Acetylsalicylic acid, better known as aspirin, is one of the most consumed over-the-counter drugs in the world because of its powerful anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-coagulant properties.
Since ancient times, common aspirin uses have included pain relief, like relieving headaches, as well as muscle aches and some cold symptoms.
There are other uses for aspirin besides a headache or pain relief. We usually buy uncoated aspirin, and the following aspirin-hacks all use the uncoatedtablets.
Caution!If you are allergic to aspirin, you should not take it internally or apply it externally.
🔹Insect bite or sting.
Aspirin is most often used as a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory medicine. That’s because one of aspirin’s ingredients is salicylic acid. If you get a bee sting or an insect bite, you can wet an aspirin and hold it directly on the sting/bite. Alternatively, you can crush the tablet and add a drop or two of water to make a paste. Apply the aspirin paste to the irritation, and it will relieve the pain.
🔹Rejuvenate skin by eliminating blemishes and dead skin.
Although this is generally done with professional cosmetic products, it can also be made at home using aspirin.
Ingredients
5 aspirin
2 Tbsp. lemon juice (20 mL)
1 Tbsp. baking soda (10 grams)
What to do
First, prepare a thick mixture from the aspirin and lemon juice.
Then, rub it over a clean face. Let it set for 20 minutes.
After that time, gently massage in a circle, then rinse with cold water.
Apply a bit of baking soda to neutralize the acid from the lemon, then rinse again.
Finish by moisturizing your skin.
Use once a week.
🔹Treat discolored hair.
Too much chlorine in a swimming pool might make your blonde hair look green. This may be one of the weirdest uses for aspirin, but you can restore your hair color with aspirin.
Dissolve six or seven crushed aspirin in a glass of warm water. Apply the mixture to your hair and let it soak for fifteen minutes. Then wash your hair like you normally would. The greenish tint should disappear.
🔹Treat dandruff.
Crush two aspirin and add them to a capful of shampoo. Wash hair as you normally do. Repeat the treatment as needed.
🔹Remove rust.
For rust stains (from razors, can of shaving cream, etc.) on a bath or sink, first dampen the stain with water. Then apply several crushed aspirin tablets directly to the stain marks. After ten minutes, simply wipe the rust away.
🔹Revive a dead car battery.
Don’t despair! Aspirin can help. Drop two aspirin into the battery cell. The battery’s sulfuric acid will react with the aspirin to create a charge. It should be enough to jump-start the battery—and enable you to drive to the nearest gas station or auto parts store.
🔹Eliminate sweat stains.
Grab the aspirin. Crush three or four aspirin and mix with warm water to form a paste. Evenly rub the paste over the stains and allow it to soak for a couple of hours. Then launder as normal.
🔹Garden assistant. We grow vegetables in various sized potted containers. We love enjoying fresh tomatoes, green beans, peppers, and onion. By adding one crushed aspirin to one gallon of water, just spray the mixture on vegetables. The aspirin will improve growth, increase production, and combat fungal diseases.
🔹Fresh flowers extender.
A crushed aspirin mixed with water and added to a vase of cut flowers will keep them looking fresher longer
🔹Hangover treatment.
Many scientific experts, like Dr. Michael L. Oshinsky from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, have studied various hangover treatments. One of the most effective solutions to combat the results of drinking too much is the combination of aspirin and caffeine (coffee or tea).
Take two aspirin with coffee a few hours after “too much partying,” and you should feel no ill effects the next day.
The content of this article is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a qualified health care professional before acting on any information presented herein. Any statements about the possible health benefits of any subject discussed have not been evaluated by medical professionals or the Food & Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness.
Here in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, over an hour northwest of San Antonio, we look forward to the spectacular wildflowers each Spring.
Ladybird Johnson
In the 1960s, First Lady Ladybird Johnson worked to improve the beautification of Washington, D.C. by having bulbs and trees planted along roadsides to call attention to the growing crisis of habitat and species loss. This led to the first major legislative campaign launched by a first lady: the Highway Beautification Act of 1965.
Her love for native wildflowers inspired her to create the National Wildflower Research Center in 1982, near Austin, Texas. It was renamed in her honor in 1998.
My husband Jack interviewed and met Mrs. Johnson several times in the 1970s. He found her to be very focused on the beautification of America.
“She lit up explaining how trees and parks, even architecture that meshes with nature, can help in both urban development, design and even fighting crime.”
