How to Identify and Control Houseplant Pests

Houseplants are giving us signals when they need extra care, but we sometimes misinterpret them. A plant can be watered, sunbathed, and kept in optimal conditions in terms of humidity and temperature, and it may still look unhealthy.

In most cases, unhealthy plants that are properly maintained are invaded by pests. In comparison to certain garden pests, houseplant pests are much smaller and can blend with the environment quickly. That does not mean that they’re less dangerous, though; that’s the reason why we’re here today to help you identify and control houseplant pests, so let’s dig in:

General Prevention Tips

Essentially, the best way to keep your plants free of pests is to keep them as healthy as possible. Pests tend to attack weaker plants, as their compromised defense systems make them easier prey.

First and foremost, provide healthy growing conditions to your plants. Any external stress will make them more vulnerable to pest attacks.

When relocating plants from a garden (or outdoors in general), always examine its soil for pests. Relocated plants should be isolated from older ones to prevent potential pest infestations.

Finally, limit the entry points where pests can infiltrate your home. Their tiny bodies can fit through most cracks in the doors or windows, so it may be wise to patch them up before potting any new houseplants.

Common houseplant pests and control measures

Each family of pests has different traits. Some are highly resistant to certain chemicals; some have sturdier shells that can withstand higher water pressure; some nest on the plants while some breed away from their feeding grounds.

It’s important to determine the type of pest you are facing before taking any action. Some of the most common houseplant pests include:

Whiteflies

Although their name suggests that they’re related to flies, they have more in common with aphids and scales. They can be smaller than a centimeter (0.15 cm) in size, and their greenish color can make them indistinguishable from leaves.

Whiteflies make nests on the leaves, which means that they aren’t too hard to hunt, but if left unchecked, they can ravage a plant fairly quickly. These pests excrete honeydew that promotes the growth of mold.

These pests are on top of the list as they’re not easy to force to abandon their nest. Once disturbed, they may flutter for a brief moment, but they’ll retreat to the same spot and continue sucking the plant’s sap.

The best way to control them is to use insecticidal soap while washing your houseplant thoroughly. They’re rarely few in numbers, so handpicking is seldom an option.

Spider Mites

Spider Mites would be almost invisible to the naked eye if it weren’t for their habit of spinning webs around infested plants. They’re arguably among the most dangerous houseplant pests since even immature mites can cause damage to the plant.

Just like whiteflies, spider mites suck the plant’s sap; the attacked plant becomes yellowish and somewhat faded. They breed fairly quickly, as females can lay more than a hundred eggs in their life; spider mite eggs typically hatch within two to four days, so they should be addressed as soon as noticed.

You can take control of spider mites by using organic insecticides as their bodies are frail. Combine spraying the plants with insecticides for best results, as stragglers can easily hide should they survive.

Scales

Scales attach themselves to a plant and become immobile after a certain period. They can be grouped into soft and armored Coccoidea categories.

Armored scales are a nuisance because they secrete a covering of wax-like material that they use as shelter. Soft scales also produce their wax shelters, although they become part of their bodies, making handpicking an efficient method of removing them. Both adults and immature scales suck the plant’s sap.

Scales that have managed to cover themselves with waxy substances are typically resistant to most insecticides. Neem and Canola Oil products can smother them, making them more vulnerable to insecticidal soap.

Aphids

Aphids are more common than most other pest types, although they’re not as dangerous or hard to deal with. They’re somewhat larger than whiteflies and much bigger than spider mites, which makes them easier to notice in time when handpicking is still an option.

However, the main problem aphids pose is their rapid reproduction. Females produce live young in spring and summertime instead of laying eggs, which means that their offspring reach maturity sooner. Aphids can swarm several plants very quickly, which makes even some of the sturdiest plants defenseless.

Depending on the severity of the infestation, you may need to utilize multiple control methods. The earliest stages can be dealt with through handpicking and power washing; medium-sized infestations require a combination of insecticidal soap and handpicking while large-scale infestations call for a professional exterminator (or chemical insecticides).

Gnats

Winged, brownish insects with three pairs of legs that are franticly flying near light sources are most likely to be gnats. As opposed to most houseplant pests, gnats tend to bother humans as well. Fortunately, adults won’t feed on plants, but their life cycle is long enough to sustain a steady population of herbivorous larvae.

Aphids, scales, and spider mites rarely leave the plants, but gnats rarely stay in one place for too long. This makes physical traps more efficient than spraying water or handpicking.

