4 Pest Control Tips to Get Rid of Bugs Around Your Backyard

As part of a relaxing day outside in your yard, you start to enjoy your view only to notice that something is buzzing around your bean plants and flowers. As you get closer to investigate, you find that pesky bugs are invading your precious backyard paradise.

Rather than get upset, instead, aim at these insects and pests as your next target in thwarting your next new game of mini golf! Getting rid of bugs around your backyard doesn’t need to be a stressful experience. Instead, learn how to take down these enemies effectively and apply these pest control tips.

Don’t let these insects disrupt your life. Use these tips to rid your backyard of bugs.

1. Pest Control Tips: Remove the Attractants

This means getting rid of anything that might be attracting them to your yard in the first place. Some common attractants include food scraps, standing water, and piles of leaves or grass. Once you’ve removed these attractants, you can then start to focus on getting rid of the bugs themselves.

It also includes a variety of methods, including using insecticidal soap, traps, or even just manually removing them. In addition, you can inspect the perimeter of your home and repair any cracks or holes. These simple pest control methods will help you get rid of bugs around your backyard and keep them from coming back.

2. Do Things that Attract Birds

Place bird feeders and bird baths around your yard, and make sure to clean them regularly. Keep your lawn mowed and free of debris. By doing these things, you’ll create an environment that’s inhospitable to bugs and attractive to birds.

Birds are natural predators of many bugs, so having them around will help keep the bug population down. With a little help from our feathered friends, you can enjoy a bug-free backyard all season long!

3. You Must Have Bug-Repellent Plants

Some great options include marigolds, citronella, lavender, and peppermint. If you have a lot of trees and plants, regular trimming and cleaning up can also help reduce bugs. You can also use certain essential oils in a diffuser to get rid of bugs away.

4. Always Groom Your Yard

Keep your grass cut short, and remove any dead leaves or debris that could be providing shelter for pests. Regularly inspect your yard for telltale signs of pests, such as damaged plants or disturbing soil. If you find any evidence, take action immediately to eradicate them before they have a chance to take over your yard.

Be sure to also regularly check your home’s foundation, windows, and doors for any cracks or gaps that could be allowing pests inside. If you need a service that provides the best lawn care and pest control advice, Heartland Turf & Landscape can offer you these things.

Keep Your Backyard Bug-Free

In conclusion, these pest control tips will help you get rid of bugs so you can enjoy your outdoor space again. Ensure to follow the instructions carefully and take the necessary precautions to keep your family and pets safe.

After following these tips, you should have no problem getting rid of any pests that might be lurking around your backyard. Keep an eye out for any new pests and to call a professional if the problem persists.

If you found this article about bug control and backyard safety helpful, check out some of the other great articles on our site!

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Everything You Need To Run Your Own House Cleaning Business

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Are you interested in starting your own cleaning business?

This is a growing industry so running your own business in this area can be profitable. Even if you are interested in starting a smaller, more affordable business, house cleaning is still a great way to start.

But after taking the first step, most don’t know what to do next. Here are the steps to follow to start your own successful house cleaning business.

Set up a Budget

You will need to set up a budget for your new house cleaning business. This will include costs for supplies, equipment, advertising, and any other business expenses.

Be sure to track your expenses carefully so that you can stay within your budget. Keep in mind that you will also need to pay yourself a salary, so be sure to factor that into your budget as well.

Set Your Cleaning Rates

You can make good money running your own house cleaning business. But to be successful, you need to set your cleaning rates correctly.

Too high and you’ll price yourself out of the market. Too low and you’ll be working for pennies. The key is to find a happy medium that meets the needs of both you and your clients.

Register Your Business

Before you start cleaning houses, you need to register your business.

Registering your business is important because it protects you and your business from legal liabilities. It also allows you to open a business bank account and apply for business licenses and permits.

To register your business, you will need to choose a business structure and select a business name. You will also need to get a business license and tax identification number.