When Jack was head of Facilities Management at H-E-B (major retailer in Texas and Mexico) he emphasized how the landscaping, appearance and quality of each store can uplift customers, employees and even a neighborhood.
“Good landscaping and a well lit environment is a strong deterient against crime, shoplifting and safety,” he would say.
One of his assigned attorneys at H-E-B was Lyndon Nugent, the grandson of President and First Lady Johnson. Jack would tease him during conversations by saying “I learned that from your grandmother way back in the 70s.”
Now that he is retired, besides writing, Jack has taken a keen interest in organic gardening. Knowing how much I like butterflies and birds, this Spring we are planning on expanding our gardening to include plants and flowers that attract hummingbirds.
We live in Zone 8 for gardening. Here are some plants and flowers we are considering for incorporating beginning this year.
Delphinium
Also known as larkspur, delphinium is a vibrant perennial that can grow from 2 to 8 feet tall. This plant is winter hardy to USDA Zones 3 to 7 and not recommended for hot, humid climates. Butterflies and hummingbirds find them irresistible, and you’ll love them as cut flowers, too.
2. Foxglove
Recommended for zones 4 to 8, foxglove is easy to grow and can top out at 5 feet tall. While the tubular flowers are appealing to hummingbirds, keep them away from children and pets as they can be highly poisonous.
3. Pride of Madeira
This drought-tolerant evergreen is recommended for zones 9 to 11. It grows fast—up to 6 feet tall and can spread to 10 feet wide. Hummingbirds and butterflies love the showy flowers.
4. Cardinal Flower
This perennial (recommended for zones 3 to 9) has long tubular flowers difficult for some pollinators to navigate, but not hummingbirds! The flower needs full sun to partial shade and soil that is never dry.
5. Salvia
Salvia has the high nectar count that hummingbirds are looking for. It’s a perennial that is winter hardy for zones 8 to 10.
6. Red Hot Poker
This vibrant orange-and-yellow flower will add pizzazz to any garden. The flowers are packed with nectar, which attracts hummingbirds. Recommended for zones 5 to 9, it needs full sun and well-draining soil.
7. Trumpet Flower
Also known as hummingbird vine, it’s no surprise the birds love this flower. Plant in full sun for best flowering. This easy-to-grow vine does best in zones 4 to 9.
8. Petunias
Chances are this popular, inexpensive flower (a perennial in zones 10 to 11) is growing in your yard already. Choose brightly colored blooms and plant them in a hanging basket to attract hummingbirds.
9. Bleeding Heart
It’s easy to see where this plant got its name. Recommended for zones 3 to 9, this perennial likes partial shade and well-draining soil. The flowers are a rich source of nectar.
President Donald J. Trump issued one of his last executive orders on January 18, 2021, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, for the construction of 250 statues in The National Garden.
“The National Garden will feature a roll call of heroes who deserve honor, recognition, and lasting tribute because of the battles they won, the ideas they championed, the diseases they cured, the lives they saved, the heights they achieved, and the hope they passed down to all of us — that united as one American people trusting in God, there is no challenge that cannot be overcome and no dream that is beyond our reach.”
“In Executive Order 13934 of July 3, 2020 (Building and Rebuilding Monuments to American Heroes), I made it the policy of the United States to establish a statuary park named the National Garden of American Heroes (National Garden),” President Trump wrote.
“Across this Nation, belief in the greatness and goodness of America has come under attack in recent months and years by a dangerous anti-American extremism that seeks to dismantle our country’s history, institutions, and very identity,” President Trump stated.”
“The heroes of 1776 have been desecrated, with statues of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin vandalized and toppled.”
“The dead who gave their lives to end slavery and save the Union during the Civil War have been dishonored, with monuments to Abraham Lincoln, Hans Christian Heg, and the courageous 54th Regiment left damaged and disfigured. The brave warriors who saved freedom from Nazi fascism have been disgraced with a memorial to World War II veterans defaced with the hammer and sickle of Soviet communism.”
“The National Garden is America’s answer to this reckless attempt to erase our heroes, values, and entire way of life. On its grounds, the devastation and discord of the moment will be overcome with abiding love of country and lasting patriotism. This is the American way.”
“When the forces of anti-Americanism have sought to burn, tear down, and destroy, patriots have built, rebuilt, and lifted up. That is our history.”
