Living - SkirtingBoards.com®

6 Health Benefits of a Clean Home

December 26, 2018 by admin

health benefits of a clean house - kitchen

Cleaning isn’t just to keep up appearances. There are some major health benefits of a clean home. Image: Studio 1 Interiors

You have a sense that you should keep your house clean. Maybe your parents instilled it in you, or maybe societal pressure has you feeling like you need to pull out the mop. But does it really matter if you let your home slip into a mess? Actually, yes. There are some scientifically backed health benefits of a clean home. Conversely, letting your home get dirty and/or disorganized can negatively affect your mental and physical well-being. So what are you waiting for?

Sometimes, you need a little push to help yourself start building good habits. And we’ve got you covered with a handful of compelling reasons to keep things neat and tidy. Here are six of the top health benefits of a clean home.

If you’re looking for a way to manage your stress, pick up a broom. Image: Corr Contemporary Homes

You’ll feel less stressed

Visual clutter leads to mental clutter. You might think you’ve learned to live with your various piles, but they’re most likely affecting you more deeply than you realize. A 2010 study in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin revealed that women with messier homes have higher levels of cortisol than those with tidy houses. What does that mean? Your stress levels are linked to your space. Tackling those outstanding to-dos and getting your house in order can help you manage stress. And couldn’t we all benefit from meaningful ways to reduce stress in our busy lives?

You’ll be more active

It’s simple but it’s true: cleaning gets you moving. Sure, tidying up the house isn’t going to torch as many calories as a full-blown HIIT workout, but it’s a lot more physically involved than sitting on the couch. Keeping your house clean means that you’ll get some sort of movement for your body throughout the week. In fact, Health Magazine rounded up 10 different chores you can do that burn 100 calories each.

health benefits of a clean house - office

Boost your productivity at home by keeping things tidy. Image: Izumi Tanaka

You’ll be more productive

When you have a task you don’t want to start, do you ever find yourself scanning the room for a distraction? Disorganization makes it easy to spot something you can use to procrastinate. When everything is in order, on the other hand, your mind finds it easier to get stuff done. Don’t believe that your space directly impacts your productivity? Check out this 2011 study on the way visual stimuli compete for your attention.

You might eat healthier

Have you ever noticed that when you’re feeling stressed, you crave junk food? That’s your body’s natural response to stressors and – as we’ve already mentioned – clutter and messiness are stressful. There’s good news, though. Cleaning up doesn’t just make you less likely to want food that’s bad for you, it can actually help drive healthy choices. A 2013 study published in Psychology Science presented people with food choices. People who had been working in an organized space were two times more likely to choose an apple over a chocolate bar than those who had been working in a messy area.

health benefits of a clean house - bedroom

Making your bed has a notable impact on the quality of your sleep. Image: Rodríguez Studio Architecture PC

You’ll sleep better

Isn’t it easier to drift off to sleep when you don’t have any leftover to-dos nagging at your brain? When your home is clean, you can look around before you go to bed without spotting any should-dos that could keep your gears turning even when you put your head on your pillow. In fact, the National Sleep Foundation conducted a survey that revealed that just making your bed in the morning boosts your chances of getting a good night’s rest by almost 20 percent.

You’ll get sick less frequently

A clean home leaves fewer places for germs and bacteria to hide. Plus, dust and allergens build up in carpeting, bedding and upholstery over time, contributing to worsened allergies and asthma. In short, the health benefits of a clean home are obvious. If you want to keep yourself and your family healthy, cleaning on a regular basis is a must. Don’t just vacuum and dust, either. Think about decluttering your surfaces. The more items you have, the harder it is to dust and sanitize. A streamlined aesthetic makes it easier to keep everything truly clean, helping your health. If you’re ready to get started, here are the nine germiest areas in your home to tackle ASAP.

Do these health benefits of a clean home put a little pep in your chore-handling step? We can help you get started. Check out these 12 things you can tackle to make your home look less messy and some easy tips to keep your countertops clear. Happy cleaning!

The post 6 Health Benefits of a Clean Home appeared first on Freshome.com.

Keep Your Home Healthy During Flu Season

December 20, 2018 by admin

Small changes – like a bowl of fruit on the counter to make it easy to eat nutritiously – can help you keep your home healthy this flu season. Image: TLA Studio

‘Tis the season. No, not just for the holidays. The fall marks the start of flu season. Although it’s tricky to predict flu season’s peak (the CDC reports that it could fall anywhere between November and March), it’s no secret that the winter is a time for sickness. You can’t control everything, unfortunately. Your coworkers will come to the office ill. The flu will spread in your kids’ schools. But you can control your own home. Taking some steps to keep your home healthy this flu season can make all the difference.

