Does Eucalyptus Repel Mosquitoes?

Mosquitoes are frustrating and persistent pests. Homeowners search high and low for solutions to mosquito infestations, so it’s natural to try anything. One common way to try to repel mosquitoes is to use the eucalyptus plant. But does this method work?

Does Eucalyptus Repel Mosquitoes?

While there is evidence that mosquitoes will tend to avoid eucalyptus, you would need to plant many, many eucalyptus trees in your yard to see any benefits. One or two eucalyptus trees will not make a dent in a mosquito infestation. Highly concentrated eucalyptus oil that has been found to be effective in pest control methods is very different from having a tree in your garden.

For homeowners who want to try eucalyptus as a DIY method to complement professional pest control, you can mix eucalyptus oil in water and spray it around the house and yard. However, using eucalyptus alone is not a sufficient mosquito control strategy.

Additionally, … Read Full Post »

Tawny Crazy Ant Identification Guide

Ants are persistent pests. When you think you’ve gotten rid of them, these resilient and hardworking insects can quickly return.

Tawny crazy ants are a common type of ant that homeowners can find in their homes. Their colonies have several queens and many more workers than other ants. As their name implies, tawny crazy ants are an aggressive bunch.

If these ants are already making themselves comfortable in your home, contact pest control specialists. They have the tools and expertise to take on tawny crazy ants and other ant species.

Tawny Crazy Ant Appearance and Behavior

Tawny crazy ants are native to South America but have been invading the U.S. since 2002. They started in Texas and have since spread to Mississippi, Florida, Georgia and Louisiana. They are so invasive that they have displaced the local fire ants in these areas.

While this species can’t fly, they infest old boxes, potted plants and other objects. … Read Full Post »

What Are Mosquitoes Attracted To?

February 15, 2024. Posted by Holt Myers in Mosquito Control, Pest Control • Corpus Christi

As a homeowner, do you know what attracts these pests and how to deter mosquitoes from your property? Mosquitoes are annoying pests that seek out humans and animals as hosts. It’s important to understand what mosquitoes are attracted to so that you can take steps to avoid them.

The best way to deal with mosquitoes is to call in pest control professionals. An expert can control mosquitoes on your property.

What Are Mosquitoes Attracted To?

Mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide that humans and animals emit when they exhale. These pests use their receptors to pick up on the carbon dioxide in the air, and they use their vision to find people and animals.

Their impressive receptors, located on their antennae, allow them to detect carbon dioxide from a great distance. Once they fly into the vicinity of a host, they rely on their vision to land on the host.

Mosquito vision is not … Read Full Post »

Oven Not Heating Up but Stove Works: What’s Wrong?

February 12, 2024. Posted by Tom Riggs in Appliance Repair • San Antonio

Ovens are essential in the kitchen. You can get over a decade’s worth of delicious cakes, cookies and other baked goodies out of them. But as with any appliance, ovens can malfunction. One puzzling issue homeowners experience is that their oven isn’t heating up, but the stove works.

You don’t have to replace your oven just yet if you’re dealing with this problem. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can take to figure out why your oven’s acting up. If all else fails, call in a pro. An appliance repair specialist can identify the cause and perform the necessary repairs and replacements. Then, you’ll be baking again in no time.

What to Do If the Oven Is Not Heating Up But the Stove Works

If your stove’s working but your oven shows no signs of life, something could be broken or malfunctioning inside. The broiling and baking elements are likely working fine, but … Read Full Post »

I Have Rusty Hot Water: What’s Wrong?

February 8, 2024. Posted by Tom Riggs in Plumbing • Bryan-College Station

Imagine coming home after a long day and hopping in the shower. You turn on the water, expecting a comforting warmth to envelope you. But instead, rusty hot water splashes down and covers you from head to toe. No, your house probably isn’t haunted. But, you most likely have a plumbing issue that needs immediate attention.

Before you worry too much, it’s a common problem that many other homeowners experience. You can troubleshoot it yourself if you’re confident in your DIY skills. But it’s best to let a professional plumber take over if you want to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.

What to Do When You Have Rusty Hot Water at Home

It’s concerning when rusty hot water gushes out of your shower or faucet. It looks and smells terrible. The good news is it’s likely not health-threatening. The worst it can do is stain your dishes and laundry. But, that … Read Full Post »

Can You Put Coffee Grounds in the Sink Garbage Disposal?