“America responded to the razing of the White House by building it back in the same place with unbroken resolve, to the murders of Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King, Jr., with a national temple and the Stone of Hope, and to the terrorism of 9/11 with a new Freedom Tower.”
“In keeping with this tradition, America is responding to the tragic toppling of monuments to our founding generation and the giants of our past by commencing a new national project for their restoration, veneration, and celebration.”
Even prominent American musicians such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Aretha Franklin will be featured. Other musicians and singers include Woodie Guthrie, Whitney Houston, Ray Charles, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra.
Photo by Jack Dennis
_________________________
The List of Statues
A-E
Ansel Adams, John Adams, Samuel Adams, Muhammad Ali, Luis Walter Alvarez, Susan B. Anthony, Hannah Arendt, Louis Armstrong, Neil Armstrong, Crispus Attucks, John James Audubon, Lauren Bacall, Clara Barton, Todd Beamer, Alexander Graham Bell, Roy Benavidez, Ingrid Bergman, Irving Berlin, Humphrey Bogart, Daniel Boone, Norman Borlaug, William Bradford, Herb Brooks, Kobe Bryant, William F. Buckley, Jr., Sitting Bull, Frank Capra, Andrew Carnegie, Charles Carroll, John Carroll, George Washington Carver, Johnny Cash, Joshua Chamberlain, Whittaker Chambers, Johnny “Appleseed” Chapman, Ray Charles, Julia Child, Gordon Chung-Hoon, William Clark, Henry Clay, Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain), Roberto Clemente, Grover Cleveland, Red Cloud, William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, Nat King Cole, Samuel Colt, Christopher Columbus, Calvin Coolidge, James Fenimore Cooper, Davy Crockett, Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., Miles Davis, Dorothy Day, Joseph H. De Castro, Emily Dickinson, Walt Disney, William “Wild Bill” Donovan, Jimmy Doolittle, Desmond Doss, Frederick Douglass, Herbert Henry Dow, Katharine Drexel, Peter Drucker, Amelia Earhart, Thomas Edison, Jonathan Edwards, Albert Einstein, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Duke Ellington, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Medgar Evers.
F-I
David Farragut, the Marquis de La Fayette, Mary Fields, Henry Ford, George Fox, Aretha Franklin, Benjamin Franklin, Milton Friedman, Robert Frost, Gabby Gabreski, Bernardo de Gálvez, Lou Gehrig, Theodor Seuss Geisel, Cass Gilbert, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, John Glenn, Barry Goldwater, Samuel Gompers, Alexander Goode, Carl Gorman, Billy Graham, Ulysses S. Grant, Nellie Gray, Nathanael Greene, Woody Guthrie, Nathan Hale, William Frederick “Bull” Halsey, Jr., Alexander Hamilton, Ira Hayes, Hans Christian Heg, Ernest Hemingway, Patrick Henry, Charlton Heston, Alfred Hitchcock, Billie Holiday, Bob Hope, Johns Hopkins, Grace Hopper, Sam Houston, Whitney Houston, Julia Ward Howe, Edwin Hubble, Daniel Inouye.
J-L
Andrew Jackson, Robert H. Jackson, Mary Jackson, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, Steve Jobs, Katherine Johnson, Barbara Jordan, Chief Joseph, Elia Kazan, Helen Keller, John F. Kennedy, Francis Scott Key, Coretta Scott King, Martin Luther King, Jr., Russell Kirk, Jeane Kirkpatrick, Henry Knox, Tadeusz Kościuszko, Harper Lee, Pierre Charles L’Enfant, Meriwether Lewis, Abraham Lincoln, Vince Lombardi, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Clare Boothe Luce.
M-P
Douglas MacArthur, Dolley Madison, James Madison, George Marshall, Thurgood Marshall, William Mayo, Christa McAuliffe, William McKinley, Louise McManus, Herman Melville, Thomas Merton, George P. Mitchell, Maria Mitchell, William “Billy” Mitchell, Samuel Morse, Lucretia Mott, John Muir, Audie Murphy, Edward Murrow, John Neumann, Annie Oakley, Jesse Owens, Rosa Parks, George S. Patton, Jr., Charles Willson Peale, William Penn, Oliver Hazard Perry, John J. Pershing, Edgar Allan Poe, Clark Poling, John Russell Pope, Elvis Presley.
