Posts

Don’t let pests ruin your good times this summer. Weve all been there. Sitting at the pool or having dinner with friends in the yard and suddenly we feel itchy. Edward Palm/Getty Images We scratch our arms or legs and notice tiny bugs flying around. Its mosquitoes, again! If you feel like mosquitoes are always attracted to your yard, it’s probably not a coincidence. Standing water stems from poorly draining soil, irrigation system issues, clogged gutters, and more....

You might be allowing snakes in your yard without even knowing. Everyone wants a gorgeous yard to enjoy some fun outdoor living. DB Beyer/Getty Images Your grass may be too tall. DB Beyer/Getty Images Tall grass provides snakes cover from predators, saysMeg Pearson, a wildlife training manager with Critter Control. Grass that is too tall also allows snakes to sneak up on their prey. Be sure tomow your lawn oftenso that it remains short at all times....

Plus, what you should be doing instead to help keep them out. Earth Tones Photography/Getty Images No one wants insects crawling around in their home, especially ones that make noise. Plus, we learned what we can do differently to keep these insects out from now on. Photo:Earth Tones Photography/Getty Images We find most moisture in unfinished areas of the home, specifically basements. Neitzke stresses that its best to “minimize any outdoor light sources at night....

Plus, tips on what you should do instead. This way, rabbits cant easily jump in your garden bed. And Mercer says an easily accessible water source will keep rabbits coming back. Photo:Beverly Goldschmidt/Getty Images It’s an easy buffet of tasty options for them to take advantage of. Here are some of Peters' tips to consider. However, he also adds the importance of the active gardener, too. Gardeners who use their yard more can alsohelp deter rabbits, he says....

Heres what not to do if you dont want to see Pepe Le Pew. An unbalancedcompost pilecontaining ripe food scraps will be a magnet to skunks and other scavengers. The main requirement for nesting is to be hidden, she says. Photo:Beebatch/Getty Images Skunks venture to avoid encounters with humans and potential predators. Skunks also nest to stay warm, give birth, and raise their young. Feeding pets outdoors will also draw in skunks, possums, and raccoons over time, says Peters....

These trickslike using a winter coat storage bagwill help clothing last longer. Instead, wash or dry-clean clothing and treat any stains before storing away your winter clothing. Also avoid humid spots, as moisture can causemold and mildew. Photo:Viktoriya Kraynyuk/Getty Images Don’t venture to store natural-fiber delicate orvintage itemsin plasticthey prefer to breathe.

And how to fix them to achieve fresh-baked perfection. Cara Cormack Baking bread is more popular than ever. Even my previously carb-phobic boyfriend has taken up a nightly session with the oven. Photo:Cara Cormack (I’m not complaining about being served warm cinnamon rolls during my evening Netflix binge.) After all, the promise of set-it-and-forget-itfresh, crusty loavesis pretty appealing to even the non-bakers among us. However, not checking on your bread along the way may cause you to miss some critical errors....

However, it also means figuring out how to style second-day hair. Contrary to popular belief, if hair hasn’t been freshly washed, it does need special treatment. Don’t Do a Second Blow-dry You probably blow-dry hair after a shower to give it a smooth finish. Adding more can just make hair oilier and give any heat tools more opportunities to cook your hairliterally. (Just like in the kitchen, oil plus heat equals cooking time....

Your rice cooker has hidden talentsit can make breakfast, poach fruit, even turn out risotto. Make a hot breakfast. Take out and serve as an easy, one-pot meal. Photo: Beatriz Da Costa Make risotto without stirring. Mix in grated cheese and herbs at the end. Slow-cook soups, beans, or stews. A rice cooker works for healthy desserts of fruit simmered in juice, wine, or maple syrup. Or make applesauce and other fruit sauces....

From snippet to stunning! But not all plants can be propagated this easily! These pretty, flowering plants are relatively easy to grow from cuttings. Photo:Anucha Muphasa/Getty Images To encourage growth, keep the cuttings in a warm, sunny spot in well-draining soil, Clarke advises. Water regularly, but avoid overwatering as theyre also prone to root rot. Lavender Caroline Gauvin/Getty Images Lavender is afragrant perennialwith grey-green foliage and signature purple blooms. Katrin Ray Shumakov/Getty Images...

Carry that summer feeling indoors all year round with these special houseplant additions. Here are five plants to consider adding to your houseplant collection. However, not every home is suitable for citrus plants. Photo:GomezDavid/Getty Images They still need a lot of light, even in the winter. So place them in south-facing windows or use a grow light," Bendrick says. She also advises using large pots with good drainage for the best results....

These colors are just as cozy as they are chic. Not sure what color to choose? Weve got plenty of ideas to help you narrow it down. Photo:Follow The Flow/Getty Images Here are the top paint trends for winter 2025, according to designers. Another example is Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore, Rogers says. This deep blue creates a dramatic, inviting backdrop reminiscent of winter nights. Sherwin Williams Colors like Pale Oak by Benjamin Moore add warmth while maintaining a fresh feel, Rogers explains....

A major problem with light colors is that they have a tendency to scuff. “Wainscoting goes a long way in adding to the appeal of a clean, classic home.” Keep in mind that no matter what interior paint color you use, preparation is key. Photo: Getty Images It’s important to properly prime the wall and apply enough layers of paint. And when you land picked your paint, verify you’rechoosing the best finish....