Furthermore, given the fact that only gnat larvae feed on plants, you can kill them by allowing the soil to properly dry between the watering cycles. Dry conditions are lethal to them, much more than most conventional organic insecticides.

Caterpillars

Large and tall, caterpillars are very easy to notice and deal with. They don’t breed as quickly as other pest categories, but infestations are still possible if their breeding grounds are not discovered. That being said, the easiest way to deal with caterpillars is to locate their eggs and destroy them.

Handpick adults and larvae, and make sure that you’ve searched the surrounding plants for potential stragglers. They’re more resistant to chemical-based solutions, and they can kill plants faster than spider mites, scales, or whiteflies, so consider dealing with them as soon as possible.

We hope that this guide was useful to you and that you have learned something new today on how to identify and control houseplant pests. Make sure you are staying safe in these times we are all going through and have a good one, guys!\

5 Useful Tips On How Lighting Could Boost Your Property Value

The lighting in your home can have a significant impact on the value of the property. Whether you are planning to sell or want to make your house more attractive for yourself and guests, it pays to take some time to think about how lighting could be used as an investment opportunity. Here are six useful tips on how you can use lighting to improve the value of your property!

1. Energy efficiency

It's time to upgrade your lighting to LEDs. A recent study has found that installing LED lights can not only save you up to 68% on your total energy bill but also ramp up the value of your property by as much as 20%.

Lighting Design Company Crystalex Lighting says: "LEDs are cool and produce a better quality light than any other form of lighting out there." They're so good at what they do. Their products have won numerous awards for being innovative and beneficial to the environment - all while being an affordable investment!

For this reason, many homebuyers now want to see LED lighting when they go to view a property.

2. Proper Lighting Saves on Cost

In an era where almost every individual is struggling to make ends meet, it is important to be frugal in every possible way. Poor lighting can lead to the wastage of electricity on account of high energy consumption, which could mean a significant dent in your wallet. Some people are surprised when they find out that changing their light bulbs would make such a difference, but there's no denying that proper lighting saves money over time.

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economic study found that replacing just five incandescent light bulbs with CFLs or LEDs can save up to $48 annually, even after paying about $40 for those new bulbs! This means you'll have saved enough cash within two years for another ten replacement sets - without ever having had to change any other part of your home.

It is important to choose the right light for both safety and efficiency purposes. Still, it's also essential that you never squander on those savings by using too-strong lights during daylight hours or not switching off when necessary. A good rule of thumb is one footcandle (equivalent to a 60-watt bulb) per square meter - any less than this will lead to an increase in eye strain and other negative side effects.

There are many LED bulb options to choose from online, and it is worth comparing prices before making the purchase. LED UFO High Bay bulbs, known for their energy efficiency, are much affordable. They not only save on cost, but they last for around 70,000 hours - that's more than ten years if you use them for about three hours a day!

3. LED lighting is the future of home décor

Every homeowner wants to improve their property and make it appealing. LED lighting is just one way to do this, as they are cost-effective, durable, stylish, and energy-efficient.

If you are looking to improve the décor of your home, consider installing LED lighting.

This type of lighting is perfect for illuminating any space clearly and beautifully. You can choose from various colors to suit every mood or occasion you are looking to create! It's also possible to match the color temperature with what types of room/space it should be used in; warm light if an ambient look is desired or cool white light if one wants illumination that casts many shadows.

4. Proper Lighting is Good for your Health

Proper lighting is good for your health. It affects the way we feel in our home. Not only does proper light affect what time of day you should use certain lights, but it can have an impact on our mental well-being as well. When you find yourself feeling down or angry, one thing that might help is changing the lighting in your space to something more gentle and soothing, like soft pink hues or yellow shades which signal warmth and serenity.

5. Quality Lighting Lasts Long

When it comes to buying a home, one of the first things people look at is how nice and bright it looks. This can be impacted by your choice of lighting fixtures, which is why you should pay close attention to quality when choosing them for your home or business.

LED bulbs last up to 50,000 hours. This is a lot longer than an incandescent bulb and saves you money on your electric bill as well.

For such reasons, many homeowners will consider homes with LED bulbs as the number one priority.

If you have LED bulbs, they will save you money on your electric bill because their life is longer and brighter than an incandescent bulb.

If you are looking to boost the value of your property, it is important that proper lighting be installed. LED lighting has been shown to have many benefits, including energy efficiency and a longer lifespan. The installation process for new digital lights may seem daunting, but with our help, we can make this simple!

