Opt for organic, non-chemical controls whenever possible Aphids are tiny sucking insects from the insect familyAphididae. Adult aphids are pear-shaped, measuring less than 1/8 inch in length. Additionally, winged aphids can appear when colonies are established and fly to infect new plants. The Spruce Juvenile aphids (nymphs) look like smaller versions of the adults. The Spruce What Is an Aphid? An aphid is a small insect that sucks sap from plants....

Female carpet beetles lay around 100 soft white eggs in concealed places that hatch in eight to 15 days. They hatch more quickly in warmer weather. The eggs are laid on clothing, furniture, cracks in flooring, and, of course, carpet. The Spruce / Alison Czinkota These beetles typically produce four generations within a year. It is not the adult insect but the larva that feeds on fabric. To vacuum thoroughly, you must go over infested areas several times....

But, we understand that large numbers of these pests make lounging outdoors unenjoyable. Plus, some types can pose a threat to your garden plants. Gnats thrive in temperatures between 75 and 80F and populations often visibly increase in extended rainy periods. Kwangmoozaa / Getty Images However, you might at least control their populations by eliminating some of the most obvious sources. Want more gardening tips? Remove Water Sources Eliminating the sources that attract gnats is your first line of defense....

Today, they are aserious nuisance to gardenersand farmers across this continent. However, not all metallic green or copper beetles are Japanese beetles. They run in cycles; some years are almost devoid of beetles, while others are everywhere. Wendy White / EyeEm / Getty Images Knowing when they are passing through each stage in your climate is important because control methods differ. Egg The mature beetles lay small, oval, white eggs in the soil....

you might apply a homemade spray to control the spread of the powdery mildew fungus. What Is Powdery Mildew? Decant the Mixture Pour some of the mixture into a spray bottle. ​The Spruce / Adrienne Legault you’re free to also mix and spray directly from a pressure sprayer if desired. Coat all sides of the leaves and stems, and let them dry. Reapply the mixture after rain. The Spruce / Adrienne Legault...

But don’t worry, it’s an easy issue to fix. Before the change,dryer outlets were 3-slot devicesthat accepted 3-prong cords. These outlets have four slots and will accept only 4-prong electrical cords. The Spruce / Candace Madonna Fortunately, it is a very easy project. Such a configuration creates a chance of shock in the rare case that the ground wire opens up. This was the reason the code changed to require the 4-wire configuration....

Recessed lights provide directed lighting in kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms. The Spruce / Liz Moskowitz Ceiling lights are surface-mounted. Embedded within the ceiling drywall is an electrical box with wires. The Spruce / Liz Moskowitz But on the surface of the ceiling and quite prominent is the light. In either case, the ceiling light’s electrical box is kept live and powered. You cannot turn off the light switch only; this is dangerous....

When combined withskylightsand windows, a vaulted ceiling introduces more natural light to the home. So, the removed pieces must be replaced in other ways. Sistering the rafters isnt enough, so collar ties, or collar beams, must also be added. GeorgePeters / Getty Images Essentially, the collar ties perform the same function as the removed joists, but on a smaller scale. Two gable vents on each side of the peak will also assure proper airflow and keep your roof dry....

Steam heating systems are notorious for distributing heat unevenly. So what can you do if yours is a hot apartment? Here are three tips to cool a hot apartment in cold weather. The Spruce / Sarah Crowley Take Control of Your Radiator The problem with old-fashioned radiators is they often lack a heat adjustment. Each radiator must be fully on or fully off; there is no “warm” setting. However, there is one way to adjust the heat on asteam radiator: installing a thermostatic radiator valve....

Awhole-house air conditioningsystem may sound good. But you need faster,less expensive cooling solutionsthat help you cool down a room fast. During the cold months, ceiling fans on the clockwise setting better distribute warm air. The Spruce / Michelle Becker But this is exactly what you want to avoid during the summer. In the summer, your fan should be runningcounterclockwise. Changing the direction is as easy as flipping a switch. The Spruce / Michelle Becker...

Air-drying sneakers is always the best option, but machine drying can be used in a pinch. Read on to learn how to dry sneakers correctly in the dryer so that they last longer. Many people make the mistake of putting their sneakers in the dryer too often. The Spruce / Ana Cadena Putting your sneakers in a high-heat dryer can cause damage to the fabric and glue holding the shoe together....

For the homeowner, textured ceilings come with many drawbacks. Here are four different DIY-friendly methods for covering a popcorn ceiling finish without the hassle ofremoving the texture. What Is Popcorn Ceiling? TriggerPhoto/Getty Images It also has sound-dampening properties. Removing Popcorn Ceiling vs. For health reasons, it’s preferable to cover a crumbling textured ceiling. It can be unsafe to remove a popcorn ceiling yourself. If youwant to remove itand asbestos is in your ceiling, get a skilled professional removal to remove it....

If you’re a homeowner, then you may be looking for something newbeyond paint and wallpaper. A great alternative might be to place removablefabricon your walls instead of paint. Decorating with fabric on walls is quite similar to the process of hanging wallpaper. The Spruce / Meg MacDonald If you have worked with wallpaper, you’ll have no trouble with this project. Before You Begin The first step in this project is to find appropriate fabric....