Brood X (for Brood 10) cicadas are pushing their way out of the ground and singing their song from Illinois eastward, with a dipping down to Georgia. So when is Brood X coming? The first members of this illustrious insect group were noted around the Baltimore and Washington, D.C., areas in mid-May, and the rest of their friends and family are expected to emerge within days. How big is Brood X?...

We compiled buying tips from two interior designers and then researched stylish, functional options for every room and decor scheme. Our top pick is Pottery Barn’s Hazel Ottoman, which comes in over 30 upholstery options and boasts a kiln-dried wood frame. Read on for the best ottomans for every room and budget. This piece is made of kiln-dried wood and features corner-block joinery to ensure stability for several years to come....

Hold Onto No More Than 12 or So Bags According to professional organizer Morgan Laskey of Morganize It Solutions, there actually is an ideal number of reusable totes to keep on hand. “I recommend keeping four to five of the thicker reusable grocery bags, two insulated bags for cold items, and definitely no more than five of the fabric/cotton totes,” she says. “You can always stash all of these bags inside a larger, sturdier bag....

Lars Wijers, the founder of Tiny Treehouses, is a 3D architectural designer. He’s works in the events and experiential industry and really enjoys a little side project. He loves plants, which is how his journey into creating beautiful and whimsical tiny treehouses all got started. “I was actually daydreaming on my balcony one afternoon, and I started imagining the houses that little plant-elves and fairies would live in,” says Wijers....

Oranges peels, especially, embody yang energy. The peel has the power to clear a space. If you need to wake up and clear a space, peel some oranges! Keep a bowl of nine fresh oranges in your home to uplift the feng shui. Peel one from time to time to clear the space. And yes, you can eat the fruit. It’s recommended that you buy the highest quality bells (or bowl) that you can afford....

Fast Facts Scientific Name: Anythya fuligulaCommon Name: Tufted Duck, Tufted Pochard, Tufted Diver, Tufted Scaup, Crested Duck, Magpie Diver, Black Wigeon, Black Poker, Lapmark DuckLifespan: 4-5 yearsSize: 15-19 inchesWeight: 27-31 ouncesWingspan: 30-35 inchesConservation Status: Least concern Tufted Duck Identification Male tufted ducks are glossy black allover except for contrasting, sharply-edged white flanks and white abdomen, and the back can appear more gray than black in bright light. The head and neck may show a faint purple or green iridescence in the brightest sunlight....

From Ellen O’Neill, Benjamin Moore Creative Director: “White is not just a design trend, it is a design essential. The popularity of white, the necessity of white, the mystique of white is quantifiable in our industry. Of the top ten best-selling Benjamin Moore colors, variants of white occupy five spots. It was inevitable that we would ultimately recognize white as our Color of the Year.” White is a versatile neutral which can be used for wall color or trim, and it can be used in any decorating style....

They’re Sleek One of the best things about can lights is that they’re nearly flush with the ceiling and don’t take up visual space. This is particularly helpful in rooms that need a lot of lights, where numerous conventional fixtures would clutter the ceiling. Flush installation also means there’s nothing hanging down, and more importantly, nothing glass hanging down. This makes can lights desirable for tight spaces, like closets, or where a door swings close to the ceiling....

Mold is a form of fungi. It thrives in damp, dark environments where there is organic matter, like wood, to feast on. Common areas around the home to find mold include bathrooms, kitchens, basements, attics, doors, and windows. Use this guide to find out what causes mold to grow in a house and how to eliminate it. Insufficient Ventilation One of the main reasons mold has an opportunity to grow is because areas of the home that are prone to high levels of moisture, like the bathroom or kitchen, are not properly ventilated....

In older homes, specifically, asbestos may be found in many different materials, from pipe insulation to flooring adhesive to roof shingles. One of the most common materials containing asbestos fibers is attic and wall insulation. But just because your insulation is old doesn’t mean it is dangerous. Some materials that suspiciously look like they should be asbestos really aren’t asbestos. A quick visual inspection can tell you whether or not you should get your insulation tested for asbestos....

The primary purpose of a pool house was—and still is—to provide a private space near the pool in which to change in and out of swimsuits, use the bathroom, shower, take a nap, enjoy a beverage, and entertain friends or family. While pool houses may seem like a summertime space reserved for luxury pools, these structures can actually be designed for many different budgets and with various amenities. Types of Pool Houses Pool houses make pool ownership and swimming more enjoyable by placing everything you need within reach (or at least a few steps from the pool)....

History of Saltbox Houses The first Saltbox houses appeared in New England circa 1650. These simple, clean-lined structures were built by early settlers using local timber and post-and-beam construction that limited the need for metal nails, an expensive material at the time. Built around a central chimney to provide heating, the houses were often covered in oak clapboard siding and topped off with asymmetrical roofs that extended over lean-to kitchen additions at the back, providing additional space under the expansive roofs....

How Do Insecticidal Soaps Work? Insecticidal soap works through several mechanisms. The soap itself penetrates insects’ cuticles, which causes cell collapse and desiccation. In other words, it dries them out. They also operate by suffocating insects such as scale insects. To varying degrees, soap sprays are also effective against chiggers, earwigs, fleas, mites, scales, and thrips. They are not effective, however, on chewing insects such as caterpillars and beetles. Although soap sprays are less toxic to gardeners and non-pest animals, they can still be potentially damaging to some plants, especially if an oil has been added to the spray....

Here’s what we’ve learned about banana water including why it can do more harm than good, along with some tips about composting banana peels. What Is Banana Water? Banana water is similar to compost tea but it comes only from one source, cut up banana peels. The peels are immersed in water and steeped for anywhere from one hour up to a few days. Soaking time varies according to different recipe sources....

Here’s what you need to know about your type and how it influences your home design: Type 1: The Reformer Your Traits: You tend to be ordered, self-controlled, and rational. Sometimes you can lean towards perfectionism but over anything else, you value practicality and purpose, which is admirable. Your Décor Style: As a Reformer, you feel like the best version of yourself when your space is both practical and polished....

Craigslist and Online Ads Selling items on Craigslist and through other online sale sites is easy and can get you the most profit; it can be tricky, however. When creating your online ad, make sure you provide as much detail as possible. This includes: Photos of your itemSize and dimensions of your itemBrand or maker (if known) and condition of the item It also helps to mention or highlight what you did during the refurbishing process, such as repairs, new paint, etc....

Typically, air can flow freely through the lines, allowing waste to run smoothly down and out of the home, but when a toilet makes a gurgling noise, this is a sign that negative air pressure or suction is building up in the drain line. Eventually, the negative air pressure releases, pushing air back up through the drain and into the toilet bowl, causing the gurgling sound. When this occurs, the toilet may also bubble and flush itself....

Winter Rye Grass vs. Annual Rye Grass Like winter rye grass, Lolium multiflorum is also an annual plant; in fact, it is commonly known as “annual rye grass.” A popular use for annual rye grass is to overseed a lawn. There is also a perennial form of rye grass called Lolium perenne. Mainly used as a lawn grass, its seed is commonly found in the grass seed mixes that you find at hardware stores for those who want to start a new lawn....