4 Quick Tips For Eco-Friendly Pest Control

1. Use Traps

For the majority of pests, including ants, roaches and rodents, there are traps that can get rid of them while being harmless to the environment. These devices are preferable to insecticide sprays and powders for many reasons. For one, they are scalable, meaning that you can purchase exactly the number that you need to control the problem without having leftover pesticide that you either have to store or properly dispose of. Also, they are reusable, and can be reset and replaced as many times as you need until the problem is under control. Lastly, they do not leave any toxic residue, unlike some pesticides, making these devices safe for children and pets as long as they are hidden, so that they are not accidentally triggered by anyone other than the targeted pests.

2. Consider Non-Toxic Bug Killing Powders

There are two main types of pest control powder that are non-toxic to humans and other mammals, but incredibly toxic to insects. The most popular of these is diatomaceous earth, which is made up of the fossilized remains of small plankton-like creatures called diatoms that lived many millions of years ago. Its chemical structure on a microscopic scale is such that it is highly abrasive to the protective exoskeleton of insects and will kill them through dehydration after they come into contact with the substance. The second type of organic pest control powder is known as boric acid, and it works in much the same way, by damaging the pests’ protective covering and leading to their dehydration and death. Both of these powders have a similar toxicity to table salt, that is to say they are completely harmless to mammals. So you can employ them wherever you need some extra pest control help.

3. Encourage Natural Pest Predators

This is something that escapes most people when they’re trying to think of how to deal with pest issues, but it can be one of the best, most eco-friendly, and lowest cost options for pest control that there is. For instance, if you’re dealing with a mouse or rat problem, having a cat around your property can do wonders for decreasing the population. And even leaving some bugs that you might think are pests, such as spiders, can drastically reduce the number of actual pest insects such as crickets and flies. Spiders in general are not a problem, as most of them do not bite and even fewer of them pose any threat to humans, so leaving them alone to eat more annoying insects is a good strategy for reducing the problems you might face.

4. Don’t Make Pests Feel At Home

The main reason people get infestations in the first place is that they have unknowingly rolled out the welcome mat for these bugs or rodents. Things as simple as garbage that hasn’t been taken out regularly enough or food that might have fallen under an appliance can be a huge attractant for pests of all kinds. Making sure to concentrate on keeping a very clean home will go further than most other pest control efforts, and what’s more it doesn’t cost anything. The most important measures that you can take are cleaning up messes right away, taking out trash every night and keeping it in sealed containers, and keeping food sealed away either in the fridge or in airtight canisters.

By following these 4 tips, you will have the upper hand over pests, all without the potentially harmful effects of pesticides and other products. Good luck!

About the Author

Sam Gerald is a writer specializing in pest control topics, particularly the greener options for getting rid of annoying bugs such as bed bugs. To learn more please visit Do My Own Pest Control.

The Statistics behind Burglar Alarms

The Chances of Burglary

The most recent statistics on the matter suggest that with a burglar alarm you have a little more than 6% possibility of having your home broken into, while those homes without some sort of protection have almost a 15% chance of this happening. With commercial premises, these figures drop to around 2% and 8% respectively.

Using the System

Having a burglar alarm system is all very well but what if you don’t use it? It seems that 41% of the homes with alarms yet went through some sort of robbery have it happen when the alarm is turned off. The box on the side of your house is a good deterrent, but it seems that thieves are now well aware that not everyone has their alarm system armed at all times.

The Time Involved

It is believed that thieves tend to not spend more than a minute in their attempts to enter a house. This means that if you have an obvious security weakness or lack of security system, then they have a much better chance of getting in. Clearly, a determined and patient thief can get around many types of locks, but the addition of an intruder alarm system could be enough to show them that it isn’t worth wasting their time.

Where Is Your Home Most Vulnerable?

Thieves, generally, look for a dark or hidden spot to do their business. This means that you should review your property to see if there are any shady areas you can eliminate or protect. The back door is especially popular with over 27% of thefts starting here, while the front door accounts for around 17%. The windows also need to be protected as first floor windows being breached in 30% of home robberies.

