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Discover the expert in you.
Flea nests refer to infestation, not birdlike nests occupied by biting insects. If you don't see actual live fleas on your feline but she has lots of black specks in her fur, she probably has fleas. Those dark specks, known as flea dirt, are flea excrement, an obvious clue that your cat is infested. To eradicate fleas, you need to treat all of the pets in your home as well as the dwelling itself.
Fleas aren't picky. They'll be happy to hop on any warm host to grab a snack. That means your rabbit is just as susceptible to fleas as your dog and cat are. Whether flea season only lasts for a few months or is year-round where you live, you should be prepared with a plan for controlling and eliminating fleas on your rabbit, but leave flea collars off your list of rabbit-safe treatments.
Permethrin, the synthetic version of Pyrethrin, is an active ingredient in flea treatments and sprays. Permethrin Toxicity poisoning can occur within a few hours, depending on the size of your dog and the amount he ingested. Symptoms of permethrin toxicity vary based on the amount ingested, but typical symptoms include drooling, disorientation and tremors. Upon realizing that your dog has ingested flea spray, take the remaining can and call the 24-hour ASPCA Animal Control Poison Hotline at (888) 426-4435 immediately to discuss how to proceed. The Poison Control Center or your vet will give you a recommendation based on your…
Puppies are more susceptible to the dangers of various drugs and chemicals than healthy adult dogs are. Because of this, many different flea dips and medications are administered only after a puppy has reached a certain age. Before starting a flea dip regimen for your puppy, research the alternatives and speak with your veterinarian about the right flea dip product or treatment for your pup.
Flatworms are a large group of often parasitic invertebrates that commonly infest dogs and other domesticated animals. Tapeworms and flukes are two of the most common types of flatworms found in dogs. These parasites cause moderate to severe symptoms, and in some cases they can permanently or fatally injure their host. Infestations often persist indefinitely, so it is important to administer treatment as soon as possible to prevent the condition from becoming more serious. Numerous medications are available, usually by prescription, to combat infestations of flatworms.
Cats can be very hard on door and window screens -- they like to sharpen their claws on the screen material, and in doing so they tear up the fabric or wire mesh of the screen. It's essentially impossible to train a cat to stop scratching screens, particularly if more than one screen is involved. The best way to deal with the problem is to block off the screens so that the cat can’t have access to them. There are several ways to approach a screen covering project without buying commercial screen guards.
Whiteflies are a family of small, sap-drinking pests, consisting of more than 1,500 species. Citrus plants attract whiteflies and often suffer direct damage from their feeding. Whiteflies also carry many diseases that damage and kill plants. Natural methods are best for controlling whiteflies, as they quickly develop resistance to chemical insecticides. In addition, using an insecticide might allow whiteflies to thrive by killing their natural predators. Utilizing biological methods, alongside a few simple tricks, can help eliminate whiteflies from your citrus plant.
Dipylidium caninum is the most common tapeworm that can settle in the small intestine of a dog. Fleas carry the parasite after eating feces contaminated with tapeworm eggs. Dogs can get infected by ingesting these fleas while grooming themselves. Humans, especially children, also can get infected after ingesting infected fleas. To avoid Dipylidium caninum, incorporate preventive measures to keep fleas at bay. Always consult an experienced veterinarian regarding the health and treatment of your pet.
Bonding with a new kitten can take days or weeks, but your kitten will look to you for affection and attention. Cats will tend to pick out their favorite spots to sleep, and a preferred choice is on or around their favorite person. Set the stage early while your cat is still a kitten by encouraging her to snooze in your lap. As your kitten grows into an adult, she will find your lap to be a warm and cozy place to spend quality time with you.
Stink bugs have a way of infesting even the most well-kept gardens. Learn about a homemade remedy for stink bugs in the garden with help from an expert on green pest control in this free video clip.
Severe flea bites can cause your cat a large amount of discomfort. Treat severe flea bites on cats with help from an expert in animal behavior in this free video clip.
Naturally killing fleas in cats is a great way to both protect the animal and kill the fleas. Naturally kill fleas in cats with help from an expert in animal behavior in this free video clip.
Acrylic is a type of plastic that is durable and a perfect choice for furniture. Internal cracks in acrylic furniture can compromise the stability of the piece and can even cause the furniture to break in two. Cracks that occur just below the surface of the finish can often be repaired to prevent further damage. If the crack has gone all the way through the furniture, it probably can't be saved. If the crack appears to be a deep scratch it can usually be filled using a fiberglass repair kit.
