The Home and Garden Experts

It’s winter in the US right now, a season of knit caps and snow shovels for most. It’s a time of the year that many of us spend dreaming of a beach vacation or another summer getaway. But, if you are smart, you are doing more than daydreaming.

It’s best to plan out your vacation several months in advance. Better prices are usually available for those that plan ahead and many destinations fill up quickly so booking in advance is a must.

As you sit down to plan your 2012 getaway, here are 3 places that promise to bring a great vacation that you might not have thought of:

1. Alaska

While not the typical destination that comes to mind for many, Alaska’s temperatures are actually pretty mild in the summer. Those who enjoy active vacations will find plenty of things to do outdoors. Hiking, fishing and boating are just a couple of popular activities. A common way to experience Alaska is on an Alaskan cruise. Cruisers get to see more of the state and also get a peek at the marine wildlife that Alaska is famous for.

2. Belize

Central America is famous for its breathtaking beaches and crystal clear water. Belize offers all of this and it is the only English-speaking country in Central America. There are plenty of places for snorkeling, caving, diving, zip-lining and sightseeing. 2012 would be an especially interesting year to visit Belize because of the many Mayan people who live there. A large number of events and festivals will be held this year. Whether you want an adventurous vacation or just want to relax at one of the vacation spas, Belize is a great escape.

3. Iceland

Iceland is a quickly growing tourist destination for many Europeans. While the name suggests an ice-covered tundra, the island offers much, much more. Vatnajökull National Park is the largest national park in Europe and offers a stunning variety of nature. Landscapes around the country vary from volcanic mountains to endless green pastures to, their famous icy glaciers. Iceland is also well known for its natural geothermal spas, including the Blue Lagoon in Grindavik.

Image credit to blmiers2

Filed under: Travel on February 1st, 2012 | No Comments »

Moths can enter your home through your pet food, dried flowers, flour, grains and birdseed. Once inside, they can wreak havoc, destroying your clothes and furniture.

Moths have the unique ability to digest keratin, giving them the ability to eat any animal-based materials, including wool and fur.

You can stop their infestation by using a pantry moth trap. Read on to find out how these effective traps work and tips for stopping moth damage.

Pantry Moth Trap: Your First Step

At the first sign of meal moths, use a pantry moth trap. To make sure you’re using the most effective pantry moth trap, look for one that:

• Covers 1,000 square feet: The traps that cover 1,000 square feet offer the greatest protection from moth infestations.
• Works on four different kinds of moths: grain, meal, seed and flour moths, which are commonly found inside homes.
• Uses pheromones to attract male moths: Male moths have large antennae designed to detect pheromones from female moths, which they cannot resist.
• Lasts up to 3 months: The pheromone lures will last up to 3 months in the most effective pantry pest traps.
• Is easy-to-use: The easiest traps require you to simply place the lure on the glue and then position the trap.
• Is organic: The most effective traps are organic and safe to use around kids.

Place your pantry moth trap wherever you store dried foods, pet foods, or bird seed. Common locations can be the basement, garage, pantry or kitchen. Make sure the location you choose won’t cause damage to the trap by swinging doors. Also, place the trap where it will get good air circulation.

Once you place your trap, check it weekly to see if it is full. Once full, it should be discarded. It can be wrapped in newspaper and thrown out in the household trash.

How it Works

By emitting powerful pheromones male moths can’t resist, the pantry moth trap attracts the moths and traps them inside

Once all the male moths are securely trapped, the breeding cycle will be interrupted and your moth infestation will end.

While one of these traps will end an infestation, they should be used primarily to confirm an infestation exists. Once you confirm the infestation by a full trap, you can treat the problem with an insect killer that will exterminate directly on contact.

Flying Insect Killer

If you see moths, you can use a flying insect killer to exterminate them on contact. When selecting a flying insect killer for effective moth control, choose one that:

• Is CFC free: This will ensure there is no lingering odor. Some even have a citrus scent.
• Is organic and safe to use indoors: Many products appear to be “green” and “earth-friendly” but are not organic. Look for a product with the OMRI Listed logo. This means the product has been reviewed and approved for organic gardening.

Image credited to Angelique Oneko

Filed under: Cooking & Eating, Home, Kitchen on August 22nd, 2011 | No Comments »

Moths are strange, interesting creatures. There are thought to be 150,000 to 250,000 different species of moths in the world, with around 11,000 different species recorded in the U.S. and Canada alone.

With so many different moth species, there are many unique characteristics of this insect. Read on to learn some fun moth facts and why these insects are special, from how clothes moth traps work to when they fly.

