Predator Protection Backyard predators that threaten birdhouses can include pets, stray cats, raccoons, rats, squirrels, snakes, mice, and stinging insects. Other bird species may also kill or injure baby birds and their parents either for a meal or to take over the house for their own nesting site. To make a birdhouse safe from predators follow these tips: Remove any perches from the house. Birds do not need them to access the house, and perches only provide convenient handholds for predators....

Room Dividers Classic room dividers are terrific decorative elements that separate living and sleeping areas. There are tons of different styles, from classic folding screens to beautiful fabric-covered pieces. The sky’s the limit, so if you can’t find something that suits your style consider having one custom made. Most upholsterers can have one made quickly and fairly inexpensively. Much like curtains they take up a lot of visual space so have fun and find a fabric you really love....

There are many ways to help camouflage a wall-mounted TV so it doesn’t spoil your décor, from choosing a picture frame design (like Samsung’s “The Frame” TV) that turns into a work of art when not in use, to choosing a mirror with an integrated TV, to all manner of cover-ups such as sliding cabinet doors or curtains. But if you are looking for ways to integrate a visible flat screen more seamlessly into your space without compromising your carefully considered interior design scheme, here are some designer ideas that might do the trick....

In some ways, these flies are beneficial, as they help to decompose rotting organic matter, but they are known mostly as a frustrating nuisance pest. Love bugs do not bite or sting and they do not pose a health threat to humans, so what’s the big deal? Believe it or not, the biggest threat they pose is to your car. What Do Love Bugs Look Like? Love bugs are seen all over the Gulf states during mating season, often while flying through the air in pairs during their mating flights....

First, identify what might be attracting the mice and how they’re entering your home, then follow our guide to getting rid of mice and deal with this pest issue for good. What Do Mice Look Like? Mice are small mammals with long tails (which can even be as long as or longer than the mouse’s body), large eyes, fur on their bodies, and large ears. When fully grown, they are typically about 7 1/2 inches in length including the tail, though actual size will vary by type of mouse....

For starters, you’ll hear them scratching and scrambling around. They’ll also make a mess, tearing up insulation to build their nest and leaving behind droppings. If you have raccoons in your attic or crawlspace, it’s important to get rid of them as soon as possible. Not only can they cause serious damage, but they also are territorial and can carry and spread diseases. The best way to get rid of raccoons is to call a trustworthy local company that handles wildlife removal....

There are three common types of weevils found in pantries and cupboards: Rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae)Granary or wheat weevil (Sitophilus granarius)Maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais). These three bugs are not the same weevils that can damage outdoor landscape plants and agricultural crops, but they can create a serious problem in a kitchen food-storage area. These species feed primarily on grains and they are often found in boxes or bags of stored whole-grain cereals or grains....

While ‘Silver Mound’ does produce inconspicuous yellow blossoms in the summer, they are typically removed to keep the plant focused on producing foliage, not flowers. This is an excellent plant to use as a cool contrast to other perennials with bright flowers in a container or garden bed. Like many other plants in its family, ‘Silver Mound’ is toxic to pets and people when consumed. This plant is a good choice for low-water gardens, since it has a high tolerance for drought....

In fact, if you wish to grow the species plant because you enjoy crafts and can make use of the gumballs, the best location for the tree is far away from the house and any outdoor areas where people will be walking (people have been known to sprain their ankles from walking on the gumballs). For those with large properties, one option may be to plant their sweetgum tree on the south side of a woodland garden....

Bay laurel is somewhat easy to care for indoors or outdoors. The sizes of potted plants are generally kept to 4 to 8 feet tall, while unpruned landscape plants can eventually grow from 30 to 60 feet tall. In the spring, bay laurel has small yellow flowers that develop into dark purple berries in the fall. The bay laurel is dioecious (which means that the plants have specific genders, male or female)....