Before you batten down the hatches and hole up for the winter, consider a more moderate approach. Making some small but meaningful changes to your house or apartment can make it easier to fend off the flu even as you lead your normal life. We’ve rounded up some tips and tricks to help you keep your home – and your family – in good health this flu season.

A pleasant, well-stocked hand washing area encourages everyone to keep their hands germ-free. Image: The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn

Encourage hand washing

It’s not rocket science. From the time we’re small kids, we’re told that washing our hands prevents the spread of germ and sickness. This is definitely not a season to skimp on sudsing up. Even though you can control how much you wash your own hands, you can only force your family members to scrub up so often. Instead of having to constantly remind people of the importance of this action, why not take a more subtle – but equally effective – approach?

In each bathroom, set up a nice hand washing station. Get good smelling soap and soft hand towels. Consider adding a moisturizer (winter is a time for dry skin, too), a scented candle and whatever other touches would amp up the pleasantness of the hand washing area. Essentially, your goal should be to make washing your hands such a nice experience that no one who visits your home would even think of skipping it.

Disinfect everything

The winter is not a time to skimp on cleaning. If you don’t already, make it a habit to disinfect your countertops, door knobs, light switches and cabinet handles or pulls every few days. Also, keep that washing machine busy. If sickness is going around your office or your kids’ school, wash sheets and towels more frequently than normal. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to include your dish towels. Ideally, you should be swapping them out for clean ones every other day or so.

Extend past the standard disinfecting tasks, too. Did you know that toothbrushes can be run through the dishwasher? Did you know you can microwave your sponges to kill bacteria? Look for the porous or soft areas of your home where germs could live and take steps to keep them sanitized. We’ve created a list of the nasty nine – key places you need to be cleaning – to help you keep your home healthy this flu season.

Make it enticing to get the rest your body needs to stay healthy this winter. Image: A+B KASHA Designs

Set up your beds

We already mentioned that you should be washing your bedding on a regular basis, but don’t just throw it back on the bed. Create a cozy space where you’ll want to curl up. Sleep is one of your body’s biggest tools in combating illness. Getting enough shut-eye is absolutely critical if you want to stay healthy this flu season.

Do whatever it takes to get yourself and your family to bed at a time where you’ll all get enough sleep. If your daughter wants to add twinkle lights above her bed, do it. If you want an extra cozy throw to tempt yourself to unplug from your day earlier, get it. Sleep is one of your greatest allies this winter.

Stay supplied

Make it easy to do right by your body this winter and you’re more likely to stay healthy. This means stocking your fridge and pantry with nutritious, whole food. Add a bowl of fruit to your kitchen counter to make it easy for you to grab fresh produce and give your body what it needs to fend off illness. Foods rich in antioxidants are especially important during flu season.

Similarly, make it simple to stay hydrated. Add water carafes or water bottles to everyone’s nightstands. If your family isn’t a big fan of plain water, start infusing it with fruit or herbs (lemon, mint, cucumber and strawberries are great options to start) to entice everyone to get the fluids their bodies need to stay healthy.

Use these tips to keep yourself, your family and your home healthy this flu season. Do you have any other recommendations to combat the flu season? Let us know in the comments.

The post Keep Your Home Healthy During Flu Season appeared first on Freshome.com.

Do You Really Need Renters Insurance?

December 17, 2018 by admin

As a renter, you put a lot of work into creating a space where you feel comfortable. Whether you rent a home or apartment, where you live should make you feel at ease. If you haven’t purchased renters insurance, however, your home and property may not be protected.

Why should you consider renters insurance? You might not think you need anything other than car insurance until you buy your first home, but that’s not always the case. In the event of a catastrophe, your landlord will rebuild the building itself. They will not, however, pay to replace everything you own inside the building. That’s where renters insurance comes in. Let’s take a closer look at how a renters policy can help you when you need it.

A renters insurance policy can protect every item you keep in your rental. Image: Etelamaki Architecture

Renters insurance protects your possessions

As we mentioned, your landlord probably has insurance for the physical structure of your home. But they don’t insure your property inside it. That means that if a fire destroys your electronics, clothes, appliances, furniture, decor – everything you own – you have to replace it all. Or if your TV and laptop are stolen, your landlord’s insurance won’t cover the cost of replacing them.

Fortunately, renters insurance covers these types of scenarios. With a policy in place, you can get the money you need to replace your damaged or stolen property.

