How To Find A Dog Grooming Table

Are you a proud dog owner looking to keep your furry friend well-groomed and looking fabulous? A reliable dog grooming table can be a game-changer, making the grooming process smoother and more enjoyable for both you and your canine companion. In this article, we’ll explore the ins and outs of finding the perfect dog grooming table that suits your needs and your pup’s style.

Understanding Your Needs

Before diving into the world of dog grooming tables, it’s essential to assess your specific requirements. Are you a professional groomer catering to various breeds, or are you a devoted dog parent tending to your beloved pet at home? Your intended usage will play a significant role in determining the ideal table for you.

The Right Size Matters

Just like how dogs come in all shapes and sizes, grooming tables do too. Consider the dimensions that would work best for your four-legged friend. A table that’s too small might leave your pooch feeling cramped and uncomfortable during grooming sessions. On the other paw, an overly spacious table could make it challenging to keep your dog steady during the process. Finding the right balance is key!

Stability and Durability

Picture this: you’ve got your dog all prepped and ready for a grooming session, but the table wobbles at the slightest movement, leaving you both feeling anxious. To avoid this hairy situation, opt for a grooming table that offers excellent stability and durability. Look for sturdy materials like stainless steel or heavy-duty wood, which can withstand the occasional splash of water and the test of time.

Safety First

Grooming can be an enjoyable experience for most dogs, but some may find it a tad nerve-wracking. Ensuring your dog’s safety during grooming is paramount. Look for a table with features like non-slip surfaces, secure harness attachments, and rounded edges to prevent any accidental bumps or slips.

Height Adjustability

One size does not fit all, especially when it comes to dog grooming tables. Having the option to adjust the table’s height can make a world of difference, allowing you to groom your furry friend comfortably without straining your back. This feature is especially crucial for professional groomers who work with dogs of various sizes daily.

Storage and Portability

Whether you have a dedicated grooming area or need to set up and pack away the table regularly, portability and storage are essential factors to consider. Foldable tables are fantastic space-savers, while those with wheels can be effortlessly moved around. This way, you can keep your grooming station tidy and your pup’s tail wagging!

User Reviews and Recommendations

Now that you have an idea of what to look for in a dog grooming table, it’s time to gather some real-life insights. Search for online reviews and testimonials from other dog owners or professional groomers. Their experiences can provide valuable information and help you make an informed decision.

Introducing: The Perfect Dog Grooming Table

After thorough research, one grooming table stands out from the pack—the Shernbao USA Dog Grooming Table. This top-of-the-line table ticks all the boxes when it comes to functionality, design, and safety. With a sturdy stainless steel frame, non-slip rubber surface, and adjustable height, it’s a true winner for both professionals and pet parents.

Conclusion

Grooming your dog should be an enjoyable and rewarding experience, and having the right grooming table can make all the difference. Remember to consider your needs, your dog’s size, and the table’s stability, safety, and portability. By investing in the perfect grooming table, you’ll not only keep your furry friend looking dapper but also create a stronger bond between you and your beloved canine companion.

 

So, what are you waiting for? Embark on your dog grooming table search today, and get ready to see your pup looking fabulous and feeling fantastic!

How to Find a Brentwood Rat Exterminator

Are you having trouble finding a high-quality rat exterminator in the Brentwood area?  Are rats invading your home or business, and you have no idea what to do?  You don’t need to stress anymore.  Here are some tips on how to find excellent Brentwood rat exterminators.

Ask Neighbors or Other Businesses

If your home has a rat problem, you could ask friends, family, and neighbors if they have ever had the same problem.  They may have had to work with a Brentwood rat exterminator before.  If the transactions were positive, your acquaintance would probably be more than happy to give you the exterminator’s information.

The same can apply if your place of business has become infested.  Ask other business owners if they have ever dealt with a similar situation and see if they can lead you in the right direction.

Referrals from past clients may even get you a discount or some extra feature from the service.

Look Online

If getting referrals from a peer didn’t get you anywhere, your next step should probably be to look online.  Online searches can lead to information overload, as search engines like Google have nearly infinite information.  However, you can beat information overload by searching specifically for a Brentwood rat exterminator and looking for specific qualifications.

What Qualifications to Look For

To ensure that you hire a high-quality Brentwood rat exterminator, make a checklist of the following points.

