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Pruning Pointers for Healthy, Happy Trees

Smart tree grooming starts with great pruning

Your trees don’t ask for much. They’re content with a well-fertilized lawn and regular watering during our hot San Antonio summers. They also enjoy annual pruning, but they hope you don’t confuse that with a trim. While both should always be on your landscaping to-do list, it’s important to understand the difference. A trim lightly shapes your trees, but pruning keeps them strong and beautiful.

Why Your Trees Care

Shape counts, but pruning is an important part of healthy tree maintenance. Making the right cut frees your shady friends from dead branches, and it helps control disease. That backyard crop of apples and pears depends on your lopper to encourage blooms for an abundant harvest. Most area trees appreciate their pruning from February through early spring. However, midwinter is the best time to work on live oaks because the cold weather discourages the spread of wilt … Read Full Post »

The Ancient Romans Had a Goddess of Sewers and Drains

Her name was Cloacina, and she meant business

Ancient mythology is filled with some incredible characters, but few are as memorable as the Romans’ goddess of sewers and drains. Known as Cloacina, she was initially imagined to have presided over the city of Rome’s Cloaca Maxima, the city’s primary drainage tube. Over time, she came to be known as the patron of many additional things, including actual sewage, sexual intercourse between spouses and personal cleanliness.

A Brief History of Rome’s Sewers

As one of the ancient world’s most advanced civilizations, Rome has a long history of public sanitation. Along with its satellites, the city had open sewers since its founding. Beginning in the 6th century B.C., engineers constructed the first segments of covered sewers within the city limits. As Rome expanded, its sewer system grew along with it. Although its drains and tubes have mostly been filled in or built over, modern Rome … Read Full Post »

Bug Myths That Are Totally False (and a Few That Are Shockingly True)

Debunking common hoaxes and exploring interesting bug facts

Everyone has heard so-called facts about bugs that have made their skin crawl, but the reality is that most of this information is completely false. Fortunately, we have the proper pest control knowledge and experience to help people in the Austin area determine which common sayings are myths and which are actually facts.

The Most Popular Bug Myths

We Swallow Spiders in Our Sleep

Almost everyone has heard some version of this story. The amount of spiders that we swallow in our sleep every year supposedly ranges from 8 to 15. This is a terrifying thought, especially for those who suffer from arachnophobia. Well, we’re pleased to announce that there’s absolutely no truth to this myth. The reality is that it would be extremely unlikely for you to end up swallowing one spider while you’re asleep during your entire life.

Bed Bugs Are Caused by Poor Sanitation

Some … Read Full Post »

May Is Lyme Disease Awareness Month: Is Your Family Safe?

According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 300,000 people in the United States alone will be diagnosed with Lyme disease this year. Since May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month, now is a great time to learn what you need to know to protect your family from one of the country’s most widespread infectious conditions.

Despite being one of the most frequently reported infectious diseases in the country, most of us know surprisingly little about Lyme disease, its prevention, transmission and treatment. In honor of May being the official Lyme Disease Awareness Month, we’re sharing some of the most important facts you need to know to keep your family safe and healthy all year long.

What Exactly Is Lyme Disease?

Known as the most prevalent tick-borne illness in the United States, Lyme disease is spread through bites from bacteria-carrying ticks. If you’re completely unfamiliar with Lyme disease, take a … Read Full Post »

Struggling With Arachnophobia? A New App Can Help!

Conquering spiders with your amazing digital powers

Your gender doesn’t matter when you scream like a little girl. Don’t feel shy about your pounding heart and sweating palms. You share that fear of spiders with 7% of the world’s population, but there’s a new weapon for conquering your phobia, and it’s just a quick download away.

There’s an App for That Arachnophobia

When was the last time you considered downloading something to help you with a little systematic desensitization? This form of phobia therapy has been around for more than 50 years, and the process is much simpler than its fancy name implies. Gradual exposure to something frightening gives you the power to control that irrational reaction and wrestle it into submission. Combine this straightforward approach with a touch of digital magic, and you have Phobia Free. This clever smartphone app is produced by Virtually Free and based on their dedication to universal … Read Full Post »

Meet the Mosquitoes: Strangest Facts About These Seasonal Insects

Itchy spit, smelly breath and standing water—they’re all part of the strange world of mosquitoes.

