0

How to Get Rid of Pesky Lawn Mosquitoes

Summer is here, and after a long hard day at the office, you are ready to sip on some ice-cold lemonade in the backyard. You settle into your hammock, unaware of the lurking danger that is about to strike when you feel it, an itching sensation on your legs.

You swat at the air, but there are too many, and you realize your summer is now ruined by the horrors of those pesky mosquitoes, the deadliest creature in the world!

Mosquitoes are the cause of over 1 million deaths each year so continue reading, and we’ll show you how to get rid of mosquitoes in the yard to make it a safe haven once more.

Cut Off Their Water Supply

If you think you might have a mosquito infestation, the first thing you should do is look for standing water in your yard. Mosquitos lay about 100-200 eggs and need stagnant water for the larvae to hatch.

Clean out gutters, to ensure water is not trapped and is flowing properly. Check for puddles or anywhere a pool of water might be hiding, such as under a debris pile, or inside kids’ outdoor play sets. Treat ponds so that larvae do not survive.

Mosquitos need very little water to lay their eggs in, but by doing a weekly check of your yard, you can cut back on the mosquito population by up to 70 percent. If at any time you are uncertain of where mosquitos might be lurking, then calling a pest control service, such as Holmes Lawn & Pest, can help you determine the source of their breeding grounds.

How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes in the Yard Without Chemicals

If you are looking for ways to treat your yard without using harsh chemicals, essential oils are the way to go. Some of the oils that are known to repel mosquitos are:

• Lavender
• Eucalyptus
• Peppermint
• Rosemary
• Lemongrass

You may already know that citronella candles are effective at keeping mosquitos away, but did you know they can also help reduce stress? Studies show that citronella oil can significantly reduce blood pressure and lower heart rate, and after a long day at work, who doesn’t want that?

Do Bug Zappers Work?

We are all familiar with the infamous zapping sound that is made when a bug is being electrocuted, but how effective are they when it comes to mosquito control?

The answer may surprise you. According to the Colorado State University Extension, there is no research to show that bug zapping devices reduce the outdoor biting ratio. Research shows that they actually do more harm than good, since they tend to attract the wrong bugs.

Moths are more than happy to fly into anything that glows but moths play an important role at night just as bees do during the day. A study done by the U.S. Forest Service shows that moths help to pollinate a large variety of plants and crops. Moths can carry the pollen over greater distances, so stay clear of the zappers and stick with repellents and yard cleanup to help get rid of mosquitos in the yard.

Call a Professional

When all else fails and you are still unsure of how to get rid of mosquitoes in the yard, seek outside help. Professionals are well equipped and will be able to better assist you in finding the right methods for mosquito control, so fight back, and don’t let your backyard become a horror movie this summer!

If you enjoyed this article, check out the rest of our site to read all the great lifestyle-oriented content we have to offer.

 

0

Choosing a Laptop for a Craft Business

If you love crafting, then setting up your own craft business can be an exciting time. Finally, you are going to be able to make some money from your hobby whether you want a side hustle alongside your regular job, or are hoping to turn it into a full-time business and source of income for yourself. No matter what kind of products you make and sell, one of the most important pieces of equipment that you will need to get when starting out is a laptop. You’re going to be using your laptop a lot for running your business and potentially even making the items that you sell, which is why it’s important to consider several factors.

Compatibility

First of all, it’s important to make sure that you choose a laptop that is compatible with any other equipment that you are going to use it with a lot. For example, if you make your items using a Cricut, then you will need to use a laptop to create designs to use with the machine, upload patterns, and more. Check out compatible laptops at Lenovo.com that you can use for both crafting and all the business side of things like marketing, setting up your website, customer service and more.

Portability

One of the best things about running your own business is that it’s easier to do it from anywhere. You can take your laptop on vacation with you or find somewhere else to work if you don’t want to be in your house for the day. This is definitely worth thinking about when it comes to buying the right laptop – ideally, you should go for something that is lightweight, easy to carry around, and has a good battery life so that you don’t need to worry about it running out of battery when you’re in the middle of working.