  • Ask about personalized plans. Rat extermination may be different for businesses when compared to a household residence. 
  • Ask how long the company has been in the business. You want the staff to be qualified, experienced, and up to date on the latest in rat extermination practices.
  • Check that they are licensed and insured. Any currently functioning rat extermination company must have full approval to conduct services in California.
  • Look for services that provide free inspections to ensure that you even have rats. You could be mistaken—no need to throw your money away for no reason.
  • If humane methods are essential to you, you may want to inquire about how they get rid of the rats. You don’t have to do business with them if they don’t work humanely.

Rats can not only invade houses and businesses, but they can also cause a plight in entire states.  Let’s not forget the Black Plaque as well.  If you think you have rats, get rid of the problem before it gets more significant than you can handle.

Author bio

Louis started American Rat Control Inc. because he realized there were not very many options in the pest control industry for expert rodent control and removal. Durring his 37+ years in rodent control & Construction he developed processes and techniques to quickly identify rodent entry points on a structure and how to seal them up to last and look good.

The Most Beneficial Home Improvement Projects for Homeowners

These days, more homeowners are willing to invest in home improvement projects that will help them achieve a better home experience. However, with all the options out there, it comes as no surprise that homeowners can become easily overwhelmed. As a result, they end up putting off home improvement projects until they can decide on what to prioritize.

There are plenty of home improvement projects worth investing in such as paving solutions, landscaping, repainting walls, and more. It is up to homeowners to decide which home improvement projects will benefit their current needs and help them achieve a better quality of life.

Home Improvement Projects Worth Investing In

Homeowners can invest in a wide variety of home improvement projects. The key is to choose only those that will give you the best return on investment. If you’re not sure what your options are, you can turn to the Internet to get useful tips.

It will also help if you conduct a thorough home inspection so that you can determine which projects you need to prioritize. For instance, you might want to start by renovating the kitchen or repainting your house with neutral colors if it clashes with its surroundings.

Below are examples of home improvement projects worth investing in:

Repainting the walls

One of the cheapest yet most effective home improvement projects is repainting your house’s walls. This will give your home a fresh and clean look that can instantly increase the value of your property. In addition to this, you will be able to enjoy a better ambiance inside your home.

You need to make sure that you choose the right colors so that they will not look awkward once you combine them with the existing theme of your home. You can even paint something inspirational on your walls to give your house a more interesting look.

Renovating kitchens and bathrooms

Updating kitchens and bathrooms is also considered one of the most beneficial home improvement projects homeowners can invest in. One good reason for this is because these rooms get a lot of foot traffic compared to any other part of your house. By updating these rooms, you get to enjoy a better home experience.

In addition to this, homes with updated kitchens and bathrooms are more likely to sell easily when homeowners decide to sell their homes in the future. This is because buyers are more likely to be attracted to homes that have updated kitchens and bathrooms.

Other possible updates include replacing outdated tiles in the bathroom or adding an extra storage space near the kitchen sink, among others. If you can’t think of anything else for your kitchen or bathroom, it might be best to hire a professional contractor who will offer good suggestions that you can consider.

Purchasing smart appliances

Purchasing smart appliances is another home improvement project that homeowners can do. This is because smart appliances offer so many benefits, such as saving money on energy costs and making life easier for homeowners in terms of completing chores like doing laundry and cooking.

Smart appliances are also more economical compared to regular appliances. Therefore, homeowners should consider investing in them.

Installing new windows and doors

Replacing old, drafty windows with energy-efficient ones is also another important home improvement project that homeowners should invest in. Getting a good quality replacement window for your house will offer several benefits, including cutting down on monthly bills because of proper insulation preventing air leakage and enhancing privacy in your home.

Getting new doors will help make your home more secure, which is important for homeowners. After all, it is better to be safe than risk the safety and well-being of your loved ones by neglecting old and damaged doors.

Investing in new pieces of furniture

New pieces of furniture can completely transform the look of your home, which is why many homeowners invest in these items. Replacing old pieces with new ones can also give you more storage spaces, and it’s a great way to freshen up your decor without spending too much money. Just make sure that the pieces of furniture you purchase will go well with the rest of your home decor. Otherwise, you could end up with a mismatched look.

Investing in Your Home

Investing in home improvement projects is one of the best ways to increase your home’s value. Even if you don’t plan on selling it anytime soon, there will always be a time when you want to sell your house and move into another one. In addition to this, investing in home improvement projects will help you enjoy a better home experience. Therefore, it makes sense to invest in home improvement projects that will be worth the money you spend.