Once you have all of the necessary paperwork, you can start advertising your cleaning business and looking for customers.

Purchase Cleaning Equipment

Successful cleaning services depend on having the right equipment. This includes everything from basic cleaning supplies to more specialized equipment like pressure washers and floor machines.

If you’re just starting, it’s important to purchase the right equipment to get the job done right. Doling so will make your business look professional. 

As your business grows, you can invest in more expensive equipment to make your job easier and increase your efficiency.

Market Your House Cleaning Business

To get the word out about your house cleaning business, start by creating a list of your ideal clients. Then, reach out to your personal and professional networks and let them know you’re in business.

Utilize social media, local print, online directories, and word-of-mouth to get the word out. Also, consider offering a discount for new clients or referrals. 

Finally, don’t forget to ask satisfied clients for reviews and testimonials that you can use on your website and marketing materials.

Check out some detail cleaning services to learn more. 

 

Plan the Way To Your Success

If you’re ready to start your own house cleaning business, there’s no need to feel overwhelmed. With a little planning and preparation, you can succeed. With hard work and dedication, you can make your house cleaning business a success.

Interested in learning more about running your own business? Then why not check out more of our articles? We have plenty of useful guides that can show you the ropes.

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Going Green: 3 Ways You Can Make a Change

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Do you want to experience a real difference in the world and make it a better place for yourself, your family, and all of humankind?

Waste and pollution cause terrible harm to humans and the planet. If we don’t fix it, the damage will impact our future. Reaching out for greener living comes from realizing that we are all connected and our actions have repercussions.

You only have one beautiful planet to call home, and it’s time that we start treating it like the precious resource it is.

These three tips for going green can make sure you’re part of the solution.

1. Reduce

Reducing your carbon footprint is one of the best things you can do for the environment. There are many ways to reduce your carbon footprint, but here are three easy ways to get started:

Use Less Energy

Turn off lights when you leave a room, take the stairs instead of the elevator, and unplug electronics when you’re not using them.

Use Less Water

Turn the faucet off while you’re brushing your teeth, water your plants during the cooler hours of the day, and fix any leaks in your home. Also, reduce your water consumption by investing in a water-saving shower head and fixing any leaks in your home. 

Minimize The Use of Electricity

You are minimizing the use of electricity by taking advantage of solar energy and using energy-efficient light bulbs. Find out more information from Blue Raven Solar.

By doing these, you can help reduce climate change and its impact on the environment. 

2. Reuse

Start reusing more things. Something as simple as bringing a reusable water bottle with you everywhere you go can make a big difference. You can also start bringing your own reusable bags to the grocery store.

If everyone started doing these small things, it would have a big impact on the environment.

3. Recycle

Many people don’t realize how important recycling is. We are always told to reduce, reuse, and recycle, but recycling is often the one that people forget about. Recycling is so important because it helps reduce pollution and conserves resources. Here are a few items that can be recycled:

Paper Products

This includes things like newspapers, magazines, office paper, and cardboard.

Plastic, Glass, and Metal.

This includes things like soda cans, food containers, and Styrofoam.

Electronics

This includes things like computers, cell phones, and TVs.

Recycling is easy and it’s so important for the environment. If everyone does this, we could make a huge difference. So start recycling today!

Saving Earth By Going Green

Making small changes in your everyday routine can have a large impact. We all need to do our part to help the environment. Let’s all do our part by going green. Start making a difference today and help leave a better world for future generations.

For more articles on making a difference through simple, green habits check out our blog.

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HTML vs Plain Text Email: What Are the Differences?

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Email has been around forever in internet terms, and while many have claimed over the years that ‘email is dead’, it’s in fantastic health. Indeed, people and machines send over 333 billion emails each day, meaning over 3.5 million every second.

One debate that continues to rage involves HTML vs plain text email.

Plain text emails are bland, but you know they’ll work. Meanwhile, HTML emails enable graphics, links, and other functionality, but you can never be quite sure how they’ll appear across different devices.