Your rental policy can also cover your liability, helping you avoid the cost of an unexpected lawsuit. Image: Charlotte Gunnarsson

Renters insurance protects you

Beyond protecting what you own, your renters insurance policy can also protect you. Some policies include liability coverage to help if you face a lawsuit because of an accident or injury in your home. This can help pay the legal fees – and even the settlement – of certain lawsuits.

A renters insurance policy is generally very affordable. Image: Exceed Group Pty Ltd

Renters insurance is affordable

Compared to other types of insurance, renters policies are typically cheap. Most policies cost less than a night at the movies (think, around $25) each month. It’s a small amount to invest in protecting your financial stability and everything you own.

Your policy can protect your valuables even when they’re outside your home or apartment. Image: Avenue Lifestyle

Renters insurance can follow you

If you include your valuables, like your laptop, in your policy, it can extend past the walls of your home. Talk to an insurance agent about protection that can travel with you. That way, even if your laptop gets stolen from your car, your policy can help you replace it.

Renters insurance can keep you comfortable as you rebuild after a disaster. Image: Cynthia Lynn Photography

Renters insurance can make disaster recovery easier

If you really want your policy to be there in times of trouble, look into coverage for additional living expenses (ALE). If you have this type of coverage and a disaster makes it impossible to live in your home, your policy covers the extra costs while you wait for your rental to become habitable again. With ALE coverage, your insurer will pick up the tab for hotel stays, meals out and more.

Clearly, renters insurance can do a lot for you. If you’re a renter and you want to add a layer of protection to your possessions and finances, consider investing in an affordable renters policy.

The post Do You Really Need Renters Insurance? appeared first on Freshome.com.

7 Budget-Friendly Ways to Keep Your Home Warm This Winter

December 7, 2018 by admin

Find out how to keep your home warm without spending any extra money this winter. Image: Anna Duval

Winter is coming, and you know what that means! Holiday cheer, festive gatherings and, unfortunately, higher utility bills. The colder season makes us all crank up the heat in our homes and apartments. But with the need to buy holiday gifts (and the want to go out and celebrate the season), this isn’t a great time of year to find your bills climbing. That’s why we’ve gathered seven ways to keep your home warm this winter that don’t include adjusting your thermostat, won’t cost a fortune and take just five minutes or less to implement.

You’ve got options beyond spiking your energy bill, sweating your home’s insulation or layering on sweater after sweater. With these tips, you can keep your home cozy and comfortable all winter long.

Your window coverings are an extra layer of insulation you can use this winter. Image: Hege in France

Draw the drapes

Did you know you have a heat source you can tap into throughout the day that’s completely free? It’s the sun! During daylight hours, pull all of your window coverings open so that big radiant heat source can do its thing. Then, as the sun sets, draw everything closed. This serves two purposes. The extra layer of insulation over you’re homes glass – which can transfer heat and cold too easily – keeps the chilly evening temps outside while trapping the day’s warmth inside. The thicker your curtains, the bigger difference they’ll make during the cold months.

Don’t let heat vanish through vents

When you run your vents, you open your home’s interior up to the cold, dry air outside. If you’re in the habit of leaving your bathroom vents open after your shower, change it up during the colder months to keep your home warm. Once you’re done in the bathroom, switch them off and leave the bathroom door open instead. The warm, damp air will help your house stay comfortable – and can give you some reprieve from the dryness of winter.

Using fans in the winter seems counterintuitive, but your ceiling fan could be an ally against the chill. Image: J.Fisher Interiors

Flip your fans

Did you know that the direction ceiling fans rotate affects their performance? In the summer, you want the blades moving forward to push cool air into the room. In the winter, however, you want to reverse the direction of your fans (there should be a little switch on the side). Swapping the fan direction helps your fans take the warm air that accumulates at your ceiling and distribute it through the room.

Rearrange around your radiator

If you have a radiator, keep the area around it clear. If, for example, you have a couch sitting right in front of it, that couch will absorb the bulk of the heat it puts out. Opening up the area around your radiator helps the heat distribute throughout your house.

Similarly, check the areas around all of your vents. Furniture on top of floor vents isn’t doing you any favors when you’re trying to get warm air into your home this winter.

After baking, a cracked oven can make your kitchen delightfully warm. Image: John Maniscalco Architecture

Open your oven

During the holiday season, you’ll probably be doing some baking. That sheet of cookies won’t just warm your families’ hearts; it can also keep your home warm during the chilly season. After you’ve finished baking and turned off your oven, leave the door cracked. The hot air will seep out and keep your kitchen warm and toasty.