R-S
Jeannette Rankin, Ronald Reagan, Walter Reed, William Rehnquist, Paul Revere, Henry Hobson Richardson, Hyman Rickover, Sally Ride, Matthew Ridgway, Jackie Robinson, Norman Rockwell, Caesar Rodney, Eleanor Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt, Betsy Ross, Babe Ruth, Sacagawea, Jonas Salk, John Singer Sargent, Antonin Scalia, Norman Schwarzkopf, JunĂpero Serra, Elizabeth Ann Seton, Robert Gould Shaw, Fulton Sheen, Alan Shepard, Frank Sinatra, Margaret Chase Smith, Bessie Smith, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Jimmy Stewart, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Gilbert Stuart, Anne Sullivan.
T-Z
William Howard Taft, Maria Tallchief, Maxwell Taylor, Tecumseh, Kateri Tekakwitha, Shirley Temple, Nikola Tesla, Jefferson Thomas, Henry David Thoreau, Jim Thorpe, Augustus Tolton, Alex Trebek, Harry S. Truman, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Dorothy Vaughan, C. T. Vivian, John von Neumann, Thomas Ustick Walter, Sam Walton, Booker T. Washington, George Washington, John Washington, John Wayne, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, Phillis Wheatley, Walt Whitman, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Roger Williams, John Winthrop, Frank Lloyd Wright, Orville Wright, Wilbur Wright, Alvin C. York, Cy Young, Lorenzo de Zavala.
____________________________
“To begin the process of building this new monument to our country’s greatness, I established the Interagency Task Force for Building and Rebuilding Monuments to American Heroes (Task Force) and directed its members to plan for construction of the National Garden.”
“The Task Force has advised me it has completed the first phase of its work and is prepared to move forward. This order revises Executive Order 13934 and provides additional direction for the Task Force.”
“The chronicles of our history show that America is a land of heroes,” Trump penned. “As I announced during my address at Mount Rushmore, the gates of a beautiful new garden will soon open to the public where the legends of America’s past will be remembered.”
“The National Garden will be built to reflect the awesome splendor of our country’s timeless exceptionalism. It will be a place where citizens, young and old, can renew their vision of greatness and take up the challenge that I gave every American in my first address to Congress, to “[b]elieve in yourselves, believe in your future, and believe, once more, in America.”
“The National Garden will draw together and fix in the soil of a single place what Abraham Lincoln called “[t]he mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield, and patriot grave, to every living heart.” In the peace and harmony of this vast outdoor park, visitors will come and learn the amazing stories of some of the greatest Americans who have ever lived.”
Photo by Jack Dennis
“In short, each individual has been chosen for embodying the American spirit of daring and defiance, excellence and adventure, courage and confidence, loyalty and love. Astounding the world by the sheer power of their example, each one of them has contributed indispensably to America’s noble history, the best chapters of which are still to come.”
“The Secretary, in consultation with the Task Force, shall identify a site suitable for the establishment of the National Garden. The Secretary shall proceed with construction of the National Garden at that site, to the extent consistent with the Secretary’s existing authorities or authority later provided by the Congress.”
Big Tech has launched a major assault on Americans’ right to free speech. In their most audacious attack, some of the most powerful big businesses in America joined together to force Parler off the Internet.
Parler, a social media site that rejects Twitter’s censorship policies, had millions of users until Google, Apple, and Amazon deplatformed the entire website, removing it from their app stores and web hosting service.
Americans must fight back against this blatant censorship. While Parler’s working through the courts to get back online, Big Tech continues to silence conservatives and trample our right to free expression.
Fortunately, independent bloggers such as CleverJourneys have found phenomenal growth in reporting what Big Tech try to censor and the “Mockingbird” Media dare not report.
_________________________________
We are migrating to Parler (@Jackdennistexas), Gab (Jackdennistexas), and more.
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Some of our most popular articles are JackNotes, executive summaries of books, articles, speeches and other useful information that may save you the expense and trouble of reading the entire publication….or it may spur you on to seek more information from the original source.
We are now rolling out another new feature, Accounts of the Old West as a tribute to Jack’s great, great uncle Charlie Bassett, the first marshall of Dodge City, Kansas…and James Allison Morgan–a cattle driver and cowboy, Jack’s great grandfather. (You thought TV’s ‘Marshal Matt Dillion’ was the first didn’t you?)
We also feature “Top 10 Buzz Trends of the Week” highlighting some of the best posts, memes, and photos on the web the prior week.