What are the two email types, how do they differ, and which is better? Let’s find out.

What Is an HTML Email?

HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language and it’s the same code used by many websites. Emails created in this way can appear like any web page you can think of, complete with graphics, links, and other interactive features.

Unfortunately, email was never conceived with these features in mind. Even Gmail used to strip HTML elements out of email messages.

Mobile devices caused further problems. Their popularity soared before responsive design took off, ensuring that emails could adapt for different screen sizes and software.

Even today, many email clients, especially in the professional world, will strip active elements from emails to reduce security risks. So now, as it always has been, you’re never quite sure how your carefully crafted email layout will display to all readers.

What Is a Plain Text Email?

Somewhat appropriately, plain text email could not be simpler. If you’ve ever used Notepad, you know what to expect. These emails are text-based without any enhancements.

They’re great for information, but not ideal for marketing, not least because you can’t lead anyone to a landing page.

Crucially, you can be more certain of email deliverability – more in this article.

There’s nothing in a plain text email to attract the attention of spam filters and antivirus software. These emails aren’t dangerous as they’re incapable of causing trouble!

HTML vs Plain Text Email for Designers

How much does design and branding matter in your business? If you’re the kind of company that thrives on visuals and you’re known for epic videos and social posts, do you want to sacrifice that in your email communications?

Analytics

Plain text emails reduce tracking capabilities. Alongside the absence of links and pictures, they also lack inherent analytics functionality.

Most email providers use images to track open rates and other stats. Without this information, it can be difficult to optimize campaigns as you don’t have as much to go on.

All is not lost, as plain text users can at least follow bounce, deliverability, and unsubscribe rates as they’re not reliant on the content of the email itself.

Discover More Great Marketing Tips on Our Blog

Email marketing is here to stay, and as effective now as it has ever been. The debate around HTML vs plain text email is sure to continue, and much of it comes down to what works best for both your brand and your audience.

Even if you opt for HTML emails, you may find less is more. We’ve got dozens of articles around optimizing email campaigns, from getting the layout right to boosting open rates and much more here on the blog. So, take a look around to find out how to take your email campaigns to a whole new level!

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Orbit Pillow Makes Tossing and Turning a Thing of the Past

Orbit Pillow – the pillow that prevents you from tossing and turning in your sleep – is available now on Kickstarter.

Does your partner hate it when you roll around while they’re trying to get some sleep? Maybe your dog is too afraid to sleep on the foot of the bed without getting knocked off by your tossing and turning? Orbit Pillow may just be the product you’re looking for.

Orbit Pillow is a spine support pillow nested in a bowl-like casing. The pillow rotates side to side while you sleep, making the name “Orbit Pillow” quite apt. This unique design is inspired by ships specifically designed to recenter the shifting of weight caused by rough waves. In that sense, when we sleep, the waves are our unconscious movements, and the ship is our spine. By using a maritime physics-based approach to spine support, Orbit Pillow keeps your vertebrae balanced and aligned, making sure that you’re getting the most out of your spine support pillow.

But the pillow does more than just recenter the weight of the spine. Orbit Pillow actively stops you from tossing and turning in your sleep, keeping you sleeping on your back straight with excellent sleeping posture. If you find yourself struggling to get a good night’s sleep from tossing and turning, or find yourself disrupting the person next to you with your unconscious movements while you sleep, then Orbit Pillow will keep you locked in place and stable throughout the night.

Lots of us who seek out a spine support pillow live with chronic neck pain, and are desperate for a long-term solution. Fortunately, Orbit Pillow also gives your neck a really good stretch – so much so that the company recommends you gradually spend time getting used to the pillow first! This means Orbit Pillow is a great supplement for neck exercises, too. So you can use your Orbit Pillow while you’re doing pilates, for instance, for an even better stretch. How many of us can say that our pillow doubles as a piece of exercise equipment?