Fieldpiece SC440 Review – Best Multimeter for HVAC

If you work in the HVAC industry or have an HVAC system at home, you’ll need the best fieldpiece multimeter for hvac to solve heater or air conditioners problems. These tools give clear and accurate readings of the electrical or mechanical components.

The best multimeter for HVAC should be able to test for voltage AC to 600V. It should also be capable of measuring DC voltage to 300v and also amperage of AC to 300A. It’s also advisable to have a multimeter for HVAC that can test for resistance, microamps, temperature and has a continuity beeper. With all these features, you’re sure to get the best accurate results within no time.

One of the best fieldpiece multimeters with such features is the SC440 true RMS. Read on and find more about this digital multimeter and has an easy time settling for the best device for any HVAC system.

Fieldpiece SC440 HVAC Multimeter Review In Detail

 

In-Depth Review of Fieldpiece SC440

If you’re a professional or a DIYer, the best multimeter that will work effectively on any HVAC system is the SC440. This multimeter weighs 1.35 pounds, making it easy to carry around. Its small size is also convenient, making it a portable multimeter. Since it’s a true RMS meter, you’ll get accurate results, making you a reliable technician.

The SC440 has an inrush current dual display which gives the user an easy time reading the results. It’s a hang clamp meter that enables the user to hang it on a metallic surface for a hands-free operation. The clamp also allows the user to get accurate information on the VAC and AAC readings.

The SC440 true RMS multimeter can test for capacitance, temperature, current, diode checks, microamps, and frequency. Its backlight display makes working in darker areas easy. The manual and automatic ranging makes it an easy-to-use multimeter that gives the user the desired results. This multimeter also has safety measures like a beeper and high voltage LED, which warns the user of faulty connections.

It’s also possible to use this multimeter single-handedly through the strong test lead holder, making it safe to use.

Build Quality and Protection

The SC440 multimeter is one of the strongest devices built to withstand the rigors of the HVAC system. It comprises high-quality plastic, and its display can withstand extreme weather enabling the user to work in both cold and hot environments. It has strong push buttons for non-contact voltage, a lead holder, and a probe tip for easy handling. Since it’s made of plastic, the multimeter can withstand extreme conditions in the HVAC system.

Safety

The SC440 meter is safe to use as it has a high voltage LED and a beeper, which ensures the user is safe while at work. It also has a continuity warning and a non-contact push button which improves the electrician’s safety while at work. However, the detachable leads and the alligator probe tips enable the user to use one hand to operate the device.

Functions and Interface

One advantage of having a fieldpiece SC440 multimeter is that it offers accurate readings. It also has a clear dual display which gives the user an easy time reading the results. The SC440 has both manual and auto-ranging, ensuring quality results and making it easy to use. This multimeter can test for temperature, DC, capacitance, diode tests, microamps, and volts.

Pros

  • It’s accurate and easy to use
  • It has a dual display clamp, and it’s a true RMS display
  • It allows for hands-free operation because of the heavy-duty magnet
  • It’s a manual and automatic ranging
  • It has a backlit screen
  • It can withstand an extreme HVAC environment
  • It’s safe to use as it includes various safety measures
  • It gives accurate readings

Cons

  • It’s not compatible with a smartphone

Why You Need Fieldpiece SC440 For Your HVAC System

The major reason an electrician needs the SC440 meter is it’s accurate and also easy to use. Another thing is it’s got user-friendly features that even a beginner can understand and use. The SC440 multimeter also shows all the thermal and electrical information an electrician might need while working on an HVAC system. For example, the temperature probe is necessary while working on the ductwork and the HVAC water supplies.

Conclusion

A multimeter makes the work of an electrician easy and helps them work on different electrical problems. It can troubleshoot and diagnose any electrical appliance or wiring. However, to achieve this, a technician needs the best multimeter to meet their expectations and deliver. With a fieldpiece SC440 multimeter, all these are possible.

The SC440 meter can work in an HVAC system and test for temperature, current, capacitance, diode test, amperage, and resistance. The best thing about using this multimeter is that it’s easy to use, gives accurate results, and is a backlight. It’s also strong, durable, and enables a hands-free operation allowing the user to multitask.

How to Eliminate Fire Ants from Lawns and Gardens

No homeowner or gardener wants to deal with painful and dangerous fire ants on their property. Fire ants are unsightly and can inflict excruciating pain on their victims. While most commonly found in the Southern region of the United States, fire ants can be a nuisance in many different places. Below we will cover several options to kill fire ants quickly and efficiently.

