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Photo: Courtesy of Glenn Bartley Colorful rufous hummingbirds, like this male, have amazing memories. They often seek out and stop at the same feeders and flowers during their annual migration routes. If you reside in a northwestern state, like Washington or Oregon, and see a rumble break out at your backyard sugar-water feeder, a male rufous hummingbird is the likely culprit. Known for their aggressive nature, rufous males are particularly antagonistic during the late-spring breeding season when territories are being established....

North Carolina-based tool manufacturer Worx recently launched a new line of MakerX precision power tools targeted at makers, crafters and everyday DIYers. Designed to be portable and versatile, the Maker X line revolves around a 20V power hub that allows it to go anywhere. Five compact tools plug into the battery pack for various uses. They include a rotary tool, angle grinder, mini heat gun, wood and metal crafter and an air brush....

You may have heard the case for leaving centipedes alone. If not, you’re likely among the many who pick up a shoe or recruit someone else to do the dirty work for you. Rest assured, the common house centipede found in the U.S. is rarely dangerous and even more rarely life threatening. Looking for specifics? Read on. Do Centipedes Bite? They don’t bite so much as sting. On This Page...

Have you always enjoyed working with your hands? Do you know how to fix most things around the house? If so, consider making extra money with a handyman side gig. If you’ve never thought about it before or just don’t know where to start, this guide was made for you. By the end of it, you’ll know whether a handyman side business is right for you, along with how to grow your business....

Courtesy of Amanda Everhart, Harts and Crafts Design When decorating your home for Halloween, you don’t have to blow your budget. Amanda Everhart, at Harts and Crafts Design, came up with this clever idea using inexpensive dollar store items for some scream-worthy DIY Halloween decorations that will cost you just a few bucks. Everhart uses two small laundry baskets to create “cages” for skeletons that she then hangs from her front porch....

What is Echo Auto? On This Page Essentially, it turns your car into a smart car — an excellent and affordable upgrade for drivers who don’t have a screen or streaming capabilities built into their dashboards. Since it’s voice-activated, it’s safer for driving than fiddling with a phone for directions or nearby gas prices. Echo Auto serves as a bridge linking Alexa to your car audio from your phone. Unlike home-focused Echo products, the Echo Auto depends on your phone for data....

Pergolas and gazebos add shade and functionality to your home in distinctive ways. Here’s how they differ. Courtesy of @jenbenshoof What is a Pergola? A pergola is a tall yard structure composed of columns or pillars supporting an open crossbeam roof. They can be standalone structures, like on patios, or extend from the side of a home. Like most outdoor structures, they come in varied shapes and sizes. All pergolas have the same general purpose — providing shade in what is usually a sitting area....

The housing market is red-hot right now, sparking a trend among home buyers to skip home inspections to nab their dream home ahead of other offers. “We are seeing this in nearly all of the markets we serve — with low inventory, buyers want to secure the home of their dreams,” says Joe Tangradi, vice president of technical services for HouseMaster. “Skipping an inspection seems like a way to expedite the sale....

Family Handyman Stop Guessing When to Change Your Furnace Filter The best thing you can do to avoid furnace problems is to change your furnace filter. That can be a guessing game. You can mark a date on the calendar, but you might be changing it too early or too late. The best time to do it is when it’s dirty. But how do you know when that is? To remove the guesswork, the Filtrete Smart Air Filter 1500 uses a Bluetooth chip to track the airflow and usage of the filter, then notifies your smartphone when it needs replacing....

Construction Pro Tips What is a Paint Roller Cover? A paint roller cover is a cylindrical painting tool with a hollow core made of plastic or hard paper and a soft, absorbent fabric exterior. They are most often used to quickly and evenly cover large areas with paint, stain or other finishes. Paint roller covers are designed to be used with a paint roller frames. Roller covers can be disposed of or cleaned and reused after a painting project has been completed....

A string trimmer is a great tool to care for your lawn and speed up various landscaping chores. Choosing the correct line (thickness/weight, style and material) helps cutting go quicker and lessens the chances of running out of line in the middle of the job. Before you fire up your trimmer, check the user manual to determine what size lines it can handle. Then think about what you plan to cut....

A moss wall is like having a microcosmic primeval forest hanging in your living room. The lush, green tapestry invokes feelings of calmness and mystery. It’s also the hottest indoor plantscaping trend right now, says Jim Mumford, president and resident horticulturist at Good Earth Plant Company in San Diego. “The colors, shapes and textures!” he says. “We were hooked after we made our first one. The possibilities for creating art using this natural product seem limitless....

Composting becomes more and more popular all the time — and for good reason. It’s healthy for the earth and your garden. And it’s a fun conversation starter. If you’re on the fence about composting, here’s what you need to know before investing any time or money. What Is Composting Composting is all about recycling organic waste through natural decomposition. Instead of tossing things like dead flowers and vegetable scraps in the trash, you let them break down into an ultra-nutrient-rich substance called compost....

Everyone seems to be jumping on the tidy-up train and getting rid of all that unnecessary stuff that’s collecting dust. And fewer people are bothering with the commotion of hosting a garage or yard sale, instead opting for online selling options. Online options save time, aren’t weather dependent and generally bring higher prices for the seller. How to Make Money From Your Unwanted Stuff: You already know about eBay, craigslist and Facebook Marketplace, so we rounded up our “other” favorite online and app-based ways to sell your stuff....

Waiting until the big Black Friday sales to buy pricey electronics is usually the smart choice. But as you’ve probably heard, holiday shopping is a little different this year. Supply chain issues and slower shipping times mean the earlier you can shop, the better. The good news? You can get those sought-after Black Friday deals and prices now! The Best Buy Early Days Event is full of discounts on laptops, big and small appliances, televisions and every other tech item on your list....

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average U.S. family of four wastes 180 gallons of water a week from household leaks, or 9,400 gallons per year. For some perspective, that’s enough water to fill a 20-foot round swimming pool that’s four feet deep. Water conservation is important for two big reasons — to save money on your water bill and reduce demand on national and global water supplies, which are currently under threat from climate change, pollution and overpopulation....

Last weekend, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill banning the sale of gas-powered lawn equipment in the state as soon as 2024. The ban applies to all newly-sold small off-road engines (SORE), including those for gas-powered leaf blowers, lawn mowers and golf carts. According to the bill, in 2020 SORE devices created higher levels of emissions in California than light duty passenger cars. State officials say running a gas-powered leaf blower for one hour produces the same amount of smog-forming pollutants as driving a Toyota Camry 300 miles....

A common wrench is perfect for loosening nuts and bolts. But if you need to adjust round, smooth or irregular-shaped objects, a traditional wrench simply won’t work. A strap wrench has long been the secret weapon of mechanics and plumbers while staying largely unknown to most DIYers. We’ll take a look at what makes a strap wrench valuable, how to use one and how to select the right style for your project....

Elizabeth Heath for Family Handyman For many homeowners, a stone and masonry pizza oven is the pride and joy of a fabulous outdoor dining and entertainment area. An outdoor pizza oven clad in brick and natural stone has a sturdy, authentic feel to it, and can be designed to look rustic or modern. Like a barbecue grill or an outdoor kitchen, a permanently installed outdoor pizza oven can be a year-round gathering place for friends and family....

When I look over the begonias for sale at my local garden center, I feel like I’m standing on the edge of a giant rabbit hole. There are so many to choose from. Should I get one for the unusual foliage? For the flowers cascading down from a hanging basket? Or a flat of them to plant as annual flowers? You can do all that and more with begonias. Types of Begonias Almost all begonias come from tropical regions....