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Armed and Dangerous: Dallas Bugs to Avoid

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth

Wasp and bee stings, tick infestations, spider bites and painful stings from scorpions are common in Dallas, particularly during the summer and fall. To keep businesses and homeowners protected from dangerous pest infestations throughout the year, ABC Home & Commercial Services provides professional extermination and prevention services to the entire Dallas area. Our extensive experience in Dallas pest control equips us with the specialized knowledge needed to keep insects and spiders of all kinds at bay throughout the year.

Though many insects and spiders are relatively harmless, a select few are dangerous. Here is a list of the most dangerous pests in the area, as well as important information regarding each:

Brown Recluse: The brown recluse, known for the fiddle-shaped mark on its back, prefers dark, quiet areas and may bite if startled. Effects of a bite may include fever, chills, pain, weakness and skin lesions. If you suspect that you or … Read Full Post »

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Striped Bark Scorpions High in Numbers

. Posted by in , • San Antonio

Some unwanted guests are making frequent appearances in San Antonio due to this past summer’s heat: striped bark scorpions. They are the most common type of scorpion found in Texas, but San Antonio residents do not want these creepy critters taking up residence in their homes. Knowing more about these arthropods will help you avoid a direct encounter with them.

Where to Find Striped Bark Scorpions

Striped bark scorpions prefer cool, dark places. In outdoor locations, they can be found in crevices around buildings, under rocks and even under water dishes for pets. Unfortunately, they can easily get into homes through small cracks. Caulking around windows is important. Make sure doors have weather stripping to prevent spaces underneath. If there are any other unsealed openings into the home, seal them well. Keep in mind—scorpions can climb. When they do get into homes, they tend to hide in or under furniture, in shoes … Read Full Post »

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Love Your Lawn…Without Chinch Bugs

. Posted by in , , • Houston

It starts when you notice just a slight yellowing of your once lush lawn. At first, you consider the recent lack of rain, but the yellowing continues to spread and turns your prized lawn into an eyesore. A healthy lawn that turns ugly yellow is one sign that a homeowner is dealing with a chinch bug infestation.

Chinch bugs are lawn pests that feed on healthy grass. The problems use a straw-like part of their mouths to drink the juice of a grass blade while injecting harmful chemicals into the plant. A chinch bug infestation results in a yellow, unhealthy lawn that is typically most damaged in areas exposed to sunlight.

They are identifying whether a chinch bug infestation involves investigating the grass near the soil. Chinch bugs tend to be more active on hot days in the summer and in areas that receive direct sunlight. Anyone interested in improving their Houston … Read Full Post »

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Houston Bees Mean Business

. Posted by in , • Houston

Bees can inflict painful stings; some people are highly allergic to them. Those who have never been stung could be at high risk, as they may not even know they are allergic. In Houston, several types of bees are commonly found. Honeybees, carpenters, bumblebees, stingless bees, and Africanized honeybees are common. Africanized honeybees are also called killer bees because of their extreme aggression. Bees are essential to the earth’s ecosystem, but their growing population has resulted in the need for pest control in Houston.

Encountering A Beehive

When bees are spotted, it is best to avoid getting too close to the hive to identify the bees. These flying insects will sting intruders, but only if they come too close. The best thing to do is run away fast. Intruders who stop to stare at a beehive may not get stung right away. However, the bees protecting the hive release a pheromone that … Read Full Post »

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Protecting Dallas Trees from Twig Girdlers

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth

Twig girdlers are beetles that commonly attack pecan, chinaberry and mimosa trees in North Central Texas. Adult twig girdlers are easy to spot. Their long, brown bodies are anywhere from 1/2″ to 3/4″ long. Their wings are covered in orange, pink or yellow spots.

Twig girdlers are most abundant in the Dallas area between August and October. After mating, female twig girdlers will lay eggs in “V”-shaped notches they have chewed underneath branches. Newly-hatched larvae will feed on the host tree for up to two years. The larvae are not as easy to spot as the adults. This puts homeowners at a disadvantage because once the eggs are laid, adult twig girdlers will not likely hang around.

