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There are far too many people who have problems with pests in and around there home, because they simply don’t know how to go about getting rid of them in a safe and efficient way. If you don’t want to take the more traditional route of using dangerous or even illegal pesticides, then you will certainly want to consider some of the following tips that will help you to keep your home and garden pest-free all year round.

Starting with the garden, one of the best ways to take care of pests is to use certain predatory insects to your own advantage. One example of this is the dragonfly. Many gardeners and farmers tend to use these insects to get rid of other insects that cause problems with what they are planting. The dragonfly is a great insects to use because it feeds on so many other insects that are considered pests, while not disturbing what you have planted in your garden at all.

Another tip for gardeners that can’t seem to get rid of their pests is to make sure you practical regular crop rotation. Many farmers know that this is a key element in keeping pests away. It is a great method because it is safe, simple, and environmentally responsible.

If you find that you have been receiving an usual amount of unwanted pests in your home, then you’ll need to know what to do right away to avoid having the problem worsen. Typically, most homes that get pests experience roaches, beetles, and ants. One simple way to keep all of these creepy crawlies from coming in is to keep your home sanitary and clean at all times. This means not leaving exposed trash bags inside your home or on the floor. Once you start practicing clean house habits, you will find that the amount of pests you get will be lower in the first week or two.

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There is more than just a few home design software available in the market today. Although a majority of these programs are able to deliver excellent functionality, there are some that just don’t deliver value for money. While so home design applications retail for less than $50, there are those that have quite a hefty price tag, sometimes even in the 500-dollar region. It then becomes a question of needs rather than wants. In order for a user to ensure that he is purchasing a piece of software that will be worth his money, he will first need to identify what it is he wants from the said program.

Painting the Picture

Now down to only $49 (formerly at $69), Better Homes and Gardens Picture Painter Home & Landscape is definitely one of the best value home design software out there. This program takes a unique approach in home design in that it makes use of an actual picture as the basis of each project – thus the name, Picture Painter. What this one of a kind software does is it takes an actual image of the existing house (which is either scanned or uploaded by the user to the computer) and integrates it into the program to allow the users to tinker with its design. Instead of starting from scratch, Picture Painter allows users to literally repaint their homes to see what it would look like in different colors. And of course, there are a lot more features on board that will allow users to play with their homes’ designs in their quest to find the perfect look and feel for their future dream house.

Never Wonder Again

One of the reasons why a lot of folks have their qualms about redesigning their homes is because of the fear that it might not look good once the remodeling phase is completed. With the help of Picture Painter, users will no longer have to wonder and speculate ever again as this program will show them exactly how their new house will look like once the changes have taken place. Aside from changing the home’s color, users can also change the textures of their exteriors. Moreover, landscaping changes can also be visually represented on Picture Painter to ensure that users get exactly what they want. This way, a lot of time, money, and effort is saved.

Great for Interiors Too

While Picture Painter focuses on how one’s home’s exterior will look like, it also offers a wide array of features for any changes one might wish to make inside the house. For starters, users can choose from over 6,000 branded furniture and fixtures and literally drag them into whichever room they’d like. Among these renowned brands are Huntwood, Kraftmaid, Armstrong, Mohawk, LG Electronice, Whirlpool, DuPont Corian, Sherwin-Williams, and a whole lot more.

What’s even better is that the whole process is quite simple and very user-friendly – it’s just like editing a picture. In fact, the manufacturer even promises that no design experience whatsoever is needed to excel in this wonderfully-designed program.

Especially when the affordable price is included in the equation, Picture Painter definitely proves to be one of the best value home design programs in the market today.

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Recent spring home and garden shows showcase the latest trends in home design and remodeling. Some of those trends include:

Going Green – Energy-efficient HVAC systems and appliancessave you money on your utility bills and can also save you money on your taxes. Homeowners doing renovation or remodeling work to their primary residence may deduct 30% of a project’s cost, up to $1,500. Many exhibitors were touting the tax benefits of geothermal heating systems, high efficiency solar panels, solar water heating systems, insulated vinyl siding, and solar ceiling fans.

Luxury Features – Homeowners may have cut back on their remodeling budgets, but some luxury items are still hot, including bigger and better hot tubs, built-in wine racks for the kitchen, and water features in and on decks. Faux finishes and murals for ceilings and walls still appeal to many consumers, but in a nod to recent green awareness, some companies now advertise the use of low VOC paints.

Recent Trends Still Popular – Year-round sunrooms remain a cost-saving remodeling option for many homeowners. Granite is still the biggest thing in kitchen countertops, although Silestone and other manufactured stone finishes remain a viable option. Glass tile is continuing to grow in popularity, and stainless steel is still the finish most consumers prefer for appliances.

Do It Yourself – The economic downturn has created a resurgent interest in do-it-yourself, especially among women. A number of booths were exhibiting ergonomic tools and tools designed specifically for women, right down to a smaller size and pink or purple handles.

