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Post-Flood Pest Control | How to Prevent Pest Problems After a Flood

. Posted by in • Dallas-Fort Worth, Tyler
Post-Flood Pest Control | How to Prevent Pest Problems After a Flood

March, April and May are Texas’s wettest months. But, this ain’t our first rodeo. We’re no strangers to flash floods, heavy storms and sustained rains. Floods are our most regular and costly natural disaster.

When returning home to begin the rebuilding process, some of the main problems you are likely to encounter are mold, deteriorating materials, insect infestations and pest problems.

During a flooding situation, animals, just like humans, will be forced to flee from their homes. Searching for drier, higher ground, animals often find refuge in dry areas of homes and other buildings.

After a devastating storm, such as Hurricane Harvey, the threats don’t end when the water recedes. Severe pest problems can develop both during floods and after flood water has retreated. Snakes, fire ants, rats, and other dangers can come with the flooding or arrive afterwards. More often than not, pests make their way into homes and other structures after … Read Full Post »

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Tiny Bugs in Pool: What Are They And What Can I Do?

. Posted by in , • Houston
tiny bugs in pool

Last year you finally bit the bullet and did it: you got a backyard pool as a way to beat the Southern heat. And boy, were you glad you did. Few things are better when the summer sun is beating down than cooling off in your pool.

Recently, you decided to take a late afternoon dip. But within a few moments of settling into the water and closing your eyes to relax, you feel a tiny pinprick. Then another. Could that have been another?

You open your eyes to find tiny bugs crawling on you and quickly race to the shower to rinse off.

What was that? Probably thrips. And they might not be the only bugs lurking in or around your pool.

Having tiny bugs in your pool can become a major annoyance, especially when you look forward to spending time relaxing poolside. Below, we will go over several different types of bugs … Read Full Post »

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When To Start Mowing Lawn And Proper Mowing Techniques

. Posted by in • Corpus Christi
When to start mowing lawn

The end of winter means one thing for many of us in the Southern states: the brutal heat of summer isn’t far away. To look on the bright side, everything comes to life again during the springtime. Insects and other animals emerge from their winter hiding spots and plants and flowers begin to bloom once more.

Just like all other living things in your backyard, your grass will also begin to grow. While your initial inclination might be to get out the lawnmower on the first day of sunshine and warmth, knowing how and when to start mowing your lawn will be the first step in giving your grass the care it needs to survive our dry and hot summers.

In this post, we’ll dive into the dos and don’ts of mowing your grass, including how to properly cut and care for your lawn after the winter months up until the growth … Read Full Post »

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Spring Termite Inspection Checklist for Termite Awareness Week

. Posted by in • Dallas-Fort Worth, Tyler
Spring Termite Inspection Checklist for Termite Awareness Week

No insect strikes more fear into the heart of homeowners than termites. Termites cause billions of dollars’ worth of damage every year and single infestations can number in the millions.

It’s estimated that there are fifteen hundred pounds of termites for every human being on the planet! Needless to say, they are a formidable force.

As we head into spring, termites are preparing to find mates and start new colonies. March and April are the termites’ mating period, also known as swarm season.

March 12-18th is Termite Awareness Week, making it the perfect time to complete this termite inspection checklist around the home. 

Termite Awareness Week

The Professional Pest Management Alliance (PPMA) created Termite Awareness Week for the second week of March. This year, Termite Awareness Month falls on March 12-18. Follow the hashtag #TermiteWeek for more information.

Do I Have Termites?

Termites do not like to make themselves known. They rarely stray from their soil, mud … Read Full Post »

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Tiny Ants: Florida Homeowners Seek Solutions To Big Problem

. Posted by in • Orlando
Tiny ants Florida

As a homeowner in Florida, you realize that you share your property with several ant species. Ranging from the ghost ant to the carpenter ant to the red fire ant, more than 50 ant species live in the Sunshine State. Our subtropical climate provides a home to 65 exotic species as well, the most significant exotic and fauna, or wildlife, in the country.

Included in that list of species are many different types of tiny ants, with a list that consists of the pharaoh ant, sugar ant, black ant, and, most recently, the little yellow ant. While their size might make them seem harmless, some tiny ant species can cause notable damage or even leave us with painful bites.

If you’re curious to learn more about a few species of tiny ants in Florida, including what attracts them and what impact it can have, keep reading—this blog post is for you.

Yellow Ants

While … Read Full Post »

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Central Texas Gardening: Your Ultimate Guide

. Posted by in , • Austin
Central Texas gardening

Look around Austin and the Texas Hill Country and you can see that this area is teeming with plant life. Trees like the Texas Ash, Cedar Elm and Arroyo Sweetwood. Shrubs like Bottlebrush and Pineapple Guavas. Flowers, yuccas, ornamental grasses and vines.

