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What Do the Numbers on Fertilizer Mean?

. Posted by in , • Bryan-College Station
a person holding fertilizer

Figuring out fertilization on your own without the support of a lawn care specialist can be challenging for homeowners. Fertilizers at a home and garden store include a list of numbers that homeowners may be unfamiliar with.

If all this feels a bit too overwhelming, consider reaching out to a lawn care expert. A specialist knows how to fertilize your lawn best and can put in place a lawn care schedule.

What is the N-P-K Ratio, and What Do The Numbers on Fertilizer Mean?

Many homes in the United States do not have soil that is healthy enough to sustain the perfect lawn or garden. For this reason, homeowners usually need to add nutrients to their yards.

Using natural or synthetic (chemical) fertilizer increases the nutrient count of your yard. Fertilizer works with bacteria and fungi in the soil to create an ideal environment for your plants to grow. Natural fertilizers are more effective … Read Full Post »

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My Dog Has Fleas: What To Do in the House?

. Posted by in , • Bryan-College Station

Temperatures are rising, bringing more opportunities for outdoor activities and fun in the sun. It isn’t just people and pets that love to be outside and active in warmer weather. Fleas love it, too!

Fleas thrive when temperatures hover between 65-80 degrees and humidity sits between 75 percent and 85 percent. These pests are a summer problem in some parts of the country and almost a year-round menace for more southern states.

Different species of fleas can be found hopping around your home, your yard, your pets and you. You can find dog fleas, cat fleas, rabbit fleas and human fleas, named for the species’ preferred host. However, any type of flea can infest more than one kind of host.

How Do You Know Your Pet Has Fleas?

An obvious way to know Fido has fleas is if you see little dark specks in their fur or tiny brownish insects hopping around on them. … Read Full Post »

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What Are Bed Bugs Attracted To?

. Posted by in , • Bryan-College Station
a bed bug crawling up a wall

Homeowners all across the United States deal with the presence of bed bugs in their homes. A bed bug outbreak can happen to anyone because bed bugs are attracted to humans in a variety of ways. By learning more about bed bugs and methods of controlling them, you will be better prepared to identify the signs of bed bugs.

What Attracts Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are attracted to blood, heat and the carbon dioxide humans breath out. Because bed bugs are parasites, they feed on the blood of the people and pets in your home. These pests will bite you during the night for up to ten minutes. They prefer to live wherever they can get an easy meal, which is most often in the bedroom. Although bed bugs often bite when you are sleeping, they are not afraid of light. They may bite you, your loved ones or your household pets … Read Full Post »

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Why Does My AC Drain Line Keep Clogging?

. Posted by in • Bryan-College Station
a home with a clogged ac drain line

When your AC drain line keeps clogging, it can be frustrating if you don’t know why it’s happening or how to resolve it. Even worse, a clog in the line can lead to even bigger AC problems that require expensive repairs. Fortunately, a clogged condensate drain pipe is a common issue that usually isn’t too complicated to fix. It’s even easier to take some common-sense steps to prevent the line from clogging in the first place.

Here are some signs that your AC drain line is clogged:

  • There is standing water in the drain pan of the AC’s indoor unit.
  • There are damp conditions or water damage near the indoor unit.
  • A moldy, mildew-y or musty smell is coming from the indoor unit or from the AC vents in the house.
  • The AC isn’t working—either it won’t turn on, it shuts off unexpectedly, or it runs but isn’t cooling the home.

One common reason why AC … Read Full Post »

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The Different Types of Fertilizers

. Posted by in , • Bryan-College Station

Springtime means that homeowners are fertilizing their lawns. If you want to keep your lawn looking its best this summer, you will want to get an effective fertilizer.

Still, there are so many different fertilizers to choose from. So how do you know which types of fertilizer you need for your lawn?

The main reason you need to fertilize your lawn is to improve soil nutrition. Soil alone does not contain enough nutrients like potassium, phosphorus or nitrogen. Commercial fertilizers are labeled according to their NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) levels. These nutrients are the keys to healthy, green grass.