When you install a swimming pool, you may be picturing a backyard oasis for the whole family. What you aren't envisioning is the potential problems that could arise, such as your swimming pool's floor becoming rough. The possible causes of textural changes in your pool floor will vary, depending on the type of pool you have and how it was installed.
Large windows, especially those that extend within 12 inches of the outside ground-level, are particularly prone to getting dirty during rainstorms. As water drains off the roof and hits the ground, soil particles are splattered onto the house siding and lowest window panes. Newly constructed homes have this problem in particular, as landscaping may not have yet been completed. Mud splattering may also occur on older homes where landscaping has degraded and bare soil is once again exposed.
If you are looking to implement safe and chemical-free products into your home, you are taking charge of your health and the environment. Some home improvement products, including ceiling tiles and the glue that is used to adhere tiles to the ceiling or other surfaces, may contain harmful chemicals that can cause either short- or long-term health complications.
Don't let this invisible soil pest ruin your garden. Fusarium wilt is a fungal disease that interferes with plants’ water intake and causes them to wilt, turn yellow and die. It is a soil-borne fungus that attacks plants at the roots and then moves up through the foliage. It survives for years in the soil and is easily spread by garden tools and equipment, insects and even water. Fusarium wilt affects tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, beans and cucumbers.
If you have a flooring business, there will be a need for clients in order for your business to be successful. Finding the right customers for your business can be challenging if the right strategies are not used. Potential clients can come from different sources such as offline or online. The type of flooring that is offered by your company will also play an important role in the success of your business. Therefore, thorough research is needed to determine what type of flooring is in high demand.
Pet odors can be extremely pungent and difficult to remove from particleboard floors. Unfortunately, cleaning up accidents and pet mishaps is part of being a pet owner. Perhaps your puppy hasn't been housebroken quite yet, or your older cat is starting to have accidents. Regular cleaning supplies, and even ones specifically for pet odors, don't always work as well as you might like. Particleboard is especially prone to retaining smells and will require diligent cleaning to remove unwanted pet odors.
Flea infestations happen, and when they do, flea bombing is the most efficient and effective way to get rid of the unwanted pests. In the flea bombing process, a hazardous and toxic chemical spray is released in the home and is intended to kill fleas and their unborn eggs. Whether the flea bombing is performed by a professional pest management company or you do it yourself, preparation tips can help ensure that the process is safer for you and your family.
Although laminate flooring is moisture resistant, fluctuating humidity levels cause laminate planks to expand, which is normal. All properly installed laminate floors contain 1/4-inch gaps next to walls and fixtures to allow room for the laminate boards to expand. Without expansion gaps, laminate flooring boards are unable to naturally swell and therefore become susceptible to cracking and warping from compression. Although they are essential, expansion gaps allow entryways for spills to seep underneath laminate flooring planks and damage the flooring's core. Sealing gaps in laminate flooring makes them more visually appealing and inhibits spills from seeping underneath laminate planks.
Some tenants may refuse to vacate a home even after its been foreclosed on. Get rid of a tenant in a foreclosed home with help from a licensed attorney and licensed California real estate broker in this free video clip.
Primitive furniture is styled after antique colonial pieces that were simple in design and muted in color and texture. Most primitive pieces are painted in mustard yellows, deep burnt oranges, dark burgundies and blues. Some pieces have a grubby or rusty texture to the entire piece or the edges, a look easily achieved by weathering the piece and adding brown and black paint.
Golden carpet sedum is a yellowish ground cover that is often invasive in gardens and lawns. Its root system is resistant to most types of weather, meaning it survives through varying degrees of temperature, sunlight and rain. While golden carpet sedum is sometimes sought after because of its coloring, it also appears as an unwanted weed and spreads if it is not quickly removed. Getting rid of golden carpet sedum requires some diligence.
Creaking floors are not only a nuisance, but also indicate that the floor joists are rubbing together. Underneath carpeting and the subflooring, there are joists that support the floor. Over time, nails holding these joists can become loose, which causes the creaking. There are two ways to fix loose joists: ripping up the carpet, or drilling through the carpet. Pulling up carpeting is laborious, yet it prevents damage that screws can inflict on carpeting. Drilling through carpeting takes a fraction of the time, but it damages your carpet.
