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8 natural scents that repel mosquitos

8 natural scents that repel mosquitos
Mosquitos can be pretty annoying, but more than that, they can also be harmful as they are the carriers of disease-causing germs. The insect is attracted to various scents like skin odor, scented soaps, and more. Carbon dioxide emitted by human beings, along with other typical body fragrances, can be a great pull for mosquitos. So, which are the scents that repel them? Here are eight of them that can keep mosquitos at bay: 8 natural mosquito repellents Lemon eucalyptus oil or OLE A study conducted in 2014 proved that 32% of OLE can provide effective protection (up to 95%) from mosquitos for up to three hours. The plant-based natural oil has been in use ever since the 1940s as a mosquito repellent. This natural oil is approved by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) too. It is possible to make this repellent at home. All you need is a mixture in the ratio of 1:10 of lemon eucalyptus oil to sunflower oil. Precaution: Take care not to use the pure version or OLE essential oils. Also, it is better not to use the concoction on a three-year-old or kids aged less than this. Citronella Citronella is probably one of the most effective natural oils to keep mosquitos at bay.

5 common gardening mistakes to avoid

5 common gardening mistakes to avoid
Gardening isn’t something you get right on the first try. It requires some trial and error to perfect. Sometimes, you might find a plant doing poorly in one spot of your yard but thriving in another. While you might need more than a couple of tries to get things right, you must first learn about the common gardening mistakes to avoid. Luckily, most of these are easy to step over. Skipping compost Plants need nutrients while growing, and the best way to supply them is by adding compost. By skipping compost, you’re falling prey to one of the most common gardening mistakes that should be avoided. Compost not only provides plants with nutrients but also adds moisture and improves the soil’s drainage. Ignoring pest control Pests are always waiting for a chance to make quick work of your garden. So, you must find a way to stop them without using poisonous chemicals. One solution is to grow disease and pest-resistant plants that attract birds and insects that eat destructive pests. You can use some non-toxic traps and sprays occasionally. Poor watering habits It’s impossible to ignore how many of us water our plants and gardens at the wrong time. If you want the lawn to retain moisture, water it last thing at night or first thing in the morning.

A guide to choosing the right mosquito repellent device

A guide to choosing the right mosquito repellent device
It is important to choose the right repellent device to protect oneself from mosquitoes. With various available options, understanding what to look for in mosquito repellent devices is essential. Effective repellents should be easy to use, safe, and provide protection for a longer duration. From nets to electronic devices, finding the right repellent can make a significant difference in warding off these insects. Some important factors should be considered when selecting a mosquito repellent device. What to look for in a mosquito repellent device? Before buying a mosquito repellent device, one should consider a few factors to ensure one chooses the right device. For instance, if there are children in the family, one should look for mosquito repellent devices that are safe for the skin and the respiratory system. Here are some factors that individuals should consider while looking for one: 1. The size of the area the device can cover There are many types of mosquito-repellent devices on the market. One should choose a device based on the size and dimensions of the area the device can cover. For instance, small portable devices are ideal for indoor spaces, like homes and small rooms, while one can consider installing a larger or permanent system for large areas.

6 mistakes to avoid while booking a hotel

6 mistakes to avoid while booking a hotel
Various online platforms have made booking accommodations a breeze. Whether you are traveling within the country or abroad, you need to make sure that you have chosen the right place to say and made the bookings correctly, so there’s no issue when checking in. However, certain common mistakes people tend to make when booking hotels can put a hitch in their trip. Here’s a list of six such booking mistakes that you should avoid: Not clarifying the different elements of the rate Many a time when making a booking, people just see the room rate. They forget to check out other additional components of the room rate. For example, many forget to find out about taxes. If you are booking online, there are resort fees that you may not see immediately and forget to check about. The resort fee is an amount charged for certain amenities at the property and is mostly not part of the basic room rate. You may realize the extra amount to be paid only when you arrive at the hotel, and at that time, it is too late to cancel your booking without paying a hefty fee. Therefore, it is best to gather all information before you make the booking.

10 physical activities that can help in managing diabetes

10 physical activities that can help in managing diabetes
There are many alternatives when it comes to managing diabetes. Certain lifestyle changes can help in alleviating the symptoms. Exercise is known to have a significant impact, and has been a constant solution to manage several health conditions. Exercise or even regular physical activity helps burn calories efficiently while significantly increasing one’s endurance and stamina. There are multiple physical activities one can try in order to manage diabetes. Some of these are listed below. Yoga Yoga includes meditative exercises that can calm one’s mind, soothe anxiety, and boost focus and concentration. People with diabetes spend most of their time worrying about their health condition, which can lead to increased stress levels. Therefore, doing yoga makes perfect sense. Additionally, the various exercises and stretches involved in yoga enhance a person’s balance, strength, and flexibility. Multiple studies have found a link between doing yoga and a marked decrease in one’s blood glucose levels. For elderly people who may find it difficult to do some of the more complex yoga exercises, the option of chair yoga is a useful avenue. Walking and running This is the most basic activity to combat diabetes and the likeliest to become a daily habit. Walking may be relatively low-impact in nature, but it is an ideal solution to improve one’s glucose, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels.

