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There are about 20,000 leafhopper species worldwide, suggesting they adapted well to most climates and growing conditions. They feed on agricultural crops like alfalfa and potatoes, ornamental plants, flowers and garden vegetables. Leafhoppers can be more troublesome for shrubs, ornamental plants and gardens than lawns. But in some cases, there’s a chance they can damage your lawn. What Are Leafhoppers? Leafhoppers are tiny insects, typically about 1/8- to 1/4-inch long — about the size of a grain of rice....

Historians estimate that the ancient Chinese perfected porcelain more than 1,000 years ago. The material is usually associated with delicate kitchenware or figurines, but the medieval Chinese saw the material’s greater potential centuries ago. The 260-foot porcelain tower of Nanjing was constructed with porcelain bricks in 1431 and stood for more than four centuries. In recent years porcelain tiles have grown in availability and popularity, especially for outdoor applications. What is Porcelain Tile?...

Our brains only have so much processing power. With all the grocery shopping, budgeting, socializing and maintenance that goes into running a household, it’s no wonder we tend to forget things! Luckily there are a wide range of home organization apps designed to take some of the stress off your plate, helping to streamline your routine and keep your family on track. Here are 12 of our favorites. MyCentriq for iOS and Android Instead of keeping a drawer full of appliance manuals, use the free MyCentriq app to keep track of them....

We love cabins because they’re so cozy. That’s why mice like them, too. “Mice are on a relentless search for food, warmth and shelter,” says Dr. Nancy Troyano, a certified entomologist and director of operations, education and training for Ehrlich Pest Control. “Especially in the fall and winter, mice are trying to find a way inside. Mice and other rodents will scale walls, climb ladders, walk across wires and swim through sewers to get inside your home....

This project can be built with just three simple tools – a ruler, scissors and duct tape. Colored duct tape makes a more fashionable diy duct tape wallet, but the regular old gray stuff works just fine, too. Materials List Duct Tape Scissors Ruler DIY Duct Tape Wallet Directions Create the Outside Layer Cut 4 10” strips of the duct tape and adhere them to one another with a ¼” overlap to create a sheet....

Huntstock/Getty Images Dark vs. Light Shingles Lighter-colored shingles reflect more light and stay cooler in sunlight. And lighter-colored roof shingles help keep attic temperatures—and your air conditioning bill—down. On This Page Some shingle colors have been shown to lower attic temperatures, but whether this means light shingles will last longer than dark shingles is more problematic. Plus, a broken shingle is both ugly and a leak waiting to happen, here’s an easy fix for shingle repair....

One of the basic skills of DIY electrical is knowing how to make connections inside switch, light and outlet boxes. But being able to “fish” wire, as the pros call it, through your walls lets you add new switches, lights and outlets exactly where you want them, or add communication cable like Cat 6 yourself. You don’t have to settle for stepping over extension cords or draping wires across your walls....

The last straw might have been when I got an advertisement for a $150 camping coffee grinder. Or maybe it was the $300 parka, or the $10 disposable propane canister. Getting outdoors is supposed to be about simplifying life and relaxing, not stressing about breaking the bank. Now, as more people flock to the outdoors, prices on essentials are rising and companies are increasingly trying to lure us with new gadgets....

Winter accessories are one of the most important things to have on hand when the thermometer is in a downturn, second only to snow removal tools like electric snow shovels. When it’s time to fire up the electric or gas snow blower, bolster your favorite winter workwear brands with accessories that keep out even the most aggressive cold snap. We found incredible discounts on top-of-the-line winter must-haves and just had to share....

What is a Pipe Wrench? A pipe wrench is an adjustable wrench that is used, as the name implies, on pipes. Most often, pipe wrenches are used on threaded pipe, usually galvanized steel, black iron or similar metal pipes. A pipe wrench has two serrated jaws that are tightened and dig into the pipe for grip. The top serrated jaw adjusts up and down to fit different size pipes. The unique feature of a pipe wrench is that the teeth will only grip when turning the wrench in one direction (see above), so it almost acts as a ratchet wrench....