It’s a familiar scenario: You’re outdoors enjoying some beautiful weather when suddenly you feel a tickle on your arm. You slap the spot instinctively only to discover that you just swatted a mosquito. Do you know what attracted it in the first place? How about why you’re just starting to itch? Read on for some fascinating facts about these annoying bugs.

It’s All About Your Breath (and Body Odor)

Mosquitoes can detect the carbon dioxide people exhale from as far as 75 feet away. Sweaty people are also a major draw for them. However, there are some smells that dull or stun their carbon dioxide sensors, including mint, certain fruits, and chocolate.

Beware the Aggressive Female

If you get bit, don’t blame the males. Female mosquitoes are the ones that bite, and even then it’s only to get nourishing protein … Read Full Post »

Beyond Gnomes: Unique Lawn Ornaments That Make Your Home Stand Out

Personality in the yard doesn’t need a pointy hat

The short ones with beards are cute, but they’re reaching retirement age. Those graceful, pink flocks have seen better days. If you’re not ready to give up your gnomes and flamingos, move them to the shed and dress up your lawns with something fresh. Revive forgotten classics, create a little magic, or let nature do the decorating.

Complement With Traditions

Whether your San Antonio home reflects the grace of Spanish influence or sports classic lines and contemporary styling, a touch of tradition gives the yard special appeal. Stately gazing globes are the latest trend from an earlier time. These lovely mirrored spheres reflect the beautiful Texas sky, and their stands vary from marble pillars to wrought-iron sculptures. Old-fashioned whirligigs replicate the relaxing spin of windmills or the flight of your favorite birds. Pathways add an inviting look around the garden when you opt for … Read Full Post »

What Would Happen If We Didn’t Have Pest Control?

In today’s world, it’s hard to imagine what life was like before modern pest control was available. What if everyday cockroaches and termites were allowed to multiply freely, feed on our homes, and munch on our vegetable gardens? How awful would it be if bedbugs were our cuddle buddies every night? Here’s a taste of what a world without pest control would be like.

Consequences of Not Controlling Insects

• More people would get sick. Bubonic plague, also known as the Plague of Justinian, killed millions of people during the sixth century. The spread of this disease is blamed on rats, but technically it was spread by bites from fleas who fed on infected rats. Whether you want to blame the plague on rats or on fleas, both problems are managed through routine pest control.

• In a world where mosquitoes are uncontrolled, you’d find it difficult to have an outdoor barbeque without … Read Full Post »

Chill More, Pay Less: How AC Maintenance Can Help You Save

Without your air conditioning system, you’d be stuck suffering through the extreme heat of Austin summers without any relief. Your AC unit goes a long way toward keeping you comfortable and sane during warmer months when you rely on it to provide efficient, effective service. One of the best ways to ensure that you can always stay cool inside is to take care of regular AC maintenance tasks. Keeping up on maintenance helps protect your system and boost its efficiency so that you can enjoy cooler temperatures and lower utility bills.

Is HVAC Maintenance Really Important?

When you first purchased your air conditioning system, it was calibrated to provide for the very best service possible. Ensuring that your system provides for the same level of service as it did when you first had it installed means tackling maintenance tasks. Much like your personal vehicle, your AC unit needs to be cleaned, lubed … Read Full Post »

How Our Least Favorite Critters Made It Through Winter

Insects are an inevitable part of warm weather. Every year, the very same bugs appear, buzzing and bumbling where you don’t want them. Even a long Texas winter can’t deter these persistent pests. Have you ever wondered how they manage to make it through the same weather that had you shivering in your boots?

Migration

Perhaps the most obvious way to avoid freezing is to skip winter entirely. Like birds, some insect species simply take a vacation and come back when the warm weather returns.

Freeze Tolerance

Some insects have a unique protein in their bodies that acts almost like antifreeze. These “cryptoprotectant” compounds serve to lower the freezing temperature of the insects’ bodies and are triggered by the environmental changes that signal an oncoming winter, such as shorter days and cooler temperatures.

Lying “Dormant”

Insects can weather the winter in a variety of forms. Some snuggle up in cocoons, spending the season as pupae. Others … Read Full Post »