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Fireflies, also known as lightning bugs, are nocturnal beetles that are actually really beneficial in the garden. They feed on slugs and snails, which can destroy plants (they especially like edibles like beans, lettuce, and tomatoes). They don’t bite, and they’re not poisonous. They also don’t carry diseases like other backyard insects. Fireflies’ glow comes from a chemical reaction inside their bodies that allows them to light up and signal to other fireflies....

If you don’t already have a mailbox post in place, you’ll want to make sure that your hole is dug no more than two feet deep. A curbside mailbox must be 6 to 8 inches from the curb, with the door panel 41 to 45 inches from the ground. When painting your address numbers on your mailbox, make sure they are at least 1 inch tall on the front side (or flag side) of the box....

Before You Start: Tips for Planning Timber Steps Decide how many steps you will need, how deep each horizontal tread will be, and how high to make each vertical riser. Here’s a useful rule: The tread dimension plus the riser dimension should equal about 17 inches. Try to make your riser dimension no more than 7 inches and no less than 4 inches. No matter how you juggle the figures, just be sure all treads and risers will be exactly the same depth and height: Changes break a person’s stride and cause stumbles....

The most necessary step to keep your vacuum performing at peak performance is to regularly empty its contents. Bagged vacuums utilize bags to capture particles and need to be replaced when they are full. An indicator light will come on to tell you it’s time to replace the vacuum bag, as the time will vary depending on how often you vacuum and your bagged vacuum model. Bagless vacuums, or canister vacuums, also need to be emptied regularly....

Why Are Plant-Based Diets More Economical? Meat accounts for one-third of food expenses, according to Oxford University research, published in The Lancet Planetary Health. The study used food prices from the World Bank’s International Comparison Program to analyze seven sustainable diets. The researchers then compared those diets with the current standard diet in 150 countries. The findings show that vegan diets are up to one-third more affordable than the standard diet in high-income countries....

Margao has a knack for executing luxe style on a budget and she’s an expert in sourcing unique, one-of-a-kind furniture and housewares. But finding the perfect timeless vintage home decor can be tough. It is an art, not a science, to elevate your space by adding a hint of history. Margao admits that finding the perfect painting or furniture made with precious materials is hard, but not impossible. In advance of the summer release of her book, How to Source Like a Pro, Margao shares her tips and tricks for buying vintage furniture and accessories for your home....

Tidy Blanket Folding Method For an orderly look, fold your throw blanket in thirds lengthwise. Next, fold the length of in half. You should now have a tidy rectangle. Lay your folded throw blanket over one corner of a sofa or chair, smoothing it out if needed. You might place a throw pillow or two in front. Flip-and-Flop Folding Method For a look that feels more casual, start by folding your throw in half vertically, matching up the corners....

Ants are also a common household pest that are drawn to food. While each is typically half the size of a paper clip, a large infestation of ants, called an army or colony, can be an unsightly nuisance. Worse, a study showed that Monomorium ants can carry pathogenic bacteria harmful to people, and another study indicates that the pharaoh ant is related to asthma and respiratory allergies. That’s even more reason to get rid of ants around your home....

Tips for Hanging Art Before you start hanging artwork, you should know the weight of each item first to help you decide on the best strategy. Check the packaging on the nails, hanging hooks, or wall anchors you intend to use to ensure the hardware will be able to safely support the frame. Gather Supplies for Hanging Art Although the exact hanging technique to use will depend on the weight of your piece, here are some supplies you may need:...

Why Meringue Pies Weep As it turns out, undercooking and overcooking can both cause weeping meringue and unwanted moisture on top of your pie (aka beading). Overcooking meringue causes those little sugary drops of moisture on top of baked meringues. It is difficult to prevent this, as most recipes now bake longer at lower temperatures to cook the egg whites enough to eliminate any risk of salmonella. Our Test Kitchen recommends following the recipe, beating, and baking as written....