Finding the right light bulbs can sometimes be an arduous process. Brightness, temperature, color and energy usage are all important considerations. Struggling to find bulbs that aren’t too bright for your home? If this is the case, make sure you’re looking for the right information on the packaging. Many people assume wattage is the only important factor to brightness. If you fall into this group, you’ve probably been frustrated when different wattages aren’t giving you the result you want....

Family Handyman Say Goodbye to Wrinkles Ditch the time-consuming iron or handheld steamer to get wrinkles out of a shirt or slacks. Throw a few ice cubes or a wet washcloth in the dryer with your wrinkled clothes. As the ice melts and the water turns to steam, it will remove the wrinkles. This trick isn’t as effective with heavier clothing but is a miracle for lighter fabrics. The best part is that you don’t have to set the dryer for longer than 10 minutes for it to work....

Gloves have been around almost as long as humans. There are drawings of gloves in early Roman literature and depictions of them in cave paintings. Archaeologists even found a pair of lace gloves buried with King Tut. But these days, when I open my glove drawer, I find two kinds: those for warmth, and those for work. If you’re looking for a pair of quality work gloves that also keep your hands from freezing, look no further than the Hestra Duratan Flex Work Glove....

It can be hard to keep gardens properly watered during hot summers. Skyrocketing temperatures, sunny days and trips out of town all prevent gardeners from keeping up with their plants’ demands. Here’s the cure to a thirsty garden: a sub-irrigated planter. We’ll show you how to make a self watering planter so your plants can hydrate on their own. What is a Self Watering Planter? A self watering planter lets you leave your herbs and veggies for a week or longer....

If this is the year you’re planning on a fresh vegetable garden or just greening up the landscape around your home, you’ll need to know the pH level of your soil. Your soil’s pH is an important part of the plant health puzzle. Learning what it is and how to adjust it may determine whether your plants struggle or blossom. What Is Soil pH Level? The scientific symbol pH refers to the concentration of hydrogen ions....

A couple weeks ago, I drove my wife’s car for the first time in a while. When I applied the brakes from high speeds, the steering wheel shook a lot. I knew it was time to replace the rotors. She has a 2007 Chevy Malibu with 113,000+ miles on it and we have never replaced the brakes, which is well over the recommended time before changing them. Replacing brake pads and rotors is not a hard or long DIY job....

Maybe leaving your pet in the car for a few minutes seems harmless. Similar to how it’s illegal to warm up your car in some states, apparently it’s illegal to leave your pet in the car in 31 different states across America. Published through Michigan State University’s Animal Legal & Historical Center, the law states that those who leave a “companion animal unattended in a parked vehicle” and if the conditions “endanger the animal’s life,” the law is violated....

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and you might be thinking about what color scheme you’ll use in your holiday decor—especially on your Christmas tree. Besides the traditional designs, it seems like there’s a new Christmas tree trend every year. From Scandinavian-inspired minimalism to a bright Christmas tree light hack that’s a definite look, the last couple of years brought something unique to the table. Christmas tree trends vary from year to year, but there’s one bold look topping the charts right now: a red Christmas tree....

Skylights, or roof windows, have been around for more than 150 years. Early tenement housing in England, France and Germany often employed skylights to illuminate top floor dwelling areas. Their popularity skyrocketed in the U.S. from the 1970s through 1990s when builders put them into homes across the country. But, as all things do, skylights age. Technologies improve and newer equipment replaces the originals. Older skylights become more susceptible to moisture intrusion, seal failure and other normal windows issues....

The strawberry root weevil tries one’s patience more than it causes serious agricultural damage. It’s a type of beetle that — surprise, surprise — feeds on strawberry plants and roots, and sometimes other small fruits and mint. What Are Strawberry Root Weevils? A member of the Curculionidae super-family of beetles, the strawberry root weevil (AKA strawberry weevil, root weevil or just plain weevil) is relatively harmless. But these pantry pests can be annoying to homeowners, invading the neighborhood in droves during warm summer months....