At the end of the day, though, don’t we all just want a pillow that’s comfortable? Orbit Pillow has you covered there, too. Orbit Pillow comes with both hard foam and memory foam, so you can customize your pillow for what’s best for your neck and sleep quality. The hard foam really gives your neck the stretch it needs. But if you want to maybe give your neck a break tonight, then the memory foam is there for you, too. Either way, you’re getting the quality of sleep you want and that you deserve.

Orbit Pillow can be purchased at a discounted price from its Kickstarter campaign that launched this April.

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What Are The Different Grades of Aluminum?

When it comes to using aluminum for your next project it’s important you understand what particular grade of aluminum you are going to need. Those looking to stock up on aluminum supplies should always bear in mind what exactly the project requires regarding strength, flexibility and a myriad of other factors such as heat exposure and potential weather conditions.

And so before you head out for your supplies, be sure to bear a thought for which you grade you will need. Whether you are looking to buy aluminum tubes, sheets or planks, these are the grades which you should be using based on the project type.

Alloy 1100 Aluminum

This particular grade is pure aluminum and is a great option for those looking to use aluminum sheets on their projects. This alloy is easily workable, can be welded with any method and is known for having a high level of resistance to corrosion. This particular grade is often used in food processing and the chemical industry.

Alloy 2011 Aluminum

This is often known as the Free Machining Alloy owing to the capabilities with regards to machining. This is by far the best alloy to be used for the production of highly complex and detailed aluminum parts.

Alloy 2014 Aluminum

This particular alloy is copper based and is known for its high strength and machining capabilities. We often see this particular grade used within the aerospace sector owing to its high levels of resistance.

Alloy 2024 Aluminum

This is the most used alloy for aluminum planks, sheets and tubes, and it is a high strength grade which offers excellent durability. Those looking for a great strength-to-weight ratio will opt for this particular aluminum alloy. The weakness of this grade is the low resistance which it has to corrosion, but this can be easily remedied with a thin anodized finish to offer maximum protection.

Alloy 3003 Aluminum

There is no alloy which is used as much as 3003, a pure, commercially made aluminum which has manganese added to it for extra strength. This alloy is easy to work with and offers high resistance against corrosion.

Alloy 5052 Aluminum

Alloy 5052 offers the highest strength alloy of all those which are non heat-treatable. This offers the highest fatigue strength of all and it is often used in the marine sector given its excellent resistance to such conditions.

Alloy 6061 Aluminum

Alloy 6061 has an outstanding resistance to corrosion and can be fabricated in just about any way possible. We see this particular alloy in use throughout the mechanical world thanks to its incurable strength, durability and its flexibility too. This alloy can be welded by any method and can also be brazed in a furnace to give additional strength.

Alloy 6063 Aluminum

And finally we have the ‘architectural alloy this heat-treatable and high strength alloy has high resistance to corrosion and is often used in the architectural world for both interior and exterior structures.

Before you get started on any project, be sure that you have researched into the kind of materials you will need, and which grade of aluminum you will require for the job.

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On the Budget Ways of Updating Your House Office

A lot of people give little thought to their home offices, especially in instances where they become fortunate enough to have one. You can buy term papers online  to get insights and get rid of the lacking of the understanding on how to implement the ideas, having an empty and boring house office can prove the same when you hardly feel as comfortable. 

So how can you go about updating your house office to boost your mood and drive while working at home?

