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Mosquitoes in Texas: What Homeowners Should Know

Mosquitoes in Texas

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You’re proud of your home. You’ve spent years caring for it, improving it and making it suit your style. Your home and landscape have never looked better. But there’s still a problem you’ll encounter, simply because you live in Texas: mosquitoes.

In addition to being an annoyance, these tiny biting creatures pose a risk to you, your family and your pets. Maybe you’re starting to feel their presence every time you step outside, or you’re tired of getting covered in itchy bites. You might find yourself wondering: what mosquito species live in Texas?

Mosquitoes in Texas: What Homeowners Should Know

You probably can’t spend much time outside without feeling the itch of new mosquito bites. New reports of cases of mosquito-borne diseases, such as the Zika virus, don’t seem to be going away.

Now may be the time to rethink the measures you take to protect yourself and your family from mosquitoes. Pest control professionals can … Read Full Post »

What Do Mosquitoes Do with Blood?

a mosquito

A perfect night at home with friends can quickly go south when mosquitoes intrude on the party. These pests not only leave itchy bites but can also transmit diseases.

But, what do mosquitoes do with blood, anyway? Believe it or not, they don’t bite just to annoy you. Female mosquitoes need animal or human blood for reproductive purposes.

If mosquitoes are taking over your property, let pest control specialists help. They know how to manage the mosquito population on your property. You can also schedule regular treatments with them so they can deal with any lurkers and help prevent future infestations.

Why Do Mosquitoes Bite and What Do They Do With the Blood?

Only female mosquitoes bite animals and humans. They have a long mouthpiece called a proboscis that they use to pierce our skin and suck blood. They then secrete saliva into our system to prevent the blood from coagulating. Our bodies will … Read Full Post »

What Are Mosquitoes Attracted To?

a mosquito on skin

As a homeowner, do you know what attracts these pests and how to deter mosquitoes from your property? Mosquitoes are annoying pests that seek out humans and animals as hosts. It’s important to understand what mosquitoes are attracted to so that you can take steps to avoid them.

The best way to deal with mosquitoes is to call in pest control professionals. An expert can control mosquitoes on your property.

What Are Mosquitoes Attracted To?

Mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide that humans and animals emit when they exhale. These pests use their receptors to pick up on the carbon dioxide in the air, and they use their vision to find people and animals.

Their impressive receptors, located on their antennae, allow them to detect carbon dioxide from a great distance. Once they fly into the vicinity of a host, they rely on their vision to land on the host.

Mosquito vision is not … Read Full Post »

How Many Ants Are in a Colony?

an ant colony

If you have pesky ants at home, you know how they can feel impossible to control. Since it can seem like they are always around, many homeowners wonder how many ants are in a colony.

If ants are invading your space, contact pest control specialists. Ants are hardworking and resilient pests but are no match for the pros. They have the tools and expertise to control these pests and help prevent future colonies from invading.

How Many Ants Are in a Colony?

Ants are social insects, and each of them belongs to a colony. Unlike other insects, you’ll never find an ant that operates solo. These colonies come in different sizes depending on species, colony age, climate and other factors.

The number of ants in a colony can vary depending on the species, age of the colony and the weather. Most ant colonies will have a few hundred ants, while some ant species, like … Read Full Post »

How Many Mice Is Considered An Infestation?

How many mice is considered an infestation

So you’ve found mouse droppings, gnaw marks on your furniture, cardboard boxes and plastic storage bins that have been chewed through and other signs that point to the presence of mice in your home. Maybe you’ve even seen an actual mouse somewhere inside your house, or at least heard the telltale scratching and squeaking sounds of rodent activity within your walls.

Whatever signs you’ve spotted, something has alerted you to the possibility that mice are living in your home, and now you’re wondering whether you’ve got just one or two of the unwanted little rodent pests or a full-blown infestation. How many mice is considered an infestation? It’s a good question to ask, as the answer will inform you as to the scope of your mouse problem and what you need to do next.

