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Spider Myths: Separating Fact from Fiction

. Posted by in , • Houston
spider myths

The truth about spiders is that they are more closely related to ticks, scorpions, and fleas than insects. Nearly all spiders are poisonous, although some species’ venom is barely toxic. The silk spiders produce to make their webs is the strongest-known natural fiber on the planet. The tensile strength of a single strand is more significant than bone and about half as strong as steel. Many misconceptions and urban myths exist about spiders. Which are true and which are not?

Spider Myths: Separating Fact from Fiction

For many of us, spiders are creepy crawlies we’d much rather avoid. This may be why there are many myths about spiders. Let’s look at some of the more common superstitions about these eight-legged animals.

Are Brown Recluse Spiders Deadly?

Of the 4,000 known spider species found in America, there are a few many of us are familiar with by name. One is the brown recluse spider, probably … Read Full Post »

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Dallas Lawn and Garden Pest Control

. Posted by in , , • Dallas-Fort Worth

Some might say that Dallas is a city that never sleeps, but neither do the pests that live there. Though it may seem that winter brings a welcomed break from pests that seem to thrive during the hotter parts of the year, winter has its fair share of pests as well. The kinds of pests you encounter will vary throughout the year. This guide will help you know what to expect, no matter what season.  We hope this will give your Dallas lawn and garden pest control activities a boost.

 

SPRING / SUMMER

  • Summer is also a very active time of year for insects. Depending on the humidity and temperature, termites continue to swarm well into the summer months. Ants will also continue to swarm well into July.
  • Cockroaches are seen more frequently indoors during summer because they are searching out more favorable conditions such as moisture and lower temperatures.
  • Isopods (pillbugs) continue to … Read Full Post »

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Easy Ways to Avoid San Antonio HVAC Maintenance

. Posted by in , • San Antonio

As energy bills rise, it’s tempting to look for the single solution that will shave off a large part of your heating bill, but there are numerous ways to improve the energy efficiency of your home. With these simple and inexpensive San Antonio HVAC maintenance solutions, you can keep those heating bills from rising – even in the cold holiday season!

 

ADJUST THE THERMOSTAT

The most obvious way to reduce your fuel use is to turn down the thermostat. Think of it as a valve between your fuel supplier and your wallet. For every degree you turn it down, you will use up to 3 percent less heating energy. A 10-degree setback overnight or while you’re at work will cut your heating bill by up to 10 percent. Keep in mind that it doesn’t take long to heat your home to a comfortable level – only about 15 minutes. Never adjust the … Read Full Post »

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Quick Tips to Save Money on Houston HVAC Maintenance

. Posted by in • Houston

As energy bills rise, it’s tempting to look for a single solution that will shave off a large part of your heating bill, but there are numerous ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency. With these simple and inexpensive Houston HVAC maintenance solutions, you can keep those heating bills from rising – even in the cold holiday season!

ADJUST THE THERMOSTAT

The most obvious way to reduce fuel use is to turn down the thermostat. Think of it as a valve between your fuel supplier and your wallet. For every degree you turn it down, you will use up to 3 percent less heating energy. A 10-degree setback overnight or while at work will cut your heating bill by up to 10 percent. Remember that it doesn’t take long to heat your home to a comfortable level – only about 15 minutes. Never adjust the thermostat above the desired temperature; doing so … Read Full Post »

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Avoid Injuries while Hanging Christmas Lights this Season

. Posted by in • Houston

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted a three-year study reporting that nearly 18,000 individuals were treated in emergency rooms for falls alone while hanging Christmas lights. It is important to note that this number only includes people who sought medical treatment at an emergency room. It is estimated that the actual number of injuries is substantially higher, perhaps two or three times this number.

Common Injuries Include:

Every year, hospital emergency rooms treat roughly 12,500 people for injuries such as falls, cuts, and shocks related to holiday lights, electrical decorations, and Christmas trees. {U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)}

Nearly 6,000 emergency room patients are seen each season due to holiday decorating falls alone (CDC).

Over 200 fire-related fatalities and injuries happen during the two days of December 31 and January 1.