Another feature is T.R.A.S.H. (Trivial Relevations of A Sick Human-being), an updated version of Jack’s national and Texas award winning column from back in his Texas State University days.
Remember, we don’t just write news. You will enjoy travel, recipes, lifestyle, humor, motivation, wellness and health, how-to, history, reviews, military, crime, police, heroes entertainment, interviews, fun and so much more.
Dodie has over 38 years in the medical, health and wellness field being a registered nurse. She has trained hundreds in nutrition, prenatal and post natal care, pregnancy, parenting, nursing, and general health. Much of her time was also devoted to immunology and vaccines.
Jack is an award winning journalist, investigative reporter, and author. He was an executive for H-E-B FOOD-DRUGS for almost 30 years, a founder and first elected president of Professional Retail Store Management Association (now CONNEX), life coach and private investigator.
Thank you for your readership and kindly sharing our articles.
When pests invade your home or business, it’s helpful to know what you’re dealing with, the problems they cause, and how to get rid of them.
Here’s some information on a variety of the most common pests found throughout the United States, with some emphasis in and around Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico and nearby regions.
AMERICAN COCKROACH
1 3/8″ – 2 1/8″ Mostly light brown in color, this pest is the largest of the cockroaches in the United States, and is found in restaurants, bakeries, and larger commercial buildings involved in food processing. In homes, the American cockroach enters in search of moisture and food. Therefore, it comes to no surprise they usually infest food storage and preparation areas. Like many pests, the American cockroach produces an unpleasant odor, especially as an infestation worsens.
GERMAN COCKROACHES
1/2″ – 5/8″ This is the most common of the cockroaches. Color is a light brown to tan except for two dark stripes on its upper back. It is not only a nuisance, it has been implicated in outbreaks of illnesses, and has caused allergenic reactions in many people.
ORIENTAL COCKROACH
1″ – 1 1/4″ Color is usually shiny black, but may vary to a dark, reddish brown. They typically enter buildings via door thresholds, utility pipes, and floor drains. Often found in crawl spaces, basements, and on 1st floors, they are despised for their strong, roachy odor.
HOUSE CRICKET
3/4″ – 7/8″ Found throughout the United States. Crickets are nocturnal and usually hide in dark, warm places during the day. The familiar chirping sound is created by the male rubbing his front wings together. This is his mating call. Crickets seek moisture and tend to damage clothing by eating out large areas of the fabrics.
GROUND BEETLE
1/16″ – 1 3/8″ Color is almost uniformly black and shiny. Often found under stone during the day, a few species even climb trees in search of food. They are a nuisance pest and give off a very unpleasant odor when handled or crushed.
BLACK CARPET BEETLE
1/8″ – 1/4″ Color is dull dark brown to black. Found throughout the United States but most commonly in the northeast. As named, they tend to attack carpeting, drapery, clothes, furs, fabric-covered furniture, and stored products, even food products such as flour and cereals.
EARWIG
1/4″ – 1″ The name comes from an old european superstition that these insects enter the ears of sleeping people and bore into the brain. They exist worldwide. Color varies from pale brown with dark markings to uniformly reddish brown to black, but with paler legs. They have a repugnant odor which is released when they are crushed. They are a pest in flour mills, meat packing plants, homes, and nurseries.
BOX ELDER BUG
1/2″ As the name reflects, this is a major pest of box Elder trees. Color is black with reddish lines on the dorsum. They are a nuisance pest because they enter structures to live through the winter weather. They may leave a red stain behind on curtains, clothing, and drapes. They can also bite, producing a red welt.
DEER TICKS
1/16″ – 1/8″ Color is orang-ish brown except for the legs, which are typically dark. The adults attach themselves to passing deer, whence comes their name. They carry the Spirochaete for Lyme disease in humans in the northeast and Midwest.
BROWN DOG TICKS
1/8″ When engorged with blood, usually from dogs, these ticks increase in size up to 1/2\”. These pests are almost always associated with dogs but have been termed as vectors for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and several other diseases.
HOUSE SPIDER
3/16″ – 5/16″ This is the spider most commonly encountered inside the house, the one that made all those webs. Their color is variable, running from a dirty white to brown, It randomly selects its web sites while looking for prey and, consequently, the webs can be found most anywhere.
