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Art from an Anthill?

. Posted by in • Austin

New viral videos spring up all the time, but one involving fire ants has really managed to capture people’s imaginations. Instead of showing the pests swarming around a field or invading someone’s home, the video shows an artist pouring molten aluminum into an anthill to create an incredible sculpture of sorts. It’s called anthill art, and it’s creating a lot of buzz. Some folks are enthralled by the gorgeous sculptures, which look a lot like metal Christmas trees, while others are upset that entire fire ant colonies are destroyed in the process (even though fire ants are technically an invasive species). No matter how you feel about the subject, there’s no denying the awesome artistic results.

What’s Under There?

Have you ever seen an anthill and wondered what lies below the surface? There are obviously tunnels and chambers where the ants carry on their day-to-day business, but what do they really look … Read Full Post »

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Preventing Scorpion Infestations from the Inside Out

. Posted by in • San Antonio

The thought of having stray scorpions crawling in and around your house is an uncomfortable one to say the least. These resilient pests are known to thrive even in the most extreme temperatures and can survive very well in the cracks and crevices of your home and yard. Infestation by these nocturnal arthropods is becoming increasingly common in the San Antonio area. All species of scorpions can sting with their characteristic venom, but very few of them are known to be actually deadly to human beings. Having these pests in your vicinity can be overwhelming. Taking a few simple measures can be extremely helpful in detracting the pests and keeping your property safe from their occupation.

Say No to Scorpions

Like a lot of other household pests, scorpions love clutter. Leaking pipes, holes, cracks and vents on the walls and sewage drains can serve as the perfect entry points into your home. … Read Full Post »

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Lower Your Heating Costs with These Fail-Safe Tips

. Posted by in • Austin

Winter expenses like home heating and holiday gifts tend to pile up quickly, and so there’s a chance that, like most people, you’re running a little low on cash this time of year. By following these tips, you can lower your heating costs immediately and with little effort.

Have Your Furnace Inspected

For safety reasons and to save money, it’s important to have your system carefully inspected before using it. A qualified technician will clean and inspect your motor, blower, fan and other components of your system to ensure that it works correctly and efficiently.

Hire Someone to Inspect and Clean Your Ducts

There’s a good chance that your ducts have leaks and holes in them, which result in wasted heat and higher bills. Ducts also get dirty and clogged, which can cause them to operate less efficiently. Arrange to have your ducts inspected and cleaned by an HVAC expert to lower your bills, … Read Full Post »

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Do Dirty Homes Attract Pests?

. Posted by in • Dallas-Fort Worth

Good Housekeeping Habits Won’t Necessarily Keep Pests at Bay

Like many people, you may have always thought that pests won’t invade your home as long as you keep it neat and clean. If only it were that simple. While it’s true that some pests are drawn to less-than-sanitary conditions, many others will make themselves at home in even the tidiest of places. Therefore, you shouldn’t take an infestation as a sign that your housekeeping skills need honing.

With that being said, it’s never a bad idea to keep the premises as clean as possible. Pests like cockroaches, rodents and ants seek out places where they can easily find food, and homes that aren’t swept, vacuumed and scrubbed down regularly attract them like moths to a flame. You’ve probably seen this in action yourself. In some parts of Texas, leaving even a few crumbs on a patio will instantly attract large numbers of … Read Full Post »

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Winter Lawn Care Don’ts

. Posted by in , • Houston

As the warm weather begins to fade, your lawn’s need for seasonal maintenance doesn’t. Not quite. Although winter is a kind of lawn dormancy, neglecting winter care means your lawn is much less likely to flourish in the spring. With that in mind, here are some winter lawn care don’ts:

Don’t Let Debris Accumulate

Winter yard work can be unpleasant, but debris can ruin your lawn. Leaves, toys, and other items can damage your lawn by smothering the grass. Additionally, some debris will provide cover for troubling pests, including burrowing insects and rodents. Once the problems find a home in your lawn, severe damage to your property can occur.

Don’t Damage Your Turf

A healthy lawn is highly resilient during the active growing season, but dormant grass is easily damaged. According to Louisiana State University’s College of Agriculture, filling and aeration can disrupt your lawn during the winter.