Design the look you want for your home this Christmas season safely from the ground with a free quote from … Read Full Post »

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Where to go for the Best Austin Electrical Contractor

. Posted by in • Austin

Electrical Contractors in Austin

Finding a qualified Austin Electrical Contractor for your residential or commercial needs can be a confusing task.  Most Austin residents find that using the internet for this task is frustrating.  The first page of the search results for the Best Austin Electrical Contractor is filled with paid advertisements, a small list of local contractors that may or may not be close to your location and which you know nothing about, a listing for the Austin Electrical Contractors Association, a listing for the Austin Division of Consumer Affairs a few private companies and some sites that list row after row of paid listings.  You are left with the same problem you started with, “which one of these companies should I choose?”

ABC Home and Commercial Electrical Contractors

ABC Home and Commercial Services has what we think is a much better approach to finding an electrician to fit your individual needs.  We … Read Full Post »

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Can I Afford Bathroom Remodeling for my Austin Home?

. Posted by in • Austin

It is possible to remodel your bathroom without spending a fortune. Studies show that bathroom remodeling is the second most desired Austin home improvement, and it can be much more affordable than a kitchen remodel – the most sought after home improvement project homeowners tell us they want.

Determine a Budget for your Austin Bathroom Remodeling Project and Stick With It.

The first step is to determine your budget. The more time spent doing research and developing detailed plans, the easier it will be to stay within that budget. Doing an inexpensive bathroom remodel doesn’t have to mean using cheap materials and cutting corners or giving up the upscale features you desire. Just be prepared to spend more time on planning and shopping than building.

Can I do some of the Work Myself?

Realistically determine how much of the work you want to do yourself. If you have some basic skills in construction you … Read Full Post »

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Simple Ways to Avoid Needing Appliance Repair in San Antonio?

. Posted by in • San Antonio

When something’s not broke, why fix it – right? In the case of your appliance, repair can be avoided with just a little tender loving care. Simple maintenance can prolong the life of your dishwasher long after its sticker date.

According to DIYlife.com, here are a few easy tips for keeping your dishwasher in top shape:

Keep your hot water heater set to the recommended temperature
Your dishwasher’s manufacturer has determined the optimal degrees, which you can locate in your user manual. Forgotten where you stashed that old manual? Try searching Google for the model number of your appliance; many manufacturers post manuals online.

Run a monthly cleanse-cycle on your dishwasher
Simply empty a packet of sugar-free lemonade where you normally place detergent and run the dishwasher through a normal cycle.

Check the interior racks of your dishwasher
If the paint is wearing off, consider investing in a dishwasher repair kit to prevent scratches on your pots … Read Full Post »

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7 Ways Dallas Commercial Landscaping can help your Business

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth
Commercial Landscaping

Your company’s commercial landscaping is the first impression customers receive when they visit your company. As you may already know, a well-designed landscape can enhance your Dallas facility by creating a desirable place for your customers and employees to conduct business. However, well-designed landscaping provides more than just aesthetic value.Here are 7 ways Dallas commercial landscaping can be beneficial to your business and community:

  • Plants increase tourism revenues
    Interior landscaping at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee, is credited for an unusually high (85 percent) occupancy rate. Guests willingly pay an extra $30 per night for rooms overlooking the jungle-like display, netting $7 million a year in additional room revenues. The city of Virginia Beach attributes, in part, their $52 million in convention revenue for 1994 to the landscaping efforts of recent years.
  • Views of plants increase job satisfaction
    Employees with an outside view of plants experience less job pressure and greater job satisfaction … Read Full Post »

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How to Calculate SEER Ratings for Your Austin HVAC System

. Posted by in • Austin

If you are wondering about the energy efficiency of your Austin HVAC system, here are some things you need to know.

SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) is a number that provides the energy-efficiency of an HVAC system. Contrary to an instantaneous energy-efficiency rating, a SEER rating provides the predicted energy efficiency of the HVAC system over an entire Austin cooling season.

The efficiency varies from day-to-day because the efficiency at any point in time depends on the temperature of the indoor and outdoor air. If you are considering HVAC repair, or if you’re upgrading to a unit with a higher SEER value, you can easily calculate your predicted energy savings from making the switch.

Step 1

Review your utility bills to see your current month by month electrical consumption. Air conditioners consume electricity, not gas, so the system will be responsible for part of your electrical bill in the summer months. You want to determine exactly … Read Full Post »

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