| How to Get Rid of Ladybugs Posted: 28 Mar 2019 01:00 AM PDT Ladybugs are wonderful garden insects for aphid-control! However, these creatures quickly become less cute and more annoying if an infestation forms. Remove ladybugs from your home with a vacuum cleaner, a vinegar trap, or with an indoor insecticide. You can also prevent ladybugs from getting in with citronella and citrus scents, or by winterizing your home. Eradicate garden ladybugs with diatomaceous earth or by planting mums. EditEradicating Ladybugs in the Home - Vacuum up individual ladybugs if there are just a few. You don't need anything more drastic than a vacuum cleaner for just a few pesky ladybugs! Simply vacuum up each ladybug you spot and discard the contents of the vacuum cleaner into a sealed plastic bag. Place the bag in the trash to avoid the ladybugs finding their way back into your home.[1]
- Spray vinegar where you spot ladybugs to remove the pheromone trail. Pour white vinegar into an empty spray bottle. Look around your home and generously spray all of the surfaces where you see ladybugs moving. The white vinegar kills the ladybugs on contact and also removes the pheromones that they release.[2]
- Ladybugs release pheromones that attract other ladybugs. By removing the pheromones, this reduces the number of ladybugs that are drawn into your home.
- Prepare a bowl of dish soap and water to trap ladybugs. Fill a small bowl with water and a drop of dish soap. Place the bowl in a light area, such as next to a window or a bright lamp. The ladybugs will land in the water as they are drawn to the light.[3]
- The dish soap removes the tension in the water, which means that the ladybugs can't escape.
- Set up a light trap to remove ladybugs from dark areas. If you notice that a dark area like a cupboard or the attic has a ladybug infestation, then a light trap is your best bet! Purchase an insect light trap from a gardening center and simply place it in the area you are targeting. When there are plenty of ladybugs trapped inside, take the device outdoors and release them.[4]
- Ladybugs are attracted to light. They will try to fly into the light and will instead fall into the collection container. They can't get back out until you release them.
- Light traps are great if you want to remove the ladybugs from your home without harming them.
- Use an aerosol insecticide to kill large indoor infestations quickly. Purchase an indoor aerosol insecticide from your local grocery or home improvement store. Read the label and manufacturer's directions carefully before you begin using the product. Aim the nozzle at the ladybugs and hold down the spray trigger. The insecticide kills the ladybugs on contact.[5]
- Check that the product is designed for ladybugs and indoor environments before you buy it.
- Always follow all of the safety directions on the label such as wearing gloves and not inhaling the fumes.
- Vacuum up the dead ladybugs.
- Hire a pest control professional if the infestation is too difficult to manage. While severe ladybug infestations are rare, it's best to contact a professional in these instances to save time and to prevent the infestation growing. If you can't remove all of the ladybugs yourself or if the infestation keeps returning despite preventative measures, contact a local pest control service for professional help.[6]
EditPreventing Ladybugs from Getting Inside - Use citronella candles and citrus oils to deter ladybugs using scent. Ladybugs don't like the smell of citronella or citrus! Use citronella or citrus-scented candles around the entrances to your home when you want to leave the doors open. You can also place a drop of citrus oil into a spray bottle of water and spritz each entrance daily.[7]
- Lemon, lime, orange, or mandarin are ideal scents to use.
- Place a bag of cloves or bay leaves around entrances to your home. Focus mainly on the entrances that come from the garden or heavily-planted areas, as these are where ladybugs are the most likely. Get a small plastic bag and fill it with cloves, bay leaves, or a combination of both. Leave this on the ground to deter any ladybugs that come close.[8]
- Ladybugs don't like the smell of cloves and bay leaves.
- Place weatherstripping along entrance seals to minimize openings. Ladybugs tend to come inside during winter to hibernate until spring. Purchase a peel-and-stick roll of weatherstripping and cut strips of it that are the same size as each door or window seal. Remove the backing and stick the adhesive side onto each interior seal.[9]
- Weatherstripping is also great for keeping water and cold air out of your home.
- If you are finding ladybugs in your home but you already have weatherstripping, it may need to be replaced as it can wear out over time.
- Install window screens to keep insects outdoors. Measure the size of the windows and purchase pre-made window screens from your local home improvement store. Install each screen on the inside of your home and simply slide it into place, starting from the top of the window. Make sure that the pressure clips lock to keep it secure.[10]
- Alternatively, you can get window screens made-to-measure and professionally fitted.
