Crane Fly vs. Mosquito: What’s the Difference?

April 3, 2017. Posted by Vanessa Jenkins Green in Mosquito Control • Orlando

Though crane flies are often called “mosquito hawks,” likely due to their appearance—they look like a giant, extra intimidating mosquito, and have also been rumored (incorrectly) to prey on mosquitoes for food—the two insect species are actually unrelated.

Crane Fly vs. Mosquito

As their name might suggest, crane flies are a species of fly. These flying insects don’t dine on mosquitoes, much less on humans or any other type of animal—much to the dismay of homeowners hoping that crane flies might help with mosquito population control. Mosquitoes, on the other hand, consume animal blood as an essential part of their diet. Read on to learn more about these two varieties of insects, including their similarities and differences and which is most likely to win in the crane fly vs. mosquito showdown.

Similarities

The most significant similarity between crane flies, and mosquitoes is the fact that they are flying insects that share a passing resemblance. … Read Full Post »

What Attracts Mosquitoes to Humans?

For a small insect, mosquitoes can be quite aggravating. A common topic of conversation when mosquitoes are out, and biting is why certain people seem to be the target of mosquitoes and not others.

What Attracts Mosquitoes to Humans?

Let’s take a look at why mosquitoes like to bite us, what makes them choose some people over others, and what we can all do to protect ourselves from these pesky pests.

Why Do Mosquitoes Bite?

Did you know all of the mosquitoes who bite you are females? They seek out warm-blooded creatures for a meal. The mosquito’s proboscis, a part of its mouth, works like a hypodermic needle. She injects a little of her own saliva into our skin, which thins the blood and allows her to draw it out of the capillaries in our skin.

The mosquito doesn’t drink your blood for herself but uses the proteins and other substances in the blood to … Read Full Post »

Corpus Christi Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017

March 22, 2017. Posted by Les Stobart in Air Conditioning & Heating, Community, Home Improvement, Home Maintenance, Lawn Care, Mosquito Control, Plumbing • Corpus Christi

Although Corpus is a great place to live year-round, springtime is an especially nice time of year. Flowers are blooming, the beaches are quiet, before peak tourist season hits and the weather is temperate. Spring is a perfect time to take a closer look at your biggest investment—your home—to make sure you are taking the right steps to maintain your property and make any improvements that will allow you to better enjoy it.

Corpus Christi Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017

ABC Home & Commercial Services is a family-run company which prides itself on making homeowners’ lives easier with reliable, high-quality services. As a trusted resource in the community, ABC employees go above and beyond to treat your home as we would our own. As a part of this commitment to superior home services, we created a Corpus Christi Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017.

This 9-page Guide includes:

Eight things to do in Corpus this … Read Full Post »

Orlando Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017

March 21, 2017. Posted by Vanessa Jenkins Green in Community, Flea & Tick Control, Home Improvement, Home Maintenance, Mosquito Control, Termite Control • Orlando

People worldwide flock to Orlando for many reasons, one being the year-round sunny weather. Here in Orlando, homeowners know that it’s the most excellent time of year to enjoy our yards, parks, and outdoor spaces. That’s one reason spring is a perfect excuse to take a closer look at your most significant investment—your home—to ensure you do what you can to take advantage of your most important investment.

Orlando Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017

Orlando homeowners have grown to depend on ABC Home & Commercial Services to keep their property free of pests. Our skilled and knowledgeable technicians treat your home as they would their own and do anything they can to be helpful. As an extension of this philosophy, ABC has created an Orlando Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017 to provide valuable resources for indoor and outdoor spaces.

The 9-page Guide includes:

Ten things to do in Orlando this Spring
Spring Home Maintenance Checklist
Spring … Read Full Post »

Houston Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017

March 20, 2017. Posted by Vanessa Jenkins Green in Air Conditioning & Heating, Community, Home Improvement, Home Maintenance, Lawn Care, Mosquito Control, Swimming Pool Service & Repair • Houston

Houston is a great place to be during the spring months. Everything is green, the weather is pleasant, and there are many excuses to get out and enjoy local festivals, art exhibits, and other happenings. Spring is already associated with renewal, making it the perfect reason to take a hard look at your home to ensure you do all you can to maintain and improve upon your most significant investment.

Houston Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017

ABC Home & Commercial Services has made life easier for Texas homeowners for over 60 years. Our background-checked employees provide reliable, top-notch home services and treat your home as we would our own. As an extension of this philosophy, we created a Houston Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017.

The 9-page Guide includes:

Ten things to do in Houston this Spring
Spring Home Maintenance Checklist
Spring Cleaning List of Where to Donate or Dispose of Common Household Items Locally
Advice on How … Read Full Post »

San Antonio Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017

March 17, 2017. Posted by Les Stobart in Air Conditioning & Heating, Community, Home Improvement, Home Maintenance, Lawn Care, Mosquito Control, Tree Care & Trimming • San Antonio

Spring is a great time of year to turn your focus as a homeowner to how to improve your living and outdoor spaces. The return of nicer weather is also a great excuse to get out, enjoying all San Antonio has to offer.

