Everyday Life – Page 2

How to Get Rid of Ants From Inside of Your House

August 29, 2018 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

Seeing a few ants every now and then is not the end of the world. But when a long trail of ants is being spotted marching across the floor of your house on a daily basis, this can be a cause for concern. Not only can ants be a nuisance, but also they can create a health hazard by easily getting into your food causing contamination.

When it comes to controlling ants there are a few different treatment options available, you could try to solve the problem by doing it yourself.

Here are six steps that will help you to effectively get rid of ants in your kitchen inside of your house and the backyard without the need of hiring a professional.

Keep the Area Clean

Ants are most likely to appear in your kitchen and bathrooms first, because of moisture and food being readily available there. All other rooms in your house can also attract ants if there is food left behind. For the most part, ants are drawn to, scattered crumbs on the floor, grease traces on the kitchen counter and sweet products in the pantry.

The most important in not attracting ant is to keep your kitchen area clean. Ensuring that you wash all your dishes and get rid of food stains from the counters is a very good start. Regularly sweeping and vacuuming the floor is always a great help too.

Identify the Type of Ants

Ants are one of the most successful, well organized and structured insects. They live in colonies that range from a few hundred to many thousands of individual ants.

There are many different ant types around, but only a few common pest ant species in the urban environment are known to cause havoc inside homes and gardens. The very first step in successful ant control is to determine what type of ants are causing the problem. Take a closer look at them, or have them identified be a professional. Alternatively you can search for information about this particular ant online in order to find as to what steps can be taken to keep them away from your house.

Use Acidic Wips

If you see only a few ants in an area of your house, you can be sure that more will follow, especially if there is a smaller ant type infestation. What works well in preventing ants is, mixing one part of lemon juice with one part of water and using it for wiping all areas and surfaces on which ants are trailing. Vinegar is also very effective and can be used, mixed with three parts of water for mopping the floors. Ants are deterred by all acidic products and lose their sense of following their tracks. It will eliminate the scent that the outside ants use to follow the trail of those who already inside.

Locate and Kill the Ants Nest

When the odd ant appears it makes sense to spray it immediately. But if you are starting to see an army of ants regularly parading on your kitchen counter, it is a sign there may be a more serious issue. In this instance, it is always a good idea to find out where all the ants are coming from. Follow the trail and it will often lead you to the ants nest. You can use vinegar and water mix to kill the colony.

Set up Ant baits

While finding the ants nests is not always possible, setting ant baits can be an excellent alternative. All ants are drawn to moisture and food and setting food baits for ants is the most effective way to get rid of these annoying pesky pests in your home. Ants will naturally find themselves going into those traps transferring the poison bait throughout the entire nest.

Once this happens the ant colony will be eliminated and all the ants should disappear. This is one of the better choices to ensure the entire nest is dead and ants are no longer an issue.

Weigh up Your Options

It is it not always easy to engage in effective ant control during the hot summer months, especially when the problem gets out of hand. But if you keep the area clean, set bait and use ant traps, you will have a very good chance of eliminating the entire ants nest.

While getting rid of some ants may be an easy task, cases of a severe ant infestations may be best left for the professionals.

5 Ways to Make Moving Less Stressful

July 10, 2018 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

You’ve finally found the right house in the right neighborhood with the right schools, and the best mall in the state right next door. You navigated the mortgage minefields and managed to get a fairly decent interest rate on your loan without completely destroying your credit score. The negotiations were tough, but you finally got the seller to agree to fix the heat pump and the compressor and knock 15% off the price because of the roof that hadn’t been changed in 22-years. Now, you are ready to make the big move from apartment dweller to homeowner where instead of calling the landlord to fix the garbage disposal; you go to a big box store, buy an In-Sink-Erator and watch the YouTube how-to about 5 times before you finally call a plumber to install it. But, at long last, it’s time to move in.

1. MAKE A PLAN AND STICK TO IT

If you are moving locally, say within a 15-mile radius, you want to plan very carefully so that you get all of your ‘stuff’ out of one home, and into the other, within one day. This is definitely doable – if – you plan your day carefully and intelligently. This also means that all of the pre-packing of boxes, and labeling of said boxes, has been done beforehand. That way, you’ll be able to estimate pretty accurately how long it will take to pack the moving van. Unpacking it will take about one-third to one-half less time than packing because you aren’t mentally organizing the various objects to fit inside the truck.

But if your new home has narrow or complicated entryways and elevators to deal with – those impediments could increase unpacking time significantly. That’s why it’s a good idea to actually visit your new home, with a representative of the moving company, if possible, days before the actual move, so that you can both survey your new home’s location and pre-plan for any impediments that might be there.