Clothes Moth Traps Use Pheromones

The clothes moth eats your clothes, hence the name. They have the unique ability to digest keratin, enabling them to eat your wool, fur, leather … any clothes made from animal products.

Clothes moth traps emit powerful pheromones that attract the moths. Once they reach the trap, they get caught.

While clothes moth traps effectively attract and then trap the moths, they don’t actually kill them. The traps are useful at letting you know you have a problem. You’ll want to get a flying insect killer to stop your moth infestation.

Male moths have large antennae to detect the pheromones the female moths release. They release these pheromones from their legs, wings or abdomen. Males can detect their pheromones as far as 5 miles away. This is what makes clothes moth traps very effective

Predicting the Weather Based on the Wooly Bear Caterpillar

Many people still believe the wooly bear’s coat can predict the weather. Seen from May to October, the dark stripe determines how the winter will be.

A thick brown stripe means the winter will be mild. If the brown stripe is thin, it means the winter will be harsh. This all started back in the 1600s when farmers relied on weather history to predict future conditions. When comparing wooly bear caterpillar stripes with the weather reports, they found a correlation. Or at least they thought they did.

Some studies point to the weather conditions the caterpillar developed in as an explanation in the bands. A wider black band indicates it lived in wet conditions, while the wide brown band is a sign it lived in dry conditions.

Moth Migration

Although moths migrate, they don’t travel far distances. When they do migrate, they navigate using two methods: by the moon and stars, and when light sources aren’t available, they use geomagnetic clues.

Lookalikes

The moth family Clearwing is known for resembling other flying insects, such as hornets and wasps. Some even resemble hummingbirds.

Another lookalike moth is the Bird Dropping group. Named so because they look like bird droppings.

Flying Times

Although moths are typically considered nocturnal, there are species that are active during the day, including the hummingbird clearwing, spear-marked black and the Virginia ctenucha.

Depending on their species, nocturnal moths are active at different times during the night.

Image credited to Rachel (“Nutmeg”)

Filed under: Animals, Gardening on August 22nd, 2011 | No Comments »

If you’ve got mice or rats in your home, it’s time to get them out. The sooner you trap them and get rid of them, the sooner you prevent some serious damage to your house. That’s why a rat trap is so important.

Rats and mice will chew through just about anything in their quest for food. Wires are just one tiny road block to them. To us, however, wires that are cut can be wires that are dangerous or expensive to replace. Think electrical fire or your TV cables.

If you have a rodent problem and need tips on how to use a mouse or rat trap, you’ve come to the right place. This post will offer ways to get the most success out of your rat trap for the best rat control.

Placement of Your Rat Trap

Wherever you see damage or activity, that’s where you want to place your rat trap.

If you find a chewed wire, stick a trap next to it. If you find snack bags in your pantry have gnaw marks on them, stick a rat trap next to them (after you seal snacks safely in air-tight containers).

In theory, the more rat traps you place, the more rats you’ll get rid of. Studies have actually proven more rodents are killed on the first night of having traps out. Maybe these rodents are smart and they tell their rodent friends about some traps they saw. If you have enough traps set, there won’t be any rats left to tell.

Don’t just place your traps evenly, such as at 10-feet intervals. While you think you’re getting optimal coverage, you’re not taking into consideration where the rats or mice really are. It’s better to put all your traps in the exact area where you see the damage (or droppings). This is where they hang out.

All traps need are 1 or 2 inches between them.

Bait Your Rat Trap

It’s been argued bait isn’t that important. Many are under the false assumption “placement is key, but bait isn’t that important to trapping”.

I’m of the school that you do need to pay attention to bait. And while rats and mice eat a lot of different types of food, they seem incapable of resisting peanut butter.

When you set your trap with peanut butter, make sure to apply fresh bait each time. Don’t rely on old, dried out peanut butter to entice the rodents to the trap. While they can still smell it, it isn’t as powerful as when it’s fresh.

For even better results, utilize a variety of baits. The reason why this works is because rats have particular foraging jobs. Some will go after chips, while others will go after meats (like bacon bits).

Image credited to Steve Cranfield.

Filed under: Animals, Home, Projects & How to on August 22nd, 2011 | No Comments »

When you think about mice repellent, you may think of complicated sprays or pellets. Turn s out, there are mice control options that are not only easy, but also really effective at keeping mice away. This post is dedicated to an incredibly easy-to-use mouse repellent. In fact, it may just be the easiest one there is.

Ok, So What is This Easy-to-Use Mice Repellent?

It’s the ultrasonic kind. While it sounds high-tech, which it is, it really is easy-to-use. All you need to do is plug it in. Really, that’s all.