Close up for coziness

If you have a guest room, study or den that sits relatively unused, why waste your money trying to heat it? Keep the doors to any unoccupied rooms closed. This makes it easier for your home or apartment’s heating system to circulate the warm air through the areas that are being used, helping you keep your utility bills lower without compromising your comfort this winter.

Insulate your floors – and keep your toes toasty – by adding a rug to open floors. Image: Introspecs

Roll out a rug

If you want your home to feel cozy, cold feet aren’t going to do you any favors. Wherever you have large spaces of exposed, non-carpeted flooring, consider adding a rug this winter. Your floors can actually account for as much as ten percent of your home’s heat loss. Throwing down a run provides an extra layer of insulation that can help your home feel warmer and prevent bare floors from absorbing heat that they’ll quickly lose. Plus, it’s a great excuse to get a living room rug that will transform your space.

These seven tips can help you keep your home warm keep your utility bills stable even as the weather gets colder. In addition to these tips it’s always a smart idea to have your hvac system and furnace checked to make sure your system is operating at its top condition. Do you have any other tips for keeping your home heated during the winter?

The post 7 Budget-Friendly Ways to Keep Your Home Warm This Winter appeared first on Freshome.com.

How to Beat Dry Skin at Home This Winter

November 22, 2018 by admin

You can make changes at home – from your bedding to your bathroom – to banish dry skin this winter. Image: Alexander L. Palmer

Winter brings the good, the bad and the ugly. It offers the good of the holiday season, when friends and family gather and spirits are merry. It offers the bad of the busyness of this time of year. And it brings the ugliness of dry skin. When the temperatures drop and the nights get longer, drier air comes, too. When you’re prepping for holiday parties, the last thing you want to have to worry about is dry, itchy skin. Fortunately, you can do a few simple things at home to make a big difference. Here are four changes you can make at your house or apartment to fend off dry skin and stay comfortable all winter.

Stock moisturizer right by bathtubs, showers and sinks so it’s easy to hydrate your skin anytime you strip it of oils by washing. Image: Gabriel Holland Interior Design

Stock your bathroom

It should come as no surprise that one of your greatest weapons in combating dry skin this winter is moisturizer. Make sure your bathroom is readily stocked with options for you, your family and your guests. Damp skin has an easier time absorbing moisture and locking it in, so make it easy to grab some lotion right after washing your hands or hopping out of the shower. And don’t be afraid to have a wide arsenal available. Sure, it might take up some counter space, but different parts of your body have different needs. You might not want a scented lotion as your after-shower moisturizer, for example, but it could be a nice touch for your guests. You might not need a heavy balm everywhere, but it can feel great on dry feet.

Moisturizer is just as important in powder rooms as it is in full baths. Every time we wash our hands, we strip them of their natural oils. Following hand washing with a moisturizer is key when dry air won’t do that stripped skin any favors. Setting up a moisturizer area in every bathroom in your home this winter can make it easier to fight off dry skin – and keep it away.

Add a home humidifier

Just because the air outside is brutally dry doesn’t mean you need to suffer indoors, too. Did you know you can use your home’s existing HVAC system to make your life more comfortable? Your heating and cooling system doesn’t have to push the same dry air into each room. You can add a home humidifier and air cleaner to your HVAC to get some much-needed moisture back into your house.

A home humidifier works a lot like the humidifier you might already use in a single room, except that it balances the moisture levels throughout your home, helping your skin throughout the winter. Plus, improving the air quality in your house helps you keep a healthy home. It also makes it easier to fend off sickness this flu season.

Caution: hot! Getting too close to the fire will only make skin drier. Image: Strickland Mateljan

Take some space from the fire

During the cold winter months, it’s extremely tempting to curl up in front of the fireplace and soak up some of that warmth. Unfortunately, that doesn’t do your dry skin any favors. Sitting in front of the fire – or even the radiator or any other heat source – sucks moisture from your skin. Think about it. A damp towel will dry much more quickly when hung near something warm. It’s better to turn the thermostat up a couple of degrees than to sit near a source of radiant heat for prolonged periods. Or, better yet, moisturize your skin and layer a sweater over it to lock in the moisture and keep yourself cozy.

Rethink your bedding

During the winter, you’ll probably want to pile the heavy blankets on your bed. They might feel heavenly when you first slip under the covers, but they can actually hurt you in your battle to keep your skin healthy. Once your body warms up, those heavy blankets can make you perspire while you sleep. This can irritate your skin and, ultimately, make it drier throughout the winter.

