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Houston’s Humidity & Your Health

. Posted by • Houston

Air conditioning in Houston keeps residents cool during spring, summer, and fall. Unfortunately, humidity in Houston and the moisture produced by some air conditioning units can create hazardous mold inside residents’ homes. This substance can cause several health problems, and some are very serious.

Allergies & Irritations

Mold spores often trigger allergic reactions. This occurs both in healthy people and those who are prone to allergies. Irritated eyes, throat, and nose are also common symptoms. Many people who breathe in airborne mold spores complain of sinus congestion.

Infections

When people are constantly exposed to mold spores indoors, their problems will escalate beyond irritations and allergies. Continuous exposure leaves a person vulnerable to respiratory infections and bronchitis. These conditions may become chronic.

Mycosis

If a person has a weak immune system, mold spores may grow on living tissue inside that individual’s body. This causes systemic infection of the digestive tract, lungs, skin, or sinuses. If environmental conditions … Read Full Post »

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Love Your Lawn…Without Chinch Bugs

. Posted by in , , • Houston

It starts when you notice just a slight yellowing of your once lush lawn. At first, you consider the recent lack of rain, but the yellowing continues to spread and turns your prized lawn into an eyesore. A healthy lawn that turns ugly yellow is one sign that a homeowner is dealing with a chinch bug infestation.

Chinch bugs are lawn pests that feed on healthy grass. The problems use a straw-like part of their mouths to drink the juice of a grass blade while injecting harmful chemicals into the plant. A chinch bug infestation results in a yellow, unhealthy lawn that is typically most damaged in areas exposed to sunlight.

They are identifying whether a chinch bug infestation involves investigating the grass near the soil. Chinch bugs tend to be more active on hot days in the summer and in areas that receive direct sunlight. Anyone interested in improving their Houston … Read Full Post »

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Houston Bees Mean Business

. Posted by in , • Houston

Bees can inflict painful stings; some people are highly allergic to them. Those who have never been stung could be at high risk, as they may not even know they are allergic. In Houston, several types of bees are commonly found. Honeybees, carpenters, bumblebees, stingless bees, and Africanized honeybees are common. Africanized honeybees are also called killer bees because of their extreme aggression. Bees are essential to the earth’s ecosystem, but their growing population has resulted in the need for pest control in Houston.

Encountering A Beehive

When bees are spotted, it is best to avoid getting too close to the hive to identify the bees. These flying insects will sting intruders, but only if they come too close. The best thing to do is run away fast. Intruders who stop to stare at a beehive may not get stung right away. However, the bees protecting the hive release a pheromone that … Read Full Post »

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Monitor Your Home From Anywhere!

. Posted by in • Houston

More people are buying video surveillance and alarm systems in Houston, but burglaries are not the only reason for the recent popularity of these systems. People are discovering the multiple benefits Houston home security systems offer. A CCTV system with one or more cameras allows homeowners to view their property in real-time anywhere there is Internet access.

See what the kids are doing. When teenagers and kids arrive home from school before their parents do, they may be tempted to get into trouble. A camera system allows parents to observe their home whenever they want and ensure their kids aren’t eating cookies before dinner or throwing a football in the house. Parents can also have peace of mind knowing their children safely made it home.

Outdoor cameras are effective at deterring criminals. When thieves stake out homes, they look for properties with easy access, no alarm, and no cameras. No criminal wants … Read Full Post »

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Insects in the Garden: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

. Posted by in , , • Houston

Guest Post By Woodrow D. Weasel on his blog Ground Breaking Tips

LINK TO SHARE:  http://goo.gl/RbxOX

Gardens are fantastic tiny worlds. Like in our macro-size earth, maintaining a delicate balance is essential to a healthy micro-ecosystem. This is even true of the bugs!

The important thing is – get educated. Know your bugs. Please don’t assume they are all bad. Many beneficial insects play an essential role in the health of your garden. Understanding their purpose is also advantageous so you can find natural ways to deal with them. Chemical remedies can be a last resort.

Generally speaking, if a bug is wrong, it has a good predator that can work with you to eliminate it. All it takes is a little bit of knowledge and identifying which bugs are good, which are bad, and which are just plain ugly. Then you will be empowered to work with nature to maintain a healthy garden.

