The main culprit is the whitetail deer (Odocoileus virginianus), a species now found in every state east of the Mississippi, as well as parts of Arizona. Geography alone is no protection, though, since western states must contend with Odocoileus hemionus (mule deer), which can also be destructive to landscapes. Deer will eat a range of vegetables, fruit, and flowering plants, such as tomato plants and dill, and they often eat every hosta, azalea, tulip, lily, or pansy in the garden....

A comfortable guest room takes most of the stress out of a guest’s visit for all concerned. Fortunately, you only need some very basic common sense home furnishings to create a room that any guest will appreciate. A Comfortable Bed The most important thing you can provide for a guest is a good, comfortable place to rest. You probably know firsthand how difficult it can be to fall asleep in strange surroundings, especially if they also happen to be uncomfortable....

Despite this, even the more experienced DIY electrician may reach the point when they feel like it’s time to call in a professional: 1. Permits and Inspectors Added to the Equation After you paint your living room or tile your kitchen backsplash, it’s just you and your dog Spot “oohing and ahhing” over the fruits of your labors. While you should maintain basic building practices, nobody comes by afterward to check up on your work....

Are your wrinkling your nose at the thought of weed flavored jelly? Don’t despair! This tastes bright and sunny, lemony with a hint of floral. It really is a taste that you can’t quite put your finger on but is pleasing to anyone who tries it. Gather your blossoms throughout the season, and store them in a glass jar in the freezer! That way, you can keep adding to your stash, and make your jelly once you have enough....

Weather-sealing a garage door usually involves a simple process of adding or replacing the bottom door seal and the weatherstripping on the stop molding along the sides and top of the door. It may also include adding thin weatherstripping between the door panels​ if you want to make the door as airtight as possible. Importance of Weather-Sealing Your Garage It’s also important to weather-seal your garage to protect your home from damaging elements like fierce rain, snow, hail, and wind....

While you may be familiar with the basics of farmhouse style, determining how exactly to introduce the look into your own home may be a bit difficult or overwhelming—especially if you’re not looking to do any major design overhauls or purchase all brand-new furniture. However, the great news is that it’s quite easy to incorporate elements of this aesthetic into your space in smaller doses. We’ve rounded up 50 fabulous rooms and compiled corresponding tips on how to add farmhouse flair to your space....

If there’s a certain off the beaten path print, style, or hue that you love, just go for it—yes, even if you’re a professional. We polled six top interior designers on their biggest guilty pleasures in their homes—their answers may surprise you! Funky Faces Who says the faces displayed in your home have to belong to people you know? “I have quite a thing for quirky vintage portraits,” designer Jennifer Jones said in an email....

Determining Rodent Infestation Size Certain signs can indicate the size of a population. If rodents are seen at night but never during the day, the population has probably not become large and can be controlled with traps and bait. If you are seeing any rodents during the day, numerous fresh droppings, or new gnaw marks, it is likely that the population has become quite large and might require professional pest control services....

Whether you are an introvert, love an introvert, or are thinking about sharing a space with a person who fits this identity, here are a few ways they design their havens differently. Walls, both paint and wallpaper, are often light colored, or neutral shades. This not only prevents distraction, but creates a subtleness to the space that doesn’t influence emotions one way or another. It also lends itself to easy accent colors (which an introvert may be inclined to decorate around) and a simplicity of the design itself....

When one of these things happens, you can toss the garment in the trash, turn it into your work-in-the-yard gear, or make it into cleaning rags. Or, you can try one of these eight creative ways to hide the stain and keep wearing your favorite shirt! Before You Begin Before you attempt any of the ideas, take your abilities, your time, the value of the garment, and the expense to hide the stain into consideration....

The plans include blueprints, step-by-step building directions, photos, and materials/cutting lists, so you can get right to work building your cabin. You can use these cabin plans to build the cabin just how it’s outlined or make some changes so you can get that custom cabin feel that’s just right for your family. This free cabin plan is a 17-page PDF file that contains detailed instructions, a materials list, a shopping list, and plan drawings....

It’s hard to imagine, but poison ivy does have a place and purpose in the environment. It’s a food source for birds and other wildlife. In fact, seeds dropped by birds are usually responsible for the plant’s spread. With the exception of primates, other animals show no sensitivity to poison ivy. Your pup may not have any problems, but she can carry the oil on her coat and urushiol can remain active for as long as ten years....

Overview Color Family: Mostly darker neutrals Complementary Colors: Consider the undertone of the neutral for complementary colors Pairs Well With: White trims, metallic and gray accents Mood: Cool and calming Where to Use: Walls, accent walls Here are eight tranquil, refreshing, and nurturing nursery room colors for your baby boy. Cosmic Sapphire ( SPR-18) by The Spruce Best Home is a weighty, color-saturated hue. Its deep blues and subtle violet undertones add a touch of modern sophistication to the traditional blue nursery palette....

Some testers are multifunction devices that can perform most, if not all, of the common electrical testing duties. Others are single-function devices that test for just one particular thing, such as live voltage. Below, we’ll break down the ins and outs of each common type of electrical tester to help you choose which is right for your project. The device is like a mini wand with a small tip on the end that senses voltage in such things as electrical wiring, outlets, circuit breakers, lamp cords, light sockets, and switches....

Below, you’ll learn about eight common types of wall switches and what they’re best for. Examined closely, you’ll notice that a new single-pole switch has two brass-colored screw terminals attached to the body of the switch, plus a green screw that is connected to the metal strap. In normal use, this type of switch is used to control the flow of current through “hot” wires in the circuit (usually black wires)....

Complement the matte white walls and wood floor that came with your rental apartment with a textured bouclé sofa, a glossy white lacquered dining table and Scandinavian painted wood chairs. To create a modern rustic bathroom, you can mix marble floors, classic subway tile, and a wall of shiplap. Cozy up the white brick of a converted loft bedroom with a painted antique wood bed frame, white linen sheets, and a fluffy flokati rug....

Yes, we are talking about terrariums. The self-contained, artful arrangements have become a plant lover’s paradise. They have a reputation for being low maintenance and add just the right earthy touch to any room’s decor. As a bonus, you can take yours with you if you move. (Try that with a vegetable garden!) Though terrariums are relatively easygoing, they are still filled with living, growing plants and need some care to live their best lives....

Take a look at 9 things in your living room that are dirtier than you think and may require some extra attention next time you clean. Remote controls and other electronic accessories like keyboards and earphones attract soil and bacteria. And if someone in the family is ill, there are even more bacteria just waiting to infect the next user. Use a disinfectant wipe that is approved for use on electronics each day to wipe down remotes and accessories....