Durability

Laptops that are used for running a business will often take a much bigger bashing compared to a general consumer laptop. Unlike a laptop that you might use at home for things like writing emails, browsing, online shopping and watching movies, you’re going to be using your business laptop for more work and more often. Because of this, it might be worth investing in a laptop that is built for business use and can withstand daily use for several years.

Performance Specs

A laptop that goes really slow or crashes a lot when you are trying to run a business from it can be seriously frustrating, and the last thing that you want is a laptop that is standing in the way of you and business success. Carefully consider the performance specs including the central processing unit (CPU), random access memory (RAM), and the storage space offered by the laptop. While an average amount is usually fine for most small businesses, you should get higher if you can afford to do so.

If you’re starting your own craft business, then your laptop is going to be one of the most important pieces of kit you’ll need.

 

0

How to Make a Flowchart in Microsoft Excel

Did you know that you can use Microsoft Excel for more than just spreadsheets? The program itself has over 450 available functions beyond the standard data entry. You can use these functions to organize the data into graphs and flowcharts.

A flowchart is an effective way to illustrate and present the data in your spreadsheet. Below is a guide on how to make a flowchart in Microsoft Excel.

Keep reading to learn more!

But First, What is Microsoft Excel? 

It’s a spreadsheet software program that visualizes and analyzes data. Businesses use Microsoft Excel to sort and organize their company data and pinpoint trends among the numbers.

Here’s How to Make a Flowchart In Microsoft Excel

Use this as a guide to help you with the process of making a Microsoft Excel flowchart. If you still have questions, contact this company. They offer more Microsoft Excel tips and assistance.

SmartArt Graphics

If you want to create a flowchart, the simplest way is to use SmartArt Graphic. View the instructions below.

1. Open Excel and click the Insert tab at the top of the menu
2. Select Insert and the SmartArt Graphic button
3. Pay attention to items listed in the dialog box
4. Click Process
5. Pick a flowchart template from the available options

A Microsoft Excel Flowchart From Scratch

If you need a more specific design for your flowchart, you’ll need to do it from scratch. Be sure to prep your worksheet before inserting shapes.

1. Create a Grid

Click the box in the upper-left corner of the worksheet grid to select all the cells. Then right-click on any column and press Column Width. Enter 2.14 into the dialog box and click ok to make all the columns the same size.

2. Enable the Alignment Feature

Select the Page Layout tab in the top menu bar. Then click Align under the Arrange section and choose Snap to Grid.

3. Adjust Page Layout

Adjust margins, page orientation, and page size by clicking the Page Layout tab. You can find all the tools under Page Setup.

4. Add Shapes

From the top menu bar, select Insert, then Shapes. The menu will show a variety of shapes to use for your flowchart. You can change the color, outline, and shadow of the shape by using the formatting menu.

5. Type Your Text 

If you want to label or add text to the shape, click the one you want to have the text and start typing. If you need to make edits later, use the same method.

6. Connect Shapes

Go back to the Insert tab and select shapes. In the drop-down menu, look for Line Arrows so you can connect the bubbles in your flowchart. You can format these lines or add text to them using the same method as adding shapes.

Learning How to Make a Flowchart in Microsoft Excel is Easy

Visualize your data in Microsoft Excel by putting it in a flowchart. You can use this guide on how to make a flowchart in Microsoft Excel. If you have more questions, consider hiring some extra help.

Follow our blog for more tips!

 

0

The difference between trading CFDs and futures in Sydney

Several critical distinctions exist between Contracts for Difference (CFDs) and futures when trading. We’ll take a look at the main distinctions between CFDs and futures in Sydney, so you can make an informed decision about which product is right for you.

What are CFDs and futures contracts?

If you’re new to forex trading, you may be wondering what CFDs and futures contracts are. Both are financial instruments that allow traders to speculate on the future price of an asset. For example, a futures contract might give the holder the right to buy a certain amount of gold at a set price on a specific date.

Similarly, a CFD might give the holder the right to sell shares in a company at current prices, regardless of whether the share price has risen or fallen by the contract expires. You may use contracts of both types to hedge against potential losses or take advantage of possible price changes.