2. KNOW WHERE YOU’RE GOING

Another benefit of surveying your home before your moving day would be to take the time and effort during this scout day to discover the very best route between your old house and your new home. That means driving the route at approximately the same time that your moving van will be doing so on your moving day so that you have some idea of what the traffic will be like. For example, it might be wiser to use surface streets for part of the drive, instead of a freeway because a factory near that freeway changes shifts at the time your van will be traversing that part of your route. Google Maps or Mapquest can be very helpful in your route planning because of their ability to help you change the route and offer alternatives.

3. PAINT BEFORE YOU MOVE IN

If scheduling allows, it is always a good idea to do repair, paint and remodeling tasks before you move into your new home. Also, paint takes many hours to dry completely and the odors and chemical residues during the drying process can be nauseating. But a good paint job is so important not only for the beauty of your home, but also for its durability.

If you are going to paint your home before your moving day, why not consult with a professional stylist to help coordinate your home’s colors to give it a coordinated look. The money you spend on a designer could be more than made up for if you end up changing your mind and re-painting several rooms multiple times.

4. WATCH OUT FOR THE HIDDEN COSTS

Different moving companies use all sorts of different methods for determining the costs of your move. Make sure you pin the company sales rep down on his/her estimate before your moving day commences. It is always a good idea to get an Outline of Moving Costs from any moving company that you involve in the bidding process for your move. You don’t want a big $urprise at the end of a day in which you have been going full-force for 12-to-14 hours and are, consequently, too tired and stressed to even consider haggling about prices.

5. BE PREPARED

In spite of all of your pre-planning, moving days, by their very nature, can be filled with unexpected disruptions. We can all certainly apply Murphy’s Law to any enterprise, like a moving day, that utilizes so many people and consists of so many moving parts. So, be prepared for the ‘wheels to come off’ some time during your moving day. If you’ve anticipated this, and planned prudently, you’ll be able to handle that disquiet with composure and poise so that it doesn’t spoil your day and you can eventually get back on track.

Judy Lees is a super-connector with Photographers In Islamabad who helps businesses find their audience online through outreach, partnerships, Photography, branding and networking. He frequently writes about the latest advancements in digital marketing, digital photography.

Make Your Roof Last As Long As Possible

June 20, 2018 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

Because you likely can’t see it in its entirety without a ladder, you might not take as good care of your roof as you should, and that’s perfectly understandable. If you’re in the market for a new home, you might use a roofing check list before you buy or sell a property. With that in mind, know that it’s better to take steps to maintain the performance and appearance of your roof over the years to help it last.

Perform Regular Inspections

Just because you don’t have leaks in your ceiling or missing shingles blowing off your roof doesn’t necessarily mean that everything is in order. Have a roofing expert come out and take a close look at your roof at least once a year, especially before the winter season if you live in a place where it snows a lot. That way, you’ll be informed of minor issues that can come with a major cost the longer they go unattended.

Keep Up With Roofing Maintenance

Besides regular inspections, tending to roof maintenance is another vital step in helping your roof last as long as possible. Specifically, you’ll want to keep your roof’s surface free of any debris that might blow onto it, keep your gutters and downspouts clear and look for indications that water might be seeping its way through your roof and into your home.

Know What You Need to Do to Take Proper Care of Your Roof Type

Depending on what your roof is made of, there are certain care tips you’ll want to make sure you follow to take the best care of it. For example, regular maintenance is key to making an asphalt roof last, and having a metal roof installed by experienced professional boosts longevity. No matter what material your roof is made of, it’s always best that you opt for a reputable manufacturer and brands to avoid problems later on.

Keep Your Gutters Clean and Repaired

Going back to your gutters, it’s vital that they remain clear and clean. This is because clogged gutters don’t drain water well, which can lead to leaks and pest infestations. Poor drainage can negatively impact the foundation of your home, and a pest infestation is an unnecessary expense for you to bear. Another reason to focus on keeping your gutters clean at all times is to avoid ice dams in the winter. Standing water that’s allowed to freeze on your roof can work its way underneath your shingles and cause damage.

Be Proactive

Don’t wait until there’s a problem before you take action; instead, you’re better off being proactive. For instance, you can keep your roof in good condition and your energy bills low by making sure your attic is properly insulated so your HVAC unit isn’t working harder than necessary, and so you aren’t losing air through your roof. Proper ventilation is something else your roof needs to better ensure humidity doesn’t cause damage to your roof.

A little time, effort and research are all you need to take superior care of your roof, no matter if you plan on buying or selling a home in the near future. Be sure to keep these tips in mind now and in the years ahead.

