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Plant enthusiast’s simple solution to get rid of pests

A plant enthusiast has come up with an easy way of getting rid of gnats and fruit flies around houseplants for good. Graphic designer Brad Canning created his own bug “trap” using three products, dishwashing liquid, apple cider vinegar and honey. The 29-year-old man, who owns more than 60 indoor plants, mixed the three ingredients in a small bowl and placed it near his houseplants. The method works because fungus gnats and fruit flies are attracted to the sweet smell and taste of apple cider vinegar and honey, once they try to drink it, the sticky dish soap would trap them. “How annoying are these tiny little bugs? They’re flying around because you’ve got a couple of houseplants. Lets get rid of them. It’s pretty straight forward,” Brad said in his <a href="https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/%20bradcanning">TikTok video</a>. He made his DIY solution by combining a couple of tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, a dollop of honey and a splash of dishwashing liquid. Braid said white vinegar will work in lieu of apple cider vinegar. “Give it a little bit of mix," he said. “The gnats will be completely attracted to it. They’ll fly in there and will die,” Brad said, adding: “So this will only help to get rid of adult gnats.” The video went viral with many saying they can’t wait to give the method a go at home while those who tried it said it did in fact work. “I did this and it 100 per cent worked for gnats - took a day or two so be patient,” one said. Image credit: TikTok

Home & Garden

5 things in your house that are attracting pests right now

What’s the best way to control pests in your house? Don't make it enticing for them to live there. Use this list to help reduce the odds that insects move into your space. Moisture Dampness attracts many different types of pest. “We need water in our everyday lives, but so do pests,” says entomologist Cherie Hartzer. “Even small amounts of water dripping from an air conditioning unit may attract wasps that are foraging for water. Water that has soaked into wood is attractive to termites. Downpipes and gutters that hold water can be perfect habitats for mosquitoes. And a dripping tap may attract rodents, especially if it has been dry and there aren’t other water sources around.” The cure? Regular maintenance that fixes leaks that could provide pests with a water source. Unused drains A dormant drain – especially one that has a little water and some organic material like hair and soap coating the insides – makes a perfect home for drain flies. “Unused drains create a slimy film that creates an ideal breeding spot for drain flies,” Smith says. “If these flies are present in the house there is almost certainly a slow or clogged drain.” Still air Keeping those ceiling fans running during the summer can do more than keep your air conditioning costs down – they help keep unwelcome critters at bay. “Many flies love still air,” Ricci says. “Fans don’t necessarily blow flies away, but they make the air turbulent enough to discourage them from hanging around too long.” Clutter Here’s another incentive to get rid of your extra stuff – all that clutter can make wonderful homes for insects you definitely don’t want hanging around your house. “If clutter is kept to a minimum, and a home is kept relatively clean, there will be few places for insects to hide,” Ricci says. Overripe fruit That fruit bowl on your counter may be appetising – until one piece of fruit gets a little overripe and attracts fruit flies. “Don’t leave food lying around – place it in the refrigerator or sealed containers if possible,” Hartzer says. This article was written by Lisa Milbrand and first appeared in <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/13-things-in-your-house-that-are-attracting-pests-right-now" target="_blank">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a rel="noopener" href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRA87V" target="_blank">here’s our best subscription offer.</a> Image: Getty Images <img style="width: 100px !important; height: 100px !important;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820640/1.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f30947086c8e47b89cb076eb5bb9b3e2" />

