Dig up the roots

Using a gardening fork or trowel, which is a small gardening shovel, may be the easiest way to deal with a small problem. Onion grass roots and bulbs are not very deep and can usually be easily removed this way. It is important to keep in mind that the entire root system must be dug up and completely removed, to the trash can for instance.

Apply glyphosate

Glyphosate can be applied to the area to kill the weed. In order to use this technique, great care must be taken. Correct conditions, such as weather and temperature, are very important. Instructions need to be followed carefully. It must be kept in mind that glyphosate is a plant killer and may cause harm to any plant that it comes into contact with, not only the onion grass.

Turning to the many weed killers available

A quick peek down the gardening aisle at almost any store will open a variety of options. Commercial weed killers will offer a hand in exterminating the product. In most cases it is best to start by manually removing as many of the clusters as possible. Protection of the healthy grass may be necessary. One way of doing this is to lay cardboard over it where it is conceivable.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

Though nothing is foolproof, a small effort to prevent the growth of onion grass should at least keep it at bay. It is always a good idea to spend some time going over any area that will be planted or landscaped to prepare it. Digging up anything that seems suspicious of becoming a problem is a great way to start. If there is any substantial amount of weeds discovered, a preliminary application of weed killing solution should be considered. A thick layer of mulch on existing grass will help protect an already established lawn.

Being persistent is the key

Constant maintenance is a must to keep onion grass under control. When the invaders are spied sprouting again, pulling them up as soon as possible will be a huge help. Some gardeners chose to use a twice yearly regimen of applying chemicals. Proper timing of the doses will be most effective because of the fact that onion grass is a perennial. To prevent spring growth it is best to use the solution in the late winter. A second application in the late fall will be absorbed into the roots.

More than likely, lawn caretakers everywhere will need to employ a combination of methods to reach success. Above all, it should be remembered that onion grass is a weed and may require an extended amount of time and patience. With some hard work and persistence, even onion grass can be defeated.

A Warm Compress

Placing a warm compress over the affected eye for ten to twenty minutes can help to soothe the eye and speed up the recovery process. If only one eye is effected, the compress should only be placed over that eye. After one that is done with the compress, it should be washed by itself in the washing machine or thrown out. Pink eye is rather contagious and can easily be spread through the used washcloth.

Tea Bags

In addition to using a washcloth, a tea bag compress on the eyes has been known to soothe the irritations. This remedy is one that has been used for quite a few years. Teas such as chamomile, black and green are all ones that may prove helpful. The tea bag should be allowed to steep shortly in warm water. This is then placed on the eye for up to twenty minutes at a time.

Vitamins

As with any infection, a healthy body will speed up the recovery process. Taking supplements that include zinc can help the immune system and get rid of pink high quicker. Foods such as meats, seafood, legumes and eggs are naturally high in zinc. Vitamin A is also helpful in treating any eye problems. Foods such as carrots, spinach and potatoes are all high in vitamin A.

Antibiotics

The easiest and most effective way to rid one of pink eye is often through the use of antibiotics. These cannot be obtained over the counter and must be prescribed by a doctor. Antibiotics will come either in pill form or in eye drops. Children who are very reluctant to take the drops may do better with the pills. For a child who is infected with pink eye, his school or daycare may have different policies as to when he can be admitted back in school. Once a child is on antibiotics for at least 24 hours, he is usually able to return to classes.

Pink eye is not an enjoyable infection, but is one that people commonly get. It is easily treated and can be prevented by frequent hand washing. Also when one is infected, pillowcases, sheets and the towels need to be washed on a daily basis. It is spread all too easily and quickly by people who are careless. If children are infected, it is important that parents explain how they should care for their eyes and take steps to not spread the pink eye to friends or family members.

Soak Garment

Soak immediately the clothing that has the blood stain upon it with cool water. You ought to conduct this just as soon as the soiling happens in order for the blood stain not to set in. According to an authority in Happy Living magazine, at times, just agitating the blood-stained clothing in cool water will be enough to remove the blood stain.

Use Sponge to Dab at Stain

If the blood stain still remains in the clothing utilize a regular soap bar or liquid hand soap in order to build a lather up in the basin of cool water. According to an authority in Happy Living magazine, you can agitate the fabric within the soapy water then continue on to rinse it. Utilize a sponge in order to dab at the blood stain until the blood stain is removed.

Soak Fabric for One Hour

If the bar or liquid soap is inefficient, soak your fabric within cool water for an hour, and apply a powdered meat tenderizer to the cool water. According to a source on the site Mrs. Clean, allow your garment to sit for half an hour within the cool water as well as meat tenderizer mixture, and rinse from the back to the front.