The benefits of trading CFDs over futures

Many forex traders prefer to trade CFDs for futures trading, as CFDs can be advantageous for many reasons:

1. CFDs allow traders to take a position on the price of an asset without incurring the total cost of ownership.
2. CFDs offer leverage, meaning that traders can control a more prominent position than they would with their capital.
3. CFDs are generally more liquid than futures contracts, making it easier for traders to enter and exit positions.

For these reasons, Sydney Forex traders often find that trading CFDs offers several advantages over futures.

How to trade CFDs

Forex traders looking to trade CFDs can do so through several online brokers. You must compare fees, leverage, and account minimums when choosing a broker. Australian traders will also want to consider the broker’s platform and whether it offers access to global markets.

Once a trader has selected a broker, they will need to open a CFD account and fund it with Australian dollars. Traders can then begin trading CFDs on various asset classes, including stocks, forex, commodities, and indices. Stop-loss orders and take-profit orders are critical risk management tools traders can use to maximise profits.

The risks associated with trading CFDs

Forex traders should be aware of the risks associated with trading CFDs. While CFDs can offer investors the opportunity to make significant profits, they also come with a high risk. Sydney investors considering trading CFDs should be fully aware of the risks involved before making any trades.

One of the most significant risks associated with CFDs is highly leveraged products. It means that investors can potentially lose more money than they have invested. Therefore, it is essential that you only trade with money you can afford to lose.

Another risk is that the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) does not regulate CFDs. It means that Australian investors will not have the same level of protection as they would if they were investing in other financial products. Investors who are unsure about this should therefore seek professional advice before making any investments.

The differences between Sydney’s two leading futures exchanges

Sydney has two of the world’s major futures exchanges, the Sydney Futures Exchange (SFE) and the Sydney Futures Exchange Clearing House (SFECH). Both exchanges offer a range of products and services for Australian or Sydney-based forex traders. However, there are some critical differences between the two exchanges.

The SFE is a fully electronic exchange, while the SFECH is a hybrid exchange that offers both electronic and floor-trading facilities. The SFE is also a member of the World Federation of Exchanges, while the SFECH is not.

Another key difference is that the SFE offers trading in a broader range of products than the SFECH. These include interest rate futures, currency futures, equity index futures and options, and commodity futures. The SFECH, on the other hand, offers a narrower range of products, focusing primarily on interest rate futures.

Ultimately, only you know what is best for your portfolio in relation to your risk appetite and investment goals. Therefore, you should do sufficient research and consult with professionals if necessary, and abstain from making hasty decisions.

 

0

How to Pay for Travel With Bitcoin

Are you itching to take a vacation?

If so, you’re not alone. That’s because when the heat of summer arrives, more and more people are getting anxious to explore fun and exciting destinations.

As you begin planning your upcoming getaway, it’s important to keep your finances in mind. This includes how you’ll pay for things like travel, lodging, food, and general expenses.

When it comes to keeping your money safe, it’s a good idea to pay for travel with crypto. Here we take a look at how to pay for travel with bitcoin so you can enjoy maximum convenience and security. Keep reading to learn more.

Why Should You Travel with Crypto?

When it comes to protecting your money, it’s crucial to find ways to make secure purchases. That’s one of the primary advantages of using Bitcoin for travel. After all, it’s not tied to a central bank, which means it’s not regulated by any type of government body.

Why is this such a big deal? Well, using Bitcoin allows you to remain a bit more anonymous during your travels than traditional banks or credit cards.

Where Can You Make Purchases Using Bitcoin?

In recent years, an increasing number of travelers have discovered the convenience of Bitcoin to book hotels and flights. And yet it’s still not accepted by all retailers.

The key is to research which websites accept Bitcoin payments so that you can make reservations quickly and easily.

Where Can You Get Access to Bitcoin While Traveling?

It’s important to keep in mind that paying with Bitcoin is similar to using traditional credit and debit cards. This is especially true when making online purchases. When you’re ready to check out, you will be redirected to a crypto site where you can complete the transaction.