Don’t Forget to Mow

Mowing during the late … Read Full Post »

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Built to Last: How the Bed Bug Got Its Groove Back

. Posted by in , • Bryan-College Station

Though they were thought absent from the U.S. for the past 50 years, bed bugs have made a big comeback across the nation. Much to the chagrin of travelers and homeowners, these pests can establish colonies quickly. For homeowners in the Bryan-College Station area, getting rid of these troublesome pests can seem impossible. Before you tackle a bed bug infestation, you’ll need to know a little about how this pest is built.

Why Are Bed Bugs So Hard to Eliminate?

One of the big reasons bed bugs have shown up in the news so much recently is that they’re very difficult to get rid of once they’ve established a colony. It’s the bed bug’s unique anatomy that allows this pest to establish itself so quickly and cause problems for homeowners.

These flat, oval-shaped, reddish-brown bugs often make their way into homes via the luggage and clothing of travelers. Once they reach maturity, bed … Read Full Post »

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Interior Paint Finishes: Do They Matter?

. Posted by in • Austin

If you’re planning on painting the walls inside your home, you’ve probably put a lot of thought into choosing the perfect paint color. Although the color is important, you should also take your time in choosing a paint finish. The finish that you choose will have a major impact on the final result, so consider the best uses for different paint finishes to make your home look exactly the way you want.

Flat

Flat paint is one of the more common choices for interior painting. It has a matte finish, so it doesn’t have any shine to it at all. Flat paint is great for walls that have a lot of imperfections, but it can be almost impossible to clean and isn’t suggested for high-traffic areas or households with children.

Eggshell

As one of the best options for many homes, an eggshell finish has a slight sheen to it but isn’t as glossy as … Read Full Post »

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Why Commercially Available Pesticides Might Be a Bad Idea

. Posted by in • Houston

If you’re like many people, your first reaction to a pest control situation might be to head to your favorite mass-market retail store, searching for pesticides to help eliminate the infestation. Although these products can work in some cases, it’s generally a better idea to seek the help of a professional. These are just a few reasons commercially available pesticides can be bad.

They’re Costly

Even though it might seem like store-bought pesticides make pest control more affordable than hiring a professional, these products’ costs can add up. Few people see accurate results the first time they purchase sprays and traps; most buy bottle after bottle in hopes of getting rid of their pest-related issues.

They Often Don’t Work

Unfortunately, commercially available pesticides generally don’t work as well as pest control companies products. Many don’t treat certain species of insects or don’t work well in general. This can be frustrating and leave you with … Read Full Post »

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Your Yard Is Yours—Reclaim It!

. Posted by in , • San Antonio

If you’ve long been fighting the epic battle to remove weeds from your lawn, you need not pull every last hair out of your head. In fact, you don’t even need to use harsh chemicals. By committing to a few organic lawn care techniques that will keep your yard in great shape, you’ll be able to enjoy green grass throughout the entire year. Those dastardly weeds will go the way of the dodo, and you’ll soon feel confident enough to hold picnics, barbecues and family gatherings on your unblemished lawn.

Discover the Joys of Mulch

Mulch is an excellent way to keep your lawn healthy. If you have a specific corner of the yard that’s dedicated to small bushes, you can sprinkle mulch around the roots of the plants to keep the soil moist. This will block light from reaching the weeds. In fact, weeds that have not yet sprouted will be … Read Full Post »

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When Should Your DIY Warrior Surrender?

. Posted by in • Austin

If you love doing your own work around the house, you might not like the idea of hiring a professional handyman to help you with an upcoming project. To save money and keep yourself safe, however, it’s important to ask yourself these essential questions before tackling a big job on your own.

Do You Have the Necessary Skills?

If you don’t have the necessary skills to complete a job well, you might be unhappy with the results, and you could have to spend a lot more money and time redoing the job or hiring a professional to redo it for you.

Does the Project Require Costly Equipment?

Although it’s certainly possible to save a lot of money by doing some of your own work, this isn’t always the case. If an upcoming project requires costly tools and equipment that you don’t have, you’re probably better off hiring a pro instead of spending hundreds or … Read Full Post »

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