UBCNews

Houston's warm, humid climate makes it a great place to live. Unfortunately, termites think so too. Three species threaten local properties year-round, and catching an infestation early can save thousands in repair costs. ABC Home & Commercial Services recently published a comprehensive guide to signs of termites in Houston homes , covering everything local homeowners need to know. Why Houston Homes Face Higher Risk Houston sits squarely in the "termite belt" stretching across the southern U.S. The subtropical weather keeps termites active far longer than in cooler states. Heavy clay soil throughout the area holds moisture well—exactly what subterranean termites need to thrive. Colonies can house millions of individuals. They work around the clock searching for food, often in the wood framing of nearby homes. Building styles add to the problem. Older neighborhoods often feature pier-and-beam construction with crawl spaces, where termites can travel unseen. Newer slab ...

Spotting a swarm of winged insects in or around a Florida home triggers immediate concern. The critical question—flying ants or termites—determines whether the situation requires urgent action or simple monitoring. Getting the identification wrong can lead to missing early warning signs of an infestation that could cause serious structural damage. Physical Differences: What to Look For At first glance, flying ants and termite swarmers look remarkably similar. Both are small, dark-bodied insects with wings. However, examining specific features reveals clear distinctions that make identification straightforward once the differences are understood. Antennae provide the most reliable identification marker. Termites have straight antennae that appear beaded, like tiny balls stacked together. Ants have distinctly bent or elbowed antennae with a clear angle partway along their length. This difference is visible even without magnification when examining a specimen up close. Wing characteristic...

Federal Reserve data shows that U.S. nonfinancial businesses are carrying approximately $5.6 trillion in trade receivables as of early 2026, a historic peak in uncollected capital. This systemic liquidity crunch is further exacerbated by recent legislative changes, such as California's AB 1521, which provides statutory clarity for trade credit. Additionally, reports of a shortfall of liquidity, by Market Insights, in funding markets highlight the increasing difficulty for businesses to access cheap capital, making internal invoice recovery the most viable path to maintaining cash flow. In this environment, companies with annual revenues between $10 million and $100 million are increasingly vulnerable to rising Days Sales Outstanding (DSO). Nationwide B2B collection agencies observe that B2B invoices crossing the 30-day overdue threshold play a role in determining whether internal efforts will suffice or if professional expertise is required to protect cash flow and customer relat...

That old chair you inherited from your grandma is warm and cozy, just like she was. You hate to get rid of it, but it's killing your aesthetic. Well, we have news for you: the squared-off, memory-foam monstrosity from the big box store won't do anything for it, either. It's a fact of life: the furniture we use wears out. In our rush to simplify life and declutter our homes, we've created a strong impulse to toss what's shabby and quickly replace it with the cheapest four-star fast furniture item we find online. And in doing so, we're emptying our souls and wallets and overflowing our landfills. Or you could splurge for a new, quality dining room set - and then serve nothing but ramen. Somehow, that doesn't seem much better. But there is another, lesser-known option. The artisans at Joseph's Custom Furniture Upholstery and Slipcovers explain. The High Cost of Low-Cost Furniture Growing awareness of fast furniture's environmental footprint is driving ...

Key Takeaways September 30, 2026 marks a critical grandfathering deadline - EB-5 petitions filed before this date receive protection even if the Regional Center Program expires later Two separate sunset dates create different investment windows - the grandfathering protection ends September 30, 2026, while the Regional Center Program itself expires September 30, 2027 Investments made between September 2026 and 2027 face significant risk without congressional reauthorization Direct EB-5 investments remain permanently available as an alternative pathway unaffected by program sunsets Historical precedent from the 2021 program lapse demonstrates how thousands of investors can be left in limbo without proper planning The EB-5 Regional Center Program faces a complex two-phase sunset that will fundamentally reshape investment strategies for foreign nationals seeking U.S. permanent residency. Understanding these deadlines and their implications has become vital for investors planning thei...

Key Takeaways Recumbent bikes reduce knee stress by up to 30% compared to upright models by distributing body weight evenly and minimizing gravitational force on joints. Medical professionals consistently recommend recumbent bikes for individuals with knee arthritis, osteoarthritis, and those undergoing rehabilitation. Critical setup mistakes like improper seat height and resistance levels can turn any bike into a knee-stressing machine. The reclined seating position in recumbent bikes creates a biomechanical advantage that protects knees during extended workouts. Some recumbent bike models feature specific design elements that maximize knee protection while maintaining workout effectiveness. Knee pain affects millions of Americans, so the choice between exercise bike types is absolutely crucial for maintaining fitness without aggravating joint issues. The fundamental difference between recumbent and upright bikes lies in how they distribute forces through the body during pedaling mot...