Home & Garden

“Something hatched!" Mum’s disturbing backyard discovery

A woman’s terrifying discovery in her yard has left a number of social media users baffled. The woman, believed to be from Australia, posted a video of a small black mound sitting on top of dirt to a Facebook group last week, as she asked members to help her figure out what it is. “Has anyone seen these before? Just appeared today in a few spots around the yard. It has been raining here overnight,” she said. In the footage, the woman touched the mound, causing what appears to be thousands of tiny alive bugs to move. They seem to go right back to where they were as she pulls her fingers back. Horrified users on Facebook jokingly told the mum to burn her house down or move away from the “alien eggs”. “I have never seen anything like that before!” one woman said. “It looks like kinetic sand,” another wrote. “Something hatched!” a third chimed in. But one person revealed that the bugs appear to be springtails, otherwise known as Anurida Maritima. “Springtails for sure! We have the same thing happen to us and know they come every year. Hate it lol,” someone responded to her. Springtails are a common occurrence in gardens, but they’re still relatively unknown due to their small size, according to the agricultural school of Texas A&M University. “Springtails are common insects that live in leaf litter, compost piles and lawn soils, recycling dead plant material into nutrients to fertilise your lawn,” according to the school. “Only about a millimetre long, springtails are rarely seen, but given the right environmental conditions, they can multiply to become a nuisance.” They are not harmful and do not bite people, pets, spread disease or damage homes.

Home & Garden

Gardening tips you should ignore

Here are some gardening tips that you should ignore, despite what you've heard. 1. Sweeten tomatoes with sugar: Sugar can actually stunt the growth of plants, so it might be best to add it to a cup of tea rather than to the soil. If you want to grow sweeter tomatoes, look for different tomato varieties. 2. Water wilted, yellowing plants: Although it may seem like the natural solution, water isn’t always the answer. Overwatering can also cause plants to wilt or discolour, so unless the soil is dry, it is time to surrender the watering can. 3. Bury banana peels and coffee grounds: While burying banana peels can provide your plants with beneficial potassium, it can also suck up nitrogen that they need to grow. Buried coffee grounds nourish the soil but it can benefit some plants and poison others, so make sure you do your research first. If you’re determined to put your discarded peels and coffee grounds to good use, composting them is the best option. 4. Fight pests with mothballs and soapy water: You may keep the bugs away, but burying mothballs can spread toxins in the garden and spraying dish soap on your plants can burn them. If you’re determined to try either of these, test them in a small area of the garden first. 5. The more fertiliser the better: This is where the “too much of a good thing” rule comes in. While garden fertiliser can do wonders for your plants, going overboard can burn your plants rather than increase their growth. Before emptying the entire bag onto your favourite plant, consult the instructions. Written by Reader's Digest Editors. This article first appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/gardeing-tips/Gardening-Tips-You-Should-Ignore">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRA93V">here’s our best subscription offer</a>.

Home & Garden

5 natural ways to banish household pests

There’s nothing worse than going out to the kitchen in the morning only to find a numerous-legged critter has made itself comfortable in your pantry. Thankfully, you don’t need to spend hundreds on dangerous chemicals or professional pest controllers to get the job done. Whether it’s flies or cockroaches, we’ve got natural solutions to all your pest problems. 1. Flies Do you constantly have the swatter at the ready? Put it down! All you need to ward away flies is basil! They hate the smell. Simply place pots of basil on your windowsills or kitchen top to discourage them. If you don’t have enough sun for potted basil, the dried stuff works just as well. Just pop it into a muslin pouch and rub it often to keep the scent nice and strong. 2. Spiders Banish eight-legged critters with a spray bottle filled with water and unsweetened lemon or lime juice – spiders hate citrus. Grab some wipes and spray down the areas of your home prone to spiders (doorways, windowsills etc). If they’re wreaking havoc in your garden, scatter some lemon, orange or lime peels around. 3. Ants These tiny troublemakers can be notoriously difficult to get rid of, but the solution is surprisingly easy. All you need is a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water. Use it to wipe down any surfaces ants have taken a liking to and repeat several times a day until they’re gone. It works by destroying the scent trails used by ants to help them navigate. 4. Mosquitoes The enemy of every summer barbeque, pesky mozzies can be eradicated with something a little unorthodox – catnip. According to <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/08/010828075659.htm" target="_blank">Science Daily</a>, it repels mosquitos even more effectively than DEET. You can grow it at home or apply undiluted catnip oil to your skin and you’ll be protected for up to two hours. 5. Cockroaches Get rid of creepy-crawly cockroaches by dusting boric acid into any cracks, crevices, voids and wherever else you see them emerge from. This fine powder clings to their legs, antennae and bodies, so when they groom themselves, they consume the boric acid, which acts as a stomach poison and kills them.