Allow to Air Dry

As the blood stain is removed, immediately wash your garment using your regular cleaning supplies or permit your garment to air dry a bit prior to placing it within your dirty clothing hamper for washing later on.

Ideally, you ought to immediately clean the blood-stained piece of clothing, yet if the blood stain was there for a while cool water ought to assist in reactivating the blood in order for you to remove it, according to a source from the website Mrs. Clean. You should never rub a blood stain, as this only causes the stain to embed deeper. Blotting it will do just fine. Do not utilize scolding water upon a blood stain, as hot water will denature the hemoglobin, causing the blood stain to stick to the fabric. The protein within the blood pulls it in. For bloody stains, cold water is your best friend, according to specialists on Mrs. Clean House. Forget about attempting to get rid of blood stains from clothing which must always be dry-cleaned. According to Heloise, take the clothing to the cleaners, inform them of the stain then allow them to handle it.

1. Prevent further damage

Age spots can darken and grow larger with more exposure to the sun, so always apply SPF 30 or higher sunscreen whenever you go outside. All it takes is a few minutes for the sun to damage skin.

2. Use aloe vera

Aloe vera has been shown to reduce the appearance of age spots when used at least twice a day. Aloe can be purchased almost anywhere, and it is effective in any form. It can take several months to start seeing a difference, but persistence will pay off in this situation.

3. Try common kitchen items

Apple cider vinegar, olive oil, and lemon juice are home remedies that many people have used to reduce the appearance of age spots. Just like aloe, it can take several months before a difference can be noticed.

4. Over-the-counter skin creams

There are many skin creams available without a prescription that can work to quickly eliminate age spots. These often work by bleaching the skin, so it should carefully be applied to only the affected areas. Long-term use of these creams is discouraged as they can damage the skin after repeated applications.

5. Chemical peel

A chemical peel is a procedure performed by a professional that uses acid to remove the top layer of skin. This allows newer cells to take the place of the damaged cells. It may take several applications, but the results are guaranteed.

6. Scrub the age spots away

Dermabrasion is another procedure performed by professionals that can scrub away the top layer of old, damaged skin cells. It is slightly less effective than a chemical peel, but it is less damaging to the skin.

7. Pricey, but effective

The use of lasers is the most effective way to get rid of age spots. Lasers remove age spots by destroying cells that make the pigments that darken skin. This method has few side effects, but it can be extremely expensive if multiple treatments are needed.

Dealing with age spots is a part of growing older, but it is a battle that can be won. By using the treatments outlined above, you can improve your appearance with clear, even skin. This will boost your confidence and let the world see how young you feel!

Treat the item immediately

The longer you wait, the more set the stain will become. If you don’t have time to do any of the treatments listed, at least let the item soak in warm water until you can treat the stain.

Use a detergent that contains enzymes

Detergents that contain enzymes can break apart the chemicals that make the stain bind to fabric. Most detergents contain these enzymes, but you can check on the bottle to be sure.

Powder detergent

A useful characteristic of powder detergents is that they can be turned into an abrasive paste that can scrub away stains. Mix just enough water into a cup of detergent to moisten the powder. Then, rub into the stain with an old toothbrush until completely saturated. Immediately launder as usual.

Bleach the stain away

Bleach is the easiest way to remove stains from white clothing. Bleach alternatives can be used on color fabrics, but they are not as effective. Be sure to check the tags on clothing to ensure they can withstand this sort of treatment.

Alcohol and water rinse

Before washing the item, it can be treated with alcohol and water to loosen up the stain. First, wet a sponge with rubbing alcohol and allow to dry. Next, wet the sponge with water and detergent. Rub the grass stain vigorously until the fabric is completely saturated and then allow to dry completely. Launder as usual and the grass stain should be gone!

Molasses

An old remedy for grass stains is to use molasses or think syrup to “pull” the stain off the fabric and shoe leather. Rub molasses into the stain and rinse well. The shoes should be clean, but fabrics may have to be thrown the wash to complete the stain removal.

Vinegar and water

Mix equal parts white vinegar and water and then soak the stain. You can work the mixture into the fabric with an old toothbrush for increased effectiveness. This can help get rid of grass stains that have been in the fabric for longer amounts of time.

Remember that not all of these remedies will work for every single type of stain and fabric. It will take some experimentation to see what methods work best for you. It may even be helpful to write down what methods work for what fabrics so you can have your own handy guide that will save time and stress down the road.