Eliminate Hospitable Areas and Food Sources

Fire ants are no different than any other animal; they need food, water, and shelter to survive. Eliminating just one of the necessary elements above can help to avoid a fire ant infestation from starting. Fire ants will typically build tunnels and mounds in and around some natural cover. Garden edging, brick pavers, wooden ties, and garden hoses are just a few examples of cover that are attractive to fire ants. Removing any possible breeding ground is the first step to eliminating future infestations.

Fire ants also need food and water to survive. Removing all water sources will go a long way in combatting the painful pests. Fire ants will travel for moisture but will prefer to nest next to it. Downspouts, leaky hoses, and sprinkler heads are excellent sources of water for fire ants. Eliminating even the most minor leak or drip will remove one more possible breeding ground for ants.

Fire ants are omnivores and will digest plant or animal material. Eliminating food sources outdoors can be difficult. Trashcans are ideal sources of food for ants. Ensure that all food waste is bagged and properly disposed of. If fire ants are found in a garden, remove any fallen fruit or vegetables from the ground and dispose of any decaying plant materials. Homeowners should also elevate pet food off of the ground if it is going to be left outside. If you enjoy dining outdoors, wipe down table surfaces and remove any crumbs or food that may have fallen during the meal.

Eliminating Existing Fire Ant Colonies – Bait and Poison

Removing housing, water, and food from ants is a homeowner’s first line of defense in preventing fire ants. It is impossible that a homeowner can avoid all fire ant colonies. If a fire ant mound exists on your property, two options are recommended to eliminate the pests.

Fire Ant Bait

Fire ant bait is the most common and frequently recommended solution for killing a fire ant colony. Most ant bait products come in a granular form and are applied on top of and around the mound. Ant baits are either scented with a sweet or protein smell to attract the ants. After worker ants locate the bait, the granules are taken into the underground colony and shared with other ants and the queen.

The secret to ant bait’s effectiveness is the slow-killing poison that is used. Hydramethylnon is a common slow-acting poison that can take up to three days to kill its ant victims. Fire ant baits cannot kill ants too quickly, as the poison will not have adequate time to spread throughout the colony. The longer the bait has time to spread, the more likely it is to kill the entire colony, ending the infestation. It is essential to eliminate the queen fire ant to kill the whole colony. Using a fire ant bait offers the best odds of destroying the entire infestation.

Fire Ant Poison

Fire ant poisons are designed to quickly kill all ants that come into contact with the product. Most poison products come in either a powder or an aerosol form. Powder poison products are best for controlling fire ant mounds and infestations. Aerosol products are ideal for eliminating visible ants in an area but will not offer any long-term control or kill the colony.

The significant difference between bait and poison is that poison is designed to eliminate the fire ant rapidly. Poison can be transferred from ant-to-ant contact but may not reach deep into the colony. Fire ant poisons rarely encounter the queen, as she never leaves the colony. Poisons are ideal for short-term rapid ant control in an area where Homeowners should use bait products for the long-term elimination of colonies.

Fleas: Preventing Them from Infesting Your Pets

These flattened, wingless, and small insects infest the hair coats of mammals and plumage of birds alike. When they grow into adults, they develop a piercing part of their mouth that they use to prick the skin of their host to feed on their blood. Unfortunately, fleas are found in all parts of the world,with 2,400 species. For humans, there are only a fraction of those species that can feed on humans, dogs, and cats.

How can you prevent them?

The best way to address a flea infestation is to practice methods that will help your pets, and yourself avoid them. As both dogs and cats are highly susceptible to these bloodsuckers, it’s important to keep in mind that there are ways we can prevent them from feeding on our furry friends’ blood.

Limit outdoor time

Taking care of pets involves giving them an ample amount of time spent outdoors. Whether it be for playing or a walk, it’s necessary to let them spend time out in nature. Unfortunately, most flea infestations begin when these furry friends spend a lot of time outside. Fleas from other furry animals outdoors can walk around and flock to your pet, which isn’t easy to prevent because these insects are tiny.

The best way to prevent this is to limit the amount of time your pets spend outdoors. Walk or let them play in areas you know are safe from fleas-areas where stray animals don’t spend a lot of time in. With this in mind, you can keep your puppy training indoors as a safety measure.