San Antonio Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017

ABC Home & Commercial Services has been making life easier for homeowners for over 60 years. Our San Antonio Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017 is full of resources and helpful information to continue on that tradition.

The 9-page Guide includes:

Ten Things to Do in San Antonio This Spring
Spring Home Maintenance Checklist
Spring Cleaning List of Where to Donate or Dispose of Common Household Items Locally
Advice on How to Mosquito-Proof Your Yard
Spring Gardening Tips
6 Signs You May Need to Repair Your AC
What You Need to Know About Oak Wilt
Easy Home Improvement Projects

Download the guide here. Read on for a taste of the information you’ll find … Read Full Post »

Austin Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017

March 16, 2017. Posted by Les Stobart in Air Conditioning & Heating, Community, Home Improvement, Home Maintenance, Lawn Care, Mosquito Control, Swimming Pool Service & Repair • Austin

Austin is the place to be during the spring months. Flowers are blooming, the sun is out and temperatures are still usually mild. Take advantage of this time of year to make some subtle improvements and to conduct home maintenance so that you can enjoy your home for the rest of the year.

Austin Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017

For over 60 years, ABC Home & Commercial Services has been making life easier on Texans. Our Austin Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017 provides you with tips and other information to help you take care of your biggest investment.

The 9-page Guide includes:

Ten things to do in Austin this Spring
Spring Home Maintenance Checklist
Spring Cleaning List of Where to Donate or Dispose of Common Household Items Locally
Advice on How to Mosquito-Proof Your Yard
Spring Gardening Tips
6 Signs You May Need to Repair Your AC
Pool Opening Checklist
Easy Home Improvement Projects

Download the guide here. Get a preview of … Read Full Post »

Bryan-College Station Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017

March 15, 2017. Posted by Les Stobart in Community, Flea & Tick Control, Home Improvement, Home Maintenance, Lawn Care, Mosquito Control, Tree Care & Trimming • Bryan-College Station

Spring is a wonderful time of year in the Bryan-College Station area. Wildflowers are blooming, you can often catch a pleasant breeze and of course, temperatures are usually not as hot as during the summer months. The early part of the year also provides you with an opportunity to put your attention on your biggest investment: your home.

Bryan-College Station Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017

In addition to being the largest independently-owned and operated pest control company in the state of Texas, ABC Home & Commercial provides lawn maintenance, fertilization, tree care and trimming, landscaping, sprinkler repairs and holiday lighting. For over 60 years, ABC has been making life easier on home and business owners. As an extension of this philosophy, we have created a Bryan-College Station Homeowners Guide for Spring 2017.

The 9-page Guide includes:

Ten things to do in Bryan-College Station this Spring
Spring Home Maintenance Checklist
Spring Cleaning List of Where to Donate … Read Full Post »

Is Zika in Orlando?

March 10, 2017. Posted by Vanessa Jenkins Green in Mosquito Control, Pest Control • Orlando

As of early 2017, there were more than 5,100 confirmed cases of the Zika virus in the continental United States, including over 1,000 pregnant women infected. Miami, Florida, was the first U.S. location to document local, mosquito-borne transmissions of the virus, making Florida a focal point in the fight against this illness that can have devastating effects on pregnant women and babies born to infected mothers.

Is Zika in Orlando?

While Florida’s mosquito control efforts have been somewhat successful in stopping Zika’s spread—in December 2016, Florida Governor Rick Scott even declared South Beach and all other areas of Florida to be Zika-free—the virus remains a threat in Miami-Dade County, along with other parts of the state. So what about central Florida? Is Zika in Orlando? Let’s take a look at the facts.

How Zika Spread to the United States

While the spread of Zika in the United States became public prominence in 2015, … Read Full Post »

Are There Mosquito Repellent Plants?

March 7, 2017. Posted by Les Stobart in Mosquito Control, Pest Control • Corpus Christi

Many homeowners invest a significant amount of time and energy into making their outdoor spaces inviting places to relax and unwind. Unfortunately, there is a common pest that often interferes with these well-laid plans: the mosquito. With the wide variety of mosquito control products available, it’s easy to be overwhelmed. One approach you may have heard of is to put plants in your backyard that keep mosquitoes away. Citronella grass, lemongrass, lemon balm, catnip, bee balm, peppermint, rosemary, lavender and basil are all varieties that are purported to be effective for natural mosquito control.

Unfortunately, scientific studies have shown that it’s not the plants themselves that mosquitoes don’t like. It’s actually the oil in the leaves which contains properties that can repel these bothersome biting insects. That means that you would need to crush the leaves of these plants to extract the oils and rub those oils on your skin to … Read Full Post »