1. Consider lessening the population

Thinning out a deer population by hunting has been shown to reduce their effect on gardens and foliage in the area. It can also improve the overall health of the deer population by reducing disease and starvation. The method is controversial as some do not agree with the killing of animals and there are legal restrictions as to how many deer can be hunted. Before attempting this method, be sure you live in an area where the use of firearms is allowed.

2. Fence in entire yard

Putting up a tall fence is an extremely effective way to stop deer from invading a garden, but it can be unsightly. The fence would need to be at least eight feet tall and go one foot into the ground. Hungry deer can be rather persistent and will attempt to push under a fence.

3. Protect the plants

Placing protective mesh around the plants you want to keep safe is an alternative to fencing in an entire yard. It still allows the plants to be displayed while stopping damage.

4. Consider planting deer resistant plants

There are some types of plants that deer simply will not bother. Some more popular species are Spearmint, Blue Fescue Grass, Lavender, Peony, Lamb’s Ear and Yucca. Deer will also avoid most plants with strong odors or thorns. Unfortunately, most vegetables are quite attractive to deer, so there aren’t many options with the exception of hot peppers.

5. Remove cover

Deer feel the safest when they feed near brushy cover. If you live near a wooded area, removing the brush and limbs around the bases of the trees can discourage deer activity.

6. Chemical repellents

There are many varieties of commercial deer repellents on the market today. They come in sprays and granules, which makes them easy to apply over large areas. Some mimic the smells of predators, while others create an extremely foul odor to the deer. Note: These sprays can also affect family pets.

7. Electronic repellents

Electronic repellents are placed near the area you would like to protect and work by emitting an irritating sound to deer. They can be motion activated or set to run continuously. There are other electronic repellents that spray the deer with water or startle them with bright lights.

These are some of the best ways to stop deer from destroying your yard and garden; however there is no magic solution. It may take several of the methods outlined above to make a difference, but beautiful flowers and vegetables will be worth the trouble!

Be sure grubs are your problem

A simple way to confirm there are grubs present in your lawn is to dig up a small section of grass and count the grubs you find. A count of more than 20 grubs per square foot usually means there is an infestation. It is normal to have a few grubs in your yard, so if this is the case you may need to look into other sources of dying grass.

Plant a thicker lawn

The adult beetles seek out areas of thinner grass to lay eggs, so your lawn is more likely to remain untouched if it is too thick for the beetles. This can be achieved by seeding the lawn every spring and fall.

Only water when needed

The eggs and larvae need high moisture levels to thrive. Only watering your lawn when it is needed will reduce the population with the added benefit of lower water bills!

Use a natural predator

Parasitic worms called nematodes can reduce a grub population by 50% to 80%. They work by feeding and completing their life cycle inside the grubs’ bodies. Caution should be used as these worms can also eliminate other species of insects. Do plenty of research before trying this method to get rid of grubs.

Kill them with bacteria

Bacillus popilliae, commonly referred to as Milky Spore, can be used to kill grubs that are still relatively young and close to the surface. The best time to apply Milky Spore is around August as this is the time when grubs are the closest to the surface. This will not eliminate all of the grubs, so treatments may need to be administered several years in a row to be completely effective.

Pesticides

The use of regular pesticides on grubs is not considered very effective. It is difficult to apply at the proper time of the year as the grubs may be too large or too deep in the soil for the pesticide to kill them.

By using the strategies outlined above, you can transform your patchy lawn into the lovely, green lawn you’ve always wanted. It will take some time and dedication, but the results will be worth the work.

Image Credit: http://www.ent.iastate.edu/soybeaninsects/node/347

Spray it don’t Say it!

Chemical management: Chemical management is probably the most commonly used method of removing cattails. It doesn’t require a lot of effort which in our fast paced lives means more time for other endeavors. However, the two main drawbacks to using chemicals is the effect on the pond or water feature and the cost. Now before you go spreading Napalm on your cattails here are two things to seriously remember. First, be safe! Always make sure to read your chemical containers for instructions and warnings. Second, check with your local and state government since some conservation laws require permits for applying aquatic herbicides and pesticides.

Get out the Waders! Pulling by hand:

This is probably the most inexpensive way to get rid of cattails, pulling them by hand. If you have the time and need the exercise or just enjoy getting wet in the great outdoors, this is the method for you. Remember though it is easier to pull these particularly persistent perennials when they are young. Be sure to reach down and pull them by the root otherwise they will return with a vengeance and wreak havoc on your newly cattail clear eco system.

