Summertime in Texas can be pretty brutal. Between the skyrocketing temperatures and seemingly relentless sunshine, plenty of us are perfectly content to spend as much time as possible indoors. However, while you’re trying to keep your loved ones safe, cool, and comfortable, please don’t forget about your four-legged family members. […]
When it comes to maintenance and recognition for chimney components, chimney liners often get the short end of the stick. Despite the critical role that they play in protecting our chimneys from damage, we tend to not pay much attention to them. And that’s bad because a “troubled” chimney liner can lead to some serious structural damage in your home.
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What are your thoughts about ivy and climbing vines on the exteriors of houses and chimneys? While many homeowners are ambivalent about this particular aesthetic, others absolutely adore it. For some folks, there’s just something about a home covered in greenery that says “classic,” “antique,” and maybe even “storybook-esque.” […]
Back in March, readers of this blog received a very brief lesson in identifying pest animals by their tracks. Raccoons, opossums, and squirrels were covered in that post, but those three obviously aren’t the only animals that can cause problems when they decide to take up residence in your home or yard. So, let’s take a few minutes to learn about tracks belonging to another set of critters! […]
If you’re a person who genuinely likes cats, then you might find it extremely difficult to ignore any cat who happens to cross your path. And if the cat in question isn’t wearing a collar, looks disheveled, or seems to actively be seeking your attention and assistance, you may find yourself worrying about their safety. Today’s topic is helping stray cats in your neighborhood, so “dog people” might want to sit this one out. If you’re a fan of felines, though, then read on!
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July fourth will soon be upon us, and for many Americans, the only “true” way to celebrate Independence Day is with firecrackers. These small, specially designed explosives are definitely fun and exciting to wield, but they’re also loud and potentially hazardous to both humans and animals alike. Their misuse can very easily lead to injuries and extensive property damage, so setting them off is not something that you should attempt on a whim. […]
As much as humans enjoy watching wildlife, we often find ourselves completely baffled by the things that animals do. Activities and habits that are “business as usual” for certain critters can seem bizarre or nonsensical to us—even irritating, depending upon the situation. Interestingly enough, though, many of these actions really do have completely rational explanations. For example: […]
Picture this:
You are walking home one evening, and you haven’t eaten all day. Your belly is growling, you are hungry, and you don’t know whether or not there is anything in your cupboards or fridge at home. But as you walk past a neighbor’s house…you see that they’ve left a huge box of non-perishable snacks out on their front lawn. Even if you knew that taking some of your neighbor’s food would be stealing, wouldn’t you at least be tempted to pocket a granola bar or two? […]
Though we spend a lot of time on this blog talking about keeping animals out of your home, many people are perfectly content to have critters living among them. We’re not talking about trying to domesticate wild animals (which a bad idea for several reasons); we’re talking about obtaining small companion animals that have been bred specifically for tameness. Rodents, like “fancy” rats and mice, hamsters, and guinea pigs can make great pets, and they’re far from the only option. Rabbits, lizards, tortoises, chinchillas…the list goes on and on. […]
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that humans can fall victim to after being bitten by a blacklegged tick (aka a deer tick).
Lyme is very prominent in the northeastern and midwestern areas of the United States, but cases do pop up in Texas from time to time. Spring and summer are “tick season,” so let’s take a few moments to discuss this debilitating illness. […]