February 7, 2024. Posted by Jim Brant in Appliance Repair, Plumbing • Dallas-Fort Worth

On busy mornings, it’s tempting to gulp down your coffee and throw the coffee grounds down the garbage disposal. While it’s a convenient way to clean up, it can lead to costly problems in the long run. Garbage disposals are durable, but they are not indestructible. There are things you should never throw in them, including coffee grounds.

If you’re dealing with garbage disposal issues, a professional plumber can have it running smoothly again. The plumber can also come in for regular maintenance to ensure all the parts are in perfect working condition. That will help you get as many years as possible from your garbage disposal.

Why You Should Not Throw Coffee Grounds Into the Sink Garbage Disposal

Homeowners are used to throwing various food scraps down the garbage disposal. So why not coffee grounds?

Because they’re tiny particles, it might seem like ground coffee will have no problem going down the sink. … Read Full Post »

Do Bed Bugs Bite Every Night?

February 2, 2024. Posted by Russell Jenkins in Bed Bug Control, Pest Control • Dallas-Fort Worth

Are you waking up with itchy bed bug bites? There’s nothing worse than being bitten in your sleep, but it can take a while for homeowners to realize that they have a bed bug problem. Part of the issue is that bed bugs do not bite every night, so the pest problem can be hard to spot.

Do Bed Bugs Bite Every Night?

Waking up with bed bug bites is never fun. It can feel like you wake up every morning with a new collection of bites, which leaves many homeowners wondering if bed bugs bite every night.

The truth is that bed bugs do not bite humans every night. They have a purpose behind their biting, and it’s to get a blood meal. One blood meal can typically last bed bugs for three to seven days. Once their previous blood meal is digested, they’ll go back for more.

If they can’t access a … Read Full Post »

Can Bed Bugs Live Outside?

February 1, 2024. Posted by Holt Myers in Bed Bug Control, Pest Control • Austin

Bed bugs are frustrating pests known to take up residence inside homes. However, a little-known fact is that they can also live outside. However, this is rare.

Bed bugs prefer to live inside where they are close to a host that can provide them with a blood meal and hiding spots. They can only live outside for a short period, and they must live somewhere with a high level of human activity.

For example, you may see outdoor bed bugs in these locations:

On public transportation
At outdoor gathering spaces, such as concert venues
In high-trafficked parks and recreation areas
At trash dumps that are full of furniture and mattresses

Bed bugs must be near a host to stay alive, so it’s riskier for them to live outdoors, but not impossible.

Indoor Bed Bug Hiding Places

Finding bed bugs inside homes with easier access to a host and shelter is much more common. These pests are also drawn to … Read Full Post »

Your Guide to EV Charging at Home

January 29, 2024. Posted by Tom Riggs in Electrical • San Antonio

One of the best perks of driving an electric car is never going to a gas station. With a Level 2 home charging station, you can plug in your EV before bed and wake up to it fully charged and ready to hit the road. This is a luxury that all drivers aspire to have, but to enjoy this lifestyle, you must install a home charging station.

Like other home improvements, many things can go wrong with a home charging installation. The best way to prevent mishaps and unnecessary expenses is by hiring an experienced electrician.

To help you, here’s everything you need to know about EV charging at home.

What Features Should a Home EV Charging Station Have?

Why is EV charging at home so important? The number of public EV charging stations continues to grow in the U.S., but it will take years before they become as accessible as gas stations. Home … Read Full Post »

Do Only Female Mosquitoes Bite?

January 25, 2024. Posted by Russell Jenkins in Mosquito Control, Pest Control • Dallas-Fort Worth

Do all mosquitoes bite, or do only the females bite? There are a lot that people don’t know about mosquito bites. For homeowners, it’s important to understand why, when and where mosquitoes are most likely to bite.

If you’re dealing with a mosquito issue on your property, the most effective way to approach the problem is to get expert help. A pest control specialist can reduce the mosquito population at every phase of the life cycle and minimize the risk of mosquito bites on your property.

Do Only Female Mosquitoes Bite?

A little-known fact about mosquitoes is that only female mosquitoes bite humans and other animals. The reason for this is that females need a blood meal to obtain protein and other nutrients needed to produce eggs.

Since male mosquitoes do not need the nutrients from blood, they feed on nectar and plant juices instead.

When Do Mosquitoes Bite?

Female mosquitoes can bite at any time … Read Full Post »