What To Expect When You Are Recovering From An Accident

After being involved in an accident, you might think that the only step to take is recovering and seeking medical help. However, there is more to it if you want the best possible outcome. As much as medical attention is necessary, there are other areas that need work in order to achieve better results and overall quality of life. Here’s everything you should expect when you are recovering from an accident.

To seek help from an attorney

Using an attorney after an accident will help you find the support and compensation you deserve. The accident may not have been your fault. It may have also left you with a lot of negative emotions that you need to talk to someone about. 

Thus, finding trustworthy personal injury attorneys will ensure that they do everything possible to attain the best outcome for your accident. Working with them during recovery will ensure that you can get plenty of rest while they deal with the legal side of the case, such as sourcing evidence, speaking to the court, and sorting your compensation. You will be in good hands with an attorney that you can trust.

To maintain a healthy lifestyle

After being involved in an accident, it is important to rest and recover. In order to maintain good health, is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It can feel like a good idea to become lazy. Your body needs a certain amount of rest. However, maintaining a regular exercise routine is an essential healthy living rule to live by. Even when you are in recovery, it is important to stay active for the benefit of your mind and your body.

A simple walk around the garden or stretching will ensure that your muscles and bones don’t seize up. If you lack exercise, your body can quickly become weak and more health complications could arise. 

Likewise, you should also be considerate with your diet. It will feel good to treat yourself from time to time during recovery. It will be comforting to have your favourite meal or snack every so often. However, it is essential to maintain a healthy and balanced diet. A diet full of protein, fats, and carbohydrates will guarantee to support and aid your body to good health. 

Becoming lazy while you recover can cause bad habits. Thus, maintaining a healthy lifestyle will ensure that you are healthy throughout your recovery and maintain good health afterwards.

The need to talk it out

There can be a lot of emotional trauma that comes with being involved in an accident. The physical pain will likely come first. Then during recovery, you may face all sorts of emotions. 

When you feel emotions, you should be aware of the benefits of talking about them and letting them out. 

• Helps you understand yourself on a deeper level. When you acknowledge your emotions and speak about them, it will help you discover more about yourself on a deeper level. You will be able to seek advice and gain emotional strength from opening up. It is not weak or embarrassing to share emotions. If anything, it shows how strong you are and can be. 

• Helps you gain control. The more you hide the emotions, the more they will get the better of you. When you dismiss them, they can go away for some time but then come back in full force. You can feel a greater sense of control when you speak about your emotions. You will be able to feel more balanced and acknowledge what your body and mind need to attain a more positive mood and attitude. 

• You can seek help. When you open up about your emotions after an accident, you can seek help. If you don’t tell someone how you are feeling, they may never know. Thus, if you want to support and advice to improve your emotional wellbeing, it is advised to talk about your feelings. Loved ones or a therapist are people you can trust and will be the best people to offer you support. 

Acknowledging and recognizing your emotions will help you gain better emotional wellbeing, which will aid in quicker and more efficient recovery after an accident. 

Attaining the best recovery possible will improve the outcome of your accident and help you achieve a better overall quality of life. Expecting to talk with lawyers, therapists, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are all parts of achieving a better self after an accident. Knowing what to expect will make recovery much easier.

The Importance Of Giving Your New Property A Health Check

There are home improvements that you might want to invest in because they can help you improve the value of the home, as well as the quality of life there. However, there are also checks and improvements that you should make because, otherwise, they might genuinely affect the health of you or the next person you intend to sell the home to. Here, we’re going to look at some of the home health checks you should make, and what you can do if you do discover them.

Radon

Radon gas is found in many homes, a result of natural radioactive uranium in the group decaying, with the gas from that decay seeping up into the home from below and often let into the home through our HVAC systems. There are radon maps that you can look at to see where high levels of radon have already been found. If your property is in such an area, then you can look into placing a couple of detectors in the home. If you do find high levels of radon, you can reduce it by, for instance, replacing ventilation bricks or by installing a pump in the loft to improve airflow. Otherwise, radon can cause serious respiratory illness.

Carbon monoxide

A colorless and odorless gas, carbon monoxide is a very dangerous substance that is produced when fuel such as coal, propane, natural gas, and even wood is burned. It can be toxic when inhaled, to the point that too much exposure without the right medical attention after the fact can lead to death. Fitting carbon monoxide alarms in the home and making sure that they have their batteries installed  Servicing the heating system, any fossil fuel-burning appliances, and the water heater can all help you prevent carbon monoxide leaks in the home. Carbon monoxide can leak from some refrigerators, as well, so be sure to have a qualified technician take a look at it at least once a year.

