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InsectWorld/Shutterstock Also known a sewer flies, filter flies and moth flies, drain flies are only about 1/8-inch in size and are usually black but can also be brown in color. Their wings and bodies are covered with hairs and when crushed, they leave a powdery smudge. While not harmful, having drain flies or their eggs in your home can certainly be a nuisance. Drain flies breed in drains, septic tanks, sewers and soil that has been contaminated with sewage....

Whether it’s floors, frying pans or toilets — when it comes to cleaning, you can’t replace the power of elbow grease. So, even though there’s a debate around which option is best, my vote is that a hand wash is better than an automated car wash to get your car gleaming. The Hand-Wash Experience As you approach a hand car wash, an attendant will greet you and discuss service options. After making your choices, you leave your car with the attendant who advances your car into the wash queue....

Transform scrap pieces of PVC pipe into storage sites for dowels and fasteners, courtesy of “tipfull” reader Al Miller. Fastener Trough Cut a 2-ft. length of 4-in. PVC pipe lengthwise with a scroll saw, creating a trough that’s a little more than half the pipe’s diameter. Glue or screw in 1/2-in. thick wood partitions to create compartments for often-used screw and nail sizes. To make it tip-proof, trace the pipe’s curve on a couple of scrap 2×4 blocks, power-sand or saw out the curve, and screw the pipe on this scrap block base....

Termites, like ants, are social insects that live in colonies. Dividing community labor between soldiers, workers and reproducers, termites sustain themselves by attacking and ingesting wood. Because wood is one of the most widely-used building materials, it’s estimated termites damage around 600,000 U.S. structures each year. And because homeowners insurance policies rarely cover termite damage, it’s believed residents in the U.S. spend around $5 billion out of their pockets annually to repair the damage left behind by these invasive and ruinous pests....

Urban apartment dwellers, owners of tiny homes and Europeans have been sweet on all-in-one washer/dryers for decades. Appreciated for their compact size — easily fitting into closets, under kitchen counters or in bathrooms — these machines are steadily growing in popularity. Bendix Home Appliances introduced the first combination washer/dryer to the public in 1953. Early versions were clunky and low performing. Today’s two-in-ones are more technically advanced, offering intelligent operations such as steam-cleaning, extra-hot temperature settings for sanitizing, and smart features that send alerts and information to your phone through an app....

welcomia/Getty Images Over the last year, the remodeling industry in the U.S. has gradually recovered from the economic slowdowns and obstacles caused by COVID-19. Industry experts are now predicting residential remodeling could expand even further over the next two years, as renovation projects are set to grow increasingly popular across the country. During a panel for remodelers at last week’s National Association of Home Builders IBSx virtual event, NAHB officials predicted remodeling spending on owner-occupied single-family homes will go up four percent this year, then increase another two percent in 2022....

The Family Handyman This adjustable height sawhorse will help you work with longer boards on every power tool in your shop. It’s made from good old 1-1/4 in. PVC pipe, a couple of 1-1/4 in. tees and an old sawhorse with a wood cross member you don’t mind drilling holes through. Keep in mind that you can substitute 1-1/2 in. pipe and fittings if they aren’t available in 1-1/4 in....

The back-and-forth swish of windshield wipers clearing away rain and snow is a reassuring sound. Wiper squeegees (also called inserts or refills), the part that actually touches and cleans the windshield, should be replaced every six months, especially after a harsh winter or blazing-hot summer. Wipers come in many lengths and designs, and it’s important to install the correct size. The Right Size Installing wiper blades that are longer than recommended (which include a metal frame and squeegee in one assembly) can cause them to jam and bump into each other....

Whether it’s tableware, utensils, living room décor or wall art, gold needs to be cleaned regularly to keep it looking vibrant and beautiful. “Once every six months should be enough,” says Gabrielle Martin, a supervisor at Bio Recovery, a professional cleaning company. “Cleaning gold too often can damage the surface.” Cleaning gold also helps preserve the integrity of the metal by removing tarnish. Just remember to be patient. It may take a few cleaning sessions to make it look its best....