Affordable Ways of Updating Your House Office

  • Apply a fresh paint coat to the room. It always proves quick and an affordable way of upgrading your house office. In most instances based on the room’s size, you will only need about a gallon of paint. So pick an appropriate choice color and transform the aura of the room.
  • Transform the outlook of your good pieces. Some pieces have quality, though, do not necessarily suit your style. In such instances, you can do a makeover concerning the items instead of discarding them altogether. One way entails applying a fresh paint coat with available online lessons making it a possibility. It can surprise you the magic a fresh bright paint can do to an old furniture piece.
  • Visit thrift stores in your neighborhood. You can always obtain new pieces in thrift stores, especially, when a need arises. Thereafter, stain or paint such pieces to correspond to the look you desire. Further, you can also search for wall décor, storage pieces, and the like while at the store. Equipping your home office with such items can transform the boring outlook into a mood-boosting atmosphere. 
  • Go to the Dollar Tree. The establishment offers an excellent array of décor and supplies for the office. You can always get wall décor, office supplies, desk lamps, and more at a dollar. It’s an establishment that can always spring surprises with the sheer quality and amount of items they stock.
  • Shop virtually from Home Décor. Most stores (home décor) provide incredible product prices. It can give you the perfect avenue to buy vases, rugs, wall décor, and the rest. Further, the stores also provide an avenue to buy new furniture for individuals in need of some. However, make sure that the shipping company proves reliable and that you also compare product prices to get fair deals. 
  • Sample the Facebook groups involved in yard sales. It always proves a perfect place to get office furniture. By the whole context of yard sales, you will find these products on the cheap as most sellers want to rid themselves of the products and don’t care about profit-making. However, it’s crucial to note that you should have a company to help when picking the pieces. 

Conclusion

Creativity and knowledge can always ensure spending far less for tremendous value. So take up the tips and transform your office into an excellent environment for productivity. Further, you only have to spend an affordable amount of money to ensure your office sparkles.

 

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How Easy Is It to Achieve Funding for Your Home Business?

Many people dream of starting their own business and becoming their own boss but are being held back by a lack of funding. When you have a viable business idea that you know is going to make you a lot of money, not having the available capital to get started can put you in a very frustrating situation. No matter how unique or ground-breaking your business idea is it’s difficult to get it off the ground without the right funding. The good news is that getting business funding for your home business is much easier than you may realize. Let’s take a closer look.

Use a Business Credit Card:

Business credit cards are one of the most efficient options to fund a startup, and it’s worth considering for any new business owner. Usually, obtaining a business credit card is a much easier process than applying for a business loan from the bank, and you have the option of only using it when you really need to, allowing you to have more control over how much you’re borrowing. And, many business credit cards come with relatively low rates; many even offer 0% interest promotions, making them a very cost-effective option of financing your startup.

A Small Business Loan:

When it comes to applying for a bank loan, small, new startup ideas are facing an increasing amount of rejection. However, the good news is that there are now more small business lenders who’ll be willing to help provide your new company with the funding that it needs. Lending Express, for example, helps rejected SME applicants find the funding that they need to realize their business dreams by connecting them to viable funding solutions using algorithms and technology. When you apply, they will optimize existing funding and use the information that you provide to match you with a suitable lender.

Crowdfunding:

Crowdfunding has become more and more popular, particularly when it comes to raising money for charity. However, it could also be a great way for your new home business to get the capital that it needs to get off the ground. It’s based on raising small amounts of money from a large number of people and can be done on popular crowdfunding websites such as GoFundMe or Kickstarter. Basically, anybody who believes in your business idea can donate as little as a few dollars to help you get started. Once you’re successful, you can reward your supporters.

Angel Investors:

Generally, angel investors are those who are wealthy and prominent in the business world. An angel investor who believes in your mission will help with funding in return for an agreed percentage of your profits. And, some of the biggest businesses in the world today, such as Google and Yahoo, were helped out by angel investors during their early days. So, it’s definitely worth looking into, particularly if you want business support as well.

Today, there are several great options to choose from when it comes to funding your home business. Even if the bank rejects you, getting the funds that you need is easier than you think!

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4 Jobs You Can Do Full Time From Home

Are you bored of your 9-5 job and want to make a change? Many people start to work from home full time. This will bring them a stable income while reducing the costs for commuting to work. Some people have it like a side hustle first, but then quit their initial job to work from home.

According to Overheard on Conference Calls, you need to stay organized and plan your time when working from home. Especially when you are working full time. But, which are the jobs that you can go for? Be sure there are lots of jobs that offer you the possibility to work from your home.these are the top jobs that you can do full time!

