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4 Popular Hardscaping Features

. Posted by in • San Antonio

Landscaping Improvements That Work For You

Lawns need mowing, gardens love edging, and weeds deserve whacking. Yard chores aren’t fun, but they add up to a beautiful home landscape. What if you could improve the scenery with features that don’t demand special attention? Here are four great hardscaping ideas for homeowners who like to relax on the weekend.

1. Retaining Walls Have Purpose

Whether they’re built with concrete block or native field stone, well-placed retaining walls minimize erosion from pouring rains and help control storm flooding. They shade delicate gardens from sizzling Texas summers and provide welcome wind breaks when winter storms blow through. If your lawn mower bounces over uneven terrain, consider the shorter cousins of these functional walls. Terracing tames the wildest slopes in San Antonio yards.

2. Pathways Work Around Problems

Towering shade trees thin the lawn under their branches, and family foot traffic wears ruts along favorite home trails. Win this … Read Full Post »

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Wildlife in the City: When Neighbors Collide

. Posted by in • San Antonio

What to do when those cute critters encroach

The San Antonio area is a great place to see wild animals in their native habitats. We’re surrounded by natural areas that harbor dozens of bird, reptile, and mammal species, reminding us that humanity is just one part of a diverse ecosystem. Unfortunately, wild animals occasionally encroach on our property and necessitate a response from homeowners or trained professionals. It’s important to understand how to deal with such activity without overreacting.

What Animals Tend to Live Among Us?

There are plenty of resident critters in central and south Texas. The ones that tend to do best among people include:

  • Opossums
  • Raccoons
  • Coyotes
  • Deer
  • Songbirds and birds of prey

Should You Feed the Deer?

Many San Antonio-area homeowners welcome the influx of animals into our neighborhoods. Some even go so far as to encourage their presence by leaving out bird or deer feeders.

While it can be great to watch birds frolic at your … Read Full Post »

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San Antonio Tree Selection: Choosing the Best Trees for Your Yard

. Posted by in • San Antonio

Windbreaks, Shades and Canopies That Love Central Texas

Planting a new tree in the yard yields instant green thumb gratification. Even the smallest sapling stands up straight with a promise of easy care and future shade. The mild San Antonio climate is very forgiving about your choice in timber, but some trees love the area more than others.

From Understories to Canopies

Trees don’t have to grow tall to be beautiful, and some of our loveliest local choices are the understory species. Mexican buckeyes and Texas redbuds mature at 10 feet, so enjoy these smaller plantings as windbreaks that offer natural landscaping privacy. Taller maples, walnuts and Mexican plums reach ideal heights for keeping your great outdoors shady and comfortable. Count on live oaks, cedar elms and Sabal palms for magnificent, towering canopies that spread over the house, block the sizzling sun and help hold down summer cooling costs.

Fabulous Flowers and Delectable Fruits

The … Read Full Post »

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Why Are We Bugged by Bugs?

. Posted by in • San Antonio

The science behind our fear of insects

What’s your least favorite insect?

For many people, that question is hard to answer. That’s not because there are so few scary bugs out there. Rather, it’s because lots of people are afraid of—or just generally “creeped out” by—all bugs. Recently, we heard an illuminating podcast about the psychology behind our fear of bugs. While it might not be enough to dispel your fears, it could help you understand why insects, arachnids, and arthropods seem so creepy.

Anyone Can Be Afraid

In the podcast, a well-known academic named Jeffrey Lockwood discusses his own fears of insects. As a grasshopper expert, he fancied himself immune to the fears that afflict normal folks. As it turns out, however, he’s just as susceptible as the rest of us. When he was out on the open prairie near his home base at the University of Wyoming, he came across an area … Read Full Post »

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Best Tips for a Tick-Free Yard

. Posted by in , • San Antonio

Ticks thrive in damp, leafy areas with plenty of shade from the hot Texas sun. If that sounds like your yard, chances are that you’re about to – or already do – have a few new tenants, and they aren’t planning on paying the rent. Despite their tiny size, ticks can cause big problems, including the dreaded Lyme disease. While rates for new cases of Lyme disease are relatively low in Texas compared to other states, your health is too important to gamble on statistics. Here’s what you can do to transform your yard from a tick haven to a tick-free zone in any season:

 

Keep Your Grass Close to the Ground

Tall grass makes the ideal hiding spot for hungry ticks on the attack. The cover keeps them out of sunlight and out of sight while they wait to make direct contact with a passing animal – or you. To discourage … Read Full Post »

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5 Reasons to Avoid a Plumbing Snake

. Posted by in • San Antonio
DIY Plumbing Snake Problems

When you have a drain that’s hopelessly clogged, it’s tempting to grab a plumbing snake to take care of it. Also called pipe snakes, these coiled wire tools can be effective at clearing clogs, but they can also cause a great deal of damage if you don’t know what you’re doing.