Asbestos

If you’re looking at buying or selling an older home, then you need to be aware of some of the construction materials that might have been used that could be dangerous. Though efforts have been taken to eliminate it and to great effect, there may still be asbestos in old homes. This outdated insulation has been linked to serious respiratory diseases, including a form of lung cancer. If you sell a home with asbestos in it, then you could be contacted by a mesothelioma attorney down the line. The single best way to make sure that you don’t have asbestos is to have your walls and attic inspected. If it is there, it’s not too complicated to remove it and replace it with safer insulation in most cases.

Lead paint

Speakng of old homes, another material that was once much more commonly used but has fallen out of favor in recent decades is lead paint. If the property was built before 1978, there is a decent chance that there is lead in the paint used either outside or inside. Lead poisoning can be a serious health risk, especially to pregnant women and children. The lead might not pose a threat if it is in good condition and hasn’t been broken, but when it breaks down, it can be inhaled, causing organ damage, brain damage, and nerve damage in kids, and issues such as anemia, fertility problems, high blood pressure, and hearing and vision loss in adults. Getting in touch with lead paint removal services can help make it a thing of the past.

Hidden leaks

Though perhaps not as dramatic as any of the other risks mentioned above, leaks can be a serious problem in any home. Hidden leaks in the walls from damaged pipes or appliances, or leaks from the roof can result in the spread of damp and mold. This can do a lot of damage to the home, but it can also cause and exacerbate respiratory health issues such as asthma. Having a roofing specialist taking a look at the roof to make sure that it’s in good condition, with no cracks, missing tiles, or excessive wear and tear. If you see any signs of mold or damp inside the home, get in touch with a plumber as soon as you can to find and fix the source.

You might be held liable if you sell any home that contains health risks that you’re aware of or suspect, but don’t inform the buyer of. Avoid that kind of tangle altogether by investing in the health checks that your home needs and the improvements that can address those issues.

Life After a Workplace Injury

No one wants to imagine what life would be like if they ever sustained a life-changing injury at work, but the sad truth is that it happens to thousands of Americans each year. For the most part, workplace injuries are accidental.

The causes can be down to human error from the injured people, but there are times where employers are accountable due to reasons of negligence. Whatever the cause, the results of life-changing injuries are often the same for most people: they can’t do their jobs again.

If you experienced a life-changing accident at work, you’re undoubtedly feeling anxious about your future. You’re probably wondering how you can continue providing for your family and whether you’ll even be able to work again.

With that in mind, here’s what to consider and expect in your life after a workplace accident turns your world upside-down:

Care and Support

The first thing you need to think about is your rehabilitation. You may need a little or a lot of care and support, depending on how debilitating you’ve become due to your workplace accident.

Some people may require a few months of rehabilitation to return to a pre-accident state, while for others, the injury’s effects could be longer-term or even permanent. Regardless of the rehabilitation length, you’ll need to consider what care and support you’ll need.

You’ll also need to figure out how to pay for any care and support you need. For example, you might need physiotherapy, or you may need surgery to correct the damage caused by your workplace accident.

Engaging with an established personal injury law firm might be a good way of recovering the cost you’ll need to bear for your rehabilitation, as your employer will likely be liable for your injuries.

Future Employment

If you’ve got a lot of savings that you’ve put aside over the years, you will probably need to draw on them to pay for your monthly expenses. Some employers may lay off staff that can no longer perform their duties due to their workplace accident, as wrong as it sounds.

As you can imagine, you can’t just live without any money - especially if you’ve got a family you need to support. Aside from any legal action you take against your employer, you’ll need to think about your financial future as your savings won’t last forever.

If you can’t continue doing the type of work you’ve done so far, but you’re still capable of doing some work, you may need to think about a different career choice. For example, you may need to consider office-based work if you’ve done a physically demanding job.

It’s also possible to study from home or at a local educational facility if you want to retrain and learn a new trade. The good news is, there are plenty of employment possibilities open to you.

You may even consider setting up a business and working from home if there’s another skill or vocation you can put to use without damaging your rehabilitation process. There are many options available to you; it just depends on which one will be most suitable for your needs.