You’ll need to keep Bitcoin in your digital wallet. This means when you travel with cryptocurrency, you’ll need to visit a Bitcoin ATM. Once you’ve located an ATM, you’ll buy as much Bitcoin as needed, minus a small convenience fee. Be sure to take your receipt for the ATM transaction.

Here’s a resource where you can read up on how to find a bitcoin ATM while traveling.

Crypto Gift Cards

Believe it or not, you can also pay for travel with crypto using Bitcoin gift cards. That’s because an increasing number of companies in the United States and internationally now accept Bitcoin, and yet you won’t have to worry about your digital wallet. Simply use the gift card to complete the transaction in person or online.

Tips On How to Pay for Travel With Bitcoin

There’s nothing more than exploring new places during the summer following a cold winter. Fortunately, understanding how to pay for travel with bitcoin is a great way to experience greater spending flexibility without having to worry about misplaced or stolen money.

Continue scrolling through the list of articles on this blog to find more great content filled with useful travel and lifestyle-oriented tips and advice for your family.

 

0

Why you need to be consistent with your hair loss treatment

There’s no doubt that life in the present day is stressful. After a busy week in the office and a weekend of socialising with your friends, it can be tough to keep up with even the simplest tasks in your daily routine. But if you’re not consistent with your hair loss treatment, it’s likely to impact your desired results. Let’s take a look at why consistency is king when it comes to hair loss treatments.

Starting with a foundation

Finasteride and Minoxidil are just like any other medications – they require time to take effect. Although you might be understandably frustrated that you do not see immediate results, patience is vital if you’re going to see the long term benefits of any hair care treatment. But sometimes, when men don’t see results after a few weeks, they start skipping days and may even end up ditching it altogether. But in reality, daily consumption is crucial if you want Finasteride and Minoxidil to work in the long run. Finasteride’s job is to block DHT, which then enables hair follicles to start growing once again. But the process can take between six and twelve months, so you need to be patient while you build up this foundation.

Achieving the results that you desire

Naturally, you’ve started a hair loss treatment plan because you want to see an improvement in your hair growth. So, the best way to achieve the results that you desire is to take your medication daily over the course of at least one year. Skipping just one or two days in a month can negatively impact your long-term hair loss goals. Fortunately, Finasteride and Minoxidil are easy to take, so it’s not too much of a hardship to stick to your routine.

Tips to help you get into a routine

Take your medication at the same time as other habits

One of the most effective ways of sticking to your routine is to take your hair loss medication at the same time as other daily tasks. A good idea is to take your Finasteride and Minoxidil when you’re brushing your teeth in the morning or just before you hop into bed at night.

Remind yourself each day

Scheduling reminders on your phone is another good way of sticking to your hair care routine. When you receive a reminder at the same time each day, it will stop you from forgetting to take your medication.

Don’t get downhearted

Granted, it can be down heartening when you don’t see results right away. But the key is to stick with your hair loss treatment. Your consistency in the early days will impact the success of the medication in the long term, so don’t be tempted to throw in the towel.

For any hair loss treatment to be successful, you need to be consistent. If you’re ready to take the first steps towards a head of hair that you can once again be proud of, book your free consultation with Sons today.

0

4 Ways to Save Electricity in Your Home

Is there anything that can ruin a day faster than seeing your monthly electricity bill in your mailbox? You may even feel the need to brace yourself as you open the letter.

Instead of cringing when you see the number, you’ll find that reducing how much you rely on electricity can help save you money. However, you may be wondering what you can do to cut back.

If you want to save electricity around your home but aren’t sure where to start, keep reading for some of the best tips to cut costs and reduce environmental strains.

1. Unplug

One of the most obvious ways to reduce your dependency on electricity is to turn off your appliances when they’re not in use. However, you may not know that unplugging them is just as important!

Even when lights had appliances are switched off, they can still consume energy when left plugged in. Unplugging small appliances like blenders, hairdryers, and space heaters can help reduce your energy bill.

2. Go Solar

If you want to make a drastic change, you can install solar panels on your property!