REPRODUCTIVE TERMITE
3/8″ This is the \”swarmer\” of the Eastern Subterranean Termite colony. Their color is usually black but may be a slightly lighter brown. Note that it has four wings, all of the same length, which helps to distinguish it from a flying ant whose underwings are shorter than those on top. Their function is to find new sites, mate, and begin new colonies. They are essentially kings and queens.
WORKER TERMITE
1/8″ Color is almost uniformly white or cream. This is the damaging caste of the termite colony. They contain a microbe in their intestines that allows them to ingest cellulose (wood) as a nutrient. They must physically receive this attribute from the queen of the colony. They then feed on wood, and, being blind, they cannot tell your house from a tree.
SILVERFISH
1/2″ – 3/4″ Also known as a bristletail, their color is a silvery satin to gun-metal gray. They are often confused with firebrats which do not have the silvery sheen. They are mostly nocturnal and can be found in tight cracks and crevices. They are paper pests, but will also feed on any meaty protein.
CLOTHES MOTH
3/8″ – 1/3″ Body and wings are a buff to gold, with a brownish tinge. Wings are long and narrow. As the name says, the larvae of the clothes moths infest and feed mostly on woolen clothing and furs, creating holes and voids, leaving tubes and mats with fibers and feces in them. They have also been found infesting milk products. The adults do not feed.
ODOROUS HOUSE ANT
1/16″ – 1/8″ Their color can be brown to black. Their name is due to the rotten odor that emanated when this ant is crushed. They can usually be found around hot water pipes and heaters, in crevices around sinks, etc. They love high protein food such as meat and cheese.
CARPENTER ANT
1/8″ – 1/2″ Their color is usually black but occasionally appears in a reddish brown as shown above. Unlike the termite, the carpenter ant cannot digest wood, but it will chew out galleries and hollow places to create nests, resulting in structural damage. They are sometimes evidenced by the appearance of a sawdust-like material with debris in it, including body parts, known as frass.
FLEA
1/8″ Color is brownish black to black, but reddish black when full of blood. Fleas are known to be vectors of disease organisms causing both plague and muring typhus. They can also serve as the intermediary host for tapeworm. They are typically found where animals sleep or frequent.
HOUSE MOUSE
2 1/2″ – 3 1/2″ Smooth, dusty gray fur usually adorns these small rodents, although color can vary considerably from place to place. They often nest in various materials such as insulation, and usually use the same pathways along walls, stacked merchandise etc. Mice prefer seeds or cereals for food. They have been known to spread salmonella disease.
NORWAY RAT
7″ – 9 1/2″ The largest of the common rodents in the temperate regions of the world, it is usually a shaggy brown with scattered black hairs. The fur is coarse with the underside gray to yellowish white. It not only damages and destroys materials by gnawing, it eats and contaminates stored food, and is a carrier of many diseases.
BED BUG
1/4″ Color is brownish. The common bed bug (Cimex lectularius Linnaeus 1758) is an ectoparisite insect (a parasite which lives on the outside of the body of the host) of the family Cimicidae. Bed bugs feed only on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded hosts. Although they have a cryptic behavior and can conceal themselves in tight cracks and crevices, bed bugs are often found in bed parts, such as mattresses and box springs, hence the common name.
STINK BUGS
3/4″ Brown, Gray of Dark Green in color. This insect, notorious for its “smelly” reputation, earned its name from its tendency to release an odor when disturbed or when crushed. Many other insects have these same characteristics, including some species of ants, beetles and, other bugs. Most stink bugs are herbivorous and use their piercing and sucking mouthparts to feed on plant juices.
RACOON
2’-3’ Raccoons are nocturnal mammals that can live up to 12 years in the wild, and are usually found in wooded portions of the Eastern United States. These omnivorous animals nest in hollow trees, ground burrows, and rock crevices. Raccoons are a carrier of rabies, and pose a threat when they enter homes to den in attics and chimneys.
MOSQUITOES
1/8″-3/4″ Can range in color from a light brown to black. This insect is known for its ability to bite mammals which typically results in itchy light pink bumps on the body. The itch that humans get as a result of a bite is actually an allergic reaction that humans have to mosquito saliva. Since mosquitoes pass from host to host, many harmful infections may be transmitted through them including Malaria, West Nile Virus, Dengue Fever, and Zika Virus. It is due to this that they are actually considered the deadliest animal family in the world.