Prevent contact with stray and wild animals

Animals out in the wild or the streets are highly susceptible to flea infestation. As there’s no human to take care of them and address their flea problems, fleas can grow and live in their coats for a long time, which can cause their death due to fatal blood loss.

If you’re taking your dog out for a walk, make sure you prevent them from making prolonged contact with stray animals or prevent any contact for safety.

Brush and bathe your pets

Bathing your pets regularly with anti-flea shampoo or soap can help keep the blood-sucking insects away. Not only do you keep your dog comfortable and clean with regular baths and brushing, but you also keep them safe from flea infestation that can harm them and the humans they make contact with and live with. Brushing helps you spot them before they multiply, which is easier than addressing them in high numbers.

Fleas have a preference for warm and humid weather, meaning you should take extra cautionary steps to protect your pets from them during summer. But they’re also capable of surviving any weather, somake sure your pets are taken care of all the time.

Talk to your veterinarian

Keeping a pet healthy entails having regular visits and conversations with your veterinarian on the best practices to keep your pet healthy and free from fleas. Veterinarians can advise you about the best flea control products that are suitable for your pet.

They’ll also advise you to make the anti-flea treatment a year-round thing, not only when fleas are more active during hot months. Your veterinarian will also address flea problems if you fail to prevent them from living and growing in your pet’s coat.

Keep your home free from fleas

Because fleas are small and can’t be seen if you’re not looking extremely closely, the chances of them entering and multiplying inside or around your home are high. They can live in beddings, carpets, and other surfaces where your pets stay frequently.

To prevent them from infesting your home, make sure you vacuum or sweep thoroughly and regularly. You’d want to vacuum your rugs and carpets along with the cushions on your chairs and sofas. After, make sure you empty the vacuum bag outdoors, preferably away from your home.

Your pet’s and your own bedding should also be cleaned frequently. The recommendation is to clean them with soap and water.

This piece of advice might be overused, and you’ll probably hear it multiple times from your reliable veterinarian, but prevention is always better than cure. Taking the necessary-and some extra steps to prevent fleas will take you and your pet a long way in steering clear of them.

It’s not easy to get rid of fleas that have already infested a home, but there are plenty of services and products you can use to get rid of them.

How to Keep Rodents Out of Your House

Rodents are a gross sight to see in your home. They leave gross droppings and stains on your surfaces. They can chew through plastic to get to the sandwich you were planning on eating in the morning. And as if they couldn’t be annoying enough, these critters can also spread disease.

Some rodents could spreadhantavirus pulmonary syndrome(a severe and sometimes fatal respiratory disease), leptospirosis (a potentially fatal bacterial disease) andsalmonellosis (a common bacterial disease affecting the intestinal tract), among others. These diseases can not only give you fever and colds, but also cause organ damage in the long term.

It can be difficult to get rid of rodents, especially if you don’t have the necessary experience and expertise. But not all hope is lost. There are a few things you can do to keep these critters away before calling a a local pest control services.

Inspect for signs of rodents

What’s frustrating about rats is that they’re so small that they often go unseen when they enter your home. As time goes on, however, they’ll leave disgusting signs of their presence. These often include droppings that look like tiny black grains. You’ll find these in dark corners of your home or in places where there’s a lot of food. Clean them up immediately with disinfectants like bleach diluted in water.

They may also leave a trail of destruction in the form of shredded food wrappers that they mercilessly bit through to get to your food. You may also hear rats skittering and scratching on your floors and walls late at night. This is even more apparent if you don’t have pets at home.

Don’t Let Them In

When it comes to eliminating rodent entry spots in your home, it’s better late than never. Go outside your home and check its foundation and walls for any large cracks or holes that mice could squeeze into. No gap is too small, as these rodents can squeeze into them with ease. Block foundation cracks and holes with masonry sealing materials.

As for the walls, use run-of-the-mill sealants from your nearest hardware store or Amazon. Check your door and window joints for any large gaps, too. Get them fixed if you think that rodents can slip through them.

Don’t Let Them Hide

Rats are intelligent for their size. Even if you do block off their entry points, they can still take shelter in your thick shrubs and even your garbage bins. Some of them may even get lucky and go through an open door while camping out in their trash shelter.

Keep thick shrubs away from your home’s foundation and walls. This way, you discourage mice from hanging around your house. If you have an outdoor bin, don’t overflow them. Make sure there’s always enough room to close them tightly. Pile heavy objects, like rocks, on them to ensure that larger rodents can’t lift the lid up and get into the bin.