To start, choose sheets with breathability. That could mean the traditional cotton, but you’ve got a lot of options beyond that. Linen and bamboo sheets can serve you well in every season. Then, instead of adding just a few heavy blankets on top of your sheets, layer your bed. That way, as you get warmer and cooler throughout the night, you can adjust your bedding to your needs. On top of that, make sure you’re washing your sheets on a regular basis. Clean, dry sheets help your skin stay healthy and hydrated.

These are a few tips to get you started, but keeping your skin hydrated during the winter is a matter of finding what works for you. What are your favorite home tips for fighting off dry skin through the colder months? Let us know in the comments!

The post How to Beat Dry Skin at Home This Winter appeared first on Freshome.com.

Landscaping for Fire Safety

November 15, 2018 by admin

Certain parts of the country used to have a fairly predictable fire season, but the times are changing. California, for example, now has to be on fire alert throughout the entire year. That means there’s no time like the present to prepare your house for a fire. And that doesn’t just mean buying homeowners or renters insurance. There are some fire safety steps you can take to make your home or apartment less likely to burn in a fire. By implementing these three landscaping fire safety tips, you can better protect yourself, your family, your belongings and your property from a wildfire.

Move combustible patio furniture at least 30 feet from your house. Image: Thom Filicia

Create defensible spaces

One of the top fire safety steps every homeowner and renter should take is creating defensible space. This is essentially clearing space around the walls of your abode. If you’re a renter, this can be a little trickier; get permission from your landlord first. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends removing vegetation, debris or anything else that could catch fire from the perimeter around your home. Generally, it’s considered best practice to maintain two zones of defensible space.

Defensible space 1

Imagine a 30-foot ring around your house. Now remove anything even remotely combustible from that ring. That means clearing out your gutters on a regular basis, removing fallen vegetation from your roof and trimming tree branches as needed. If you keep a wood pile, make sure you move it at least 30 feet from your home. Yes, it means lugging the wood a little further when you want to make a fire. But it also means there won’t be a big pile of kindling just waiting to go up in flames right next to your house.

If you have patio furniture that you store within the first defensible space, make sure it’s non-combustible. You may also want to upgrade your deck to a non-combustible material.

Defensible space 2

Keep up with your outdoor maintenance within 100 feet of your home, or up to your property line. This means regularly mowing grass and trimming any other foliage and clearing the ground of dead leaves and pine needles. Generally, any tree branch that’s less than six feet from the ground should be cut. If you have trees, shrubs or other plant life, think through the spacing. Trees, for example, should be at least ten feet apart so fire has a more difficult time jumping between them.

Even beyond 100 feet from your house, keeping your property thinned and pruned makes it less likely that a fire quickly reach your home.

Use hardscaping to create an area around your home where fire won’t find any fuel. Image: Eric Brandon Gomez

Use hard surfaces

Hardscaping has a number of benefits. It’s easy to maintain, adds architectural appeal to your outdoor spaces and is fire safe. A wide concrete driveway, for example, can protect the front of your house. Gravel, steel and stone are other great hard surface options that resist fire and can help you protect your home.

Whether you’re taking on a small-scale outdoor task like edging your planters or renovating your deck or patio, choose hard surfaces to literally build fire safety into the fabric of your outdoor space. You can also intersperse hard surfaces within your landscaping to break up large swaths of vegetation.

Succulents store water in their leaves, making them less likely to burn. Image: Debora Carl Landscape Design

Use native vegetation

Fires need fuel. Your landscaping can be just what it needs to travel right up to your home, putting it at immediate risk. Or, it can be a help. When you’re planting the areas around your home, it’s generally a good rule of thumb to choose native species. These plants are adapted to thrive in your area, meaning they’ll root deeply and retain water more easily, making them less likely to burn. On the flip side, non-native species are more likely to get dried out by the conditions to which they aren’t naturally acclimated, making them ideal kindling for a fire.

Most areas will have resources available about which native species are most fire-resistant. In general, look for plants with leaves that have a high water content and do not create much dry wood or leaves. Succulents are an excellent example since they store water in their leaves.

Planting wisely, leveraging hardscaping and creating defensible spaces are the keys to fire safety outside your home or apartment. Use these tips to help defend against this natural disaster so you can rest easier no matter what the seasons bring your way.

The post Landscaping for Fire Safety appeared first on Freshome.com.

