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How to Design a Sprinkler System

. Posted by in , • Houston
a sprinkler in a yard

When it comes to having the lawn of their dreams with lush flower beds and a perfectly manicured yard, many homeowners have to make a choice between spending their time maintaining their lawn or finding a way to automate a lot of the care.

With our hot summers, a sprinkler system seems like a perfect solution. Watering your yard can take hours every week, and missing even one day can damage your lawn on sweltering days. It can mean you take twice as long the next day to make up for the day you missed. Sometimes even that isn’t enough to save your plants.

Sprinklers are the obvious solution. Oscillating sprinklers that arc back and forth overhead are quiet but must be moved regularly. These sprinklers do a great job covering a rectangular patch evenly, but that’s all they do. They can’t be tuned for oddly shaped areas and don’t move from … Read Full Post »

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Can Bed Bugs Bite Through Clothes?

. Posted by in , • Orlando
a bed bug on skin

Bed bugs are pests that can leave behind stains, skins and a sour odor. Some homeowners also worry that bed bugs can destroy their clothes. While bed bugs can travel on clothes and hide in laundry piles, they cannot actually bite through clothes.

However, bed bugs can still crawl under clothing to bite their hosts. It’s important for homeowners to understand the difference between bed bug bites and hives so that they can identify a bed bug infestation.

Bed bug bites also look and feel similar to no see um bites. Even though no see ums are flies, and these two insects are very different, their bites are similar. Keep reading to learn how to tell them apart and what you can do to control both pests.

Can Bed Bugs Bite Through Clothes?

Bed bugs can leave itchy bites on humans. However, it is a myth that they can chew through clothes. Bed bug … Read Full Post »

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How Many Bed Bugs Are in One Egg?

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth
a bed bug on an egg

Unfortunately for homeowners, in the last 20 years, there has been an uptick in bed bug populations. And, worse yet, they are becoming increasingly resistant to products on the market, which can make controlling an infestation even more difficult than before. Today, bed bugs can be found everywhere. They aren’t isolated to dense population areas or hotels where people come and go a lot.

How Bed Bugs Get In Your Home

It’s easier to bring home bed bugs than one may think. Bed bugs aren’t just isolated to bedrooms. These pests have been found on airplanes, in movie theaters and on public transportation. When you visit a place that has bed bugs, these creatures can crawl into your luggage or other bags and travel home with you. Unfortunately, once bed bugs find their way into your home, their populations can quickly grow.

Bed bugs are tiny. When they are fully grown, they look … Read Full Post »

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How To Tell if Termites Are Active

. Posted by in • Houston
white termites in soil

While an infestation of something like cockroaches, ants or spiders might be more apparent, knowing whether your home is housing termites can be more difficult. 

For many people, it takes uncovering damage to wood during construction or seeing a swarm to raise the issue of a termite infestation. These insects are largely silent, hard to discover and found in every U.S. state except for Alaska, where temperatures are too low for termites to survive. Because of how widespread this pest is and the extreme damage they can cause before being discovered, termites cause more than $50 billion in property damage yearly. 

How To Tell if Termites Are Active

Termites aren’t a problem you can fix on your own. A licensed pest control professional will be able to inspect your structure and determine whether:

  • You have termites.
  • There was a previous termite issue that is no longer a threat.
  • Read Full Post »

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How To Flush a Water Heater

. Posted by in • Dallas-Fort Worth
a water heater

Hot water at home is a luxury. There’s no better feeling than having a steaming hot shower after a long day. But, did you know you have to take care of your water heater to keep enjoying the comfort and relaxation that hot water brings?

Water heaters are one of the most overlooked appliances for many homeowners. Homeowners often tend to forget to clean them. If you haven’t given yours any TLC in a while, here’s a guide on how to flush a water heater. With regular upkeep, you can keep it running smoothly for years.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Flushing Your Water Heater

If you haven’t flushed your water heater in a long time, or have never done it, expect a lot of sediment buildup. To prevent any long-term damage and keep your water heater running efficiently, experts recommend cleaning it or getting it cleaned by a professional at least once a … Read Full Post »

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How Do I Keep My Air Conditioning From Freezing Up?