Seal Your Food Items

Apart from seeking warmth, rodents sneak into your home because they smell food. Apart from making sure your refrigerator door seals are in good shape, you should also make sure that your dry food like flour and sugar are kept in tightly-sealed containers. These critters will likely ignore your home afterward.

Trap and Eliminate

The mere sound of rodents scampering around your home at night is disgusting. If mice and other critters have already infiltrated your house, you can stop them using live traps. Live traps restrain rodents humanely, meaning that you don’t poison or injure them. Just put some bait inside the trap and wait for them to get caught. Once they’re caught, you can take them to the local exterminator or just set them free.

When it comes to dealing with rodents, time is of the essence. When these animals set up a colony in your home, they can reproduce rapidly. Before you know it, you’ll have a family of mice gnawing on your precious food. Use these effective methods to deal with a rodent infestation and prevent them entirely.

Practical Ways to Get Your Landscape Ready for Winter

The holidays are almost here and snow is already stacking up in some states. Winter may remind you of the years of happy Christmas celebrations you’ve had with loved ones. However, it also brings on several home maintenance headaches, some of which are most apparent on the exterior part of your property.

The most challenging issues include:

  • Frozen Pipes – Even if your outdoor pipes are buried beneath the ground, some of them are still exposed through your sprinklers and outdoor faucets. If they still have water in them, the liquid could freeze and expand inside the pipe, possibly causing it to crack or even burst.
  • Damaged Pavement – Hardscapes, despite their durability, are susceptible to moisture damage. Melted ice and snow can seep into the concrete, freezing from the inside at night, causing cracks and even potholes.
  • Moldy Lawn and Deck – Mold thrives in cold and moist areas that don’t get much sunlight. You may notice it growing on your deck a few weeks after ice or snow melts on it. After a few months of winter, you may notice fungus feasting on your grass when you finally clear the snow out of it. Fungi may also grow on your tree, causing its trunk and branches to rot.
  • Standing Water – If your landscape has improper drainage, you may end up with standing water, which can be teeming with disease-causing bacteria. These puddles can also drown your plants and grass, causing them to die out.

Winter can wreak havoc on your landscape. The best way to deal with them is to prevent them.

Here are different ways to keep your landscape well-maintained throughout the cold season.

  • Clean Your Yard – Debris like leaves, trash, and dead plants can smother the grass in your lawn, starving it of oxygen. It also creates an environment where disease-causing bacteria and fungus can thrive. It also generates heat, causing pests like mice and groundhogs to take shelter on your lawn. Clean your yard before snow starts piling up to avoid these problems.
  • Prune Your Plants and Trees – Snow can build up on your tree and shrub branches, possibly causing those parts of the plant to break off. Apart from those branches falling on someone or on your home, this problem can leave your plant’s flesh exposed to all sorts of germs and fungi. These can cause the plant to rot and die a slow death. Avoid this issue by pruning and trimming branches. This involves removing dying and damaged branches and stubs. This gives the plant the go-signal to replace the dead branches with healthier ones. If theweeping cherry treesin your yard are already damaged, you may be able to save them through micro-nutrient fertilization.
  • Mulch, Mulch, Mulch – When your plants and soil are exposed to the harshly cold winds and snow, they’re at risk of freezing and dying. A great way to protect them from the elements is to mulch. Mulching involves covering your plant’s soil with materials like grass clippings, wood chips, and shredded leaves. These act as insulation and shield against the harsh cold.
  • Clear Your Outdoor Pipes – If you want to prevent your outdoor pipes from freezing and bursting, you need to make sure they’re completely drained of water. Shut off the main water valve, connect a hose to your basement faucet leading towards the outside of your home, then open all the faucets in your home to drain them. Flush all the toilets as well. Do the same for all your faucets and sprinklers outside. Once you’ve done this, you can proceed to turn on your main valve. Just make sure you don’t use your sprinklers and outdoor faucets during winter.
  • Fix Your Soil Slope – Standing water happens because your landscape’s soil is flat or is sloped towards your home. Hire a professional landscaper to slope your soil away from your house so that it drains water properly.

Even if it’s a signal that the holidays are coming, winter can give you a lot of stress. This is especially true if you like keeping your landscape properly-maintaned all-season-long. Avoid landscaping problems throughout the cold season with these suggestions.