- Caulk small openings around the exterior to block insect entrances. Sometimes ladybugs get inside through tiny entrances that are difficult to find! Look around utility pipes, the foundation, frames, and exterior walls for small cracks or holes. Fit the caulk tube into the application gun and apply the caulk into each opening. Seal all of the openings well to prevent ladybugs and other insects from making their way inside.[11]
EditGetting Rid of Ladybugs in Your Yard or Garden - Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the yard or garden perimeter. Diatomaceous earth is an effective way to kill ladybugs before they can enter your garden. Wear goggles and a face mask, and generously spread the diatomaceous earth around each garden bed. You can also sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the outside of your house to prevent ladybugs getting inside.[12]
- Diatomaceous earth is safe for pets and children. However, it will kill other beneficial insects like honeybees.
- The goggles and face mask are only to prevent the powder being inhaled as it settles. Once it has settled, you can remove your safety gear.
- Plant mums around your yard or garden to repel ladybugs. Deterring ladybugs from getting into your plants and home may be as simple as doing some gardening! Include plenty of mums in your garden, as these plants repel ladybugs. These protect neighboring plants and also deter ladybugs from entering your home through any doors or windows that are close by. Either plant the mums in the ground or in gardening pots and water them regularly to help them thrive.[13]
- Use an outdoor insecticide if the infestation is difficult to control. If the ladybugs in the garden are unmanageable, then an outdoor insecticide is an effective solution. Find an outdoor insecticide at your local gardening center and follow the manufacturer's directions closely to apply it. Check the label before you begin to make sure that it's safe for any specific plants you may have, pets, and children.[14]
- Outdoor insecticides are commonly sold as either dusts, powders, or sprays.
- Always use gloves, a face mask, and goggles when applying outdoor insecticides.
EditThings You'll Need EditEradicating Ladybugs in the Home - Vacuum cleaner
- White vinegar
- Spray bottle
- Small bowl
- Dish soap
- Light trap
- Indoor aerosol insecticide
EditPreventing Ladybugs from Getting Inside - Citronella candles
- Citrus oils
- Cloves
- Bay leaves
- Small plastic bag
- Weatherstripping
- Window screens
- Caulk
- Caulk applicator gun
EditGetting Rid of Ladybugs in Your Yard or Garden - Diatomaceous earth
- Goggles
- Face mask
- Mums
- Outdoor insecticide
EditSources and Citations EditQuick Summary
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| How to Clean a Slate Hearth Posted: 27 Mar 2019 05:00 PM PDT If you have a slate hearth around your fireplace and it's been there for more than 2 months, it's probably a little dirty. Slate hearths need to be cleaned regularly to prevent and remove the grime and stains that build up on them. Luckily, it's pretty easy to clean your slate hearth, as long as you have some ordinary household cleaning supplies and a few specialty items from a home improvement store. EditPerforming Routine Cleaning - Sweep, dust, or vacuum the slate to remove any loose dirt. Remove any dust, ash flakes, or other debris items from the surface of the slate hearth before you proceed to clean it with the dish soap mixture. You can also use a dry mop if you have one.[1]
- Make sure you remove any dust or dirt in the grout trenches between the slabs of slate as well.
- Make a cleaning solution out of water and dish soap. Mix a few drops of mild dish soap into a bucket filled halfway with warm water. Use a long wooden spoon to stir this mixture together until the dish soap is completely mixed with the water.[2]
- Use a mild dish soap to avoid inadvertently damaging the slate on your hearth.
- You can also use an all-purpose surface cleaner if you don't have any mild dish soap.
- Avoid using a bucket that's too small. You should mix the dish soap with at least of water.
- Scrub the slate with a cloth or mop soaked in the soapy water mix. Dip your cloth or mop into the mixture, then ring it out slightly to get rid of excess moisture. Then, scrub the slate using circular motions to clean it.[3]
- Don't apply too much pressure when you go to scrub the slate. If a gentle once-over isn't enough to clean off any dirt and grime on your hearth, use a more powerful cleaning solution instead.
- Pay special attention to the corners, as this is where a lot of grime can build up unnoticed.
- Rinse the slate with clean water to get the soap off of it. Spray small amounts of water onto the slate with a spray bottle in order to rinse the hearth without making a mess. You can also use a sponge soaked in clean water if you don't have a spray bottle handy.[4]
- You should also allow the hearth to air dry overnight if you intend to polish it after you clean it.
