ABC Blog

Mites Versus Bed Bugs: Identification Guide

a bed bug

Homeowners may confuse mites and bed bugs, pictured above, for each other. However, they are entirely unrelated species, each requiring different treatment methods. It’s crucial to know which one is infesting your home if you want to get things under control.

There are some ways to try to tell these two pests apart. You can also let pest control specialists come over and identify the intruders in your home. They will assess the situation and provide the best solution to manage the mite or bed bug infestation. That way, you and your family can relax at home and get undisturbed sleep again.

Mites Versus Bed Bugs: Appearance and Habits

Bed bugs are flat and small parasitic insects that depend on human and animal blood for their nutrition. They feed when their victims are asleep and usually hang out near sleeping areas. Meanwhile, mites are arthropods closely related to ticks. They come in many … Read Full Post »

My AC Is Dripping Water: What’s Wrong?

an AC unit

Many of us can’t imagine a home without air conditioning. That’s especially true in the summer when the AC is the only thing keeping us from melting. While air conditioning is synonymous with comfort, it can also be a source of unnecessary stress. Imagine coming home, ready to relax, only to see a puddle of water under the AC.

It’s not fun to have a leaking AC. Not only is it messy, but it also means there’s something wrong with your unit. If your AC is dripping water, it’s important to get to the bottom of the issue before it snowballs into a more costly problem.

Here are some troubleshooting methods that can help you solve the leak. If none of them work, it’s time to get professional help. An HVAC professional will have your AC running smoothly again without any pesky leaks.

Why Your AC Is Dripping Water and What You Can … Read Full Post »

Why Do I Have Mosquito Bites on My Feet?

a person hiking

We all know that mosquito bites are no fun, especially on our feet. The irritation only worsens when our feet rub against socks and other articles of clothing.

So, why do mosquitoes like to go for our feet and ankles? Aedes mosquitoes are often known as ankle biters, and they bite people’s feet and ankles for several reasons. If you’re dealing with these pesky insects on your property, there are ways to deter them. But the best solution is to contact the professionals. Pest control specialists know how to manage the infestation.

Mosquito Bites on the Feet: Why They Happen and How to Prevent Them

Aedes mosquitoes are incredibly annoying. No matter how much we cover up, they can find small areas of exposed skin to bite. They do this by using their antennae, which have hundreds of receptors that can detect the chemicals in our bodies and the carbon dioxide we exhale.

Different … Read Full Post »

Tawny Crazy Ant Identification Guide

a tawny crazy ant on a leaf

Ants are persistent pests. When you think you’ve gotten rid of them, these resilient and hardworking insects can quickly return.

Tawny crazy ants are a common type of ant that homeowners can find in their homes. Their colonies have several queens and many more workers than other ants. As their name implies, tawny crazy ants are an aggressive bunch.

If these ants are already making themselves comfortable in your home, contact pest control specialists. They have the tools and expertise to take on tawny crazy ants and other ant species.

Tawny Crazy Ant Appearance and Behavior

Tawny crazy ants are native to South America but have been invading the U.S. since 2002. They started in Texas and have since spread to Mississippi, Florida, Georgia and Louisiana. They are so invasive that they have displaced the local fire ants in these areas.

While this species can’t fly, they infest old boxes, potted plants and other objects. … Read Full Post »

Can You Put Coffee Grounds in the Sink Garbage Disposal?

coffee grounds

On busy mornings, it’s tempting to gulp down your coffee and throw the coffee grounds down the garbage disposal. While it’s a convenient way to clean up, it can lead to costly problems in the long run. Garbage disposals are durable, but they are not indestructible. There are things you should never throw in them, including coffee grounds.

If you’re dealing with garbage disposal issues, a professional plumber can have it running smoothly again. The plumber can also come in for regular maintenance to ensure all the parts are in perfect working condition. That will help you get as many years as possible from your garbage disposal.

Why You Should Not Throw Coffee Grounds Into the Sink Garbage Disposal

Homeowners are used to throwing various food scraps down the garbage disposal. So why not coffee grounds?