SQUIRREL
5”-20” More than 200 species of this commonly recognized rodent exist all over the world, and can be found in a variety of colors such as gray, brown, and black. Squirrels can run up to 20 mph and jump from elevations as high as 20 ft. These rodents become an issue when they seek shelter in homes, where they gnaw on walls, electrical wires, and breed.
POSSUM
2’ Possums are nocturnal mammals that favor secure, dark places, both below and above ground. Possums can reside in attics or under houses, porches, sheds, etc. They are usually found near homes to scavenge on garbage and other containers. Although possums are not aggressive, their large droppings can host various diseases and parasites that are dangerous to humans.
BAT
3/16” to 7 ½” The most common species of bats found in the United States are the little brown bat, the big brown bat, and the Mexican free-tailed bat, which all feed on various insects. These nocturnal mammals usually live in colonies, taking shelter in dark, secluded areas such as caves and tree cavities. Bats can also be found inside buildings and houses during winter months. This poses serious health issues such as lung disease, due to fungi found in their droppings.
CENTIPEDE
1/8”-5 ½” As the name implies, centipedes are known for having 100 legs. However, the number of legs can vary from 40 to well over 200. Centipedes are known to prey on other pests within the household; therefore, treatment of centipedes are essential to also address the other pests within the household
CAMEL CRICKETS
½”-2” Brownish in color, and commonly referred to as “cave crickets” or “sprickets,” camel crickets are wingless, and rather humpbacked in appearance. In a home, they are known to eat clothes, curtains, rugs, wood, wallpaper, and wool.
YELLOW JACKETS
2/5”-3/5” Yellow and black, having multiple species known for their aggressive nature, yellow jackets commonly nest in structure voids, behind siding, and even underground. Their diet primarily consists of items high in sugar and carbohydrates such as: fruits, flower nectar, and tree sap. Yellow jackets retain their stinger after use, and may sting their victim multiple times.
BALD-FACED HORNETS
½”-3/4” Similar to yellow jackets, but distinguishable by their white and black coloring and “bald-faced” head, Bald-faced hornets construct basketball sized nests by collecting and chewing naturally occurring fibers. They then take these fibers, and mix it with their saliva, which enables the structure to hold in place. Like yellow jackets, bald-faced hornets retain use of their stinger, and can sting their victim multiple times.
PAPER WASP
¾”-1” Mostly dark brown in color, with black wings, and yellow markings, the paper wasp obtains their name from the construction of their nests. Paper wasps prefer to feed on nectar and pollen, and even prey on caterpillars they use to feed their colonies’ larvae.
EUROPEAN HORNETS
1”-1 ½” Brown with yellow stripes on the abdomen, the European Hornet gets its name from the fact it was brought to the United States from Europe. Social in nature, European hornets commonly make their nests in holes in trees, attics, or wall voids in homes. They feed on crickets, grasshoppers, large flies, caterpillars, and the workers of other yellow jacket species. European hornets are known to sting if provoked, and should certainly be avoided.
CARPENTER BEES
1/4”-1” Black and yellow, or greenish black, with yellowish hairs, known for chewing a 3/8 inch tunnel into a piece of wood to build a nest gallery, the female carpenter bee takes advantage of outside wood to lay their eggs and protect their developing larvae. Although solitary in nature, carpenter bees typically nest very close to each other, and if left untreated, can cause a major problem.
CICADA KILLERS
1”-2” Black, with yellow markings on three segments, cicada killers are solitary wasps that live underground. They commonly live within close proximity to one another, and the many holes can be devastating to a yard. Adult Cicada killers feed on flower nectar and plant sap. Females are often seen carrying a paralyzed cicada, which they take back to their burrow. The female cicada killer then lays an egg on the paralyzed cicada, which hatches and uses the cicada as a nourishment source.
MOLES / VOLES
5”-7” – 5”-7 ½” Dark brown, brown-gray, tan, or even black in appearance, moles and voles are known for leaving many shallow tunnels and runways throughout a home’s yard. Both pests are quite troublesome. While moles damage your garden while looking for insects, voles actually eat your crops, plants, and flowers.
Indoor house plants can make a world of difference in your health.
From improving your indoor air quality to soothing your dry and irritated skin, you simply can’t go without some of these greenery items in your bedroom.
Choose one 10- to 12-inch potted plant per 100 square foot of your home for the most effective air purification.
Consider where you might place your plants and the amount of sun they will receive to ensure your plant will thrive in that area.
Make note of the water needed and write it on a calendar so that you can keep the watering schedules balanced.