Insurance

Cat promoted to senior pest controller at train station

Years of hard work has paid off for this kitty - she's just been promoted by her employer. Felix has been patrolling a train station in the UK for five years and in recognition of her service she had been promoted by management to Senior Pest Controller of Huddersfield Station. The black and white moggy joined staff at the station in West Yorkshire when she was nine weeks old, the Independent reported. She roams the platform day and night, keeping the area free of mice. A highly valued member of staff, Felix even has her own cat flap built into one of the barriers, allowing her cross to and from the platform freely. Along with her promotion, Felix has received a new high-visibility vest and name badge by the First Transpennine Express rail network. A rail network spokesman told the BBC they haven't kept a mice tally, but she had "caught three recently" and was a "natural" at chasing away pigeons. Scroll through the gallery above to see Felix in action. First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz.</a> Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/01/photos-of-animals-hitchhiking/">Hilarious photos of animals hitchhiking</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/01/animals-who-love-warm/">In pictures: 12 animals who love warmth more than anything</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/10/why-dogs-so-happy-to-see-you/">The science behind dogs being so happy to see you</a>

News

DIY household pest remedies

Household pests can be a real, well, pest. And we know that many of our Over60 members prefer to do things naturally, rather than using chemicals or sprays. So we’ve found some easy DIY remedies to rid your house of these common pests.Ants can be frustrating when they’re around, but very simple to get rid of. All you need to do is spray a soapy water mixture or window cleaner on them and their trail. It will kill the ants and break the trail. If you can follow some ants back to their nest, pouring boiling water on it will kill many of them in one go. Another handy hint is to sprinkle cinnamon where you think ants might be getting into your house. They won’t cross the line.Cockroaches could survive a nuclear bomb, so the saying goes, but they won’t survive this incredibly simple DIY solution: Roach Balls. All you need to do is combine 2 cups of borax, ½ cup of sugar, ½ cup of chopped onion, 2 tablespoons of cornflour, and 2 tablespoons of water in a bowl. Then just roll the mixture into small balls. Place the balls in unsealed sandwich bags (three balls to a bag), and leave them in the places you’ve seen cockroaches. These balls are poisonous – keep out of any area where pets or children could get to them.<a href="/lifestyle/at-home/2015/02/chemical-free-cleaning/" target="_blank">Related link: Chemical-free cleaning for your home</a>Dust mites can be a problem in warmer, more humid climates. They’re microscopic and can live just about anywhere in your home. People who are allergic to them can suffer from itchy, watery eyes; sneezing; eczema, respiratory problems, nasal stuffiness, and blocked ears. The problem here is the dust, so cleaning thoroughly is key. Use a damp cloth or microfibre cloth to dust surfaces weekly; wash your bedding in water at least 55° each week to kill any mites; switch to synthetic pillows. For people with strong allergic reactions to dust mites, you might want to consider more extreme measures like replacing your carpet with tiles or floorboards, installing vertical blinds or shutters in place or curtains, and getting a household air filter.Fleas can be a problem for everyone in the family once a pet gets them. But they’re simple enough to eliminate. First, bathe your pet in saltwater, or in warm water in which you have steeped rosemary. To eliminate from any upholstery and carpets, sprinkle the sites with baking soda and then vacuum them up. For this part, it’s advisable to use a vacuum bag that seals well and dispose of it once you’ve finished.Related links:<a href="/lifestyle/at-home/2014/10/how-to-remove-stains-at-home-101/" target="_blank">Stain removal 101</a><a href="/lifestyle/at-home/2015/01/things-you-need-to-clean-at-home/" target="_blank">How many of these dirty spots in your home are you not cleaning?</a><a href="/lifestyle/at-home/2014/12/rid-household-smells/" target="_blank">Banish these 8 common household smells</a>

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Plant enthusiast’s simple solution to get rid of pests

5 things in your house that are attracting pests right now