For something that just gets flushed down the sewer, toilet paper sure has a refined background. Most popular toilet paper brands use 100 percent virgin wood fiber, which comes from vast stretches of pristine boreal forests. Cutting down these forests releases huge stores of carbon, contributing to climate change. If making toilet paper this way seems wasteful to you, you’re not alone. Some companies are taking notice of consumer demand for sustainable and renewable products and offering recycled and alternative-fiber tissue....

The Great American Lawn. To some, it’s a manicured masterpiece the equal of anything found at the finest golf course. To others, it’s simply a soft, green spot for the kids to play on. However, if your turf isn’t looking so great, there’s no better time than spring to start improving it. Dry Up Snow Mold One thing to look for after winter is snow mold, a cold-season fungus that causes gray-colored circles or patches where there had been snow....

If you own a home, mold is serious business. Basements and crawl spaces are prone to mold growth since there’s often moisture in these dark, tight spaces. And, because you probably don’t spend a lot of time in your crawl space or inspect the corners of your basement often, mold can appear and become a costly project you didn’t plan for. Follow these six tips to prevent moisture buildup and mold in your crawl space....

A Work Light that Shows True Colors Family Handyman The Hybrid LED Color Range Work Light from Ryobi features variable color temperature, allowing you to adjust the light quality to your work space. It improves color perception—a big benefit for painting—and it reduces eye strain from working in bright white light. The ability to warm up the light as well as dim it can keep you working comfortably longer. The work light features 360-degree light head rotation and includes a tripod mount....

Go to the Job Site You can only tell so much from a picture. For one thing, you won’t be able to accurately measure the job. For exterior jobs, you need to see what obstacles, landscaping features, or elevation issues might slow you down. It’s the same when bidding interior commercial space. You need to see the working conditions. Is there a bunch of furniture you’ll have to move or work around?...

If you think you see a German cockroach flying around inside or outside your house, it actually might be an Asian cockroach (Blattella asahinai). Learn what it takes to keep this pest out of the home and yard. What are Asian Cockroaches Only recently introduced to the United States, the Asian cockroach is a mobile and adaptable species of roach, making the south and southeastern states home. Outdoors, this roach can be found around the house in leaf piles, under mulch and in trees....

While many people prefer easy-to-keep houseplants, experienced plant owners may want more of a challenge. If you’ve already mastered some of the more difficult houseplants and want to try something new, consider carnivorous houseplants. Though they can be more work, carnivorous houseplants are rewarding to keep and great at pest control. We’ve put together a guide to three common types to get you started. Like their non-carnivorous relatives, carnivorous plants derive most of their energy from the sun....

There are lots of reasons to love fall: apple picking, pumpkin carving, gorgeous fall flowers in the garden. Yet while the changing autumn leaves are beautiful on the trees, once they fall it’s time for a chore that everyone dreads: Raking leaves. Every year, many of us ask ourselves: Should I rake leaves or just leave them? Some, like David Mizejewski of the National Wildlife Federation, say you “shouldn’t feel obligated to get rid of every last fallen leaf in your yard this fall....

nuisk17/Shutterstock There’s nothing more satisfying than a clean grill. Clean grills mean it’s officially time to break out the charcoal, grab the hot dogs and burgers, and have the first cookout of the year. But in order to do so, you need a clean grill first. But if you don’t have a brush, don’t sweat it, there’s an easy solution to getting your grill cleaned in a pinch. This trick doesn’t require any fancy sprays or tools....

For millions of Americans, the sunshine and outdoor fun of summertime also brings the obligation of lawn mowing. If you’re in the market for a lawnmower and want to explore your options, here’s what you need to know about push mowers. Read on to see if a push mower is the right choice for you and your lawn. What Is a Push Mower? A push mower is any lawnmower designed to be controlled and propelled by someone on foot....

A hot tub can turn your home into a relaxing oasis. But before you buy one, you’ll need to consider a few factors and learn the difference between a recreational and a therapeutic hot tub. Recreational Hot Tubs Most recreational hot tubs are designed for general enjoyment. While they may claim to offer a relaxing experience and powerful jets, they do not promise any specific therapeutic benefits, or have features specially engineered to promote hydrotherapy....