Here are some easy tips to prevent tick-borne diseases while enjoying your favorite activities outdoors. You’ve grabbed your water bottle, sunscreen, and hat for a hike in the woods or some gardening in the backyard. But add a bit of tick protection when you head out the door for an outdoor adventure, to garden, or play. That's because disease-carrying ticks can now be found in all of the 48 continental states in the US. It’s healthy to enjoy the fresh air in the great outdoors. But ensure your safety by enlisting a variety of strategies to limit your risk of exposure to ticks. Doing so will help prevent tick-borne diseases including Lyme disease rash and tick bite rash. Here are just a few of the ways to increase your safety and enjoyment. Prevent Tick-Borne Diseases To help prevent tick borne diseases, wear light colored clothing to more easily spot a tick before it moves onto your skin. Wear long pants and tuck them into your socks and tuck your shirt into your pants. … [Read more...] about Prevent Tick Borne Diseases While Outdoors
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How To Get Rid Of Rats In Your Garden
Do you want to get rid of rats in your garden? There are few things more annoying than dealing with garden pests, and rats are certainly pests. These rodents can eat your garden crops. Plus, rats are vermin that can spread diseases. The good news is there are some proven ways to get rid of rats in your garden and yard. Signs of a Rat Problem First, though, let’s briefly look at some of the signs that you have a rat infestation. One of the clearest signs of a problem is an accumulation of rat droppings. You might also notice burrow holes in the ground. A single rat burrow can house up to eight rats. Another common sign that there is a problem is the greasy trails that the rats leave behind. These will contain rat pheromones and might include pieces of their fur. This is how they mark a path around your garden. If you spot rat trails, you can use a cloth to remove these pathways. While this won’t be enough to get rid of the rat, it will help disrupt their passage around your … [Read more...] about How To Get Rid Of Rats In Your Garden
Gifts for Gardeners this Holiday Season
Here is an assortment of perfect gifts for gardeners and homeowners on your holiday shopping list. Let's face it. The colder months of the holiday season do not lend themselves to gardening in most climates. But that doesn't mean gardening is completely out of mind. Avid gardeners and homeowners who must keep their yards neat and tidy appreciate garden-related gifts during "the most wonderful time of the year." It is actually quite easy to find great gifts for gardeners and homeowners. These folks always need something to satisfy their green thumbs, finish a DIY project, or add one more personal touch to the property. That's why the editors of Home, Garden and Homestead have put together their annual list of the best gifts for gardeners this holiday season. Heck, you might even want to give some of these gifts to yourself. Gifts for Gardeners: Tools The Ultimate Weeding Tools The CobraHead Weeder gets its name from the shape of the tempered steel blade, which … [Read more...] about Gifts for Gardeners this Holiday Season
How to Keep Deer from Eating Your Landscape Plants
Yes, you can keep deer from eating plants in your landscape. Deer and other wildlife can be fun to watch on your property. But it's not much fun when deer eat the prized plants in your yard and vegetable garden. When deer treat your carefully cultivated landscape like it’s a salad bar, it’s time act. To keep deer from eating plants, you need to do something--and fast. A new generation of deer and wildlife control products is now available that keep deer and other critters away. These products are very effective, and they don't contain harmful chemicals. From predator scents to low-visibility deer fencing, here are some of the best ways to keep hungry deer from lunching in your garden. Plus, choosing deer-resistant plants is a great way to reduce browsing by hungry deer. In areas with large populations of deer, using more than one control method will give you the best results. Use the scent of a predator to repel deer A great way to keep deer from eating your landscape … [Read more...] about How to Keep Deer from Eating Your Landscape Plants