The Time

Between 6pm and 6am, unsurprisingly, is when most thefts occurs. Almost 1/3 of all home burglaries happen in these dark hours. That doesn’t mean that we need to neglect our home security at other times of day but it is clear that special emphasis need to be put on looking after our properties when most people are tucked in bed. On the other hand, only 10% of home thefts happen during the morning or early afternoon. One out of three burglaries usually happen during the weekend.

The Cost

It is difficult to get accurate and up-to-date figures on how much home owners suffer in loss and damages when their homes are burglarized. The most recent US figures suggest that the average loss is around $2,000, while UK research reveals that only around half of the goods stolen from homes each year is insured.

Steve Harrison has a keen interest in Home Secuirty and often works with ADT UK.

Asbestos Removal – Better Leave It to the Experts

The Danger of Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos is a dangerous material found in different products such as tiles, insulation, and sprayed-on plaster. They are small, airborne particles that, when inhaled, cause mesothelioma, cancer and other lung-related diseases. The immune system cells die once they attempt to break down the asbestos fibres lodged in the lungs.

Image Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/asbestostesting/6109154166/

Scar tissues then form around these dead cells and keep on growing for several years. Eventually, the lungs will stop working due to the presence of scar tissues. The symptoms usually appear up to 60 years after the exposure. Since it can cause potential damage to home and building occupants, it is very important to get rid of it.

Is it Worth the Risk?

When planning to do a repair, renovation or other home improvement project, items that contain asbestos should be handled properly. When left alone no airborne asbestos fibre or dust is produced. The hazard only occurs when these materials are disturbed and dispersed into the air. These products should be removed with extreme care.

Many homeowners do not know that asbestos is present in their homes. When they finally discover it, they try to get rid of it themselves in order to save money. On the other hand, this can be a very risky task that can outweigh any costs involved in the process.

Image Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/asbestostesting/6109154148/

How to Hire the Right Asbestos Removal Company

1. License. When hiring professionals, getting the right information from the contractor will help the homeowner make an informed decision. The removal company should be checked for their license with the health department. They should be able to provide references that can prove the company’s reliability in terms of getting the job promptly and properly done.
2. Quotes. With regards to the cost, it usually depends on the size of the project, how much asbestos is to be removed, and the amount of time needed for the project to get finished. It should cover labour, monitoring air quality and disposal of the toxic waste. Therefore, it is recommended for the homeowner to get quotes from several companies for the purpose of comparison rather than simple accepting a bid from a single contractor. An itemised list including related costs should also be produced. Contractors who personally visit the area for inspection are usually the ones to give realistic bids.
3. Project Plan. Aside from the estimates, a copy of the program of work can help homeowners on their decision. The contractor should submit a plan describing the methods and materials involved in the process. This data is also a good starting point for assessing the quality of services given by each contractor.
4. Safety. Before commencing with the work, the contractor must explain to the homeowner the actual process. The work area should be sealed for the safety of the occupants and neighbours. The homeowner’s personal property like hose, vacuum cleaner and tools should never be used for the project.

Technically, it is possible to remove asbestos if it is in very small quantities. However, this isn’t advisable at all considering the health risks. Hiring a professional asbestos removal company to do the job is a wiser decision. The local government has requirements on the proper asbestos disposal procedure to prevent contamination and it is essential that these guidelines are followed.

Increasing Accessibility in the Home for Seniors

Older family members often wish to stay in the home that they have lived in and are familiar with, even if they don’t and are moving to your home or in to sheltered housing it is good to be aware of what is needed to make a home accessible.

1. Swing-away door hinges:

Most toilet doors are not wide enough to let a wheelchair or walker pass through. Swing-away door hinges allow the door to swing clear of the frame, which in turn gives you an extra four centimetres of width. If the door is still too small you may need to get a larger door.