How to Make a Gnome Porch Decoration Supplies Needed Plastic pots (various sizes) Hot glue/glue gunSheet mossScissorsAssorted faux greens Wool dryer ballFaux berries3 22-inch dowelsZip tieFluffy white fleece 1-yard fluffy fleece fabric Step-by-Step Directions Follow these easy instructions for how to make a Christmas gnome for your front porch or another welcoming spot. You should be able to complete the Christmas craft project in under an hour. Step 1: Stack Pots Each gnome starts with a plastic gardening pot, so the first step is to decide how many gnomes you want to make and how large you want them to be....

How to Make a Dried Flower Wreath Sunburst grapevine wreathMatte white spray paintAssorted dried grasses and flowersFlorists wireWire cuttersFloral scissorsHot glue gun Step-by-Step Directions With a few supplies and these how-to instructions, you can create your own handmade wreath. Customize your easy project with your favorite dried flowers. Step 1: Paint Wreath In a well-ventilated area (or outside), lay down a protective surface. Place a sunburst grapevine wreath ($20, Joann) on the surface and spray paint it matte white....

Preparing a Vase Start by prepping the vase you plan to put the flowers in. Fewer tall flowers will look better in a narrow vase, while a large bouquet will sit better in a vase with a wide mouth. Once you decide what vessel to use, fill the vase half-way with fresh water and add plant food (many bouquets come with a packet of food inside the wrapper). Stir in the food until it dissolves into the water....

How to Make Apple Butter If you’ve made homemade applesauce before, you can absolutely make apple butter from scratch. The process starts the same way (slowly cooking apples), but apple butter is cooked longer with warm spices to achieve a thicker consistency and more concentrated apple flavor. Most apple butter recipes are similar, but we’ll be referring to our Test Kitchen’s trusty apple butter recipe for this guide. Step 1: Cook Apples on the Stove Top Core and quarter tart cooking apples (don’t forget to wash them first)....

To make your own set of coasters, all you need is a round silicone mold, resin mixture, and dried flowers. We’ll show you how to mix and pour the resin so that the flowers are perfectly suspended in the middle of the clear coasters. How to Make Resin Coasters Supplies Needed Wax paper or kraft paper Respirator Nitrile gloves Safety glasses Round silicone molds Rubbing alcohol Clear casting kit Plastic cups Wooden stir sticks Heat gun or skewer Tweezers Assorted dried flowers Clear rubber spacers...

Shiplap Stunner Shiplap is a timeless farmhouse accent, but this version achieves the look using lattice. The converging lines add dimension to the whitewashed wall without overwhelming it. A horse drawing, wicker basket, and rustic galvanized bucket provide classic country charm. Learn how to install your own shiplap wall to accent your farmhouse decor. Charming Character General store or farmhouse kitchen? Decorated with antique wall art, such as marquee letters, a chalkboard, and a salvaged door from a general store, it’s no wonder this room blurs the line....

Rescue a Cabinet Corner Shelf It can be challenging to store bowls or food storage containers with lids in the same place. This can lead to a drawer full of mixed-up lids nearly impossible to keep straight. To help, sort your lids by size or container type and arrange them on a three-tier shelf as you see fit. Print labels to make sure nobody in the house gets them mixed up....

At the forefront was a coronavirus pandemic that disproportionately affects Black and brown communities and racial injustice protests after the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. For some, it was a time to pause and take inventory of their place in the world. Throughout history, Black people have shaped the narrative and identity of America, from food to music and even the Americana aesthetic. During enslavement, Reconstruction, and segregation, Black people continued to impact art and culture, exploring the topics of race, identity, and legacy in their work....

We asked cleaning experts to share their favorite strategies and organic-based solutions for spot-cleaning carpets. Use these natural ingredients and must-know cleaning tips to lift unsightly wine, pet mess, and greasy stains from carpets and rugs. How to Remove Carpet Stains Naturally When cleaning carpets, act quickly to ensure spills and stains don’t set or spread. Scrape up solid bits; if the spilled substance has dried, vacuum the area before applying a stain remover....