After a heavy snowfall, homeowners should consider removing the snow cover from their roofs. Poor insulation or a sudden rise in temperature may melt the snow. A subsequent drop in temperature will form a heavy ice layer on the roof. The ice may prevent drainage, damage the shingles, or weigh down, warp or collapse the roof. Roof work is dangerous. If you cannot implement the proper precautions, contact your contractor to handle the job for you.
Creaky floors are annoying. A creak is a sign that the flooring has come loose over time. The creaks come from floor joists rubbing against each other. If your creaky floor is carpeted, you can fix the creaks without having to rip up the carpeting to get to the joists.
Strawberries grow on hardy, lush plants, which thrive for three to five years. The plants require bright sun, rich soil and generous moisture, and may fall prey to a range of molds and fungi. Mold appears on blossoms, foliage and eventually fruit, and affects plant health and fruit harvest. Mix your own fungicide to fight mold, apply it at the right time and supplement with organic care for healthy strawberry harvests.
Oversize furniture can make a room appear cozy and comfortable and is ideal for large rooms. However, doorways come in standard sizes, between 30 by 81 inches and 36 by 85 inches, regardless of the size of the room. This creates some difficulty when you are ready to carry the oversize pieces into your home. Fortunately, you can solve this problem with creativity and, if needed, two simple tools.
Foggers, or "bug bombs," are often used by homeowners and renters to kill infestations of bedbugs, fleas, cockroaches, pantry moths and other pests in a home. Although the effectiveness of foggers against bedbugs and cockroaches is debatable, used in combination with thorough cleaning, vacuuming and elimination of clutter, they are a useful tool in the home arsenal against pests.
If you have a carpeted room, you also have a number of decorating options. Whether the carpet you are working with is top of the line or bottom of the barrel, you can use your decorating skills to make the room look great. Understanding how to incorporate that carpet into the overall room design allows you to choose the right accessories and decorate the room with style.
Some kittens learn to use the kitty door naturally, while other kittens have a harder time understanding exactly what it is. When you want your kitten to use the kitty door, but it simply won't do it on its own, set up regular training sessions to help teach it that the door simply leads to another place to explore.
Adopting a dog is a decision that requires a lot of thought and planning. Both puppies and adult dogs can be welcome additions to your family and both have their own set of pros and cons, depending on your family’s size and activity level. For families with children and other pets, especially families that have the time to devote to supervision and rearing, adopting a puppy instead of an adult dog offers several advantages.
The task of raising a friendly kitten largely depends on the experiences the kitten had between ages 2 weeks and 9 weeks. Kittens that are handled often, and meet different animals and people, early in life tend to be friendly. Raising a friendly kitten starts with selecting the right kitten and then teaching it to be social and friendly.
Frontline is a specific brand of product that is used for long-term control of fleas and ticks for dogs and cats. The company recommends that it should be applied directly on the skin of the animal's upper back once a month to control fleas and ticks. While the application of this product is straight forward, it may become messy if the product is applied on top of the hair of the area between the shoulder blades or if the animal moves at the wrong moment and you apply the tube of Frontline onto your couch instead.
A wide range of Ficus species are easy-to-grow, warm-weather plants that do best indoors in most areas of the country. Depending on the type of Ficus, the plant may be a large tree, a vine or shrub. Fig trees are members of this huge plant family, as is the rubber tree. Indoors or outdoors, whiteflies can become a serious problem, causing the foliage to turn yellow or die. The insects are tiny and tend to collect on the undersides of the leaves. A simple test for the presence of whiteflies is to lightly shake some branches. If a cloud of…
Concrete floors offer a durability that's nearly unmatched, but they are also susceptible to dust buildup. Concrete is ideal in the garage or basement, locations that don't often receive regular attention like the rest of the house. As a result, the conditions of the floor can often deteriorate into an ugly mess of dirt and dust. Though the concrete may look bad, the situation is always repairable. With some minor cleaning and maintenance, you can return your concrete to its former glory.
Fleas can be harmful to pets by spreading infection and disease to them. If you have a pet that frequents a grassy area outside your home, that grassy area should be as free from fleas as possible. Treating a lawn for fleas is not difficult, but caution should be taken to protect yourself, others and pets from chemicals that must be used.