Instead of connecting your home to a local grid and using fossil fuels to power your home, solar panels transform the sun’s energy into power for your home.

Though the initial cost of solar installation may leave you wondering if the system is worth it, the drastic reduction will pay itself off. Plus, there are state solar incentives to help make the system all the more worth it.

3. Watch How You Wash

Even if you have energy-efficient appliances, they still consume large amounts of power.

One of the best ways to combat this is to save your dryer for emergencies! Instead of running your dryer for every load, take advantage of mother nature – let the air dry your clothing.

You may also want to wash the bulk of your clothes in cold water to impact your energy savings. Though you may find that some clothes should be washed in warm water, most articles can withstand the cold water.

4. Get Outside! 

Finally, one of the best ways to save energy and reduce how much electricity you consume is to get out of the house! When you spend hours in front of the television, your bill will reflect this.

Instead, turning off the television and heading out can reduce your monthly bill. This is a great way to save the environment while exploring it! Whether you take a hike or pack a picnic, there are plenty of fun outdoor activities.

Save Electricity (And Money!) With These Tips

There are so many benefits to going green. Not only will you help save the environment, but you can help save another kind of green – cash!

You’ll notice a significant change in your energy bill when makes these easy changes to your daily routine.

If these tips to help you save electricity inspired you to rethink your habits, you’ll want to check out the rest of our website. There, you’ll find more great home tips and tricks.

0

The rise in online entertainment whilst spending time at home

Online entertainment has become a popular hobby for millions of us across the world with there being more options to choose from than ever before and the gaming industry is ensuring to provide new gams each week to keep the online entertainment fans happy and entertained with platforms such as casino non aams at this resource being a popular choice for many to choose from. We will look at some more detail on why the online entertainment industry is now at a record high with more of us looking to use online entertainment platforms.

Popular online entertainment platforms

When it comes to online entertainment platforms there is a wide range of different selections to choose from, from gaming platforms to movie streaming and everything in-between. In recent years online gaming has become a popular hobby for millions of us and groups of friends are meeting up each week to have a weekly games night with each other as they make the most out of the online entertainment industry.

The online gaming industry has become one of the main methods of online entertainment with there being thousands of different games to now choose from and this has helped to boost and improve the gaming industry. Most of us now at some point during the day will visit an online gaming platform directly or by downloading the game via the app stores available on all the different smartphones.

Streaming platforms

Streaming platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime have become popular choices for many of us to use with both platforms providing thousands of different movies and tv series for us to watch. The great thing about these streaming platforms is that you can watch them on different devices from laptops, smartphones, and tablets so users have a different range of devices to choose from to watch their favourite things.

Platforms such as the above have helped millions of us to keep entertained whilst we spend time at home with either our family or friends. Thousands of us are using online entertainment platforms each day to keep occupied and entertained either during a break at work or when we get home. There are more online entertainment platforms being provided to us due to there being a large increase in demand for more online entertainment platforms to be provided.

You should now have a better understanding of the online entertainment industry.

 

0

Relationship Rules: 6 Tips For Couples Who Are Both Working From Home

Much of today’s workforce is transitioning to work-from-home status. This means that some couples may end up working from home together. While this sounds like a match made in heaven, it can be anything but if certain precautions aren’t put in place to prevent disaster.

Even the best relationship can be tested when both partners work from the same space. So, take note of the tips below if you find yourselves in a situation where you both need home offices:

1. Work from Different Physical Locations Periodically

Your home office may be your primary workspace, but operating out of different locations periodically will ensure that you don’t get on each other’s nerves. You could choose separate cafés to work from or go to a serviced office space on days when you have meetings or collaborative work to do with colleagues.

2. Pretend Your Partner Isn’t in the Same House

If you have the space, designate two different areas of the home for your individual office spaces. Try to have a door or two in between these spaces, giving you both the ability to shut out any distractions. Avoid taking unnecessary trips outside your workspace to prevent getting distracted by other people or things inside your home.

3. Take Breaks to Enjoy Couple Time

One of the perks of working from home together is the fact that you get to see the person you’re in love with more regularly. Taking breaks throughout the day to enjoy each other’s company can break up the day and put you in a better frame of mind.

