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The Different Types of Insulation

. Posted by in

When the temperatures are high or low, we count on insulation to help us be comfortable in our homes. It’s important to learn how insulation works and what type suits your specific situation best.

The first thing to know is that insulation has an R-value. This measures how resistant the insulation is to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more resistant the material is to heat transfer. The recommended R-value varies according to where you live, the type of insulation you have and its thickness and density.

Typically the higher the R-value, the better the climate control and energy efficiency. Most homes have insulation in the attic and under floors that are above unfinished basements or crawl spaces. It is most effective when placed along exterior walls and basement walls. It can also be helpful to add insulation to attics and crawl spaces. Regardless, it doesn’t matter if your home is … Read Full Post »

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Rodents in Florida: Identification & Control Guide

. Posted by in , • Orlando

Florida is home to a variety of rodent species, including rats, mice, squirrels and others. It’s valuable for Florida homeowners to learn how to identify the different types of rodents they may encounter.

Some rodents in Florida, such as house mice, roof rats and Norway rats are more commonly found indoors than others. Noticing the signs of these rodents can help homeowners catch an infestation before it can get out of control.

It’s also important to know about the appearance, habits and diet of Florida rodents. Rats and mice are excellent climbers, swimmers and jumpers and can make their homes in a variety of locations in your house.

Finally, learn simple ways to deter mice and rats from entering your home. If you already have an infestation, call a pest control specialist today.

Types of Rodents in Florida

Several types of rodents call Florida home, and it isn’t limited to mice and rats. Here are … Read Full Post »

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Identifying Mouse Poop Versus Roach Poop

. Posted by in , • Houston

When you find strange droppings around your home, you want to know exactly what kind of pest you’re dealing with. Knowing what you’re dealing with is the best way to know how to get rid of an infestation. To identify mouse poop versus roach poop, it’s important to know what each type of poop looks like and where it’s commonly found. Fortunately, there are several key differences between mouse poop and roach poop that can give you clues as to which pest is infesting your home.

Appearance

Both mouse poop and roach poop are medium to dark brown in color. Mouse poop is about the size and shape of dried grains of rice, and poop from bigger roaches can be almost as big as mouse poop. But a key difference between them is that mouse poop is pointed and pinched off at the ends. Roach poop, on the other hand, is more … Read Full Post »

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How To Get Rid of Mice Outdoors

. Posted by in , • Tyler

Most homeowners stress over an indoor mouse infestation; however, an outdoor infestation can become just as much of an annoyance. Outdoor mice can wreck havoc on your lawn and garden. They also leave droppings that can spread disease, and their urine has an unpleasant smell. 

It’s important for homeowners to understand why mice are drawn to their lawns so that they can take the necessary steps to get rid of them. An outdoor mouse problem can also quickly lead to an indoor infestation, so it’s important to be able to recognize the signs.

If you suspect that there are mice taking up residence on your property or inside your home, contact a pest control expert.

Why Do Pests Like My Lawn?

The first step in getting rid of outdoor mice or any type of outdoor pest is to make your lawn inhospitable to them. There are several reasons why mice may be attracted to … Read Full Post »

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Are Moles Nocturnal?

. Posted by in • Dallas-Fort Worth

Do you know the common mole characteristics and signs of a mole problem in your yard? Most homeowners believe that moles are nocturnal animals, which is not the case. However, it is still unlikely that you will see a mole in broad daylight because of their behaviors.

The easiest way to identify a mole problem is by the damage they create in your yard. Moles dig underground tunnels that run like a freeway system below your feet. Their runways can destroy plant and tree roots and damage your grass. Plus, the dirt mounds and molehills that they leave behind are unsightly.

A pest control expert can control your mole problem, whether you have a solitary mole in your yard or a whole family. Moles reproduce at a young age and can have several pups in one litter.

Are Moles Nocturnal?