By emitting sound waves at a very high frequency, it sends rodents running in the other direct ion, yet we (and our pets) can’t hear it.

Dogs, cats and birds don’t detect the ultra high frequency used in this effective mice control product. Now if you have guinea pigs or hamsters, they can hear it. So you’ll want to move them into a different room. Since the sound waves these little machines generate can’t go through walls, moving your pet rodents out of the room where the unit is will keep them from hearing these annoying sound waves.

What Makes This Form of Mice Control So Effective?

This mice repellent is not only easy, but also really effective because it drives the rodents crazy. So much so they don’t want to be anywhere near these sound waves.

I do, however, want to clarify not all models are created equally.

You may have heard ultrasonic devices don’t work well. It’s just not true if you have the most effective mice repellent and then use it correctly.

Using it correctly means first understanding how it works. The ultrasonic waves don’t go through walls. So to protect your home fully, put a device in each room. That way the rodents won’t find solace in other parts of your home.

Also, the sound waves are absorbed by anything soft. So don’t plug yours in behind your couch or drapes and think it will work.

Finally, like any mouse control method, it needs to be used in conjunction with other methods for optimal results.

Finding the Most Effective Mice Repellent

When shopping for an ultrasonic mice repellent, make sure it:

• Uses a non-repetitive pattern: by mixing it up, the rodents won’t become desensitized to it
• Generates 80 oscillations per second: this high oscillation is what sounds so annoying to the rodents … kind of like a jackhammer in their ears
• Is backed by decades of laboratory research and successful field testing: the models that have been proven to work will include this information on their packaging or website, so make sure you’re buying the device that’s been shown to effectively repel rodents

Image credit to Brian Kellett.

Filed under: Animals, Home, Projects & How to on August 22nd, 2011 | No Comments »

If you’ve got deer visitors in your yard, chances are you’ve got deer destruction. And you need a good deer repellant.

Deer will tear into your garden or landscaping, even ripping away at trees as they stand on their hind legs. Unlike other animal pests, such as rabbits and rodents, deer don’t have upper incisors. While rabbits and rodents leave neat, sharp cuts, deer strip bark and leaves.

There are many different types of deer repellant. This post will review common methods for deer control and determine which make the cut, and which don’t, so you know how to best protect your yard from deer damage.

Hair as a Deer Repellant?

One of the most common homeopathic deer repellants is human hair. People will sprinkle hair around areas they want to keep deer away from.

When stacked up against other deer repellants, this one just doesn’t make the cut.

Not only is it not effective, but it’s gross. Human hair sprinkled around landscaping or in gardens does not make for an appealing yard – if it worked as a deer repellent, we would be more open to using it but it doesn’t do the job their either.  Moreover, it’s time-consuming. Getting the hair, usually from a barber or salon, will be a regular errand as the hair is easily washed or blown away in bad weather conditions.

Homemade Rotten Eggs

Homemade rotten eggs are another common deer repellant. While rotten eggs may be more effective than human hair, they aren’t any cleaner or more convenient. While your yard or garden may not be hairy, it will definitely be smelly. And, just like human hair, rotten eggs are easily washed away in bad weather because there is nothing to help it stick to your plants.

Commercial Deer Repellant

If you want to get the most out of rotten egg’s deer deterrent properties, your best bet is getting a commercial deer repellant.

The most effective deer repellants will contain putrescent egg, but in a formula that lasts because it has a sticker and dries odorless to humans.

Putrescent egg smells just like a decaying animal to the deer. When deer smell a dead animal, they stay away, since the smell often means a predator is nearby.

When selecting a commercial deer repellant, look for one that:

• Repels deer using smell (putrescent egg) and taste (capsaicin): deer have highly sensitive taste and scent senses; using a deer repellant that targets both means better results
• Is long lasting: the best deer repellant lasts for up to three months before needing a reapplication, saving you time and money

- Is easy-to-use: look for ready-to-use or concentrated formulas so you know the right amount you need to use to protect your area

- Has the OMRI logo: this means it’s been reviewed and approved for use in organic gardening

Another plus to using commercial deer repellant is it doubles as an effective rabbit repellant.

Deer-Proof Plants

Planting deer-proof plants doesn’t make the cut. Mainly because a hungry deer will eat pretty much anything, including plants thought to be deer-proof. Moreover, if you plant deer-proof plants, it doesn’t repel the deer. They’ll still eat the other plants right next to the deer-proof varieties.

Image Credited to Alfred Benway.

