No one wants a rodent problem in the home. Rats and mice can chew through wires, eat through packages of food, and leave little presents all through the house. Fortunately, there are dozens of options to deal with pests. The Ankace Mouse/Rat Trap, sometimes referred to as the Authenzo trap by certain sellers, is one option that claims to get rid of mice and rats humanely, and customers can’t stop raving about how well it works....

It is important to understand that these two types of cuts exist, and second, what response from the plant they provoke. When you read articles or any reference on pruning, directions will tell you to make one kind of cut or the other. Understanding these terms for pruning can be as necessary as knowing what a tablespoon is in cooking. It will help greatly if you first know what the nodes and internodes of a plant are....

Like a calm sea or cloudless sky, the color blue tends to give us a sense that all is right with the world. Psychologists have found that exposure to this calming hue can reduce feelings of anxiety and aggression, making it a natural salve for nervous newborns and tantrum-prone toddlers. A blue nursery may even help your little one fall asleep faster, physically reducing their blood pressure and heart rate and preparing their tiny body for rest....

In order to make the best decision about the backsplash material and design for the kitchen, you should try to gain a better understanding of the various backsplash tile options. Finding out about the benefits and drawbacks of each type, as well as the cost, style, installation difficulty, and other key factors, can help you choose a kitchen backsplash material that you won’t regret. Peruse this guide to learn how to choose the best kitchen backsplash material and where to look for new products....

Is this another example of companies relabeling familiar products and calling them something else? Or is ceiling paint a real thing that is worth purchasing? Best Ceiling Paint Color Most ceiling paints come pre-mixed. You’ll find at least a couple of versions of white ceiling paint already on the shelves of the paint store or home center. Just grab the paint you want and have it shaken up for you....

Appearance: What are the aesthetic qualities of the countertop material?Value: How does the countertop rank in terms of the cost of materials plus installation? What are you getting for the money?Stain resistance and clean-up: How well does the material resist food and drink stains?Heat resistance: Will hot pots discolor or burn the countertop surface?Resale value: Does the countertop add real estate value to your home in the eyes of prospective buyers?...

A black and white affair is typically a more formal event, so an evening gown or a formal suit would be in order. Look for other hints on the invitation, such as “tie optional.” Parties after dark are usually more formal than those that begin in the afternoon. If you are unsure, contact the host and ask whether it’s formal or semi-formal. You’re probably not the only person who isn’t sure how to dress, and it’s always good to have confirmation from the source....

The Dot to Dot design pictured above is a perfect example of this new black-and-white trend. Italian tile manufacturer Tagina takes a playful approach to the classic pairing with a collection of molded ceramic tiles in X, O and square shapes. Because each tile is installed separately, the possibilities are virtually unlimited. Here’s an inside look at some additional black-and-white tile collections you’ll see in the market later this year....

This fact sheet will not only introduce you to blue jays but help you learn more about their unique personalities and how to entice them to visit your yard. Fast Facts Scientific Name: Cyanocitta cristataCommon Name: Blue Jay, JayLifespan: 6-8 yearsSize: 11 inchesWeight: 2.5-4 ouncesWingspan: 16 inchesConservation Status: Least concern Blue Jay Identification These birds are easy to identify by their color and markings, but looking a bit more closely at their physical structure can help birders learn even more about blue jays....

Caladiums are seasonal plants even in the tropics, where gardeners plant them in the spring and summer months when they’ll thrive in the heat and humidity they require. Unless you live in zones 9 to 11, you should plan to grow them as annuals, or dig up the plants’ tubers at the end of the growing season and store them for the winter. When grown indoors, they do best with lots of heat, bright but indirect light, and plenty of humidity....

Deadheading (removing the spent blooms) can promote additional flowering. However, if you want your plants to self-seed, leave some flower heads on to drop their seeds. Moreover, plants grown in hot climates and in containers are typically short-lived and often treated as annuals. Many gardeners prefer to pull them after they’re done blooming and plant new seeds the following growing season. Light California poppies grow and bloom best in full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight on most days....

But China cabinets are making a comeback. Not only can they be used to store those precious family heirlooms, but designers have gotten creative about what they can do, house, and showcase in these versatile pieces. Whether you’re hip to this new trend or curious about how you can make this staple piece of décor more functional in your space, here’s what you need to know about China cabinets and their ‘moment’ in the contemporary design world....

Needlepoint can be used to create home accessories like pillows, rugs, or wall hangings. It can also be found on creative belts, purses, wallets, and even shoes. As with any hand-worked piece, care must be taken to preserve the work and time that has been invested. The First Step The first step in cleaning any type of needlepoint, whether new or vintage, should be vacuuming the needlepoint surface. Cover the end of your vacuum hose with a piece of nylon stocking or light mesh....

Costco’s Cabinetry Partners Costco cabinets are manufactured by two different firms. All Wood Cabinets (AWC), based in Florida, is an independent cabinetry company that makes two lines that are proprietary to Costco: the Metropolitan line, and the Semi-Custom line. All Wood Cabinets does make other product lines available from other retailers, including directly from the AWC web site, but these two product lines are sold only at Costco. Costco’s other partner is Tuscan Hills Cabinetry, based in New Jersey, which makes the custom Ultimo line, marketed as Costco’s premium line....

Older homes have nooks and crannies built in under the eaves of an attic that are secret private retreats. A closet under a staircase is a great place to hide from the world. But if you’re living in a new home, you’ll have to find your own private retreat. A private space doesn’t have to be small, but it does have to be furnished with your favorite things. If you long for a spot to curl up with a book, you must have a good reading light, a comfortable chair, and footstool, a lush comforter or throw, and a place to set a chilly lemonade or cozy cup of tea....

Though it can be hard to know where to start, looking into our zodiac signs can be a great way to discover some of our tendencies and things we are drawn to. Check out your zodiac sign below for some tips on how you should decorate your home office.

That’s just the glass area. If you’ve got poor or non-existent insulation around the window framing, the entire window area feels like the sash is open. No wonder your furnace constantly runs and your bills run higher than expected every month. Is it time for new windows? One claim made by window replacement companies is that new windows generate less demand on your heating system, so the system cycles on less frequently and this saves money....