Dealing with Asthma and Allergy Triggers in Your Home

November 6, 2018 by admin

Identifying the source of the allergens that may be plaguing your home is key to dealing with issues they cause your family. Source: Artistic Renovations Ohio

What you can’t see, can hurt you – especially if you or your family suffer from asthma or allergies. Dust, smoke, pet dander, lint, pollen and other asthma and allergy triggers can make your home an unhealthy place.

Particles in your air can include tree pollen, grass and weed pollen, mold spores, dust mites and pet dander. They are all potential triggers for asthma and allergy attacks. Dust, smoke and bacteria are often .3 microns or less. At that size, allergens can get deep into your lungs because they aren’t filtered well by your nose and throat. Luckily, there are things you can do to improve the air quality of your home. Use these tips to help your friends and family breathe easy when they’re in your home.

Maintaining a healthy home often involves frequent cleaning rituals and having the best allergen-beating systems in place. Source: Bunch Design

6 ways to manage asthma and allergy triggers in your home

Control dust mites: Use anti-dust mite covers and wash your sheets in hot water at least once a week.
Stay smoke-free: Avoid non-ventilated, smoky rooms and second-hand smoke.
Avoid pet dander: Keep pets off the furniture, out of the bedroom, and if necessary, consider taking the pet out of the home.
Close doors and windows: Keeping windows and doors shut helps reduce the amount of outdoor pollens, allergens and irritants inside your home.
Regularly change your air filters: Regularly changing out your home’s air filters helps reduce a number of problematic particles in your air.
Install a whole-house air cleaner: A whole home air cleaning system can help remove airborne particles and allergens too small for your nose and mouth to filter naturally. They offer you an additional level of protection beyond air filters.

How do whole-home air cleaners work?

A whole-home air cleaner helps to filter and remove some of the smallest airborne particles and allergens. These can be ones that a regular air filter might miss. But how does it work?

First, the pre-filter traps the large particles your home circulates through your heating or cooling system. Next, it charges and collects smaller particles. Multiple small electrical fields, rather than a single charged metal wire or plate, allow for more airborne contaminants to be collected than in traditional electronic air cleaner systems. Finally, it collects the smallest particles. With each layer of collection elements only .08 inches apart, an air cleaner can trap particles down to .1 micron in size.

Additionally, you can reduce the allergens outside your home by planting allergy-friendly flowers in your garden.

Make your home a healthier, happier place by adding a few air quality tips to your cleaning routine. To learn more about improving the air quality in your home, contact an air-quality expert today.

The post Dealing with Asthma and Allergy Triggers in Your Home appeared first on Freshome.com.

Fall Lawn Maintenance: Benefits of Core Aeration

October 24, 2018 by admin

If you want your lawn to look its best, core aeration is key. Image: Quinlan Terry Architects

Everyone needs a break, including your yard. After a summer of use, it might be a little tired and worn down. But you don’t want to compromise it. You love your lush, green expanse and you know that it offers a wide range of benefits to your home. So what can you do to give it some space and help it breathe to look its best? The answer is simple: core aeration.

This is a lawn care process that pulls small plugs up from your lawn and leaves them on top. Over time, those plugs break down and filter back into your turf. Core aeration is an important part of your lawn care regimen and fall is the best time to do it. Here are a few reasons you shouldn’t skip this yard maintenance step.

Give your soil some breathing room through core aeration. Image: Andrew Sherman Photography

It opens up your soil

Your soil needs space to allow air, fertilizer, water, and more into it. Over time, though, it gets compacted. Between you walking across your lawn, your kids playing on it, your dog sniffing around it and simple gravity, it’s no surprise that the particles of soil get packed closer together as the seasons pass. When you pull plugs out of that compacted soil, you breathe life into it – literally. The soil density decreases and everything has space to circulate. Suddenly, roots that couldn’t breathe are able to get everything they lacked.

Anything you put on your lawn to help it grow will make a bigger impact if you aerate your soil. Image: The LaurelRock Company

It creates pathways for nutrients

Those plugs don’t just allow the soil to open, they also create pathways. When you apply nutrients to your yard after core aeration, they penetrate much more deeply than they would otherwise. If your turf is looking like it needs some TLC, aeration followed by the application of a nutrient like sulphur or lime could transform it.

It’s kind of like a facial. When you exfoliate your skin before applying any creams or serums, they penetrate more deeply. Your lawn is similar. It needs that dense, compacted top layer to get broken up so anything good you apply to it can actually make a difference.

Core aeration gets rid of dead grass so your lawn can look extra lush. Image: Michael K. Walker & Associates, Inc.