Time to Cut the Cord – Mechanical management:

Now before you try to mow the cattails down with your riding mower (which I certainly hope you do not try) you should know that most mechanical means of managing cattails do not completely remove them and the efforts need to be repeated often. When the cattails are about 6 inches tall you can trim them with a gas powered trimmer. Please note GAS powered since you should never use anything electric near water. That could seriously ruin your day. If you use hand trimmers, cut the stalks below the water’s surface.

Goats, Hippo’s, and Manatee’s, Biological management:

Unless your cattails are on a farm pond chances are you don’t have a goat to stake out by the banks to munch on the many succulent seeded monopods growing from the cattail roots. And since Hippos are happily half way around the world, and Manatees are on the endangered species list; there aren’t many reliable ways to biologically get rid of cattails. There is a fish called the grass carp that is often mentioned as a control method but in reality they do not eat cattails.

Whichever method you choose to use in removing your cattails, remember that in reality some cattails can greatly improve the quality of your pond or other water feature by naturally filtering the water, keeps the banks from eroding, and provides food and shelter for the birds, frogs and fish.

Get to the root of the problem to get rid of it

Mesquite, thanks to it’s hardy disposition, will grow back if you leave the root system intact. If you rent a bulldozer with a root plow, you can cut the mesquite roots just under the surface. While this will not prevent the mesquite from growing back entirely, it will delay the regrowth for a few years.

If the plant is not fully mature, and the roots do not extend to deeply within the ground, you may be able to dig them out of the ground. It’s recommended that you wait until after a rain storm if you intend to dig the roots of the mesquite tree or shrub out by hand.

Spike it to kill it

Cut the mesquite tree or shrub down, leaving only the stump. Other hardy bushes and trees can be killed by driving a large copper spike into the middle of the stump. This method has inconsistent results, but it is a less labor intensive method than digging the root system out by hand, and it is also more cost effective than renting a bulldozer. This may be the method you want to choose for to get rid of mesquite on your property.

Spray and pray may be the key to destroy it

If the chemical approach does not concern you, some gardening experts recommend concocting a mix of herbicide and diesel fuel. They then instruct you to spray the unwanted mesquite trees, or shrubs, with this mixture. The chemicals in the mixture are supposed to, essentially, suffocate the mesquite tree or shrub.

Sewer treatment may unclog more than septic systems

Another chemical solution may be to use a a copper chloride mixture, much like what they use to get rid of roots that clog sewer lines and septic systems. For this solution, you will want to drill holes into the stump of the mesquite tree or shrub, and also in the ground around the stump. Then pour the copper chloride into holes that you drilled into the mesquite tree or shrub.

It cannot be stressed enough that the mesquite species is a hardy species, prone to survival against all odds. If you are determined to get rid of the mesquite on your property, you should prepare your self for a long battle.

Take a cool bath or shower

After a sunburn, the skin is going to be extremely sensitive to heat in all forms, so a hot shower could aggravate damaged skin. This will only provide temporary relief, but this will help wash away debris and dead skin that has accumulated on the burn.

Prevent further damage

Limit further sun exposure by covering up burned areas or by using sunscreen even when briefly exposed to the sun. The burned skin will be more sensitive to UV rays due to its natural defenses already being broken down by the burn. If possible, stay indoors for the next several days or until the redness lessens.

Use pain relievers

There are many over-the-counter topical and oral pain relievers that can help ease the pain and swelling of a sunburn. Creams that contain Aloe Vera, Lidocaine or Benzocaine are all effective in relieving pain. Medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen can help with the swelling and headaches that can accompany a sunburn. Note: Do not put oily substances such as butter on the burn as this can slow down healing and could cause infection.

Drink plenty of water and eat nutritious food

During the healing period, the body is working hard to repair damage done to the skin and needs fuel to complete this task. Be sure to drink plenty of water as this will hydrate the skin and tissues. Also, eating well-balancing meals will provide the body with energy and vitamins needed for healing.

Wear loose clothing

Don’t wear tight fitting clothes during the healing period as this will irritate the sunburn and can reduce circulation to the skin. Loose-fitting, natural materials are the best choices when you have a sunburn.

Leave peeling skin alone

Picking at the peeling skin during the final stages of healing can remove some of the protective skin the lower layers of tissue are still using to heal. This can even result in bleeding and infection.

The only thing that will completely heal sunburn is time, but these steps will lessen discomfort and speed up the healing process. Most importantly, if the healing seems to be taking longer than usual, a persistent fever develops, or infection sets in, talk to your doctor about further treatment.