5 Reasons to Avoid a Plumbing Snake

The top plumbing problem homeowners face is clogged drains. There are a number of tools you can use to unclog a drain, the most frequently used being a plunger, a plumbing snake and a drain auger. The last thing you want to do when using a snake to unclog a drain is to do further damage to your home. Here are five reasons you may want to hit the pause button before reaching for a plumbing snake:

#1: You May Have The Wrong Type of Snake for the Job

Most homeowners don’t realize there are several different types … Read Full Post »

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Air Ducts Leaking? Watch Out For These Warning Signs

. Posted by in • San Antonio
air ducts leaking

Many San Antonio home and business owners are not aware that their HVAC’s air ducts are leaking. All they know is that their home or office is uncomfortable and seems as if there is no air coming out of vents because something feels “off” about the temperature. We know how frustrating it can be to notice a problem but not know what is going on exactly, or how to fix it.

Air duct leaks are more common than you would think. If you have noticed any of the following warning signs, schedule an appointment with a trusted air conditioning professional to help you determine whether or not your AC issue is caused by a duct leak.

Stuffy Air Or Uneven Temperatures

If certain rooms are difficult to cool, or you notice the air not circulating well in some areas, it’s possible that the air from the AC unit is seeping out through the … Read Full Post »

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Signs of a Hidden Water Leak

. Posted by in • San Antonio

Detecting and eliminating unwanted dampness

Hidden leaks can waste thousands of gallons of water per year and often result in serious damage to the underlying structure of your home. Watch for these signs to detect leaks so you can take action before they become severe.

Increased Water Bills

A sudden spike in your water bill is one of the telltale signs of a hidden leak. If you can’t find any reason for the change and your bills remain high even when you’re trying to be conservative, it’s time to have the plumbing checked.

Discolored Patches

Hidden water can cause dark places, rings, or other color changes to appear on the ceiling and walls around your home. In some cases this may be the result of a leaky roof, but it could also mean that the pipes are sending water where it shouldn’t be going.

Peeling or Blistered Walls

Water inside walls can cause wallpaper and paint to … Read Full Post »

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Texas A&M Agrilife Extension IPM Program

. Posted by in • San Antonio

Where do we find our inspiration? It begins here.

If you’ve used our pest control services before, you understand the thoroughness and attention to detail that define our approach. However, you might not be as familiar with the theory and technique behind our unique pest management protocols. Much of the work that we do is based on the insights and achievements of the folks at Texas A&M University’s IPM program.

What Is IPM?

IPM stands for “integrated pest management.” It’s an innovative approach to pest control that focuses on sustainable, long-term solutions to the underlying issues that allow pests to thrive. It’s not simply about killing as many pests as possible and hoping that they don’t return. It’s also not about using hazardous chemicals that make it difficult for any living things to survive in the affected areas. According to Texas A&M, IPM seeks to “eliminate pest problems by strengthening and stabilizing the … Read Full Post »

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What Actually Happens During a Home Comfort Audit?

. Posted by in • San Antonio

Understand what happens during a comfort audit and how it can help you

Keeping your home comfortable is important, but it may cost you big when it comes to utility bills. Like many San Antonio homeowners, you may wonder how you can cut down on costs while staying comfortable at home. Consider choosing a professional home comfort audit to identify opportunities to bolster efficiency in your home.

What Happens During a Home Comfort Analysis?

Many homeowners have heard about home energy audits but are unsure of what they entail. At its core, home comfort analysis is designed to identify areas for efficiency improvement in your home. These inspections take your home’s structure, HVAC system and your own comfort habits into account. During a home comfort analysis, you can expect your technician to do the following:

•    Discuss your home’s HVAC system and your overall level of comfort with you in detail.
•    Inspect your heating … Read Full Post »

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