Designate a room in the house (the kitchen, for example) as a “neutral zone” where work isn’t a part of the equation and kissing is perfectly acceptable.

4. Separate Your Work and Personal Lives

It’s easy for the lines between your work and personal lives to become blurred when your workspace is also your home. As tempting as it is to work together from the comfort of your bed, resist it. You’ll quickly find that your personal space becomes less special or relaxing because work responsibilities loom nearby.

Also, it won’t take long to become irritated with your significant other if you spend every waking moment together. It’s healthy to live individual lives as it makes you even more appreciative of each other when you come back together.

5. Come Up with a “Do Not Disturb” Signal

If you’ve ever worked in a café, you likely follow the “headphones rule.” The headphones rule is basically the equivalent of the hotel “Do Not Disturb” sign. If you adopt this sign, seeing your partner with headphones on is a clear indication that he or she isn’t available for chatting at that moment.

Of course, you don’t have to use this particular sign. It could be a closed-door that signifies you’re busy. Whatever you choose, both partners should respect it when it’s being displayed.

6. Figure Out What Works and Respect Each Other’s Differences

You may not be bothered by outside noise or other distractions, but your partner may need it to be perfectly quiet to concentrate and get things done. As such, you’ll have to talk, strategize, and compromise to figure out the best way to work from home successfully. Central to this is having respect for the fact that the ideal approach may be different for each of you.

If you find yourself working from home with your significant other, follow the tips above to ensure you’re both productive and happy.

 

0

Top 4 NFT investments in 2022

The world of NFTs has been booming lately, with the prices of some of them reaching astronomical figures. For instance, the Tory Lanez NFT price reached $60 000, selling about one million copies in under a minute.

Although the NFT market is still developing, there are more than enough NFT projects in the market that are expected to attract more interest in 2022. The idea of NFT dates back to 2015, but now there are countless market-related opportunities and use cases.

It would be fair to say that the NFT craze is far from over. In fact, crypto analysts believe that the NFT revolution has just begun and will pave the way for greater blockchain adoption. After all, NFTs offer complete ownership of art to people who ordinarily only the wealthy can own.

The most exciting and engaging NFT projects in 2022 will prioritize the sale of limited and exclusive items. From digital art and art collectibles to trading cards and music, there is a huge attraction in the market.

With that in mind, let’s review the top 4 NFT projects you can invest in 2022.

CryptoPunks

It’s arguably the most famous NFT project you can invest in 2022. It features a massive collection of 10,000 computer-generated punk characters. But each punk has its own characteristics and personality, and the distinction of each character allows you to quantify the value of collectibles. The launch of this NFT project was a huge success. In fact, the CryptoPunk with the highest value was sold for 124,457 Ether, which amounts to $532 million.

Proof of Beauty

It’s another impressive NFT project that documents the history of the ETH blockchain. The concept behind Proof of Beauty is to celebrate and defend the history of the Ethereum blockchain and raise awareness. HASH is the first round in the NFT series of Proof of Beauty. Proof of beauty allows you to convert your blockchain transactions into compelling NFT works of art.

Most notably, Proof of Beauty was the source algorithm that made Jay Z’s purchase of CryptoPunk possible. Simply put, Proof of Beatty integrates transactions and transforms them into beautiful shapes,textures,and colour combinations.

Virtual Reality Land

VRL is a unique NFT project. When it comes to NFT go investing, Decentraland is at the top of the chain. On Decentraland, users can monetize any land through real estate development. The potential of VRL continues to grow in the NFT world. In fact, many investors have created amusement parks, museums and NFT casinos to monetize land. On the other hand, VRL also functions as a speculative investment that investors can later sell.

Flow

Launched in 2020, Flow has become a playground in the NFT market. Flow has become a hub for creating a new generation of games, apps, and digital collectibles. Flow runs on a single layer of blockchain technology which has been the basis of many mainstream blockchain applications. From Top Shot to Dapper Wallet, Flow offers its developers the ability to create and trade a particular NFT.