So why is it so hard to grow anything in your own yard?

Flowers wilt. Veggies never seem to get started. Even those bushes you planted in the front several years ago have barely shown any growth.

Yet somehow, your neighbors’ plants are doing just fine. It’s embarrassing. What are the secrets to Central Texas gardening?

First off, take a deep breath and stop beating yourself up so much. Setting up and maintaining a garden in and around the Hill Country is tough.

That lush plant life you see around the area? Mother Nature had to work hard for that, carefully helping plants to adapt to the rugged Central Texas landscape. And your neighbors? … Read Full Post »

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How To Fix Water Pooling In Yard And Other Drainage Issues

. Posted by in • San Antonio
How to fix water pooling in yard

Maybe you traded in your old home for a new one and didn’t notice the issue until after the first hard rain. Perhaps you took up gardening now that you have more time and the extra water you’re using seems to have led to a problem.

Whatever the reason, there are parts of your yard where water just seems to sit. You’re not quite sure why. You definitely don’t like the way it looks and also don’t like the idea of wasting water. You want to avoid having mud tracked into the house by pets or kids. Most importantly, you really don’t want your yard to become a mosquito magnet.

No one wants random, unsightly pools of water marring their yard. Here in the south, it’s an even bigger deal because our warm weather means longer mosquito seasons. Plus, when water won’t drain out of pockets in your yard, you are at a … Read Full Post »

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Help! I Have Carpenter Bees – Warning Signs & Solutions

. Posted by in • Dallas-Fort Worth, Tyler
Carpenter bees warning signs and solutions

Bees, bugs and butterflies are emerging from their winter nests seeking food and new shelter. Spring is in the air… literally.

When most of us think of bees, we think of honeybees, which are the social and mostly-beneficial insects we love and make movies about. But, there are other bee species out there and they are not all as friendly and helpful.

Carpenter bees, for instance, can cause serious structural damage and staining. While carpenter bees don’t eat wood, they burrow narrow tunnels to create chambers for rearing their offspring.

Carpenter Bees

Carpenter bees get their name from their biological ability to drill through wood. When spring comes around, female carpenter bees start to chew into dry wood, normally logs and lumber. Instead of biting into the wood for food, female carpenter bees are actually forming narrow canals for the purposes of laying eggs.

Known as galleries, these small tunnels are around 4-6 inches deep … Read Full Post »

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Dust Mites In Bed: Protecting Yourself From These Allergens

. Posted by in • Houston
Dust Mites In Bed

Imagine your bed and pillows being infested with tiny bugs measuring less than half a millimeter in length that feed off the skin cells you slough off in your sleep. Sound like a horror movie? If the thought of such a thing makes your skin crawl, you aren’t alone. Unfortunately, these little creatures aren’t something out of a sci-fi flick. They are dust mites, and dust mites in bed are prevalent and shared in many homes.

It’s natural, of course, to feel a bit horrified by the idea of harboring dust mites in bed, especially if you’re among the many folks who are allergic to these creatures. But barring a dust mite allergy, are dust mites in bed really something you need to worry about? Many people have heard they should regularly replace pillows, linens, and even mattresses to keep dust mites at bay. Perhaps you’ve been scared into frequent purchases … Read Full Post »

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6 Spring Pest Control Tips | Spring Pest Prevention

. Posted by in • Dallas-Fort Worth, Tyler
6 Spring Pest Control Tips | Spring Pest Prevention

The beginning of spring marks a time of renewal and rejuvenation. Birds are chirping, flowers are beginning to bloom, and animals are venturing out. Spring can be immensely enjoyable, but it can also bring a host of unwanted pest problems.

As we begin preparing for the spring and summer seasons, it’s important to keep pests as far away as possible.

Now that nature is bursting back to life, it’s time to start thinking about pest control tips for spring.

6 Spring Pest Control Tips

Common pests that return with new vigor in the spring include bees, ants, mosquitos, rodents and much more. Don’t let an infestation develop right under your nose.

Common Springtime Pests

  • Cockroaches
  • Ants
  • Rats & Rodents
  • Earwigs
  • Silverfish
  • Flies
  • Mosquitos
  • Bees & Wasps

Here are some things you can do to prevent common springtime pests:

  1. Year-round maintenance with Commercial Pest Control Company

From sickness and disease to damage and disgust, pests can be disastrous for many reasons.

Even if you don’t have a pest … Read Full Post »

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