Keep reading to learn more about different fertilizers and which ones may be best for your lawn. You will also learn about plant food versus fertilizer and whether the best time to fertilize is before or after rain. With a better knowledge of fertilizer types, the grass will always be greener on your … Read Full Post »

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Room Temperature Doesn’t Match Thermostat Setting

. Posted by in • Bryan-College Station
a thermostat that is saying it has reached the desired temperature but the room temperature doesn't match

The summer sun is beating down or winter’s chill arrives, so you set your thermostat to a comfortable temperature. But, your system doesn’t respond. What do you do next?

You could put on a pair of shorts or a parka, depending on the weather, but that doesn’t solve the problem. The best bet would be to contact a professional who knows exactly what to look for. They know how to get things working properly again. Or, you could take a couple of steps yourself first.

You Set the Thermostat Too High or Too Low

Have you set the thermostat a lot higher or lower than the outside temperature? Forcing the HVAC to “hurry up” and heat or cool your home to your desired temperature only makes the unit work harder. This won’t get you to your comfort zone and it isn’t good for the life of the system either.

There’s Debris Inside the Thermostat

The … Read Full Post »

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Furnace Turns On But No Heat

. Posted by in • Bryan-College Station
a living room with a fireplace

The low “whoosh” of a furnace kicking on brings a sigh of relief when the temperatures drop. But, it’s a shock when your furnace turns on but there’s no heat. If your furnace is not putting out the heat you need, there are a couple of things you can check.

Check the Switches

First, take a look at your thermostat. It might seem obvious, but sometimes, a homeowner has accidentally clicked “cool” rather than “heat.” Luckily, if that is the case, it is an easy fix to click the switch to the correct function.

Your thermostat has another toggle that can just as easily be the reason for the flow of cool air in the cold weather. The location might vary, but somewhere on the wall thermostat is a switch that says “Auto” and “On.” A switch on “Auto” will make the furnace click on only when a sensor signals that the temperature … Read Full Post »

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College Station Holiday Parade and Events

. Posted by in • Bryan-College Station
The College Station Holiday parade

Want to know more about this year’s College Station holiday parade and events leading up to the holidays? It’s a good idea to start planning early for the holiday season since ticketed events can sell out fast. Even free events can present challenges in the form of parking, lines and crowds. Planning ahead will help you and your loved ones can enjoy a festive holiday experience.

The College Station holiday parade, also known as the Bryan–College Station Christmas parade, is an annual favorite event and longtime holiday tradition. This event is normally held in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Unfortunately, last year’s parade was canceled due to local health concerns. But, organizers are hopeful for a return of this longtime holiday tradition in December 2021.

Fortunately, there is another beloved holiday parade already in the works for the Bryan–College Station area. On Thursday, December 9th, Bryan hosts its annual Downtown Lighted … Read Full Post »

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Can Cats Smell Mice?

. Posted by in , • Bryan-College Station
a cat that has sniffed out a mouse in a garden

We have all seen the popular cartoons about a cat trying to chase down a mouse and going nuts as the mouse plays all sorts of tricks on it, but how much of this is true in real life? It has been said that animals have an ability to sense that something is different or wrong in their environment long before humans have any idea that something is going on. When it comes to cats and mice, this is definitely true.

Cats have many of the same kinds of heightened senses that some of the world’s top predators use to track down their prey. This gives cats an increased ability to smell mice, but cats are not the only pets with this type of talent. Like their feline friends, dogs can smell mice too.

On average, both cats and dogs have a better sense of smell than humans. That is one reason … Read Full Post »

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What’s the Best Fertilizer for Bermuda Grass?

. Posted by in , • Bryan-College Station
a homeowner preparing to fertilize their grass

Lots of people love bermuda grass because it thrives in so many conditions. It’s fine with humidity but also drought-tolerant. It feels good on your feet, yet can handle lots of foot traffic. There’s plenty to love about this low-maintenance grass. But, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t need a little care throughout the year, including the right fertilizer. The best fertilizer for bermuda grass is one with plenty of nitrogen, some potassium and little to no phosphorus. This blend of nutrients, called the NPK ratio, will help your bermuda grass look its best.

Most fertilizers come in liquid, water-soluble or granular form. Both liquid and water-soluble fertilizers are easy to apply. You attach the fertilizer container to your garden hose and spray an even layer throughout the yard. Liquid fertilizers absorb quickly, which means they may need to be applied more often than other forms, like granular fertilizer. This dry form … Read Full Post »

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