Filed under: Animals, Gardening on August 22nd, 2011 | No Comments »

Most bird lovers hate squirrels. These critters damage feeders, ransack birdseed supplies and scare away birds. In attempt to outsmart the squirrels, people have tried a variety of tactics. Some are successful. Some are not. And some aren’t safe.

From squirrel proof feeders to greased poles, this post goes over the most common, tried-and-true tactics for combating bird seed-eating squirrels.

Squirrel Proof Feeders
There are squirrel proof feeders designed to keep bird seed safe. Squirrel proof feeders are either surrounded by a chew-resistant metal cage or weight-activated. The weight-activated ones shut off access to feeding ports when a squirrel jumps on it. Both work well.

Some Use Cayenne
One of the reasons why cayenne pepper repels squirrels is because it tastes bad to them. Luckily for birds, they can’t taste it, but it can be harmful.

Some people mix cayenne pepper with birdseed, typically 1-2 teaspoons to 10 pounds of birdseed. The effects of cayenne pepper wear off quickly, in a day or two. For large feeders, which you don’t need to refill often, mixing cayenne pepper with birdseed isn’t an ideal solution and is not recommended.

The other reason why mixing cayenne pepper with birdseed isn’t a good idea is because it isn’t safe for the birds or the squirrels. The point of bird feeding is to nurture our feathered friends, not harm them. The pepper can fly into their eyes and cause pain or itching.

A good way to incorporate cayenne pepper safely is by including it in a suet mix. The other ingredients, such as the lard and peanut butter, trap the pepper so it doesn’t come loose and get into bird eyes.

Another way to get the benefits of cayenne pepper in a safe way is by using a commercial squirrel repellent. The best repellents are effective for up to 30 days.

Offering an Alternate Food Source – The Jury Is Still Out

Some people install squirrel feeders or spread dried corn away from bird feeders. In theory, setting up a feeding area for the squirrels will keep them fed and deter them from ransacking your bird feeder. However, results vary.

How far is far enough? Are you attracting more squirrels? If they eat all the corn, what’s stopping them from hitting up the birdfeeder?

Since this method can’t hurt anything, you can try it to see if it helps.

Grease: Not a Good Idea

Another common tactic is covering a bird feeder pole with grease. People will use vegetable oil or petroleum jelly. While the squirrel may slide down the pole, unsuccessful at reaching the birdseed, it will probably be left with a sticky coat. This residue, especially old grease, can make the squirrel sick.

Image credit to Steven Carter.

Filed under: Animals, Home, Projects & How to on August 22nd, 2011 | No Comments »

There is nothing more rewarding than growing your own vegetable garden. Imagine bringing cucumbers to your coworkers or making a salad for dinner with all the vegetables coming from your first vegetable garden. With a little bit of planning, preparation and determination, almost anyone can have success their very first time.

The first thing to determine is the location. You must have enough cleared space. For the first year it is best to start out small. Whether the plans are to plant the garden in the ground or in raised container beds you will need a plot about 16 by 20 feet. This should be an adequate amount of room for a garden with eight types of vegetables for four people. The space needs to be free from trees and shade. A vegetable garden must have at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight. Also take note of the wind. An area with a lot of wind can damage the crops and dry them out. The last thing to consider when choosing the location of your vegetable garden is that is must be within reach of your water source.

The condition of the soil is also an important consideration. The area should be cleared of weeds, rocks and other debris. Once the debris is removed the surface should be raked smooth then tilled at least two feet deep. Manure or compost should then be worked in with the soil. This will not only fertilize the soil but also help with the drainage by keeping it loose. To save you from this pain staking step, consider building or buying wooden boxes and fill them with a combination of soil and manure. There is an initial cost to this method but in the long run it is a lot less work when it comes to tilling and weeding. The only drawback to container beds is that they require a lot more watering.
For the first year, it is best to start with a basic selection of vegetables. Tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, bush beans, cucumbers, carrots and radishes are a good selection for the beginning gardener. If you are growing your own vegetables from seed, germination times and growing conditions will be listed on the seed package. Water gently after planting until the soil is moist one inch below the surface. Water again when the soil appears dry on the top. If you are growing your own vegetables from seed to transplant, they will need about four to eight weeks or wait until they have at least two of three leaves. Be careful not to damage the root system when transplanting. Give the newly transplanted vegetables a good watering after transplanting. If you do not want the hassle of growing your own seedlings for transplanting you can either be purchased from a local nursery or garden center for a fairly inexpensive price.

Once harvesting season begins, pick ripened crops frequently to encourage more production. Keep the garden weed free and water as needed. Do not be discouraged if everything does not come out. The first year is a learning process. Keep a garden journal to avoid the same mistakes in future years. Enjoy your first vegetable garden and many more to come.