The question “How many mice is considered an infestation?” is a bit complicated to answer. If you … Read Full Post »

If One Room Has Bed Bugs, Do They All?

a bed bug

If you’re like most people, discovering bed bugs in your home is nothing short of a nightmare. Maybe you brought them back home after traveling, or they hitchhiked in on used furniture. However they arrived in your home, bed bugs multiply quickly, so they need to be controlled fast, before their population explodes. But, how difficult will it be to get rid of them? If one room has bed bugs, do they all?

The short answer is that it’s possible there are bed bugs in more than one room in your house. It depends on your living habits, how long the bed bugs have been there, how extensive the infestation is and how you respond to their presence once you find out about them.

Identifying Signs of Bed Bugs

True to their name, bed bug infestations usually begin in your sleeping quarters. These small, brown insects are about the size and color of … Read Full Post »

Furnace Is Not Kicking on When Temperature Drops

a home

The coming of the colder months means digging out your scarves, gloves and jackets from the depths of your closet so you can stay toasty. It also means preparing your home for the cold weather and ensuring it doesn’t take any damage. That includes checking on your home’s HVAC system. If the furnace is not kicking on when temperatures drops, it can lead to a number of issues. Not to mention, you’ll be uncomfortably cold.

If you want to make your home as warm and cozy as possible, here are some ways to troubleshoot a furnace that won’t turn on. If all else fails, contact an HVAC specialist. An HVAC specialist will have your furnace running smoothly again so you can enjoy the cold months to the fullest.

Furnace Not Kicking on When the Temperature Drops? Here’s What To Do

Several factors can prevent a furnace from turning on despite a temperature drop. … Read Full Post »

Do Mice Sleep?

a mouse

If you think you have mice at home, it can be hard to confirm your suspicions. You might hear their squeaking and scurrying, but it’s rare for homeowners to see these sneaky pests in action. That’s because their sleeping habits help them stay concealed from people and grow their population without us knowing.

Here’s everything to know about mice, including the answer to the question: “Do mice sleep?”

It is best to contact pest control professionals if you suspect or have discovered a mouse infestation on your property. They have the tools and expertise to control these rodents.

When and Where Do Mice Sleep?

Just like humans, mice need to sleep. But their sleeping patterns are different from ours. When these pests are active in a home, mice are typically nocturnal creatures, meaning they’re active at night. However, that can change depending on their environment and when their predators are active.

Mice in the wild … Read Full Post »

Why Is My Water Heater Making Noises?

a technician working on a water heater

Do you hear strange noises coming from your water heater? Whether it’s a rumbling sound, a hiss, popping or high-pitched whistling, these noises will have homeowners scratching their heads.

Each type of noise a water heater makes could indicate an underlying problem in your plumbing system. Once you identify the type of noise coming from your water heater, contact a professional plumber to make the necessary repairs.

Why Is My Water Heater Making Noises?

Water heaters often make strange noises when they have maintenance issues or need repair. There are several noises that a water heater could make, so it’s important for homeowners to understand them and what each noise means so that they can take the proper action.

Staying on top of water heater maintenance is the best way to ensure that your water heater has a long lifespan and your home doesn’t experience a lack of hot water. Keep reading to learn … Read Full Post »

Do Crane Flies Eat Mosquitoes?

a crane fly

You’ve seen them flying around the porch at night. They look like enormous mosquitoes. Their bodies are an inch long or more, and their long, spindly legs can be three inches across. They’re crane flies, but they have a lot of names.

Common names for crane flies include:

  • mosquito hawks
  • skeeter eaters
  • gallinippers
  • gollywhoppers
  • Texas mosquitoes

Some people are put off by their size; others think they’re giant mosquitoes. Crane flies do look like Jurassic mosquitoes, after all. There is a large mosquito called the gallinipper, but it’s nowhere near the size of a crane fly. Just to add to the confusion, many people like to see them around because they think they eat mosquitoes.

What Exactly Are Crane Flies?

There are over 15,000 species of crane flies. They’re classified in the order of “true flies,” like mosquitoes, but they’re in separate families. That’s why they look so much alike, but that’s where the similarities end.

So they’re not mosquitoes, … Read Full Post »