Compared to other kinds of wood finishes, whitewashing is a relatively simple technique that grants new life to your wooden furniture. Whitewashing is sometimes called antiquing or pickling, and it involves applying a thin coat of paint or stain to bring out the natural grain. The technique was invented for the practical purpose of keeping insects at bay and protecting outdoor wood from weathering. Today, however, it can be used for purely decorative purposes.
Also called "hydrogen borate," boric acid is a weak acid boron isotope, usually found in the form of a powder. This is one of the most useful chemical compounds in the home, used as a fire retardant and a detergent for clothes and silverware, as well as a pest control for bugs like termites and cockroaches. In a diluted solution with water, boric acid powder makes for an effective clothes detergent, but the low solubility of boric acid needs to be managed.
When trying to determine where a squeak is coming from in a floor, it may be necessary to go to the basement or crawlspace. Squeaky floors are caused by boards rubbing together and generally occur around the edges of a board. Depending on the type of flooring, the squeak could be coming from the subfloor or the finished flooring. The subfloor is seen from under the house and usually consists of plank boards. The finished flooring is seen from inside your home usually consisting of plywood, with a decorative flooring option on top of the plywood. In some instances, plywood…
Dog ownership has its own unique set of considerations, some of which may influence your choices in home furnishings. One of the many options dog owners need to consider is the type of flooring that can withstand daily use by both dogs and their owners and how much maintenance their choices will require.
Dark marks on carpeting around baseboards is known as filtration soil. This occurs when dust, dirt and other pollutants in the air settle on carpeting where a gap between the wall and flooring exists. The air then moves through this gap, and the carpet “filters” the particles. Vacuuming alone often isn’t enough to remove the soil. A more aggressive approach is necessary to clean filtration soil from carpeting.
Natural ivory develops a dark patina from years of use. While you still see the deep cream shade of the ivory, you also see darker brown colors caused by a buildup of dust, dirt and oils. Distressing your furniture to look like ivory gives your pieces a vintage look and feel. Instead of using several coats of paint, as you use in most distressing processes, replace one shade of paint with a dark wood stain. The stain gives the furniture the darker look of ivory.
Carpets made from staple fibers produce fuzzies because they were constructed with lots of short threads twisted together into long pieces. They can shed for up to one year after installation, and there's no magic trick to making it stop. You can get rid of fuzzies as they crop up, but you can't shorten the carpet shed time.
Roundworm eggs are eliminated in animal feces. The eggs take two weeks to develop to an infectious stage, according to Ray M. Kaplan, DVM in MedScape News. Therefore, keeping your yard clean of your dog’s feces is essential to preventing a roundworm infestation. In yards where young children play, it is particularly important to keep the area clear of feces because children tend to handle dirt while playing and then put their hands in their mouths transmitting infected dirt. Cleaning up after your dog is the best means of treating a roundworm infestation, while protecting your pet from roundworm will…
If your cat loves lounging on the couch just as much as you do, you may end up with a couch that looks like it's wearing a fur coat. Remedy the situation quickly and easily, especially if your mother calls and says she's on her way to your home. You don't have to pay a lot to purchase special items at the pet store to remove the fur from your furniture. Clean the furniture weekly so fur won't build up over time and become harder to remove. Use one of these options to remove pesky cat fur from your couch.
Bejeweled Blitz is a free online game available to play on the social networking site Facebook. The game requires you to create as many chains of identical gems as you possibly can in order to achieve the highest score possible. When playing the game, you can receive "Cat's Eye" gems to help increase your score. These gems give you a bonus score at the end of the game depending on how many multipliers you have achieved. The gem is rare but you can get it by sharing it with your friends.
Cane has been used to make furniture for more than 200 years. It's quite durable if properly cared for. Chair seats made of cane, such as those in which the chair itself is a hard wood but the inner seat area is woven cane, can last up to 25 years with proper care and ideal condition. Caned seat backs may last two to three times as long. With age, cane furniture can dry out, get brittle or simply stretch and sag from use.
If you are getting ready to lay carpeting in a room, one issue you need to consider is whether the floor is flat. An uneven floor, with dips and depressions, will create dips and depressions in the surface of the carpeting. Floor leveler is a very thin cement that spreads out like water when you pour it, filling in those depressions and dips so the carpet will lay nice and flat.