Top 10 Essentials For The Modern Kitchen

June 20, 2018 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

The ten essentials for the modern kitchen are important because they provide you with the things that are needed to cook well. You can cook anything that you want if you have all ten of these things, and it is very nice to have them in the drawer so that you can reach for them and get to cooking.

1. The Cleaver

The cleaver that you have in the kitchen helps you take bones off your cuts of meat, and it also helps you be certain that you have the meat cut easily. You can cut through these things without any trouble, and there are a lot of people who forgo the cleaver because they have never cut big portions of meat before.

2. The Peeler

You need a peeler so that you can get your vegetables and potatoes peeled. You also need to have your apples peeled when you are trying to have your apple pie look perfect. If it is very simple for you to cut anything when you have a peeler that is easy to hold and swipe across anything.

3. The Pizza Cutter

A pizza cutter is something that you can use on a lot more things than a pizza. This makes it much easier for you to have all your dough cut, to cut a pizza, or to just have the something that van cut in long strips.

4. The Chef’s Knife

Just one chef’s knife could be used to cut all the things that you want, and you will find that there are many people who want to use the knife so that they can cut out anything. You could slice anything, and you will find that the knife is easy to clean because it is more than long enough to handle just about anything.

5. The Towels

You actually need a lot of tea towels for the kitchen because they help you make certain that you have something to help with cooling cakes, with cleaning up, or to help pick up a pot. This makes it very easy for you to get all your work done if you have a few towels hanging around the kitchen.

6. The Serving Utensils

You need serving utensils for your kitchen so that you can make all your food easy to serve in helpings. It is very easy for people to use these utensils because they can help you serve your family or actually make the meals like mixing a salad.

7. The Mixing Bowls

You need a couple metal and glass mixing bowls so that you can mix up anything that you like. You will find that the bowls help you make salads or pull dishes together without any trouble.

8. The Measuring Cups

The measuring cups that you have in the house must have all the different measurements from the smallest all the way up to a cup.

9. The Mixer

A mixer helps you bake, and you could prepare a lot of dough and other things in the mixer so that you do not feel so out of place.

10. Mandoline Slicer

You might have asked yourself what is a mandoline slicer?, these slicers can do a lot for you, and they make the slices very thin for all your dishes.

5 Amazing Tips to Choose the Best Dining Chairs to Add Grace to Your Dining Decor

May 30, 2018 by Painter Mommy 1 Comment

The dining room is the ideal place to enjoy your meal times and share memorable moments with both friends and family. Being a multi-functional room that hosts daily dinner time with your family, hosts regular Sunday dinner meetings with your extended family or hosts the ever-so-occasional special dinner parties, it’s important to decorate and make the place as beautiful as possible. It is crucial to make sure your dining room furniture matches your exceptional personal style to reflect your way of life, and ensure it is both functional and livable.

Among the most important components of a dining room is your chairs. You should make certain that chairs in your dining space are of the right height for the table, comfortable, and made of durable fabric. There are many questions you should ask yourself before getting the right chairs for your dining room. Luckily, the following tips will guide you to choosing the best dining chairs to add grace to your dining decor.

Buy easy to move chairs

You should consider choosing dining chairs that are easily movable around the house. Portable dining chairs can serve double duty as they can be used as extra seats in the living room when hosting guests. Furthermore, movable dining chairs enable easy change of your dining room design and appearance.

Consider mixing up the dining table chair designs

Acquiring dining chairs of different designs for the same room offers a complementary rather than a matching feeling. Mixing up the plan for your dining chairs provides a mismatched geometric setting brought about by painting the chairs in different colors or when decorated in the same fabric. If you are a fan of a particular style and material, say bucket seats, you should consider acquiring dining chairs that come with diverse backrest designs.

Settle for comfortable and high-quality fabric for your chairs

Comfort and quality are among the main factors to consider when choosing the best chairs to add to your dining room. Consider going for the best fabric that will offer high comfort levels to your guests. Having comfortable chairs in your dining room ensures you get the most value out of the products you have purchased.

Choose the best size for your chairs

The dining room is a busy place that requires clear and clean movement area. Selecting seats that are 18 inches in height provides the much-needed space as they can easily slide under the dining table. Your chairs should offer a minimum of 12 inches space between the dining chair surface and the tabletop to ensure comfortable seating while providing enough legroom.

Seek the services of professional interior designers

Professional interior designers and home decor experts will advise you on the best dining chairs to go for. Their experience in decoration will be vital in helping you choose the best chairs to add the much-needed grace in your dining room. Furthermore, you may consider exploring websites such as the Modern Dining Chairs for Sale at Modern Digs, which offer dining chair for sale.