2. Raised toilet seats:

Raised seats placed on top of the toilet along with arm rails make it easier for disabled and elderly people to sit and stand. If you or a regular user is in a wheelchair then a ring shaped seat with not rails will be easier.

3. Correct height counters and cabinets:

If an individual will permanently be using a wheelchair or is unable to stand for a long time the lower-height counters and work tops with space to draw up a chair or wheel chair will make these areas more accessible. Existing cabinets can be modified by adding slide out shelves to make access easier.

4. Grabbers:

Grabbers should be placed near awkward and high to reach places. There are a huge number available including telescopic options and ones where the trigger extends allowing them to be pushed with the palm of the hand.

5. Front-loading washing machines and dryers:

Front loading washing machines and dryers are easier to use than top loading ones. If they are placed on blocks to raise them slightly then this will make them easier still as there is less need to bend.

6. Lever handles instead of doorknobs:

If you or a relative suffer from arthritis in then you probably know that gripping a traditional door knob is not easy. Lever handles offer a better option as they allow you to apply more force and are easier to grip. For this reason it is also recommended that you use lever handles for taps.

7. Grab bars:

Grab bars and non-slip mats placed near the shower, bath and toilet will not only decrease the risk of falls but also make it easier to manoeuver around the bathroom.

8. Shower chairs and walk in baths:

The bathroom is probably one of the riskiest environments for elderly and disabled people. By installing shower chairs and walk in baths you will not make it safer and easier for both you and them.

9. Wheelchair ramps:

If you are living with someone who uses a wheelchair then ramps will make it easier for them to enter and exit the home. Wheelchair ramps should have a minimum of a 1:12 ratio so that a ramp for a free inch step would be a least 36 inches long. An even longer ramp would be better. You can fit both permanent and temporary ramps depending upon your needs.

10. Stair lifts:

If you or a relative have trouble climbing the stairs then a stairlift is invaluable. They can be fitted for straight or curved stairs. For those on a budget, reconditioned stairlifts are a good option. These stairlifts have will always have been inspected for safety and refitted to factory conditions. In fact they often work better than new as many small niggles will have been ironed out!

This is a guest post by Daniel Frank a UK blogger who is writing on behalf of Stannah Stairlifts a specialist in offering advice on disabled stair lifts.

How To Use Lighting In Your Garden

One major aspect of gardening that gets overlooked is lighting. Many people don’t consider what lighting to have in their garden until they have finished everything else, when really it should be a first consideration. Before you make any changes to your garden you should decide how each feature will be lit. This guide will provide you with all the basic considerations.

Garden lighting falls into four categories, two of which are practical (job lighting and security lighting), and two of which are decorative (ambient lighting and accent lighting). For each type of lighting you should be considering how they will affect each other, and ensure they work well together. Colored lighting is a very popular method of lighting gardens because it is possible to place emphasis on certain aspects of a garden by using a different color. This will look better than simply increasing the brightness of a white light, which could upset the overall atmosphere of the garden.

Job Lighting

As suggested by the name, job lighting is used for a practical purpose. This could be to light up a path so you can walk through the garden at night without losing your footing. Job lighting should also be used to highlight anything in the garden that it is necessary to see at night for safety reasons, such as a tree root. Garden lanterns are a very effective method of job lighting, as they can provide a wide pool of light without dazzling you.

Security Lighting

As with job lighting, this lighting is mainly for safety reasons. Security lights are motion sensored, so they turn on whenever they sense movement within their range. As security lights are very bright they can ruin the ambience of the garden when you wish to relax in it at night. Therefore you should ensure that the security light is easily accesible to turn on and off when required, whilst still ensuring it is placed high enough have a large spread of light over the garden.

Ambient Lighting

Ambient lighting is used to create an even level of lighting throughout the garden. This should consist of a number of lanterns of the same brightness and colour spread evenly throughout the garden. Many people choose to have their garden bathed in a soft blue or green glow, which is done through effective use of ambient lighting (blue is better for patios, green is better for lawns). The ambient lighting should at least cover the largest open space in the garden to be effective.