- Use a clean towel to dry any excess moisture off of your hearth. You can use any ordinary towel to dry the slate, so long as it's clean. If you plan to do any further cleaning, allow the hearth to air dry overnight first.[5]
- Get as much of the water off of the slate as possible. Any excess moisture left on the slate may cause water stains.
- Wipe down the slate with teak oil to polish your hearth. Use a soft cloth to apply a thin layer of teak oil to the surface of the slate. Then, use a second clean cloth to remove any excess oil from the surface.[6]
- You can buy reasonably priced teak oil at most large hardware stores.
- You can also use slate oil instead of teak oil, although the former is usually more expensive and a bit harder to find in stores.
- Teak oil also helps hide scratches on your hearth, making it easier to seal.[7]
EditRemoving Stains - Make a cleaning solution out of hydrogen peroxide and water. Mix equal portions of water and hydrogen peroxide in a small spray bottle. If you don't have a spray bottle, you can also mix these ingredients in a bucket and use a sponge to apply it.[8]
- You can also use a mixture of equal parts of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to provide stronger cleaning power.
- You may also use 1 part rubbing alcohol with 8 parts water as an alternative.[9]
- Spray your mix of water and hydrogen peroxide onto the stain. Apply a thin layer of the water and peroxide mixture directly to the surface of the stain. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes before proceeding.[10]
- Avoid spraying this mixture near any colored grout, since the bleach in the mixture can discolor your grout.
- Scrub the stain with a soft scrub pad or brush. Scrub in a circular motion without applying too much pressure in order to clean the slate without damaging it. If you used baking soda and hydrogen peroxide instead of the water mixture, use a moist cloth to scrub the slate.[11]
- Refrain from using steel wool, as this might cause damage to the slate.
- Allow the slate to air dry after you've scrubbed the stain clean. There's no need to wipe the solution off of the slate after you're done. For best results, allow the slate to dry overnight before putting anything on it or using the fireplace.[12]
- Use a Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) mix on tougher stains. Make a cleaning paste out of TSP and water, carefully following the manufacturer's instructions for use. Spread the paste onto a sponge and use that sponge to scrub the slate. Finally, soak a separate clean sponge in water and use it to remove any residue from the slate surface.[13]
- This method is particularly useful if the stains on your slate were caused by smoke or soot.
- You can also use a commercial fireplace cleaner to help remove soot and smoke residue.[14]
- Clean the slate around your fireplace every 2-3 months to prevent the buildup of grime and stains, even if the hearth doesn't look dirty.
- Seal the slate with stone and tile sealer to help protect it against moisture and stains.[15]
- Avoid using acidic cleaners, like vinegar, since they can etch and damage the slate.[16]
- Don't let water pool up on your slate since the water will absorb into it.[17]
EditThings You'll Need EditPerforming Routine Cleaning - Water
- Dish soap
- Cloth or mop
- Bucket
- Spray bottle
- Towel
- Teak oil
EditRemoving Stains - Water
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Spray bottle
- Soft scrub pad or brush
- Trisodium Phosphate
- Sponge
EditSources and Citations
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| How to Fold Long Sleeve Shirts Posted: 27 Mar 2019 09:00 AM PDT Long sleeve shirts can be one of the trickiest clothing items to fold. Use the KonMari method to fold all of your long sleeve clothing items, like long sleeve T-shirts, dress shirts, and sweaters. This technique will save space, reduce wrinkles, and help keep your long-sleeved shirts in good shape! EditFolding T-shirts - Lay out the T-shirt facedown in front of you and smooth it out. Straighten up the body and sleeves, brushing out any wrinkles or folds. You can use any clean, flat surface for folding, such as a table, bed, or the floor.[1]
- Fold the shirt in half so the sleeves line up perfectly. Bring 1 side over to meet up with the other, so the 2 sides mirror each other. You can fold either from the left or right—just go with whatever side is more instinctive.[2]
- Fold both sleeves together to create a triangle shape. Keep the sleeves pressed together as you fold them once backwards. Make a second fold above the elbows going the opposite direction to create a triangle shape. Make sure both sleeves fit on top of the body of the long sleeve t-shirt to create 1 long rectangle shape.[3]
- Tuck the rectangle into halves or thirds to fit in your drawers or shelves. Start at the bottom of the shirt and fold it up into a smaller rectangle. If you want to store your shirts standing up in your drawers for easier access, use the thirds technique. If you stack your shirts on a shelf, use the halves technique.
EditFolding Dress Shirts - Button up and smooth out the dress shirt. Button up the majority of the buttons so the shirt will hold its shape and stay together while you fold it. Run your hands over the fabric to straighten out any wrinkles or creases, then adjust the collar until it lays flat and neat.
