Posts

Stop them from turning your flowerbeds into litter boxes and terrorizing the local wildlife with a few smart strategies. And that may leave you figuring out exactly how to keep cats out of your garden without hurting them. Try these no-harm, natural methods to keep the neighborhood kitties at bayand your flowerbeds undisturbed. Photo:The Dman/Getty Images The biggest damages are related to your actual garden beds and the local wildlife....

These cuties can do a lot of damage to your garden if left unchecked. “Its really, really hard to deal with them. They can get up and climb trees, dig tremendous tunnels with multiple entrances. Photo:Arlutz73/Getty Images They can get under and around things, and theyre so active.” So how do you keep these cuties from wreaking havoc in your garden? But you’ll often find other evidence that they’re there....

Stop staleness in its tracks with a few simple tweaks from pro bakers. Anne DEL SOCORRO/Getty Images No one wants stale cookies. Weekes recommends swapping in cake flour in lieu of all-purpose flour to give you a softer texture. Photo:Anne DEL SOCORRO/Getty Images Or you’ve got the option to substitute two egg yolks for every egg in your recipe. Cookie jars generally do not have an airtight seal and do little to protect your cookies from moisture-stealing air....

When the power goes out, a rush of panic inevitably sets in for so many reasons. It’s a valid concern. (You might want to also invest in aportable generator, too.) If made from drinking water, they can also be used forhydrationin a pinch. If the food hasdefrosted, it’s best to toss it. Prolonged Outage Power still out? Nothing like a post-blackout souvenir to remember your time in the dark. Pickling by candlelight is a classic pastime....

Goodbye, brown guac. Then it’s brown, mushy, and not at all desirable. But where there’s a will to keep guacamole from turning brown, there’s a way. Cara Cormack We tested some of the most popular guacamole storage tricks to find the best one. Read on to learn how to keep your guac green the next dayor even the day after that. Here’s what we found out. The results:This method only works temporarily on the spot the pit was touching....

A little science can preserve your ice cubes from melting quicklyand its easier than you think. And what’s worse than warm beer? you might also use thermal bubble wrap to help keep the hot air out and cool air in. Photo:Danielle Daly You also should avoid metal coolers as they tend to absorb heat more easily. This will help prolong the life of the fresh ice once you’re ready to go....

Youll need more than just a lip balm. We asked dermatologists for advice on how we can keep lips moisturized, once and for all. Why Do Lips Get So Chapped? Prostock-Studio/Getty Images You may also beaddicted or allergic to your lip balm, which can contribute to perpetual dryness. Dont Lick Your Lips Licking your lips is a natural action when things start drying out. Its just moisture, right? It only makes the problem worse because the saliva evaporates quickly, leaving your lips even drier than before....

Andrew Howe/Getty Images One creature no one wants to see stirring around their house? Seal Off Cracks and Gaps The first defense? double-check there’s no way mice can get into your home in the first place. Photo:Andrew Howe/Getty Images That includes spray foams. “Mice will chew through the foam and even build nests in the cavities they create.” And don’t forget the gaps around your doors and windows, where good weather stripping is essential....

Mice will look for anywhere cozy to set up a nestand your car can make the ideal home. Keep food out of your car. “Keep your vehicle clean, and vacuum the seats and floor mats,” he says. Richard Drury/Getty Images Park in a safer spot. Your garage can do more than protect your car from the elements. It can add an extra barrier a mouse has to get through to get to your car....

Don’t let these pests ruin your foodand appetite. Getty Images Bugs are an inevitable part of life, but few are as frustrating as pantry moths. Here’s what the experts say about pantry moths and how to prevent them. Photo:Getty Images What Are Pantry Moths? The most common species of the pantry month is the Indian meal moth (Plodia interpunctella). “Any container that is thicker than 3 millimeters will keep them out....

Rule number 1: Pick a big pot. Fortunately, there’s no special tricks or skills you should probably getting your pasta perfect every time. Check out our tips to help keep your pasta from sticking the next time you cook it. Photo:Westend61/Getty Images you’re likely setting yourself up for mushy or sticky pasta. Generously salt the pasta water Salting the water does more than just flavor your pasta. You’ll want to put the salt in as soon as your water boils....

Keep those cute bunnies at bayand away from your prized plants. Try these expert-tested strategies to help keep rabbits out of your garden for good. What Do Rabbits Damage in the Garden? Photo:Mint Images/Getty Images The short answer: Rabbits can do alotmore damage in your garden than you’d expect. Your plant selections can be a big factor in whether your garden thrives despite bunny interference. Marigolds, onions, and alliums are also undesirable to rabbits....

Stop this pesky problem for good. So, what do you do to prevent this irksome issue? We asked cleaning experts for their best tried-and-true tricks to combat the problem. Also, dont mix bed linens in with an already big load of laundry. Those excess items in the machine may get caught in the corners of fitted sheets and bunch up. If space and weather allow, skip the dryer altogether and opt toline-dry sheets....