ABC Blog

5 Air Conditioning Problems and Solutions

Air conditioning problems and solutions

In the southern parts of the U.S., there’s really no escaping the heat. You either find a place to cool off or you learn to deal with it. Thankfully, many of us can relax in our homes, which provide a safe haven with a cool, comfortable temperature. When something goes wrong, however, our living environment (and mood) can quickly change. 

5 Air Conditioning Problems and Solutions

Air conditioners use about 6% of all the electricity produced in the U.S., which represents over $11 billion in energy costs nationwide. This means that problems with a failing air conditioner could cause you not only the annoyance of uncomfortable living conditions, but also more money in the long run if you have to deal with unexpected repairs. Do you know what the most common AC problems and solutions are? The good news is that every problem has a solution, so let’s take a deeper look … Read Full Post »

The Ultimate Lawn Care Tips Guide From The Experts at ABC [FREE DOWNLOAD]

Lawn care tips

Keeping your grass, plants and trees healthy and well-maintained can be a challenge. First, you have to have the time to dedicate to your lawn. You also need to make sure you have the right equipment and that it is all in working order. Finally, you need the expertise to know which types of plants work best in which environments, how often to water and how to spot signs of lawn pests and diseases. For homeowners in southern states, the warm climate, lack of rainfall and intense sun make it even more difficult to care for your outdoor spaces.

ABC’s Ultimate Lawn Care Guide

ABC Home & Commercial Services is dedicated to making homeowners’ lives easier. Our team of lawn care technicians, landscaping experts, pest control pros and sprinkler system specialists have compiled their best advice and tips into the Ultimate Lawn Care Guide. This 8-page downloadable PDF resource includes sections on:

Everything You Need To Know About Corpus Christi Rodents [INFOGRAPHIC]

Corpus Christi Texas rats

There is a lot to like about living here in Corpus Christi. Watching the sun set over the ocean. Being able to feel the sand between our toes. Sailing, boating and fishing most of the year.

What’s not to like? Unfortunately, as in most cities, here in Corpus Christi, Texas, rats and mice live alongside us.

While rodents might look cute at the pet store, no homeowners look forward to seeing these furry creatures in or around our homes. They can cause damage to our homes, eat our food and transmit serious diseases.

What should homeowners know about rodents? What kinds are most common in our area? How do they find their way inside, and what are some warning signs that they may have taken up residence in our home? Perhaps most importantly, how can homeowners get rid of rats and mice, and keep them out? Learn all of this (and more) … Read Full Post »

Everything You Need To Know About Rodents In Bryan-College Station [INFOGRAPHIC]

“Rats!”

There’s a reason that people mention this word when something bad happens.

Rats—and mice—are two of the most common household pests. While some people think these furry creatures are cute, they are not welcome in most homes. These animals, and other rodents, can transmit disease, damage your property, get in your food and generally make a mess.

Rodents are the world’s most common mammals. With native species on every continent except Antarctica, rodent species also include squirrels, guinea pigs, gerbils and beavers.

As a homeowner, what should you know about rodents? Which types are most common in Bryan-College Station? What risks do these animals pose to humans, how do they enter your home, how do you know they made it inside and perhaps most importantly, how do you get rid of rats and mice? Check out our infographic below to learn everything you need to know about rodents.

Here in Bryan-College Station, … Read Full Post »

Everything You Need To Know About Rodents in Houston [INFOGRAPHIC]

As the fourth largest city in the nation, Houston is known for its vast array of restaurants, the museum district and as the home of NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

Unfortunately for those of us that live here, Houston is also known as the pest capital of the United States. Why? In addition to a large human population, whose trash provides a plentiful and consistent food source, the city’s warm and humid climate is a perfect place for all types of pests.

One common pest Houston homeowners contact us about most frequently are rodents. In Houston, Texas, rats and mice find their way into your home, eat and chew wood and food, leave a mess and can infect humans with some very serious diseases.