- Lay the shirt out facedown on a flat surface. Use a clean, flat surface such as a table, dresser, or bed as your workspace for folding. Lay the shirt facedown carefully, smoothing it out and adjusting the collar if it has folded or collapsed.
- Fold the left sleeve in toward the center of the shirt. Start the fold at the shoulder and bring the left arm across the back of the shirt. This will make the left side of the shirt one long line. The goal is to turn the shirt into a long rectangle shape, so make sure that the cuff on the left arm doesn't extend past the right side of the shirt![4]
- If the arms are extra long and extend past the edge of the shirt, fold the cuff backwards so it stays within the rectangle.
- Bring the right sleeve across the left sleeve to complete the rectangle shape. Now that you've mastered the left sleeve, do the same move with the right sleeve! Fold the right arm in at the shoulder and bring it across the left arm so they cross in the center of the shirt. Once again, make sure the right sleeve doesn't extend past the edge of the shirt.[5]
- You can always fold the cuffs back in if they extend past the sides of the shirt.
- Start at the bottom and fold the shirt up in thirds. Fold the bottom third of the shirt up, then fold the next third up so it meets the shoulders of the shirt. This creates the perfect size for placing the shirt in a suitcase, drawer, or shelf.
- Flip the shirt back over and adjust the collar. Straighten out any wrinkles and make sure the collar is neat before packing or storing your shirt. This technique will help protect the collar from being crushed and the fabric from wrinkling too much.[6]
- Although this technique protects your shirt from excessive wrinkling, you may still notice a little wrinkling from the folds. Just keep in mind that the next time you wear your shirt, you may have to do a bit of steaming first!
EditFolding Sweaters - Lay the sweater out in front of you, faceup, with the sleeves spread out. Choose a flat surface, such as a table, bed, or floor, and lay the sweater out with the front facing up. Smooth out the surface of the sweater and spread the sleeves out to the sides.
- Fold the right side of the sweater over with the sleeve straight out. This first fold brings the outer right edge of the sweater to the middle of the sweater. Keep the right sleeve extended straight out and lay it across the left arm so it's almost perpendicular.
- Fold the right sleeve back and down so it lines up with the first fold. Fold the sleeve back inwardly just above the elbow, forming a triangle shape. Line the cuff up at the bottom of the sweater with the initial right-side fold.
- Repeat the process on the left side to form a rectangle. Fold in the left side and the left arm just like you did with the right, forming another triangle with the sleeve and a straight line along the left side. Once you're finished, the whole sweater will look like 1 long rectangle.[7]
- Bring the bottom to the top to fold the sweater in half, then in half again. This creates a thick rectangle shape that can stand up on its own. Using this method will help keep your long-sleeved sweaters neat and perfectly folded.[8]
- Once you're finished, store your folded sweaters in drawers standing up. Line them up in a row so you can easily see each piece of clothing.
EditPacking Your Shirts into a Suitcase - Lay out your shirt so it's facing down on a flat surface. Smooth out any bumps and wrinkles in the fabric. Spread the arms straight out before you start folding.[9]
- Fold the shirt in half lengthwise so the sleeves line up. Bring the right sleeve over to match up with the left. Fold along the center of the shirt so the 2 sides mirror each other. Smooth out the shirt to get a clean fold and line up the sleeves as perfectly as you can.[10]
- Fold both sleeves inward so they lay along the center of the folded shirt. Fold the shoulder inwards, creating a slanted line. The cuffs of the sleeves will probably hang past the hem a little bit. Run your hands over the shirt, smoothing out any creases, wrinkles, or bunched-up fabric.[11]
- Tuck the cuffs upward so they line up with the hem of the shirt. Keeping the sleeves together, fold in the cuffs so the bottom of the shirt and the cuffs are aligned. This will keep your cuffs from being crinkled when you fold the shirt in increments.[12]
- Fold in sections until you reach the top. Instead of rolling your shirt, fold it flat in small sections, starting at the bottom, until the whole shirt is folded up. Try to match the folds up so the collar lines up with an edge. However, if the collar hangs out a little past the rest of the folded shirt, that's okay.[13]
- Lay the folded shirt in your suitcase. Pack your shirts, especially long-sleeve dress shirts, at the top of your suitcase. This technique will probably require some extra ironing or steaming when you unpack, but the section-by-section folding will save you lots of space in your suitcase![14]
EditSources and Citations EditQuick Summary
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