Changes to Your Home

Some people might find they have to get specific changes or adaptions made to their homes if their injuries limit what they can do at home. For example, if you’ve sustained a leg injury, you might find it painful to get in and out of a bathtub; a shower could make your life easier.

You may even find that having a few simple changes done, like clearing any obstacles out of the way of hallways or rooms, can make it easier to balance yourself when walking if you need a walking aid.

The adaptions you make to your home can significantly improve your rehabilitation, so it’s worth looking at how you can get those changes made. If money’s an issue, you might be able to get funding via local, state, or federal grants.

Of course, you should still consider the legal route with your employer as if they’re negligible and responsible for your accident, they will have to cover those costs.

Final Thoughts

Sustaining an injury at work can cause all kinds of problems for you, especially your financial future. It’s essential you seek out the right help, rehabilitation, and advice to help you recover from the situation.

The above tips and considerations will help you on your journey. It’s important you remember that you’re not alone and that there’s always help and support out there for you.

The Grief and the Guilt: The Realities of Putting a Parent Into a Nursing Home

It is one of the things that occur in life that we can never prepare ourselves for. Nobody wants to be faced with the challenge of putting a parent in a nursing home. It's hard to know that your parent needs round-the-clock care which you might not be able to give by yourself, not to mention the fact that there's a variety of conflicting emotions. Care is definitely improving as time has progressed, with care management software in healthcare being one of the biggest factors. But what are the things that you need to know, and how can you make the realities of putting your parent into a nursing home easier for everyone? 

Dealing With Nursing Home Guilt

When you put someone in a nursing home, you could feel overcome with a variety of emotions, like anxiety, guilt, and a sense of loss. It's a very common thing to feel in a situation. It's important to remember that in these circumstances, there's a lot you need to consider, especially when we think about the circumstances of being put in a nursing home. For example, there are concerns relating to abuse and neglect in nursing home environments. But there are things that can help. 

In a professional sense, there are highly experienced nursing home abuse lawyers and in a personal sense, there is help and support. Regardless of how these emotions are, you can feel isolated, stressed, and may struggle to think clearly. When you experience “caregiver guilt,” these feelings can last some time. It's important for you to learn how to deal with it. Some tips to deal with this include: 

• Seeking reconciliation with your parent for unresolved conflicts. 

• Reminding yourself that your parent is safer in a home. 

• Giving yourself time to grieve.

This last thing is very important because learning to give yourself time to grieve is not just something that is associated with death, but when you are putting your parents into a nursing home, it's going to require that you grieve some aspects of your relationship or their lives. Many people describe having gone through the grieving process when they put their parent into a nursing home more so than the actual death of the parent. 

Planning for the Move

It's so important to be proactive and conduct research, and this will give you a better sense of preparation if an emergency happens so you have to make quick decisions. You shouldn't rush the decision-making process. You need to remember that when it comes to putting a parent in a nursing home that you shouldn't make the decision lightly and under duress. This is why it's far better to collaborate with the parents and the rest of the family. Partly, you can think about the differences between nursing home care and assisted living. It's important to consider what type of care your parent needs, and to research the requirements and services for a local assisted living center. These are two very different definitions.

You should also make sure that your parent has the input as much as possible. When they refuse to go into any form of care, it could be because they feel coerced into doing this. You must be sensitive to your parent’s feelings. And if your parent has the ability to contribute to the decision-making, it has to be down to the fact that they are the person in charge of the decision. It's also important to get your siblings involved. This can cause many conflicts which can undermine the planning process. If you have siblings, you should contact them as soon as possible to help them contribute to the planning and finding options for assisted living. This may mean you'll have to overcome resentments or disagreements. But it's not about the two of you, it is about your parent.

Making the Transition Go as Smoothly as Possible

This can be a very stressful time, and you will have a variety of intense emotions, and it will also be emotional for your parents. And at this point, they could lash out, this is why you have to prepare yourself for a stressful period. But you must remember that the stress will be temporary, and you can prepare for the end of the transition by arranging something fun and relaxing for you and your family. It's also important to liaise with the care facility so you can make sure they are getting the best treatment possible, especially if the care facility offers a buddy system for new residents. And of course, if you have any concerns, you've got to remember that the initial few weeks will require the staff to get up to speed. 

It is one of the best ways for older people to maintain their independence and as time goes on, everybody will feel more or settled into the situation, this is why it's important to give it time. It's not easy, but it's something that happens to many other people before you.