Remember, if you … Read Full Post »

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Houston Landscape Design

. Posted by in , • Houston

Preparing the plans for a Houston landscape design of your yard can be daunting, but starting with the basics can take away from the pressure. The most basic question might be, “What will I plant?” The best choices for North Texas landscaping are the obvious ones: the ones that can handle this Texas heat! So, what are the top 5 Landscape Plants for North Central Texas?

The top 5 perennial Landscape Plants for Central Texas

Salvia (Salvia greggii)
Salvia is native to the Trans Pecos of Texas, favoring the area’s limestone outcrops and canyon lands. Salvia comes in a wide variety of colors, from white, to pink and red. It is a small, shrubby plant with fragrant leaves. The flowers bloom all summer long and into the fall. It prefers full sun. With too much shade, it will become leggy. Cut it back to the main stem in January or February to create complete, new … Read Full Post »

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Need for Live Animal Trapping Creeps into your Office too!

. Posted by in , • Houston

Texas is home to thriving pest populations that, when left unchecked, can damage your business. In addition to the damage they can do to your property, visible evidence of pest infestations can impact how your customers perceive the quality of your business.

ABC Commercial Services takes a comprehensive and environmentally conscientious approach to live animal trapping, pest management, termite treatment, and prevention. Staff entomologists and treating specialists ensure that your property is getting everything you need, but ONLY what you need to maintain a pest-free environment.

As members of the country’s most prestigious pest control organizations, our programs are constantly being evaluated and improved as technologies and best practices evolve.

ABC’S APPROACH TO PEST CONTROL SERVICES INVOLVES FOUR STEPS:

Step 1: Initial Inspection and Evaluation

ABC will conduct a thorough inspection of the premises by one of our trained inspectors. This will allow us to:

  • Assess the situation and identify conducive conditions for pests
  • Identify pests and any related damage
  • Evaluate … Read Full Post »

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Flea Extermination Houston: 6 Common Misconceptions

. Posted by in , • Houston

Now, more than ever, fleas are becoming a problem, making flea extermination in Houston critical. In fact, according to a Kansas State University study, flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) is the most common dermatologic disease of domestic dogs. That’s because when fleas feed, they inject saliva containing various histamine-like compounds, enzymes, and amino acids that induce hypersensitivity. So, what do pet parents need to know to protect their pets?

Here are six common misconceptions about fleas:

1. If you don’t see fleas on your pet, there’s no need to worry about a flea allergy. 
FALSE! Your pet can have a flea allergy even if you don’t see fleas. One flea bite from a flea can cause an allergic reaction. That one bite can make the pet scratch and/or bite the affected area for seven days!

2. When it comes to a flea, you only need to worry about a flea bite. 
FALSE! If a cat or … Read Full Post »

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Is Termite Control Something I Can Do On My Own?

. Posted by in , • Houston

According to the Agricultural Department at the University of Kentucky, Entomology Departments often receive more calls about termites than any other household insect.

Here are some of the top questions asked by homeowners:

Why worry about termites?  Termites cause billions of dollars in damage yearly by feeding on wood and damaging paper, books, insulation, and even swimming pool liners. Termites can injure living trees and shrubs, but more often are a secondary invader of trees and wooded plants already in decline. While buildings may become infested anytime, termites are particularly important when buying or selling a home. Besides the monetary impact, thousands of winged termites emerging inside your home is an emotionally trying experience.

Why are infestations often discovered during March–May?  Spring is when large numbers of winged termites, known as Swarmers, typically emerge inside homes. In nature, termites swarm to disperse and start new colonies. Triggered by warmer temperatures and rainfall, the winged termites … Read Full Post »

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Subterranean Termites Live in Colonies in the Soil Around your Home

. Posted by in , • Houston

Termite colonies can range in size from 500,000 to 5,000,000. Termites feed on cellulose or wood materials. Some of their food source is found in the ground, like trees, but they will also provide for your home. They work 24 hours a day and only need fractions of an inch to invade your home. The annual loss due to structural damage by termites is more than $2 billion!

STEPS TO SIGNATURE PLUS SERVICE

Detection of termite activity

ABC will inspect your home for termites, damage, and foraging (mud) tubes. We will install monitoring stations around the perimeter of structures to serve as an early warning system. You buy a security alarm to protect your home or business from human invaders. With ABC, your home has a security system to warn it from termite invasion. 

Treatment of termites

ABC will apply a liquid treatment zone in the termite’s feeding area. The materials that we use have … Read Full Post »

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