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 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 »

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 »

Do Rats Hibernate In Winter?

Do rats hibernate in winter

During the colder months, some animals have developed adaptation strategies to survive. Monarch butterflies fly thousands of miles to spend winters in Mexico. Since food is harder to find, squirrels uncover acorns in winter that they buried during the warmer months. We often see geese fly overhead on their way south when it’s colder out. But what about rats?

Do Rats Hibernate During Winter?

As terrified—and repulsed—as you may be when you see a rat during colder months, you can’t help but wonder: “Why am I seeing rats in winter? Don’t they hibernate?” While it’s easy to assume that rats do hibernate, as many pests and outdoor animals do, rodents actually don’t become less active during the colder months. In fact, rats use lower temperatures as an excuse to seek shelter, food and warmth in the place they are not welcome: in our homes.

To learn more about a rat’s winter habits and … Read Full Post »

How To Winterize Your Pool

How to winterize your pool

Pools can add value to your property, give you an excuse to have people over and provide you with a fun way to spend time with family and friends without having to leave home. When winter comes, however, you’ll need to take steps to make sure your swimming pool can handle the cold weather. If you don’t take proper precautions, even a light freeze can damage a pool. Furthermore, allowing a pool to go unused for several months without proper winterizing can lead to algae or bacterial growth and other unwanted consequences.

How To Winterize Your Pool

Below we’ll look at the basic steps to winterizing your pool. A little attention before winter comes will ensure you and your family can start swimming as soon as warm weather returns.

Clean the Pool

The first thing you will need to do is clean the pool thoroughly. Clean mildew, algae and other gunk around the rim … Read Full Post »