What kinds of rodents are found here in Austin? How do they make their way inside our homes? What are some warning signs? And perhaps most importantly, what can … Read Full Post »

Everything You Need To Know About San Antonio Rodents [INFOGRAPHIC]

San Antonio Texas rats

Rodents are everywhere. Everywhere, that is, except Antarctica. These animals are native to every other continent on Earth.

Sometimes cute and furry and sometimes menacing, there are many different types of rodents. From the world’s largest rodent, the capybara, which can grow to be the size of a dog to the pygmy jerboa, which reaches only five centimeters long, these animals have had a significant impact on humans.  

The most common types of rodents homeowners encounter are mice and rats. While these furry creatures can serve as pets, many of us find the presence of these animals in and around their homes to be a nuisance at best and a dangerous pest when it comes to transmitting disease and damaging or destroying property.

For decades, ABC has helped remove rodents, pest and other types of wildlife from home and businesses. See how much you know about types of rats in San Antonio, … Read Full Post »

Everything You Need To Know About Rodents in Austin [INFOGRAPHIC]

Types of rats in Austin, Texas

Out of the nearly four thousand mammal species which live on Earth, nearly 40% come from the order Rodentia. As you might have guessed by the name, these animals are rodents.

From the pygmy jerboa, which measures only five centimeters long to the capybara, which can grow to be about the size of a dog, rodents come in many shapes and sizes and include squirrels, gophers, guinea pigs, hamsters and gerbils.

Rats and mice are some of the most common types of rodents on Earth. While some people keep these animals as pets, for many homeowners, these furry creatures are a common pest.

Read Full Post »

Common Plumbing Problems

common plumbing problems

Despite it being an essential aspect of your home’s ability to function correctly, plumbing isn’t something that we think about a lot. Each day, we simply expect our toilets to flush, the sink disposal to drain and the shower pressure to remain steady. It’s only when our plumbing system stops working that our home’s pipes become a top priority. 

Common Plumbing Problems: What They Are and How to Fix Them

As a homeowner, it’s best to be prepared for anything—including an unexpected plumbing problem. Below we’ll discuss the most common plumbing problems we see, how to detect the onset of a problem and how to fix it.

Leaky Pipes

Most homes are equipped with an underground plumbing system. If your home has a basement, many pipes can also be found there. And while most pipes last for decades, many begin to leak when that time is up.

If you’re living in an older … Read Full Post »

How To Winterize Your Sprinkler System

how to winterize your sprinkler system

When colder temperatures are on the way, homeowners can take simple steps to make sure that outdoor spaces are ready to weather any extreme temperatures. What can you do to avoid costly repairs in the spring when temperatures begin to climb? One place to start is your sprinkler system.

How to Winterize Your Sprinkler System

Wondering how to winterize your sprinkler system yourself? Here’s our first tip: Don’t wait for winter’s first freeze! Sprinkler systems should be clear of water before frigid temperatures set in, to avoid burst pipes, broken valves, and the cost and hassle of repair.

Here’s the good news: With an air compressor and a little homeowner know-how, you can avoid the cost of hiring a professional by winterizing your sprinkler system yourself. Most systems are equipped with built-in drain valves to release water from the system, but these may not be sufficient for eliminating water that has pooled in … Read Full Post »

Where Do Silverfish Come From?

where do silverfish come from

There’s just something about silverfish that make people’s skin crawl. It could be the animal’s prehistoric appearance, with segmented bodies and long legs and antennae. Or maybe it’s the fact that they tend to show up inside our favorite books or on the bathroom floor in the middle of the night. Whatever it is, for some people these small insects are the stuff of nightmares.

In this blog post, we’ll take a look at what these little creatures are, where silverfish come from and how to get rid of them safely.

What Are Silverfish?

Silverfish (Lepisma saccharina) are small, wingless insects. These creatures typically live for two to eight years, and they get their name from their silvery color and the way the wiggle like a fish out of water. They have long antennae and generally don’t get bigger than ¾ of an inch long.

Do Silverfish Bite?

Surprisingly, despite their over-the-top creepy … Read Full Post »