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Are There Mosquito Repellent Plants?

. Posted by in , • Corpus Christi
Mosquito repellent plants

Many homeowners invest a significant amount of time and energy into making their outdoor spaces inviting places to relax and unwind. Unfortunately, there is a common pest that often interferes with these well-laid plans: the mosquito. With the wide variety of mosquito control products available, it’s easy to be overwhelmed. One approach you may have heard of is to put plants in your backyard that keep mosquitoes away. Citronella grass, lemongrass, lemon balm, catnip, bee balm, peppermint, rosemary, lavender and basil are all varieties that are purported to be effective for natural mosquito control.

Unfortunately, scientific studies have shown that it’s not the plants themselves that mosquitoes don’t like. It’s actually the oil in the leaves which contains properties that can repel these bothersome biting insects. That means that you would need to crush the leaves of these plants to extract the oils and rub those oils on your skin to … Read Full Post »

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Eggshells in Garbage Disposal and Other Common Questions Answered

. Posted by in • Corpus Christi
eggshells in garbage disposal

One of the kitchen appliances we often take for granted is our garbage disposal. We don’t think much about the mechanics behind the device that allows us to scrape our dinner dishes into the sink without having to worry about clogging up our drains. When’s the last time you thought about what you’re putting down your garbage disposal?

Eggshells in Garbage Disposal and Other Common Questions Answered

Below we’ll take a look at how this workhorse appliance does its job, and how to make sure it keeps working into the future.

How Do Garbage Disposals Work?

To understand the care and “feeding” of our garbage disposals, we need to have a better understanding of how they work. In most cases, the units consist of a metal canister that has rotating blades or impellers. Some have additional grinding mechanisms for additional functionality. When food enters the unit, the blades spin rapidly to crush/grind … Read Full Post »

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Where To Donate Household Items In Corpus Christi

. Posted by in • Corpus Christi
Where to donate household items Corpus Christi

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 »

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Everything You Need To Know About Corpus Christi Rodents [INFOGRAPHIC]

. Posted by in • Corpus Christi
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 »

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Common Plumbing Problems

. Posted by in • Corpus Christi
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 »

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How To Save On Energy Costs This Winter

. Posted by in • Corpus Christi
winter energy saving tips

Depending on the weather, your home, and your heating system, winter can be a time of year when your utility costs go up. When thinking about your energy bills in the winter, there are a number of things you can do to keep your heating (and in warmer parts of the country, sometimes your air conditioning) costs low throughout the season.

How to Save on Energy Costs This Winter

Read on to learn how to put winter energy saving tips to work to reduce your utility bills.

Maintain Your Equipment

Your HVAC unit needs occasional attention to make sure it’s running at peak efficiency. It’s a good idea to schedule an annual inspection with a licensed heating and air conditioning technician. Experts such as the ones we have at ABC Home & Commerical Services can take a look at the unit’s coils and connections. They will check your vents and test your equipment … Read Full Post »

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How To Improve Soil Quality In Your Lawn

. Posted by in • Corpus Christi
how to improve soil quality

A healthy lawn and garden begin with your soil. In fact, many problems with home gardens, trees, and an unhealthy looking lawn are caused by poor soil quality. Wondering how to improve soil quality on your property? Luckily, a simple switch is all you need to make a big difference.

How To Improve Soil Quality

One of the ways you can improve your lawn by is by incorporating more organic material into your soil. With countless amendments and enrichment products on the market, however, knowing which to choose can be overwhelming.

Read below to learn about soil improvement methods which can help improve the quality and health of your lawn.

Test It Out 

When thinking about how to improve soil health, one way to start is to conduct a soil test. Having a better understanding of the current nutrient levels in your lawn and what your soil is missing can help you determine what … Read Full Post »

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How To Prevent Lyme Disease

. Posted by in • Corpus Christi
How to prevent Lyme disease

As a tick-borne illness, Lyme disease is a serious concern for people all across the United States. If the disease isn’t treated soon after exposure, it can cause debilitating pain, weakness, and other chronic impairments. Learn more about what Lyme disease is, the symptoms, and how to prevent Lyme disease.

What is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. Humans contract the disease through bites from deer ticks and black-legged ticks. Most commonly found in the Midwest and the northeastern US, individuals suffering from Lyme disease are also spread all across the country, as well as in 60 other countries. According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lyme is the most widespread disease spread by animals in the US.

Lyme generally isn’t fatal. However, people with untreated Lyme disease experience chronic pain and disabilities. Lyme impairs the functioning of organs and causes mental impairments, pain, and … Read Full Post »

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How To Make This Holiday Season Less Stressful

. Posted by in • Corpus Christi
Holiday hacks

Helpful Hacks For A Stress-Free Holiday Season

It’s hard to believe, but the holidays are upon us once again. Soon enough, we’ll be picking apples for cider, hanging garland over the fireplace and welcoming family into our homes for a celebration.

And while the holidays can bring great cheer and joy, the impending arrival of family and friends can leave you feeling a bit overwhelmed. To avoid any unwanted stress, we suggest taking necessary steps to ensure your home is in tip-top shape before the festivities begin.

Read our tips below to make getting ready for this holiday season a little bit easier.

Make a Checklist

Before your guests arrive, assess your home to see what areas need attention. During this time you can also take inventory of what you can reuse from prior years’ festivities and what you’ll need to purchase.

Remember, though, taking on too many tasks can set you up for a stressful situation. … Read Full Post »

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Where do rats come from?

. Posted by in • Corpus Christi
where do rats come from

Like many homeowners, you’ve unfortunately found yourself with a rodent infestation. Rats have invaded your home. Before you even begin to attack the problem, you might be wondering: how did these rats even get into my house? Clearly, you didn’t let them in the front door, and you keep your windows closed all the time. So how did they get in?

Where do rats come from?

First, you have to consider what attracts rats, or any rodent for that matter: sources of food and shelter. Your home is a shelter, so there isn’t much you can do to change that. However, you can take steps to keep the food in and around your home from attracting rats.

What attracts rats?

Rats have a keen sense of smell, so the best way to keep them from detecting food in your home is to seal it up as much as possible. Consider these tactics:

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