyond for customer service as evident by these recent testimonials from satisfied Austin AC and Heating clients.

Visit our website Austin Home and Commercial Services for a no obligation quote for any type of home and commercial needs you may have.

Our staff is the difference between ourselves and the competition. All of ABC’s employees go through background checks, drug screenings, multi-interviews, and extensive training before they are sent out to service accounts. Our ongoing training for our staff is arguably the best in the industry.

If you ever thought about planting trees in your front lawn, you know how it will help the environment and clean the air around you. Did you ever consider how investing in tree service Austin could affect your utility bills and property value?

Because trees near your home reduce wind exposure, strategically placed trees can reduce your Austin heating and cooling bills by up to 9% in a year.

If you have a tree near a large office building, shade can reduce energy bills by up to 40%. While the trees lower your bills, they are also reducing your summer heat woes by about 9 degrees.

In addition to lowering your bills, planting trees around your home in the appropriate areas can add 1% to the sales price of your property per year. Not only are you investing in the future of your home with proper tree planting and care, you are also reducing the potential risk of flooding on your property.

One tree in your yard can intercept about 760 gallons of rainwater, which reduces runoff and prevents flooding.

As if lowering your bills, keeping you cool, and raising the value of your property weren’t enough, some studies have shown that trees in urban areas improve cognitive function, reduce crime, promote a more active lifestyle (thus improving health), and provide a sense of accomplishment to your community.

Children who play in green spaces display a lower incidence of ADHD symptoms and improved performance in school.

Wow!

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Source: http://www.onetoteonetree.org/Surprising-facts-about-the-significance-of-trees-in-our-community

If you ever thought about planting trees in your front lawn, you know how it will help the environment and clean the air around you. However, did you ever consider how investing in trees and maintaining them through San Antonio Landscape services could affect your utility bills and property value?

Because trees near your home reduce wind exposure, strategically placed trees can reduce your San Antonio heating and cooling bills by up to 9% in a year.

If you have a tree near a large office building, shade can reduce energy bills by up to 40%. While the trees lower your bills, they are also reducing your summer heat woes by about 9 degrees.

In addition to lowering your bills, planting trees around your home in the appropriate areas can add 1% to the sales price of your property per year. Not only are you investing in the future of your home with proper tree planting and care, you are also reducing the potential risk of flooding on your property.

One tree in your yard can intercept about 760 gallons of rainwater, which reduces runoff and prevents flooding.

As if lowering your bills, keeping you cool, and raising the value of your property weren’t enough, some studies have shown that trees in urban areas improve cognitive function, reduce crime, promote a more active lifestyle (thus improving health), and provide a sense of accomplishment to your community.

Children who play in green spaces display a lower incidence of ADHD symptoms and improved performance in school.

Wow!

 LINK TO SHARE:  http://goo.gl/FdAsp

Source: http://www.onetoteonetree.org/Surprising-facts-about-the-significance-of-trees-in-our-community

With the summer months quickly approaching, HOT weather is on the top of our minds. Along with praying that our AC units fire up when needed. The last thing you want to deal with in the middle of the night is a broken air conditioner. Come to think of it, there are many home and business needs – from Plumbing to AC and Electrical – that can’t always wait until morning.

At ABC Home and Commercial Services in Austin, we respond to emergency HVAC, Plumbing and Electrical calls 24 hours a day – from both our Commercial and Residential clients.

Just call the main line (512.837.9500) and follow the prompt for what to dial for the current emergency line.

Someone will take your call at any time during the day or night, and walk you through describing the issue.  If it is a true emergency that can not wait until normal business hours, we will send someone out to your home or place of business for a small fee. If it something that can wait until the next morning, we will be happy to put you on the schedule without an additional charge.

It’s the job of our Specialists to keep your life and your environment running smoothly!

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My tiles have crusty white deposits…

Called efflorescence, this calcium deposit usually originates from grout or setting mortar. To remove, scrape it off the tile/wall, and/or acid wash it. There are products available such as CLR (Calcium, Lime, Rust remover), which can be purchased at your local hardware store, will work well for such tasks.

Another method for removing calcium deposits is the pumice stone. Pumice is a light porous glassy lava stone that can be rubbed over a pool stain to remove it. You can get a pumice stone that can attach to your tele-pole or a pumice stone that has a handle you can swim with. Works great on cement stains, berry stains and paint.

ABC’s professionally trained Pool & Spa technicians pride themselves in keeping your pool or spa in top working condition. Whether you’re looking for dependable maintenance and upkeep or timely repairs, we’ve got you covered with the quality service you’ve come to expect from the ABC family. 

If your pool needs go beyond what you have the time for, give us a call! Don’t forget to pair your pool services withFire Ant Control or Weed Maintenance!

Information Courtesy: www.poolcenter.com

http://goo.gl/3akLW

My plaster is stained …

Dirt, leaf tannins, rust and other minerals can stain the finish of your plastered pool. If the stain is organic; left from a leaf or acorn for example, a small amount of granular chlorine added at that location and allowed to settle on the stain will usually remove it instantly. Other non-organic stains will not be removed by chlorine. Do not place chlorine tablets directly into the pool…they will stain and etch the plaster.

If chlorine doesn’t work, acid usually will. Draining and acid washing will remove a thin layer of plaster (and stains), exposing fresh, new looking plaster beneath. A No-Drain acid wash can also be performed, with varying results. For localized stains , a stain master tool can be used to deliver acid directly to the stain. Stains can also be sanded with pumice stones or wet/dry sandpaper.

ABC’s professionally trained Pool & Spa technicians pride themselves in keeping your pool or spa in top working condition. Whether you’re looking for dependable maintenance and upkeep or timely repairs, we’ve got you covered with the quality service you’ve come to expect from the ABC family. 

If your pool needs go beyond what you have the time for, give us a call! Don’t forget to pair your pool services with Fire Ant Control or Weed Maintenance!

Information Courtesy: www.poolcenter.com

http://goo.gl/YP1J7