Spring is the traditional time to go through your home, top to bottom, and give it a good deep cleaning and removing unwanted or unneeded items. But the truth is, it’s always a time for some “spring cleaning,” no matter what season it might be. January is officially Get Organized Month—excellent post-holiday timing, to be sure, when you may have new items to incorporate into your living space.
Everyone has heard of spring cleaning, but purging junk and getting organized doesn’t have to be confined to springtime. January, for example, is Get Organized Month, and this midwinter month is definitely a very good time of year to clean out closets and clear away clutter in order to make space for anything new you and your family acquired over the holidays.
But the truth is, you can do deep cleaning and organizing of your living space any time of year. And whether your unneeded items include old toys, clothing, tools, kitchen items, bicycles or automotive gear, your unwanted items don’t need to go straight to the garbage bin. One man’s trash, after all, is another man’s treasure.
It’s easy for your donations pile to grow and grow if you don’t know which organizations accept which types of household items. Read on for a list of local nonprofits which are … Read Full Post »
As a company that’s been helping Austinites take care of pests for over 60 years, ABC Home & Commercial Services has made thousands of house calls. In most cases, our skilled and knowledgeable technicians quickly put homeowners’ minds at ease with a thorough inspection and a suggested course of action to get rid of pests. In a few cases, however, our pest control experts have run across some bothersome critters which necessitate a more creative approach. Over the years, we have collected a number of strange but true pest stories.
As Texas’ largest independently owned pest control company, we’ve had our share of memorable pest control calls. We’d like to share a few of these strange but true stories with you.
One of our most memorable experiences in the pest control business involved a wily raccoon our technicians affectionately called Jake. … Read Full Post »
A new ant species has been discovered in the southern parts of the United States: the crazy ant. What’s important to know about these ants, which are also referred to by their scientific names, Nylanderia fulva (Rasberry crazy ant) and Paratrechina longicornis (the Longhorn crazy ant)? For starters, both of these ant species are not native to the United States, and both are considered pests.
Read on to learn what crazy ants are, how they got their name, what attracts them, and what impact they are having on humans.
Crazy ants were first discovered in 2002 in an industrial park outside of Houston. Exterminator Tom Rasberry noticed ants which were moving erratically and which caused significant damage to electrical equipment. “When you see fast-moving ants that are not following a path, they are probably crazy ants,” explained Randy McCarty, ABC’s Director of Training and resident entomologist, who has … Read Full Post »
Many of us consider our pets a part of our family. With countless “dogs-welcomed” restaurants, trails, large dog parks and training and boarding facilities, it’s no wonder that so many cities are seeing an increase in puppy adoptions.
Welcoming a dog into your home involves research and planning, particularly if you have decided you’d prefer to adopt a puppy. From proper nutrition to adequate amounts of exercise to an endless amount of love and care, it’s your duty to ensure your pet is cared for. Thinking about the best room temperature for puppies and older pets is one way to make sure your furry friends stay happy and healthy.
It might sound silly, but even the smallest factors, like your home’s temperature, are important aspects in maintaining your dog’s overall health, particularly if you have a puppy. Let’s discuss what new dog owners need to know … Read Full Post »
We all love to spend relaxing evenings out on the patio. That said, outdoor lighting can attract unwelcome visitors. Don’t let flying insects, especially mosquitoes, ruin your night.
One question we often hear from frustrated homeowners: what are mosquitoes attracted to? Our pest control experts reviewed several recent scientific studies to help determine what changes homeowners can make to outdoor lighting to make your porch less attractive to flying creatures.
What Attracts Mosquitoes?
The short answer is yes – but why, exactly, are bugs attracted to light? Many flying insects, including moths, mosquitoes, and many flies, find the glow of artificial lights irresistible. The scientific term for the attraction bugs have to light is phototaxis.
Positive phototaxis describes the behavior of … Read Full Post »
There are few things in life that are certain, but one thing’s for sure: no one wants to come home to a rat. To prevent these creatures from taking over our homes, it’s worth looking at why they might find our houses more attractive than other nesting places.
Read our tips below to learn effective techniques to keep rats away from your home, garden and yard so that you don’t have to worry about an unexpected encounter with one of these unwelcome guests.
In the southern United States, many homeowners have to deal with the roof rat (Rattus rattus). These are brown or black rats that are smaller than the Norway rats that live throughout most of the rest of the United States.
The roof rat is better suited for these warm climates than the Norway rat. These rats set up their nests in … Read Full Post »
When homeowners are trying to approve their curb appeal, an obvious place to start is with your property’s lawn.
Here in Texas, however, plants face an uphill battle to get established and to stay healthy. Although soil types and quality vary across the state, our warm climate and lack of rainfall present many challenges for homeowners who want to keep their lawns looking green.
One way to provide the nutrients plants need to survive and thrive is to apply fertilizer.
ABC Home & Commercial Services, our lawn care experts know a lot about lawn care. We also care about the impact of our products on the environment. That’s why we only use the best natural and organic lawn fertilizers currently on the market.
In this article, we would like to educate homeowners about the best types of organic fertilizer by exploring the following topics:
Mosquitoes thrive in warm weather. When it cools down in Austin, we all get excited at the prospect of going outside without getting bitten. Unfortunately, the temperature hasn’t dropped enough to completely get rid of mosquitoes, but we still want to enjoy the cooler weather. What’s a homeowner to do to keep mosquitoes out of his or her yard?
Your most important first step to is to recognize mosquito breeding grounds in your yard and get rid of them as quickly as possible. Mosquitoes breed in standing water. Make your yard as inhospitable as possible by getting rid of standing water. Remember that even tiny amounts of water – like a thimbleful – can be breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Scan your yard on a daily basis for standing water sources and dump any that you find. If you see mosquito larvae in the process, … Read Full Post »
There are many reasons that Americans are increasingly moving to the southern states. Our warm sunny days, green spaces, majestic trees and outdoor patio restaurants offer many ways for residents to enjoy spending time exploring these cities.
Guess what? All of the things that make these urban areas so appealing to people also make it an ideal habitat for local rat populations. In this post, we’ll answer the common question: Do rats eat acorns?, as well as discuss what rats we are most likely to see and how to keep these creatures away from your home.
Rats love greenbelt areas with access to water, lush vegetation, seeds and other food sources. They eat nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruit, worms, lizards and various bugs, including spiders and roaches. When desperate, they’ll eat green plants, paper or even candle wax. Rats frequent areas with lots of pecan trees and they also find … Read Full Post »