Filed under: Gardening, Planting, Projects & How to on July 19th, 2011 | No Comments »

Students who are very new to modern interior design can easily feel overwhelmed by the many rules that control every part of home decorating, including: colors and patterns, accessorizing, furniture placement and lighting. The most effective way to start interior decorating is to begin in your own home, then offer your skills and design know how to others.

The first step in decorating any space is the color scheme choice. You want the colors to work well with the wood tones, fixtures in the room you don’t want to chance or remove, and the room’s natural light. Color has a great impact on any space, color is often times the first thing noticed when one enters a room. Beginners should be mindful of the mood/tone you want to set in the room. Warm colors like red, yellow, and orange set a more upbeat tone. Cool colors; blue, violet and green create a more relaxed mood in any room.

Now you are ready to carefully select a fabric or wallpaper border pattern in either the warm or cool colors you choose. You will usually find patterns with at least three complementary colors. Now you are ready to get started. You want to paint your walls with the light color, this is your background. You can add drama to a room by painting the ceiling a shade or two lighter than the walls. Your furniture pieces should pick up the medium color. The furniture pieces do not have to be solid colors, you just want the medium color represented in the fabric substantially. Be careful to choose the right furniture in terms of size and number of pieces to really maximize your space. You want to be sure to have the bold color in your accessories: decorative pillows, rugs, paintings etc. The selected pattern pulls everything together cohesively. Use the pattern in the room at least 3 times for drapes, throw pillows, and to re-upholster a chair or sofa. If you are using a wallpaper border, place it along the upper edge of the wall close to the ceiling. A second pattern that complements the first and accentuates one or more of the room’s colors is highly recommended. Use carefully selected accessories to repeat this second pattern approximately three times. A third pattern is ok, but no more than three patterns can be used. These are the basics, as you gain experience you will become more and more confident about personalizing these guidelines.

Some people have a great eye for interior design naturally with no formal training at all. Make it a habit to look through many different magazines, watch home decorating television shows, and peruse many different colors at paint shops to get a feel for what you love. Beginners are encouraged to define their basic decorating taste. Do you prefer simple, straight lines? Or more complex curved lines? Do you like thin furniture pieces or thicker ones? Do you consider yourself eclectic or conservative? Keep these questions in mind and clearly state your own personal design style.

Filed under: Home on July 5th, 2011 | No Comments »

Ripe organic tomatoes, strawberries which don’t taste like pink cardboard, and a year round supply of tangy onions can all be yours with a vegetable garden for beginners. Even if you don’t have a big plot of land, you can grow tomatoes, strawberries, spinach, lettuce, onions and more on an apartment balcony, either in pots or the nifty upside down hanging planters available at very low cost. Urban gardeners can stock their pantry with fresh homegrown vegetables produced on a rooftop or in a communal garden patch.
The first thing you need to do is assess how much space can be devoted to a vegetable garden. Size will determine to a great extent what vegetables you can grow. Corn, for instance, or melons and pumpkins take up a great deal of space. You will need to site your vegetable garden where it will receive at least 6 hours of sunlight a day. Bear in mind that morning sun is usually less intense than afternoon sun, so if you site your garden where it gets only late afternoon sun, you will have to compensate by providing more water to your garden. Access to a water source is also a factor; no one wants to spend an hour a day reeling and unreeling hoses or carrying heavy containers of water.
When you have picked your location, you can plan the size of your plot and what sort of vegetables you want to grow. There are many good basic gardening books available to help you plan out your garden. You can start plants from seed – one easy way is to save cracked eggshells and place half an eggshell filled with clean potting soil in an old egg carton and start your seeds on a sunny window sill. The advantage of starting vegetables from seed is that you thus get access to many more varieties than are available at your local garden supply store. Consider your climate zone – spinach and lettuces like cool spring days, whereas corn needs a long warm growing season. Consider choosing some of the easier vegetables to grow until you feel confident of your abilities. Tomatoes, onions, beans and the ever-popular zucchini will all practically grow themselves.

You will need some very basic gardening tools. A means of watering your garden, a hand claw for breaking the dirt up, and a shovel are all beginners really need for successful vegetable gardening. Don’t spend too much time worrying about ph and all the complicated talk about dirt. Turn your native soil over, add some purchased starter soil and some compost. Stick your baby plants in, water in the mornings before the sun is on the garden, and happy harvesting!

Filed under: Gardening, Projects & How to on June 21st, 2011 | No Comments »