Accent Lighting

Accent lighting is used to focus on specific features of a garden. For example, you could have a statue or rosebush that you wish to draw attention to. This is best done using spotlights as they are great for directing focus onto a specific point. Spotlights work best if they are hidden and you can only see their effect, so consider placing them inside a bush with the light shining out.

Rather than a harsh white light, it’s best to use a soft coloured spotlight to avoid upsetting the garden’s ambience. For example, if the ambient lighting was a green glow, then you could use a soft red spotlight for accent lighting. By providing a direct focus on an object, accent lighting works similarly to job lighting, except the intention is decoration rather than safety. For this reason, there should be less contrast between the accent lighting and ambient lighting compared with the contrast between job lighting and ambient lighting.

One More Point…

Where possible, it’s always recommended to opt for solar lights in the garden. You’ll be saving a lot of money, as well as helping the environment. However, if you are going to be hiding the accent lighting somewhere that will prevent it from getting direct sunlight then solar lighting may not be effective, so battery or mains powered lighting may be worth considering.

O Briens Lighting, Ireland is an online retailer providing garden lights, including garden lanterns, and other lighting solutions.

Training: The First Step to Construction Safety

On any day there are 6.5 million people working on construction sites across the country. More importantly, there are very few jobs in the construction industry that don’t have any kind of risk attached to them; thus shedding light on the fact that the construction industry has a higher fatal injury rate than any other industry.

But what if that could change?

Construction companies and government bodies like the OSHA have made a lot of improvements to employee safety on construction sites over recent years. However, one of the biggest factors in making sure that employees have a safe work environment is by ensuring that they’ve all received the correct training for the job they are doing:

Safety training
A large percentage of construction injuries are a direct result of falling from heights. Often construction sites require contractors to work at a very high level; when they do, it’s imperative to make sure that these workers understand how to do so safely.

• Do they know how to properly put on and take off their harness?
• Do they know who to call for help if they get stuck?
• How long should they be working at tall heights?

Reviewing safety procedures and getting familiar with the equipment is a good thing to practice before you climb up on a ten-story building.

Training on the proper techniques
Collapsing trenches or scaffolding is another common reason why workers get injured on construction sites. These types of incidents highlight the importance of making sure that those involved in excavations and assembling scaffolding are appropriately trained in the proper techniques, so they can provide a safe working environment for their colleagues.

Training on the correct use of equipment
A construction workers tools include a little more than just a hammer. Often industrial tools include forklifts, power tools, cement mixers, and more. To ensure that all the equipment on a construction site is used safely, operators must have received the appropriate training for each piece of equipment used.

Basically, the larger the machine the more training required to operate it. And if your construction company can’t provide the proper equipment training, encourage your employees to keep looking elsewhere. Training programs are easy to find online and worth the research; you don’t want to wait until something unfortunate happens.

Construction companies are responsible for making sure that their employees have received the appropriate training for their work assignment. They are also responsible for ensuring that non-qualified employees are restricted from assignments they haven’t been trained for. In order to prevent terrifying accidents and especially fatal injuries, safety procedures and equipment training must be enforced.

About the author: Sylvia Rosen is an online writer who enjoys connecting with Industrial professionals to write articles on the latest innews. Whether its Forklifts safety tips or buying advice on construction equipment, Sylvia enjoys writing about it.

Rodents: Do Not Enter

When the weather gets colder in metropolitan Chicago and the surrounding neighborhoods, it would seem like there’s nothing more welcoming than a warm home. Unfortunately, to mice, rats, squirrels, and other rodents, your house will also look like a refuge of warmth. As temperatures go down, how do you keep them away? After all, you as a homeowner wouldn’t want to turn your house into a zoo, especially since possums and raccoons may also be crashing your shelter.

The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) reveals that 21 million homes are invaded by rodents every winter. Upon entering through the smallest cracks or openings, they chew wallboards, wood, electric wires, and cause possibly unimaginable damage to your house. There’s even a potential fire hazard once they start to take on wires as part of their diet. Of course, this is not to mention allergies and rodent-related disease.