 

Proofreading

Proofreading includes checking for any errors connected to grammar, syntax, and spelling. Or some jobs, you aren’t required to have a college degree. All you need are excellent grammar skills. Your client will send you a text, and you need to make sure that it is completely error-free. This work gives you flexibility and freedom, so you can work from home easily. Another good thing is that the job is strictly defined, so you won’t lose time on video calls.

Transcription

Working as a transcriptionist means that you will turn all sorts of video and audio material into text. It can be legal, medical, or technical materials that you should type in after listening. You will be listening to reports, interviews, conferences, phone conversations, and create a document file. It is a fun job to do, but you need to make sure that you have a quiet space in your home. You should determine your rate per minute for this work.

Flipping

This is a perfect job for all the passionate DIYers. If you don’t want to work on the computer for the whole day, a flipper is a perfect job for you. It means that you should find good pieces of furniture or other items in thrift shops, auctions, or flea markets. Then, you restore the items and make them look like new. It allows you to express your creativity and skills in a whole new way. Then, you can sell the items for a higher price. You have the freedom to choose your sales methods and strategies.

Blogging

Nowadays, blogging has become an important part of our lives. We all follow our favorite bloggers and read their useful tips. If you think that it is time to give up your 9-5 job but don’t feel so confident, then try with blogging as a side hustle first. Many bloggers started like this and then continued to work full time. You can earn money from google ads, sponsored posts, or even join affiliate programs. Keep in mind that blogging can be a complex job, as you need to produce good content for your readers. You will also need to invest in photographing equipment, props, and other things according to your specific niche.

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How Exactly Does Mentoring Software Work?

Are you considering establishing a mentoring system in your business to create a support system for your employees? It’s a good idea considering the many benefits it can have for employee welfare and productivity, but it’s particularly successful when combined with mentoring software that can lend some structure to it. But what is mentoring software and how exactly does it help?

Connecting Mentors and Mentees

Most examples of mentoring software, such as Together Platform, have a registration process for all employees that takes note of their credentials. This is then used to connect mentors with potential mentees, rather than you having to carry out a long-winded and complex manual sift to make matches.

Mentoring software can even schedule appointments for you between members of staff, taking into account their diaries and creating a future schedule of appointments too. This way, they have a clear structure in which they can progress and achieve any goals together, without the need for any tricky organisation.

Development

Mentoring software offers tailored plans of action to tackle the various dilemmas that can be faced by employees. This can be really useful, as although the idea behind a mentorship programme is that the mentor can pass on their knowledge to less experienced colleagues, it’s not always easy for them to know how to go about doing this if they don’t have training or leadership experience.

The software also helps you to keep track of progression so that you can pick up where you left off in your meetings and know how close you are to achieving the goals you have set. This works as a good motivational tool too; when you can see a visual representation of your progress.

Reporting

Finally, mentoring software is capable of creating reports that help you to analyse the success of various pairings, the kinds of problems that most often crop up, and how quickly solutions can be found. This helps you to tailor your training methods to incorporate these gaps in knowledge, for example, and therefore improve the productivity of your future workforce.

Mentoring alone helps to reduce the workload of your human resources department, as it allows colleagues to help one another instead of going there as a first port of call. Mentoring software further achieves this by carrying out many of the tasks associated with a mentoring framework automatically.

Mentoring software registers individual employee information and pairs them up to solve problems effectively, as well as creating a schedule for them to work with that takes into account other appointments. Furthermore, the software provides training frameworks for mentors to follow in order to maximise the learning potential of their mentees, as well as keeping track of the progression they are making so that they can refer back to it when needed and see how well they are doing.

Finally, software offers reports and analytics that allow you to tailor future training to incorporate any gaps in learning. Homebusinesswiz.com is a great source for more advice like this for business owners, just take a look at their article on the benefits of coworking for example.

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