Damage is not usually noticed until the larvae have been feeding on the host tree for quite some time. Leaves will begin turning and twigs will fall. These parasites cause a great deal of harm … Read Full Post »

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Insects in the Garden: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

. Posted by in , , • Houston

Guest Post By Woodrow D. Weasel on his blog Ground Breaking Tips

LINK TO SHARE:  http://goo.gl/RbxOX

Gardens are fantastic tiny worlds. Like in our macro-size earth, maintaining a delicate balance is essential to a healthy micro-ecosystem. This is even true of the bugs!

The important thing is – get educated. Know your bugs. Please don’t assume they are all bad. Many beneficial insects play an essential role in the health of your garden. Understanding their purpose is also advantageous so you can find natural ways to deal with them. Chemical remedies can be a last resort.

Generally speaking, if a bug is wrong, it has a good predator that can work with you to eliminate it. All it takes is a little bit of knowledge and identifying which bugs are good, which are bad, and which are just plain ugly. Then you will be empowered to work with nature to maintain a healthy garden.

Remember, if you … Read Full Post »

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Not all Bugs are Pests needing Control

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth

Bugs fascinate children; they love to watch an ant groom itself, a bee gather nectar, or a spider build its web. On the opposite end of the spectrum, adult attitudes toward insects are generally negative — the ant is a nuisance and the bee might sting!

Through these attitudes we send our children a clear, subconscious message that insects are unsafe, unclean, and unappealing. Most children adopt this viewpoint before they leave elementary school that the “only good bug is a dead bug.”

Although we work hard to rid your home of pests, we are insect lovers at heart! We see great value in what insects do for our ecosystem, and want to let you know that not all bugs are pests!

Aside from ladybugs (which are considered cute) and butterflies (they’re pretty), most insects are regarded with a certain degree of fear or revulsion. A few, like honey bees and praying mantis, may be … Read Full Post »

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Crazy Ants are the new Pest Control Problem in the Austin Area

. Posted by in , • Austin

There’s a new ant in town, and wherever it goes, fire ants start disappearing. It also doesn’t sting or bite. But don’t get excited yet. The Rasberry crazy ant which showed up in Travis County and Round Rock this fall swarms into homes by the hundreds of thousands in search of food.

In the Houston area, where the ants are much more prevalent, they have already made some homeowners miserable, said Roger Gold, professor of entomology at Texas A&M University.

“People that have them said they wish they had the fire ants back,” he said. “We have pictures of families sweeping them up with brooms where there are piles of ants. … They can get into AC systems and short them out.”

When the ants get electrocuted they produce a pheromone that causes other ants to rush in, Gold said, leading to so many ants in the electrical system that it shorts out. … Read Full Post »

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Expert Advice from College Station Bed Bug Exterminators

. Posted by in , • Bryan-College Station

Bed Bugs have made a strong comeback and are moving quickly throughout our society once again. The best way to deal with bed bugs is to seek out a bed bug exterminator, as this invasive pest can be very difficult to get rid of without proper treatments. Bed Bugs present unique challenges to the bug extermination industry because Bed Bugs are great “hitchhikers”; they can hide in luggage, purses, clothing and even a wallet. They are very small in their young stages and difficult to find.

Bed Bugs can be transferred by individuals or live on possessions in homes, hotels, college dorms, apartments, and shelters. Once bed bugs have been introduced into a structure, they find numerous areas to harbor and continue to increase in population. Typically, they hide out in cracks and crevices during the day, coming out at night in search of a meal. Bed Bugs also lay eggs … Read Full Post »

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Need for Live Animal Trapping Creeps into your Office too!

. Posted by in , • Houston

Texas is home to thriving pest populations that, when left unchecked, can damage your business. In addition to the damage they can do to your property, visible evidence of pest infestations can impact how your customers perceive the quality of your business.

ABC Commercial Services takes a comprehensive and environmentally conscientious approach to live animal trapping, pest management, termite treatment, and prevention. Staff entomologists and treating specialists ensure that your property is getting everything you need, but ONLY what you need to maintain a pest-free environment.

As members of the country’s most prestigious pest control organizations, our programs are constantly being evaluated and improved as technologies and best practices evolve.

ABC’S APPROACH TO PEST CONTROL SERVICES INVOLVES FOUR STEPS:

Step 1: Initial Inspection and Evaluation

ABC will conduct a thorough inspection of the premises by one of our trained inspectors. This will allow us to:

  • Assess the situation and identify conducive conditions for pests
  • Identify pests and any related damage
  • Evaluate … Read Full Post »

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