Joaquin Erazo, Jr. is the senior vice president of marketing and public relations at Case Design/Remodeling, Inc., the country’s largest home remodeling company.

Find a remodeling company near you now!

(c) 2010 Joaquin Erazo, Jr

Rattan or wicker furniture is made from cane which is a raw material that comes from the stems of large rattans, which are climbing palms found native to tropical regions of Africa, Asia and Australasia. Because cane is a raw material it is tough and durable which makes it an ideal material for indoor and outdoor furniture. The material is also very versatile which means manufacturers can now modify designs to keep it right up today with today’s designs and styles. More and more people are realising the benefits of having cane furniture in their homes and gardens.

The reason cane furniture is ideal for gardens and conservatories is because unlike wood it will not rot or become damaged. It is an ideal material for any environment at any time of the year. If like most people you keep plants in your conservatory then you will find the air will be moist. This would be detrimental on any wood furniture which makes cane or rattan furniture most people’s first choice when it comes to furnishings. Cane will not rot or rust, it is water resistant which means it will last in great condition for years to come.

The beauty of cane furniture is that it offers a timeless look that will last you a very long time. It looks beautiful in conservatories but also not out of place in the living room or any other room of the house. Some of the styles and designs are very contemporary which makes it fit into today’s modern living. Cane is also ideal for outdoor living and can be found in gardens all around the world.

So how do they make it? Well, once the palm is harvested it is then boiled which removes the sap from the bark. This removal of the sap allows the material to have the flexibility properties which makes it easy to mould into various shapes. Once this process is completed the material is then split into thin strips. These strips are then intertwined to make the furniture. Generally the frames of the furniture are made from much larger canes. This whole process is very time consuming and costly which is why quality cane furniture isn’t cheap. However, you are buying furniture that is very easy to clean, will last for years and years, will need very little attention to keep it preserved, with that in mind the cost isn’t that expensive.

Another important aspect which shouldn’t be forgotten is that cane furniture is completely environmentally friendly due to it being made completely naturally without the use any chemicals or wood treatment. This is another hit with consumers as we are all living in a world where environmental products are in the foremost of everyone’s minds.

Carolyn is the webmaster for Sophisi-Cane at, one to the UK’s top suppliers of quality Cane Furniture and Outdoor Furniture.

Pesticides are toxic and, while often effective against pests, can be dangerous for your family and pets. Outdoors, sprayed pesticides might drift on a breeze and dust your vegetable garden or your neighbor’s yard. Indoors, pesticides can linger in the air, exposing the family to harmful chemicals. For these reasons, many people are turning to nontoxic pest control methods.

Prevention is the best way to control pests, but there are times when even the most thorough preventative measures will not save you from intruders, so this article discusses both preventative pest control methods and nontoxic pest control products.

Preventative Pest Control Methods

Sanitation:

As they say, cleanliness is next to godliness. And it keeps pests out, too. Keeping your home clean is the most effective pest control method. If you don’t leave food or dirty dishes lying around the house, animals and insects won’t be attracted to the smell. Sweep and vacuum regularly. Remember, just because you can’t see crumbs doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Clean inside pantries and cabinets cabinets, under and around the stove and refrigerator at least once a year.

Screens:

This may seem obvious, but screens on doors and windows are a simple and relatively cheap way to keep insects out of the house. Also, screens on crawlspaces keep rodents from obtaining easy access routes into the house.

Caulking:

By caulking cracks in your house, you can minimize places for insects to hide and nest. Target bathrooms and the kitchen, especially doors and windows.

Nontoxic Pest Control Products

Traps:

There are many kinds of traps available that target many kinds of pests. Some examples are sticky traps for cockroaches, glueboards for mice, flypaper, bug zappers, and traps specifically for rats, gophers, or moles. You can usually pick up traps at your local Home and Garden store.

Pheromones:

Pheromones, essentially insect scent hormones, can be used in traps as bait. By emitting the scent of the female insect, pheromones can be used to lure males into a trap, where they are caught in a sticky glue. Insects are only attracted by pheromones emitted by their own kind, so you need to know exactly what kind of insects you’re trying to eliminate and plan accordingly.

Biological Control:

Biological control is more often used in agriculture but can sometimes be used in home and garden situations as well. Basically it means using desirable organisms to eliminate undesirable organisms. For instance, planting certain plants in your garden can deter certain pests. For example, spearmint repels ants. Garlic repels Japanese Beetles. Indoors, spiders eat fruit flies and houseflies, so it may be worth leaving some of those webs around.

Repellents:

There are nontoxic repellents available for pest control. Mosquito repellents are the most popular, but if you look around, you can find repellents that target other pests. Some herbs, like eucalyptus and wormwood, are known for repelling animals and insects.

TC Thorn writes for http://www.pestinformation.com/ where you can find more pest control information.