How do you keep them out? Sure, they may go away once the weather starts to get better, but smart homeowners will not want to wait for the end of winter before they take action.

The most obvious signs of rodent invasion are the droppings and the food debris that these creatures will leave in parts of the house like the basement, attic, garage, the food storage, and the prep areas. You can also conduct a home inspection near the ground level of your house, and at the edges and eaves of your roof.

Since wood is one of the main targets of these pests, watch out for gnawed metal and wall materials. Softened wood is also prone to damage, as are roof edges, fascia, and soffits. So be on the lookout for holes and gnaw marks, which may all indicate rodent activity.

Other precautionary measures include sealing all holes, cracks, and voids on the structures of your house, and ensuring proper drainage at the foundation of your home. If you haven’t installed gutters yet, it’s recommended that you do. Furthermore, maintain plants and tree branches properly and keep them cut back from the house.

These are great prevention tips for letting rodents know that they cannot enter. If, however, you see signs that they’ve already invaded your home, you can call pest professionals and qualified specialists to help you with the problem.

Tackling the Issue of Foundation Settlement

Foundation settlement is an issue common in houses after a few years of their construction. It happens when the underlying soil shifts or compacts as a result of construction on previously disturbed (non-virgin) soil, or of backfills, changes in soil conditions, and moisture. While this movement doesn’t typically have a significant effect on the structuring of a house, it may lead to bigger operational and structural problems.

After settlement, there may be signs of cracks developing in the foundation, ceilings, or walls of the house – small, hairline-sized cracks, typically, which are a result of minor settlement, expansion and contraction, or possibly even movement in a season or cycle. Major settlement, however, is a result of significant or even severe foundation movement, which causes problems with a homeowner’s windows, doors, plumbing lines, or mechanical equipment. Professional home inspections can help identify these settlement-related cracks, which are usually more than a quarter of an inch wide. This is not to say that smaller cracks should be ignored; these may lead to multiple cracks, which can enlarge and present more serious issues with a house’s structure.

Perhaps one of the most telling signs of settlement-related problems in a house is when the property has a full concrete slab foundation or masonry veneer construction. To address this, homeowners may consider reinforcing the actual slab construction – to limit movement of the slab and prevent damage.

Apart from natural conditions, the causes of foundation movement and settlement may be attributed to improper construction and deficiencies in design. Things like building on soil with lots of voids or constructing on fill soil that’s not compacted properly can cause movement in the foundation. There are even cases when excessive excavation for the foundation footing – coupled with careless backfilling – accounts for foundation movement.

Settlement occurs when the compacted soil reaches a point of stability. If, for example, the soil of the house contains organic or man-made materials, which might contain voids and deteriorate quickly, then settlement is likely to occur – until such point that full (stable) soil compaction is reached.

Sometimes, mining operations, collapsing limestone caverns, frost heaves, and other natural phenomena can cause settlement of soil over a large area – this is called subsidence. It’s typically attributed to the compaction of sand or clay soil layers on the subsurface, brought about by the withdrawal of water, oil, or gas from underground. Owing to the sheer size and the slow rate of this settlement, its effect can be experienced long-term.

Expansive clay soils in particular present major concerns with foundation movement. That’s because it can shrink and swell depending on the season and on levels of moisture in the soil. With this cyclical movement comes potentially greater risk of damage, as it can affect the foundations and other parts of the home.

Houses in areas of Chicago neighborhoods – as well as of other cities and states – with expansive clays must be inspected, monitored, and maintained at all times. It’s also important to ensure that the moisture levels of the soil around the house are relatively balanced. Things that can lead to the drying of the soil include irregular and uneven lawn watering and changes in the level of subsurface water, both of which can lead to the occurrence of settlement. Meanwhile, if the soil becomes too moist. and therefore swells, something as dramatic as foundation upheaval may occur.