It reduces thatch

Have you ever thought about what happens to all the grass you trim every time you mow? Your lawn certainly has. That dead plant matter builds up over time, limiting your live grass’s access to sunlight, water, and air. Left untouched, thatch can suffocate your lawn. Each time you aerate, you pull up some of that thatch and create openings for it to filter down into the soil, where your grass can properly process it. Plus, getting rid of that layer of dead grass helps your lawn look its softest and greenest.

Fall is the ideal time to aerate your lawn. Image: J. Paul Moore Photography

What to know about core aeration

Note that you should leave the plugs on top of your grass after core aeration. We know they might not look very pretty, but they’re part of the process! Over time, as you mow and water, they’ll incorporate back into your turf, feeding it so that it can grow to its fullest potential.

The time to aerate your lawn depends on your grass, but most lawn care professionals agree that fall is a great time. This is because the air will be cool but your soil will still be warm. Plus, tackling this task now, when your lawn is probably covered with leaves, makes the little plugs less bothersome. And it essentially guarantees that your lawn will look gorgeous come spring.

In short, core aeration can help you reveal your best-looking lawn. It’s a major task, but the results are well worth it. And, since you’re already investing in helping your yard look its best next year, why not tackle some of these other lawn care tasks to prep your yard for winter?

The post Fall Lawn Maintenance: Benefits of Core Aeration appeared first on Freshome.com.

Do You Live in One of Orkin’s Top 50 Rattiest Cities?

October 15, 2018 by admin

Today, Orkin released its annual Top 50 Rattiest Cities List. The list is based on the metro areas where Orkin has conducted the most rodent treatments (residential and commercial) from September 15, 2017 through September 15, 2018.

Do you live in one of the rattiest cities in America? Image: Ed Sologa Design Build

The top 10 on the Rattiest Cities list include, in order: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Washington DC, San Francisco, Detroit, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Baltimore, and Denver. The next 10 on the Rattiest Cities list include Minneapolis-St. Paul, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Boston, Seattle, Atlanta, Indianapolis, Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, Hartford, Pittsburgh, and Cincinnati.

Spots 21-30: Milwaukee, Charlotte, Houston, Portland, Columbus OH, San Diego, Raleigh-Durham, Buffalo, New Orleans, and Norfolk. Spots 31-40: Richmond, Albany, Kansas City, Portland, Nashville, St. Louis, Sacramento, Greenville, Grand Rapids, and Phoenix.

Rounding out the top 50 of the Rattiest Cities: Orlando, Tampa, Burlington NY, Champaign, Rochester NY, Syracuse, Charleston WV, Dayton, Memphis, and Flint.

Here’s what you need to know about rats and other pests – including ways to keep them from setting up shop in your home.

Mi casa es su casa?

Pests like warmth as much as you do. Image: The PRG Group

When temperatures drop, most people try to escape the cold by spending more time in the house. However, insects and critters are also seeking warmth and shelter wherever they can find it. “These unwanted visitors primarily include rodents, cockroaches, spiders, and ants,” according to Dr. Jim Fredericks, chief entomologist for the National Pest Management Association (NPMA).

But aren’t they equipped stay outside regardless of the season? Nope. “Rodents like to come inside because they aren’t well adapted to survive the cold coming with fall and winter,” says Glen Ramsey, BCE, Technical Services Manager at Orkin. “Depending on what part of the country you are in, there are a variety of other pests that want to come inside – for example, ladybugs, boxelder bugs and stink bugs – and will look for small holes or gaps to protect themselves from rain, snow, or cold weather,” Ramsey explains.

Understand pest dangers

Mice can damage your electrical wires and start a fire. Image: Richard Hughes/Element 5 Architecture

Some pests are just a nuisance, but others can cause serious problems. For example, Dr. Fredericks says that rodents such as roof rats and house mice can damage your drywall and electrical wires – and the latter can lead to house fires! “They also transmit pathogens like salmonella and other diseases.”

Also, he says that cockroaches carry bacteria and can contaminate your food. “In addition, rodents and cockroaches can both trigger allergy and asthma symptoms, and spiders and ants – which can be difficult to eradicate once they settle in, can threaten humans if disturbed,” Dr. Fredericks warns.

So how can you keep them out of your home?

Eliminate food sources

Airtight containers keep pests out. Image: AMC Design

In addition to shelter, Dr. Fredericks says these invaders are also looking for food and water. “Eliminate potential food sources for pests by keeping kitchen counters clean, disposing of garbage regularly in sealed receptacles and storing food in airtight containers,” he advises. Dr. Fredericks also warns against leaving your pet’s food dishes outside for extended periods of time. “In addition, keep basements and attics well ventilated and dry to prevent moisture buildup,” he says.

