Ladybugs are arguably the cutest insects. With their cheery red shells and perky black polka dots, they often inspire Halloween costumes and themed party décor, so it’s hard to believe they’re considered a pest by many. But anyone who has had a ladybug infestation knows, that these buggers can become a real nuisance. They even made our list of 14 “harmless” bugs you didn’t know could bite you. Here’s how to get rid of ladybugs....
If you’ve installed more than a handful of exterior doors, you’ve probably run into a situation where the wood subfloor or concrete is way out of level. What do you do? Creating a bunch different sized shims is not a good idea because that creates voids under the threshold. Forming one large shim that spans the whole opening is doable if you have a band saw on hand, but that’s not often the case....
When it comes to picking colors for our homes, finding the right colors can be difficult. With so many points of inspiration and thousands of different styles, how are you supposed to pick just one? Well, if you’re looking for a color that has a unique history, listen up. The blue porch ceiling originated in the South, and hues usually range from a light blue to a greenish-blue. If you’re not familiar, let me explain what they’re all about....
Grilling with propane or natural gas is the easiest option for cooking outdoors, but don’t let that simplicity fool you. There are plenty of tricks to make gas grilling easier and better, and Steven Raichlen, the Barbecue Hall of Famer, has no shortage of them. Founder of the Barbecue University and author of How to Grill, Project Fire and The New York Times bestselling Barbecue! Bible cookbook series, Raichlen shares some of his best gas grilling tips and techniques with Family Handyman...
Artificial turf grass, invented and patented by Monsanto, made its first appearance at a Providence, R.I. high school in 1964. Originally known as ChemGrass, it was later rebranded AstroTurf after it replaced a burned-out natural grass field in the Houston Astrodome in 1966. Other manufacturers eventually produced their own products, and today you’ll find artificial turf in professional, college and high school stadiums coast to coast. Artificial turf grass didn’t become a viable option for homeowners until less rugged, more decorative versions became available in the 1990s....
Dogs bring great joy to the world, but sometimes they also bring great aggravation. It’s not uncommon for over-eager canines to run off to play with the most interesting nearby item, whether that’s a squirrel, another dog, a person or even a car. This can be hazardous for the pet and the object of their interest, as well as a genuine liability for the dog’s owner. The most common solution to this problem is a fenced-in yard....
Each of those brown spots in your lawn tells a different story. Let’s look at a few reasons why they may be there. What Does Brown Grass Look Like? Brown grass can come in many different shades, shapes and sizes. But in general, it looks dead. Sometimes these brown spots mean the grass is actually dead. Oftentimes it’s just dormant, a temporary situation, and the grass will bounce back on its own or with a bit of TLC....
ND700/Shutterstock As the months get hotter and the nights get muggier, the thing that you are going to want most is a nice cool home. Your house can be your summer refuge during those blazing hot days. But without a proper working air conditioner, that little refuge will be more of a dream than a reality. Fortunately for you, there’s a way to constantly make sure that you are getting the most out of your air conditioner....
This is the outdoor spigot on my house. It’s butt-ugly, it’s not frost-proof and I had to assemble it myself. But it has advantages that more than make up for those faults: No drips. Built around a ball valve—the most reliable type of valve you can get—my spigot is dripless after 18 years of service. Standard versions often leak after just five years. Fantastic flow. The “full port” valve is 3/4 in....
As someone who makes a living as a tech safety expert, I’m constantly asked if smart devices can be hacked. I always answer with this: If it’s connected to Wi-Fi, then it can be hacked. The same is true for Alexa, but don’t be too worried. There are some simple things you can do to protect yourself. Can Alexa Be Hacked? If a hacker can gain access to your home’s Wi-Fi network, they can access to anything connected to it....
How Long Does Pressure-Treated Wood Last? Green-treated wood lasts a long time — and it’s ugly. So if you build, say, a deck out of green-treated wood, it’ll be ugly for a long time. What can you do? Stain it. On This Page Staining Treated Wood Not only can you stain treated wood, painting and staining pressure-treated wood is actually good for your new deck. Although the treated wood doesn’t need to be protected against rot, staining it will help reduce surface cracking....
Prized for their fast growth, height and ornamental features, tulip trees are a popular shade tree, especially throughout the Eastern U.S. In fact, these hardy, easy-to-care-for trees are the state tree of Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. But while the tulip tree’s attractive spring flowers and colorful fall foliage are appealing, they aren’t ideal for every region. Read on to learn where tulip trees thrive, how to grow them and how to care for them....
What are magnetic hooks? Plus, right now, you can find the hooks marked down by 31%. At just over $10 per set on sale, they’re a super functional addition to everyone’s list. We’re scooping up several sets. Why We Love the DIYMag Magnetic Hooks Set These magnetic hooks may seem like a humble little DIY gadget, but don’t let their unassuming appearance fool you. What sets the DIYMag hooks apart from other storage and organizing tools is how ridiculously easy they are to install....
Puppy training is no easy feat. If you added a new four-legged member to your household while sheltering in place, there are several training tasks you need to accomplish before the sheltering rules are lifted. Prioritize these with your new puppy, and you’ll set them up for success in the months to come. Potty Training Potty training is one of the most important skills to teach your new puppy, and being home all the time should help accomplish this....
MediaProduction/Getty Images According to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau, sales of new single-family homes dropped by 3.5 percent in September. While that dip marked the first month-over-month drop in sales since May, new home sales in September were still a massive 32.5 percent higher than in September 2019. “With sales up 32 percent from a year ago, the demand for new single-family homes remains strong as interest rates are at historic lows,” said Chuck Fowke, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders....
It was the summer of the staycation. In May 2020, Google searches for in-ground and above ground pools spiked as families realized they weren’t going anywhere for the summer and sought to make the most of their backyards. Across the U.S., pool manufacturers and vendors reported record sales and exhausted inventories of residential swimming pools. Jon Foshee, president of Concord Pools & Spas, a Latham Pool dealer, expects further growth with consumers moving out of big cities to more suburban areas....
Staying hydrated while camping, hiking or working in the yard is vital to health and safety. And the new Yeti HotShot cap is finally here to change the way you drink from your favorite refillable bottles. Reviewers on yeti.com have already given this innovative twist-off cap a nearly perfect score, and we ranked Yeti among the most important tailgating gear you need to keep hot drinks hot and ice cubes frozen....
Fluorescent lighting is light produced in a glass tube with electrical current passing through it, which reacts with mercury vapor to create light. The electrified vapor produces ultraviolet light which is absorbed by a chemical coating on the inside of the tube. That’s what creates the light we see when fluorescent bulbs are switched on. All fluorescent light tubes (also called fluorescent lamps) require an electrical ballast to regulate the current flowing through them....
Though electric woodworking tools are better designed and more readily available than ever, handsaws still have their place in every workshop. If you’re an aspiring or seasoned woodworker, you most likely own at least one. If so, you’ve probably wondered if it’s worth learning how to sharpen a handsaw. The short answer is, probably not. A Case Against Sharpening a Handsaw A few highly skilled master woodworkers still sharpen their handsaws, but they’re rare....
Whom It’s For If you want to do projects that require attractive finished welds, such as sculpture or motorcycle exhaust systems, TIG welding is for you. TIG welding takes lots of practice, as it requires both hands as well as one foot. Compared with MIG or stick weld-ing, it’s a bit like going from driving an automatic to driving a stick shift. TIG welding is well suited for auto bodies, chassis/frame, aluminum oil pans, stainless exhaust, metal art, sheet metal, piping systems, motorcycles and bikes....