Contrary to popular belief, moles are not nocturnal. However, they are most active during … Read Full Post »

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Should You Fertilize Before or After Mowing?

. Posted by in , • Corpus Christi

When you get a little rain it seems like the perfect time to get your lawn growing. But, there are a few things you need to consider before going all out on your landscaping, especially when deciding if it’s better to fertilize before or after mowing. 

Before you fertilize your lawn, understand that you will need to wait 24 hours until you water. That gives the fertilizer time to settle into the lawn before you give it a solid soaking. If you aren’t getting much rain and still want to fertilize your lawn, give it a good soaking one or two days before you plan to fertilize. Then, lightly water again after the fertilizer settles. It’s possible to do all this yourself, but hiring a professional can be much easier. An expert knows exactly how much fertilizer to add to your lawn and how much to water after application. 

If you choose … Read Full Post »

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Why Won’t My Heat Turn On?

. Posted by in • Austin

When it’s cold out, the last thing you want is to deal with a malfunctioning heater. Unfortunately, there are several reasons why your heater won’t turn on or won’t stay on.

The good news is that homeowners can try easy at-home solutions before contacting professional help. Sometimes the problem is as simple as replacing air filters.

However, the problem can become more serious and require repairs or replacement parts. If that’s the case, don’t hesitate to contact a licensed heating professional to look at your system. Scheduling a yearly maintenance check is the best way to ensure your heater will keep you warm all winter.

Why Won’t My Heat Turn On?

There are several reasons why your heat won’t turn on. Luckily, most of them are easy to identify and fix, so you don’t have to stay cold for long.

Regular Maintenance Issues

The leading reason heaters won’t turn on is that they weren’t properly maintained, … Read Full Post »

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Furnace Fan Won’t Turn Off: What’s Wrong?

. Posted by in • San Antonio

Is the blower fan on your furnace running continuously? When the furnace fan won’t turn off, several different things could be causing it to keep running. It’s a good idea to address this or contact professional help quickly. A constantly running blower fan is not just a waste of electricity. It’s also a signal of a potential problem with your heating and cooling system.

Check Out the Problem

The first and simplest check is to make sure your thermostat is set to AUTO rather than ON. If it’s set to ON, change it to AUTO. This should allow the blower fan to shut off within just a few minutes.

If that doesn’t do the trick, the next possibility is that the thermostat is set to an overly high temperature. This can cause the blower fan to run continuously as the system tries hard to bring your home to the desired temperature. To rule … Read Full Post »

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How To Keep Rats Out of Your Garden

. Posted by in , • Houston

Are rats damaging your garden? These pests can spread disease, damage plant life, cause structural damage to your home and annoy your pets.

The first step to a rodent-free yard is to understand the signs of rats in your garden. Then, there are steps you can take to prevent them from taking over your yard before it happens. If a rodent infestation has already made its way onto your property, you can follow these same steps to make your garden less attractive to them. However, you’ll need to contact a pest control professional in order to get rid of them completely. 

Knowing the habits and abilities of rats is another way to understand how they operate and how to get rid of them. For example, it’s valuable to know how far they run from their nests, how high they can jump, if they can swim and more.

Finally, homeowners need to stay on … Read Full Post »

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When To Mow Lawn in the Spring

. Posted by in , • Bryan-College Station

Do you know how to properly care for your lawn in the spring? After the long winter months, there are several things you need to do to help bring your lawn back to life.

One important aspect of lawn health is mowing it at the proper time. You do not want to mow your lawn too early in the spring before your grass has time to fully root into the soil. Leaving your grass long until the early spring will encourage deeper root growth.

Fertilizing and watering your lawn at the right time in the spring is also important. Treating your lawn at the wrong time can result in wasted efforts and underdeveloped root systems. Additionally, watering your lawn before the weather is warm enough can damage your grass and sprinkler system.

Finally, it’s important to properly aerate your lawn in the spring. Aerating allows your compacted soil to breathe and take in … Read Full Post »

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