. Posted by in • Austin
A house's kitchen

You might not think your AC can freeze when it’s hot outside. But, it’s a more common problem than you think and can happen even on the hottest days. The best way to prevent it is to maintain your AC unit well. If your AC is already freezing up, there are ways to troubleshoot the problem. The best solution is to contact an AC specialist who can have your unit running smoothly again.

What Causes Air Conditioners to Freeze Up and How to Prevent It

Before answering the question, “How do I keep my air conditioning from freezing up?” it’s helpful to know more about how ACs function. They work by expanding the refrigerant in the evaporator coil, cooling down the air that passes through and releasing cold air into your home. It also removes the hot and humid air, helping you feel more comfortable. But if there’s something out of order … Read Full Post »

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Air Conditioner Starts Then Stops After Only a Few Seconds

. Posted by in • Dallas-Fort Worth

Nothing feels better than turning on the air conditioner on a hot and humid day. But, that joy turns into frustration when the air conditioner starts and then stops after only a few seconds. This issue is called “short cycling.” While it is a fairly common problem in AC units, it is a sign that something is wrong. It’s best to resolve it quickly before it leads to more expensive repairs.

If your AC has been short cycling, here are the most common causes and what can be done to fix your unit. In more complex cases, the smart move is to contact an HVAC professional who can address the problem.

Malfunctioning Thermostat

Thermostats help air conditioners achieve your desired room temperature. If you set it to 65 degrees Fahrenheit, the thermostat will turn the AC on and off to maintain the right temperature. But if the thermostat is malfunctioning, it can’t sense … Read Full Post »

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Crazy Ants: Identification & Control Guide

. Posted by in , • Houston
a crazy ant

Do you know how to tell crazy ants apart from other ant species? Crazy ants, which are found in Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida and Georgia, get their name because of the way they move. Instead of following uniform lines, they run in erratic zig-zag patterns.

Crazy ants are also known for multiplying rapidly since their colonies can have multiple queen ants. They can quickly become a nuisance for homeowners because of their large swarms and reproduction rates.

A third distinction is that crazy ants do not build their own nests. Instead, they camp out in trees, debris and crevices inside homes. Since they will leave their homes at a moment’s notice, controlling them with bait is challenging. For more on crazy ant behavior, appearance and habitat, keep reading.

There are several things homeowners can do to prevent a crazy ant infestation. However, once they have taken up residence, professional pest control is required. … Read Full Post »

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Are Mosquitoes Active at Night?

. Posted by in , • Orlando
a mosquito on jeans

Few things beat an evening sitting out on the porch or lounging in the backyard while the kids play in the pool. Of course, one thing that can wreck your entire evening is mosquitoes. They seem to come out of nowhere just after sunset and can be relentless.

You may have noticed that if you go inside and return later when it’s dark, the mosquitoes aren’t nearly as bad. So if you came out even later, would they be gone? Many homeowners wonder, are these pests active all night, or do mosquitoes sleep like us?

Mosquitoes are Indeed Active at Night

The short answer is yes, but that doesn’t explain why they’re such a nuisance at dusk. If you’re in the habit of walking or porch-sitting at sunrise, you’ve probably noticed they’re awful then, too.

There are many species of mosquitoes. Some, like the common house mosquito, are much more common than others. Some … Read Full Post »

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Identifying a Paper Wasp Versus a Yellowjacket

. Posted by in , • Tyler
A paper wasp

When the weather starts to get warmer, that means it’s time for homeowners to be diligent about wasp activity around their home. However, it’s common for homeowners to confuse wasp species, such as paper wasps and yellowjackets.

This guide will go over paper wasps versus yellowjackets regarding their appearance, behavior, diet and nesting habits.

Next, it’s helpful to understand that several types of paper wasps are common in the United States. Thankfully, there are simple ways that homeowners can learn to tell them apart.

Finally, every homeowner who has experienced a paper wasp problem wants to know how to control them. While there are some methods homeowners can try on their own, the best way to get rid of paper wasps is to contact a professional. These pests are quick to sting when they feel threatened.

Once the paper wasps are gone, there are several preventative actions that homeowners can take to keep them … Read Full Post »

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