Because they’re tiny particles, it might seem like ground coffee will have no problem going down the sink. … Read Full Post »

Do Bed Bugs Bite Every Night?

a bed bug on a sheet

Are you waking up with itchy bed bug bites? There’s nothing worse than being bitten in your sleep, but it can take a while for homeowners to realize that they have a bed bug problem. Part of the issue is that bed bugs do not bite every night, so the pest problem can be hard to spot.

Do Bed Bugs Bite Every Night?

Waking up with bed bug bites is never fun. It can feel like you wake up every morning with a new collection of bites, which leaves many homeowners wondering if bed bugs bite every night.

The truth is that bed bugs do not bite humans every night. They have a purpose behind their biting, and it’s to get a blood meal. One blood meal can typically last bed bugs for three to seven days. Once their previous blood meal is digested, they’ll go back for more.

If they can’t access a … Read Full Post »

Do Only Female Mosquitoes Bite?

a mosquito

Do all mosquitoes bite, or do only the females bite? There are a lot that people don’t know about mosquito bites. For homeowners, it’s important to understand why, when and where mosquitoes are most likely to bite.

If you’re dealing with a mosquito issue on your property, the most effective way to approach the problem is to get expert help. A pest control specialist can reduce the mosquito population at every phase of the life cycle and minimize the risk of mosquito bites on your property.

Do Only Female Mosquitoes Bite?

A little-known fact about mosquitoes is that only female mosquitoes bite humans and other animals. The reason for this is that females need a blood meal to obtain protein and other nutrients needed to produce eggs.

Since male mosquitoes do not need the nutrients from blood, they feed on nectar and plant juices instead.

When Do Mosquitoes Bite?

Female mosquitoes can bite at any time … Read Full Post »

What is an Insulation R-Value?

an attic insulation

Many homeowners don’t realize how essential insulation is to their homes. It keeps hot air from entering or leaving, ensuring the temperature inside stays consistent. With poor insulation, you never know when a draft is about to surprise you.

But insulation does more than keep you warm and toasty. Your wallet will thank you because it can help improve energy efficiency and lower utility bills. It can even control indoor moisture and help keep mildew at bay.

If you are just learning about insulation and R-values, here’s everything you need to know to select the best insulation for your home. You can also contact an insulation specialist for help.

What Is an Insulation R-Value and How Does It Work?

The R-value represents an insulation material’s resistance to heat flow per inch of thickness. The higher the R-value, the better the material is at insulating. R-values can be as low as R-10, typical of flooring … Read Full Post »

Toilet Flapper Is Not Sealing: What’s Wrong?

a white bathroom

If you notice that your toilet is making sounds like gurgling and whining, it can be annoying as well as wasteful. If your toilet makes all kinds of gurgling and whining noises, you probably have the flapper to blame for that. It’s a small piece of rubber or plastic hiding in the murky depths of the toilet tank. If it’s not sealing well, it can cause problems for your toilet.

Fortunately for homeowners, flapper issues are usually easy to fix. Here are some troubleshooting methods you can try. But if none work, you can let a professional plumber come to the rescue. They’ll get to the bottom of things and provide the best solution.

What to Do If Your Toilet Flapper Is Not Sealing

The toilet flapper might not be visible, but it plays a crucial role in the toilet system. It seals off the opening below the toilet tank, preventing water from … Read Full Post »

How Long Do Tankless Water Heaters Last?

Tankless water heaters are gaining in popularity. Tankless water heaters heat water on demand instead of pulling hot water from a storage tank. That means you can enjoy a nice hot shower even if you wake up late and everyone has had their turn. But, that’s not the only advantage of tankless units.

Another benefit of investing in a tankless water heater is its durability. Tankless models can be a better value for your money because they can easily outlast tanked units. You might have to pay more upfront, but its longevity makes up for that.

How Long Do Tankless Water Heaters Last? How Can You Maximize Their Lifespan?

They’re not cheap, so many homeowners want to know how long tankless water heaters last before taking the plunge. You’ll be happy to know they can work efficiently for 15 to 20 years. That’s a significant improvement from standard models, which tend to max … Read Full Post »