Remove clutter and debris

Try to keep your belongings off the floor. Image: Garage Guru

Robert Taylor is the owner of The Real Estate Solutions Guy in Sacramento, CA. The company specializes in remodeling run-down homes, and Taylor says they see a lot of home and estates that have problems with mice and other rodents. “One cause of this an abundance of clutter lying around the house and against the house where rodents can hide – and this can be clutter in the garage, in rooms in the house or even outside against the house,” Taylor explains.

“Animals need a safe place to hide from predators, whether this be your household pets or other animals,” Taylor says. He adds that clutter creates a place to hide and a place to nest, and recommends removing clutter to help remove rodent problems.

Gretchen White, M.S., Animal Nuisance Biologist at Scotts Miracle-Gro has a few additional tips. “Store materials off the floors on shelves, wherever possible, in rodent-proof containers,” White says. “Use rodent-proof storage bins and prevent access to paper and fabric that could be used as nesting material.”

Don’t lend a helping hand

Don’t store firewood next to your house. Image: Dean Herald-Rolling Stone Landscapes

You should keep the exterior walls of your home clean for aesthetic reasons. But according to Taylor, this will also reduce the probability of subterranean termites finding a way into your home. “And, if you live in an area that uses firewood, be sure not to keep the firewood stacked against your house,” Taylor advises.

Sydney Crawley, Ph.D., Public Health Entomologist, Scotts Miracle-Gro, agrees. “ If you must stack firewood, keep stacks elevated and store more than 20 feet away from the home — Do not stack firewood directly against your home’s exterior,” Crawley warns.

Also, if you have a compost site/yard waste, she recommends monitoring it regularly to prevent insect breeding.

Tame the landscape

Keep trees and bushes from touching your house. Image: Minnetonka Custom Homes

Another way you can avoid lending a helping hand to pests is by maintaining your landscape. “Trees should be pruned back at least five feet from the roof to prevent access to your house from rodents,” Taylor advises. “Ivy and other vine type plants also need to be trimmed back so that they don’t create a pathway to your roof or the vents in your eaves” he says.

In fact, Ramsey says there should be a 12-18 inch buffer around the home so stop pests from entering your home through surrounding plants. “Look around your home for pest-attractive plants; ladybugs feed on other insects that drink plant juices; boxelder bugs and stink bugs feed on the plants themselves,” Ramsey explains.

Seal any holes

Check for gaps around pipes. Image: Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove

Homeowners use air vents so the house can breathe. However, if they contain holes, Taylor recommends replacing them. “Even the smallest of holes can allow a mouse or other rodent access into your home.” He also recommends looking for openings inside the house. “Look behind your stove where the electrical or gas may come out of the wall, look underneath your sinks where the plumbing comes out of the wall.” If there is an excessive amount of space where the pipes enter the wall, he says this will allow rodents to enter your home. “Mice may find a way into your walls, but that doesn’t mean you need to let them find a way into your house through these gaps,” Taylor says. “Have the gaps sealed tight with metal flanges that you can buy from your local hardware store, or sealed off properly by a skilled handyman.”

Dr. Fredericks says you can also seal exterior cracks and crevices with caulk and steel wool. “Install door sweeps and repair damaged screens, as torn window screens and cracks under doors are ideal entry points for pests.” He also says that it’s possible for you to bring pests in the house yourself. “Inspect items like boxed deliveries and grocery bags before bringing them inside,” Dr. Fredericks says.

Remove offenders

As a last resort, set traps to catch pests. Image: Euroline Steel Windows

Despite your best efforts, especially if you live in one of Orkin’s Rattiest Cities, it’s possible that pests may find a way into your home. “Some areas are just more prone to repeated rodent problems, like those close to wooded areas or located in urban centers,” White explains. “To help control rodents around the outside perimeter of your home, place bait stations approved for outdoor use, like the Tomcat Rat & Mouse Killer Child & Dog Resistant, Disposable Station or Tomcat Mouse Killer Child & Dog Resistant, Disposable Station, in areas where rodents may try to enter your home, such as doors, vents, under siding or around pipes.” Do you live in a city on Orkin’s Rattiest Cities list? What tips do you have for keeping your home pest free?

The post Do You Live in One of Orkin’s Top 50 Rattiest Cities? appeared first on Freshome.com.