How to Avoid a Bed Bug Infestation

Bed bugs are pesky little critters that are both quite hardy and difficult to catch because of their nocturnal way of life. Sometimes, you’ll find out too late that you already have these unwelcome guests at home because seeing a bed bug out in the open is usually a sign that you already have a serious infestation.

To ensure you don’t have nightmares of bed bugs anytime soon, and to prevent them from invading your home, you need to take some decisive steps. But before talking about those, here are some important reminders about bed bugs followed by the essential steps you need to take in order to avoid a full-blown bed bug infestation.

Bed bug mobility secrets

There are many ways by which bed bugs can end up living in your home. Some more common ways bed bugs get transported from place to place include:

  • They can be picked up unknowingly in infested traveller accommodation, such as hostels, hotels or motels, and then taken by the unsuspecting carrier into their home. Bed bugs can latch onto people’s luggage and clothing until they end up in your home.
  • You can also end up bringing bed bugs into your home if you accept contaminated used furniture and furnishings, such as mattresses, bed frames, couches, cabinets or wardrobes. Used toys such as dolls and stuffed animals can also be infested.
  • If you move into a new home or apartment, bed bugs could be hiding in crevices or cracks in the floors and walls. So, even if your potential new home looks clean, make sure to look into every nook and cranny. Also, check if any of your neighbours has had a bed bug problem because these little critters can move from one home to another.
  • Another mode of transportation bed bugs use is other animals, such as rodents, household pets and birds. Once these pests get in, they’ll be multiplying soon and fast.

Remember that in favourable conditions, particularly at low temperatures, adult bed bugs can live for as long as 400+ days without food, while nymphs can live without food for five months! These characteristics of bed bugs make them particularly difficult to eradicate even when they are already starved for food.

Effects of bed bugs on human health

Unlike mosquitoes, bed bugs are not known to carry certain diseases, although some people can display anaphylactic reactions if they are allergic to bed bug bites.

However, one common and serious effect of bed bug infestations among people is stress, disturbed sleep or insomnia.

A person exposed to bed bugs can also experience light to severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, such as paranoia, depression, obsessive thinking and hypervigilance. These could also lead to more problems with sleep, additional stress and weakened immunity.

Signs of bed bug activity in a home

The moment bed bugs invade a space inhabited by humans, they start to feed and reproduce quickly. Female bed bugs can lay as many as twelve eggs per day. In fact, one pregnant female bed bug can already facilitate an infestation of more than 5,000 bed bugs in a matter of six months!

Bed bugs prefer to hide in narrow, dark, enclosed spaces like inside a mattress and cracks and crevices, underneath carpets, behind baseboards and so on. They can even penetrate and stay inside your router or electrical outlets for some time.

If you suspect a bed bug infestation in your home, be on the lookout for the following signs:

  • You see a living bed bug (or more).
  • You find tiny white bed bug eggs or molten bed bug skins.
  • You observe fecal stains or blood spots on your sheets.
  • You get bitten and see raised itchy bed bug bites on your skin.

Once you are certain that you have bed bugs at home, you need to take the necessary steps to prevent a full-blown infestation.

How to get rid of bed bugs

To arrest the beginnings of an infestation, you need to take aggressive steps to rid your home of bed bugs. Consider the following steps in your bed bug eradication project:

  • Strip all beddings, including the mattress protectors.
  • Put all beddings inside a clean garbage bag and then seal the bag tightly.
  • Take the beddings directly to your washing machine and wash them using the highest temperature setting. Another option would be to use the hottest temperature setting in your dryer instead of the washing machine. Note that a temperature setting of 120°F or 49°C is enough to kill bed bugs.
  • Follow the same procedure for any loose items, such as stuffed toys, pillows, clothing and curtains, that you keep on or near your bed.
  • Put on household gloves and examine your mattress minutely. Start brushing it with a stiff brush. Try to focus on the seams or any tight areas that bed bugs love to hide in. If there are any live bed bugs, make sure to catch these (they move fast!) or have a ready container of rubbing alcohol where you can drop them in conveniently. They’ll die on contact, so don’t worry.
  • Vacuum all parts of the mattress, such as the top, side, bottom, seams and box spring.
  • Take the bed frame apart, examine it and vacuum it all over.
  • Vacuum the box spring thoroughly. If it has some holes, consider getting a new one.
  • Use a steamer at a setting higher than 120°F or 49°C and use it to steam your mattress without soaking it (else, mould would grow). Steam just enough to eradicate the remaining bed bugs and wait for your mattress to dry under the sun.
  • Once your mattress is dry and ready, encase your mattress in a bed bug-proof cover. This way, any leftover living bed bugs will be trapped and eventually suffocate inside.
  • Inspect every corner and side of your house minutely, and vacuum everything.

