Family Handyman

Whether you have a cozy yard that requires minimal maintenance or a large expanse of lawn and patio space for entertaining, you have probably come across problems with unwanted insects or wildlife. Most of us want to find a way to manage outdoor living without harsh chemicals for the safety of family and pets who spend time outside in the summer months.

Does Scattering Soap in the Yard Work to Repel Bugs and Animals?

With summer outdoor activities in full swing, everyone’s looking for ways to keep mosquitoes, flies and other pests at bay — and Irish Spring soap is a perennial trending solution. In this YouTube video, the host places a bar on the porch, rubs it on doors and tables, puts grated flakes in various locations and dissolves it in water to spray plants and her own skin.

Does Irish Spring Soap Really Keep Mosquitoes Away? Experts Weigh In

If you’re lucky enough to have a pool in your backyard, you might be wondering how to keep it safe. A proper pool fence is the best way to prevent drownings, but not just any fence will do. Your pool fence should be strong, resistant to climbing, and include a lockable gate. We spoke to fence expert Anthony Strianese for further guidance.

8 Pool Fence Ideas for Your Backyard

Learning how to use a hole saw is essential for any DIYer interested in home improvement. Discover the right technique for using a hole saw so you can tackle your next home improvement project with confidence. Tools Required. Clamps or vice. Drill. Hole saw. Screwdriver. Materials Required. Door or other...

How To Use a Hole Saw

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Total Apex Sports & Entertainment

There are certain zodiac signs that most people are careful with because of their fiery and low tolerance levels. You can hardly mess with individuals with such signs without getting a backlash. Whether they are in work environments or family settings, they do not hesitate to set boundaries and protect them.

5 Zodiac Signs You Don't Mess With

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The FBI has seen a rise in scams targeting timeshare owners. In this kind of scam, criminals con these part-time property owners into shelling out hefty sums of cash, all under false pretenses related to their timeshare properties.

FBI warns that Mexican cartels are targeting Americans with timeshare scams

Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases. If you’re a weird leaf blower fanatic like I am, chances are super high that you have heard of the Ego 765 CFM leaf blower. This blower has received rave reviews from everyone under the sun who has had the privilege of laying hands on it. And I am one of those people. I first tested this blower in 2022, and it has not left my side since. This Ego leaf blower is the Taylor Swift of leaf blowers right now—a popular star everyone wants to see in person.

Ego Leaf Blower Review: I Tried It, and Here’s What You Need to Know

Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases. As someone who’s used and reviewed over a dozen fire pits, including the Breeo Smokeless Fire Pit and Solo Stove, and has an indoor fireplace, I like to keep a lot of firewood on hand. Not only that, I also want to make sure the wood is protected on stormy nights.

I Tried the All-New Breeo Firewood Rack, Here’s My Honest Opinion

Save money and save your battery by testing your alternator with one simple tool. A faulty alternator can leave you stranded in rush hour traffic and damage your battery. If the alternator stops charging — or charges intermittently — the voltage the battery supplies the vehicle drops, and other systems may stop working or be adversely affected. If you've noticed your vehicle running low on juice, it's time to test the alternator and see if it's giving the battery what it needs.

How To Test an Alternator

Chicago, IL

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Foodie in Chicago

Shortly before 3 AM, people in the Chicago area may have felt their houses shake as a 3.4-magnitude earthquake occurred about 60 miles west of the city. (CHICAGO) The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a 3.4-magnitude earthquake around Somonauk, IL. Somonauk is in DeKalb and LaSalle Counties, 64 miles west of Chicago.

Did You Feel the Earthquake?

Vision Pet Care

Cats, known for their independence and enigmatic charm, can live long, healthy lives when provided with the right care. While nutrition, regular vet visits, and a safe home environment are well-known essentials, several surprising factors can significantly contribute to your cat’s longevity. Let's delve into these lesser-known aspects that can help your feline companion thrive for many years.

Surprising Factors That Can Extend Your Cat’s Life

You shut the door, but it doesn’t latch, or you have to lift the handle to get it to latch. This problem is getting on your nerves—why not spend five minutes fixing it? The first thing you should try is tightening the screws in both the handle and the striker plate. If the door still doesn’t catch, try the following steps.

Door Won’t Latch? Here’s an Easy Fix

Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases. A good—no, an excellent—camp stove is a must-have item for every type of camper. Whether you’re a car camper staying in established campgrounds, a campervan traveler scooping up dry camping spots in National Forests, or a backpacker sleeping in primitive wilderness sites, you need a way to prepare food. Cold-soaked oatmeal and jerky just doesn’t cut it all the time.

Coleman Camp Stove Review: From a Vanlifer’s Perspective

Electrical outlets and switches on exterior walls can leak a lot of cold outside air into the house. Add up all the outlets in the average house, and you can experience some serious heat loss, which makes it worth spending 10 minutes per outlet plugging the holes. Before you start,...

Save Money On Your Utility Bills By Filling Gaps Around Electrical Outlets

In the early to mid-20th century, laundry chutes were popular in luxury homes. Nowadays, you’ll still see them in hospitals and hotels, where heaps of dirty linen need ferrying across multiple floors, but they’re rarely seen in modern homes. If you’re tired of collecting clothes from your teen’s...

What Happened to Laundry Chutes?

Alameda County, CA

Alameda Post

There’s a saying that goes: “To judge a place, look at the stray cats. If they are friendly, bold, and relaxed, you know it is a good town with good people.”. Alamedans have a complicated relationship with local stray cats. While some residents stop to coo and take pictures of the colonies scattered throughout the island, others take to Facebook to lament the unowned cats who tease their dogs and tear up their gardens. Merry Bates, Board President of Island Cat Resources and Adoption ( ICRA ), spoke to the Alameda Post about best practices for interacting with and living alongside these animals.

Alameda’s Feral Cats

Wyoming State

WyoFile

Caitlin Tan wanted to breed her childhood horse, JP, because she’s been “amazing” — the type of animal any equestrian would be lucky to have once in a lifetime. Having access to coveted bloodlines increased the allure. Via the Miller Ranch, she could pair her 18-year-old mare with a stud descendent of Playboy’s Buck Fever.

Cream of the crop: a cremello foal is born in Wyoming

To thin or not to thin, that is the question. The answer? Thin latex paint if the manufacturer provides directions and it benefits your project. Paint formulas are carefully calculated to provide specific results, so changing paint’s physical makeup by thinning can void warranties and alter product performance if not recommended by the manufacturer.

How to Thin Latex Paint for Spraying, Brushing, and Rolling

In this article, we dive into the pros and cons of laminate countertops and offer tips on choosing from the many available colors and patterns. You’ll also find photos and guides on various edge styles and backsplash options to help you make the best choice for your kitchen. What...

Here’s What You Need To Consider Before Buying Laminate Countertop

Alameda, CA

It’s kitten season, and FAAS is filled with fabulous baby felines! Some of these soft, sweet, adorable creatures are ready for forever homes, and many others are in need of foster homes.

Kitten Season at the Alameda Animal Shelter

NewsBreak

When Is the Best Time to Spray a Wasp Nest?

Wasps are, for the most part, harmless. Of the 18,000 or so species in North America, only a few present a risk to humans. The rest...

When Is the Best Time to Spray a Wasp Nest?

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