Periodically dust the leaves of each plant with a damp cloth to ensure proper absorption of air particles and toxins.
Cross-reference several care guides to check for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Keep their soil replenished with rich compost or compost tea. Avoid non-organic or synthetic fertilizers.
If you’re leaving for a few days and concerned about houseplants, consider covering each one with a plastic bag with holes poked in them. Makes certain the plastic is not touching the leaves. Place the plants in shady spots. The plastic will retain moisture and recapture some of the plants’ natural transportation. It’s creating miniature water cycles for each one.
Here are some plants to consider:
Spider Plant: Best Plant To Remove Airborne Toxins.
Spider plants are an air-purifying plant that has been proven to remove airborne toxins in any room it is placed in. It works to remove formaldehyde and carbon monoxide from the air in your bedroom.
Spider Lily
Formaldehyde is a toxic gas that can cause irritation of your throat, nose, and eyes. This colorless gas can be found in a number of household products including fabrics, paper products, and particleboard.
Peace Lily: Small but effective.
Peace Lilies tend to be on the smaller side, making them perfect accents for those corners of your home that need a little extra life — but they are big with improving air quality.
Peace Lily
They help remove chemicals including ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. Note that they do have a noticeable floral scent. These flowers thrive indoors in medium sunlight, and only need to be watered once a week.
English Ivy: Helps remove mold andpollutants.
English Ivy will look good pretty much anywhere you put it, and it can remove harmful pollutants, too.
English Ivy
They rid benzene, formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene. Studies have show English Ivy helps reduce mold. Like other types of ivy, it needs plenty of bright light, so put it in an especially sunny part of your home.
Ficus/Weeping Fig:Low maintenance wonders.
Ficus Weeping Fig are low-maintenance, requiring little more than bright, indirect light. Beginner gardeners like them because you’re supposed to let the soil dry out between waterings. They are effective at filtering out common indoor air pollutants.
Ficus Weeping Fig
Bamboo Palm: Occassional watering needed.
Bamboo Palm
Effective for removing chemicals like benzene and formaldehyde from the air, bamboo palm makes a great houseplant, since it grows best in part sun or shade and requires only an occasional watering.
Boston Fern: Good under right conditions.
Boston Fern
Boston Fern likes to work under very specific conditions: in a cool, humid location with indirect light. Once those conditions are satisfied, they can put a significant dent in formaldehyde and xylene.
Dracaena: Effective but be careful with pets.
Among the 40 variations of Dracaena plants out there — all of which are marked with long, wide leaves lined with white cream, or red — you’re bound to find one you like.
Dracaena
Caution: these plants are dangerous for dogs and cats. They also need even less water than other houseplants, and should do well with just a light mist any time the top soil dries out.
Mother-in-Law’s Tongue/Snake Plant: A best option.
Theseare known as one of the very best options available for absorbing toxins like formaldehyde, nitrogen oxide, benzene, xylene, and trichloroethylene.
Mother in Laws Tongue or Snake Tounge
Although these plants prefer to have plenty of bright light, they can survive for long periods of time in low light, so they’re a great starter plant. Keep away from pets.
Pot Mum: NASA proven.
According to NASA research, pot mums are effective at removing ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, and xylene from indoor air.
You can also re-plant these them outside for some color in the garden.
They require a little more TLC than other house plants, since you’ll need to water them regularly. Keep them where they can get plenty of air circulation, and in a low-humidity environment.
Aloe Vera: Good for skin and air quality.
Aloe is a champion for health and skin care. When it’s not working to remove formaldehyde from the air, it can be a beneficial part of your natural wellness routine.
Aloe Vera
The leaves of an aloe vera plant contain a clear, vitamin-rich liquid that can heal wounds, counter inflammation, and help skin conditions like psoriasis.
Simply place these plants in indirect or artificial light, and water them deeply but infrequently, and you should be set to go.
Needs well-drained soil with slight drying between waterings, full sun is best with protection from high heats.
Golden Pothos: Good for amateurs.
Golden Pothos are especially hardy, and provide plenty of clean air in your home. As long as they get light water, they’ll flourish — and they’ll survive in almost any environment in your house.
Golden Pathos
Lavender Plant: Best Plant For Deeper Sleep & Air Purification
There’s no better place to grow this plant than in the bedroom because of its calming effects on the body. It’s a nerve soother.
Clever Journeys 