It’s always smarter to be on the safe side and call for an evaluation of your house’s foundation occurs. This can be done by professional home inspectors, engineers, and other qualified specialists.

Keeping Your Garage Door Safe

Garage doors are sometimes the most neglected parts of the house – but homeowners beware: they can also pose potentially hazardous risks. A lot of home inspectors will tell you that. That’s because these garage doors are often the single largest moving object in a home. For their sheer weight and size, one must take the necessary steps to maintain garage doors and keep things safe with and around them.

Here are a number of helpful tips to properly maintaining operations of a garage door:

1. Mounting: Always be sure to position mounting tracks and hardware properly. Otherwise, the door might come off the track and fall – an unimaginable hazard.
2. Bracketing: Corner brackets typically are attacked to the cables that help lift the garage door. Make sure, then, that these brackets are installed properly and tightly; if they’ve been left loose, they may fly off at any instant at a very dangerous speed.
3. Panel section: In between the door sections, one would usually find joints. To avoid danger, never let yourself or anyone else try to open or close the garage door by putting fingers near or in these joints and their small openings. You can add finger-protection features to these joints to further minimize the risks.
4. Entrapment: Newer garage doors come with modern safety devices and features such as electronic eyes and pressure-sensitive controls. If your door is older and does not have any of these, consider getting one: apart from detecting objects that obstruct the door, they minimize the other risks that garage doors may pose.

Garage doors shouldn’t be the most neglected part of the house. Ensure maximum safety and maintenance by paying garage doors much-needed attention.

Health and Safety Check for Homeowners

It makes a lot of sense to schedule personal physical checkups with the family doctor – but not many homeowners realize that the same goes for their home. Yes, we’re talking professional home inspections , which, when done regularly, should give homeowners of all kinds a great idea how to keep and maintain their properties. (Just like a physical!)

Apart from these checkups, it’s also smart to come up with a health and safety checklist to keep homes from suffering unnecessary damages, defects, and deterioration. Houses differ, and so do the ways in keeping them “healthy”, but here are some general items that can be included in such a list:

Humidifiers and dehumidifiers

Many homeowners have installed moisture control systems like humidifiers and dehumidifiers in their houses. Humidifiers – typically set up with warm air heating systems – add moisture to the house air, while dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air in particular areas of the house, like the basement or the crawlspaces. Whatever the type of system, homeowners should check these moisture control devices regularly, and inspect their units for signs of leakage, overflowing water, or blocked drainage lines. When it comes to dehumidifiers, some units have to be manually emptied, and some feature automatic shut-offs and drainage; whatever the type, it’s important to clean units before and after seasonal use, and to properly remove any buildups that may affect the operation of these systems and devices.

Alarms and detectors

Alarms and detectors are supposed to send signals that something is wrong, but what if something is wrong with the alarms and detectors? To ensure best safety and security practices at home, check these devices regularly and make sure they’re working. If they’re old, and are about to outlast manufacturer-indicated life spans, then it’s probably time to go for a replacement.

Smokes and fire alarms are the homeowners’ first line of defense and warning, so it’s important to change the batteries of these devices at least once a year. CO monitors are also recommended, because they provide protection from toxic levels of carbon monoxide. Furthermore, if your particular neighborhood in Chicago or Metropolitan Chicago has included radon gas as a community health threat, then it might be necessary to go for radon testing, too. If unsure, check with your local municipal building department and consult home inspectors on how to protect yourself and your home from this invisible, odorless gas.

Of course, there will be times that one’s security systems might provide false alarms. In these cases, it’s important not to disengage the alarm, since this will put the home’s residents at a security risk. If the nuisance calls prove to be too much, there are always alternative systems from alarm companies that one can look at.

Emergencies

Health and safety at home isn’t just about installing security systems and safety devices. It’s about preparation, too. Homeowners should have the following items prepared for routine activities and cases of emergency:

• First Aid Kit
• Family contact list
• House equipment maintenance information
• Babysitter information (for homeowners with young children)
• Emergency evacuation kit
• Medical and financial records