Another way of dealing with a mattress that has been inhabited by bed bugs is by getting rid of it, especially if it’s already an old one. Just make sure you put a sign that says your mattress has bed bugs so others don’t pick it up and reuse it.

If you have a major infestation at home and you know your DIY efforts won’t work, make sure to call pest control services to get the problem sorted out once and for all.

Make your home inhospitable to bed bugs

To ensure your home is unattractive to bed bugs, make sure to:

  • Seal all cracks, gaps or fissures in your home.
  • Declutter and get rid of anything you no longer use.
  • Avoid storing anything underneath your bed and other furniture.
  • Change and check your beddings regularly.
  • Practise vigilance in all that you do, particularly when you are travelling.

Bed bugs can be a real nightmare once they establish themselves in your home. 

To avoid such a scenario, make sure you remember these tips to keep bed bugs out of your home.

Guide to Efficient Heating and Cooling

Whether you’re looking to save a bit of money or want to do your part to protect the environment, it is worth your time to keep an eye on your monthly electric bill. There are always ways to better control your energy consumption, even as you use your HVAC unit to heat and cool your home. The more effort you put into improving your thermal efficiency, the more likely it is that you’ll save money and better control the environment inside of your home.

Guide to Efficient Heating and Cooling
Guide to Efficient Heating and Cooling

How Is Your Home Losing Energy?

While you know better than to leave your windows open, for example, while the air conditioning is on, there are more subtle ways for energy to slip out of your home. The most common ways for your home to lose energy include:

  • Lack of Insulation – if you haven’t insulated your crawl space or basement, then moisture may be making its way into your home and making those spaces more difficult to temperature control.
  • Gaps and Drafts – it is also possible that your home may have suffered damage due to long-term exposure to hydrostatic pressure. In turn, the gaps left behind by that damage may be allowing energy to escape from your home.
  • Lack of Energy-Efficient Materials – the insulation, ducts, and piping you’re using may also be energy inefficient, as may the appliances in use throughout your home. You can work with a contractor to determine what materials may both better suit your needs and reduce your monthly energy consumption.

The Economic Value of Improving Your Home’s Energy Efficiency

When it comes to setting your monthly budget, you’ll want to know what kind of costs – and savings – to expect based on the home improvements you’ve made. On average, savings after improving your home’s energy efficiency break down as follows:

  • Crawl space encapsulation can help you save up to twenty percent of the cost on your electric bill.
  • Sealing air leaks using DIY home methods, including caulk and weather stripping, can save you between five and thirty percent on your energy costs.
  • Installing storm windows can cut costs by between twelve and thirty-three percent.
  • Investing in a programmable thermostat that lowers the heat while you sleep can save you ten percent on your monthly electric bill.
  • An EnergyStar gas furnace can cut your energy costs by up to fifteen percent.

Checking Your Home’s Thermal Performance

If you’re looking to gauge the energy use of your home without basing your estimate solely on your bills, then you can work with a professional to assess the space’s thermal performance.

The air in your home grows warmer in the summer and cooler in the winter, with cold and moist air sinking into your basement or crawl space as a result of its density. As you invest in more appropriate insulation for your home, you can not only allow air to circulate more effectively through your home, but you can also cut your home energy costs by up to twenty percent.

Why Should You Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency?

It can be costly, at first, to go about improving your home’s energy efficiency. As you take those first steps, however, you’ll start to see just how quickly those investments can pay off.

Consider this: as you make a point of fixing cracks and gaps throughout your home, it’ll become easier for you to control the flow of air throughout your home. As such, your utility bills will start to drop, and you can put some of that allocated money towards other projects. Similarly, platforms like TurboTax often allow you to take on a tax credit for home insulation efforts you’ve made over the course of a year.

The benefits of improving your home’s energy efficiency aren’t just economic, however. Insulating and otherwise protecting your home makes it more comfortable to live in and allows you to make positive contributions to the environment.

Why wait, then, to schedule a home inspection? If you want help improving the efficiency of the energy use in your home, you can reach out to the professional contractors in your area and look over your property for signs of damage. With a little bit of work, you can repair any cracks, replace any damaged insulation, and watch your energy bills start to plummet.