12 signs it’s time to get new doors and windows

12 signs it’s time to get new doors and windows
Doors and windows connect homes to the world. However, as they are part of the home’s exterior, they are constantly exposed to external elements like wind, snow, rain, and dust. Additionally, even room and patio doors are used extensively, undergoing quite a bit of wear and tear. So, it’s necessary to maintain all doors and windows, regularly look for issues, and get them replaced if one notices the following signs: Signs to replace doors 1. Wide gaps With time, the gaps between the front doors and the floor beneath them may begin to widen, or the doors can get misaligned. This can make the door let in cold air. If that is the case, it is a clear sign that the door needs to be replaced or at least repaired. 2. Cracks Harsh winds, extreme winters, excessive moisture, or rough use—any of these factors can speed up door wear and tear. While some of these cracks can get repaired, the situation may get out of hand after a point if cracks keep developing. That’s when the door needs to be replaced. Garden and patio doors are particularly vulnerable to such wear and tear because they are directly exposed to such elements.

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7 things to avoid doing when staying in a hotel

Staying in a luxurious hotel can be exciting. You can enjoy several amenities, personalized services, and complimentary benefits. But you should be cautious. Experts and travel enthusiasts have devised several dos and don’ts to follow when in a hotel to avoid confusion and make the trip more memorable. Special focus should be on the don’ts as these can risk your safety in a new place. Here are seven things to avoid doing in hotels: Opening the door instantly Many instantly reach out for the doorknob on hearing the doorbell or a knock. This is a big mistake. While it is okay to assume that the person on the other side would be a housekeeping staff or an F&B person, it is best never to take a chance. This is especially applicable if you are in another country, traveling for the first time to a place, or staying at the location as a first-time guest. Verify the visitor’s identity before opening the door. You can do so by looking through the peephole or glancing outside through an adjacent window. Letting strangers inside can be costly if they turn out to be someone with the wrong intent. Packing the hotel’s bathrobes in your suitcase This is nothing short of stealing; you could be in big trouble if caught. Besides the legal hassles, pilfering the hotel’s properties speaks poorly about your manners. Taking a small bottle of shampoo, conditioner, or body lotion may be okay because these usually end up in the trash. But not bathrobes for sure. Similarly, do not just pick other linen pieces, small electronic items, or any artwork from the room. Hotels conduct a thorough inspection after you leave and could impose legal charges if the offense is serious. Using throw pillows In luxury hotels, you may see throw pillows lying on sofas, chairs, and other sitting areas.

7 easy ways to accessorize any outfit

Accessories tend to not only enhance your attire but also make you appear vibrant. Be it a casual chic look or an utter formal attire, adding some flash and bling just infuses life into your overall appearance. However, your accessories can perform their assigned role correctly only if perfectly styled. Here are some easy techniques and tips you can apply to up your fashion game and bring the best out of your outfit: Do not pile up on accessories at a time Most people commit the mistake of donning all the available accessories at once with an outfit. It must be noted that as far as accessories are concerned, less is always more. The purpose of using accessories is to highlight your outfit. However, if you adorn your outfit with several accessories like a watch, scarf, jewelry, sunglasses, hat, etc., all at once, none of them will stand out, making your outfit look cluttered and even awful. Highlight neutral clothes with bold accessories While neutral-colored clothes can look dull and understated, they are also the most perfect ones to be used as a field for experiments. If your wardrobe is filled with neutral colors like olive, navy, beige, white, or black, now is the time to boost them by pairing them up with some bold-colored accessories. Here are a few methods to do that: Pair a navy or black dress with a thin hot pink or red belt. Highlight your dull olive or khaki clothes using a flashy yellow or orange scarf. Add some hue to your colorless white blouse by pairing it with big drop earrings or a multicolored statement necklace. Don’t be too matchy While it could be tempting to pair up the blue polka dots of your dress with some matching blue shoes, a blue necklace, and blue earrings, it would make the outfit too predictable, boring, and even childish.

8 must-have accessories for men

Accessories tend to constitute a crucial part of outfits. They are those magical wands that have the power to infuse life into the dullest of clothes. However, they can be equally intimidating if one is unaware of the basic rules of accessorizing and invests in the wrong pieces. So, here is a list of men’s accessories that never go out of style and, therefore, are a must-have in one’s wardrobe. Sunglasses When it comes to accessories, nothing comes close to a pair of sunglasses. They are practical, flattering, and the perfect solution for hiding the shadows under your eyes. Not to forget, they play a vital role in protecting your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Besides that, they are here to stay for a long time unless broken due to a mishap. Make sure you keep the style classic and subtle with tortoiseshell or black frames and dark green, black, or brown lenses. Wallets While paying for your necessities is now as simple as swiping a card or transferring through a smartphone, the charm of billfold wallets doesn’t seem to subside. And why not? They are practical, strong, yet flexible enough to accommodate their contents effortlessly, and, most importantly, they are durable too. They come in various prints, colors, and designs to suit every personality. One can also get them customized with initials or personal charms. Stainless steel watches These are the practical, no-nonsense cousins of the gold watches with a long lifespan. Besides that, they are extremely versatile. A classy watch can instantly amp up any outfit – be it a formal suit or a casual T-shirt and jeans. One can never go wrong with this men’s accessory. Durable belts Belts are not merely for holding your trousers in place; they also add to your overall look.

5 styling ideas for women over 60

Age is a number when setting a true style statement. Regardless of anyone’s perception, just because you are reaching the 60s doesn’t imply to stop working on your appearance and renounce your desires to look fabulous. Fashion is not just merely about trends; it is about how you express yourself through clothes as the myths of age must not limit your expression. So, here are a few best styling ideas for women over 60: Embrace your age One of the most typical fashion mistakes people make is choosing outfits that are supposed to make them appear younger than their actual age. The problem with such a choice is that you are paradoxically accentuating your age when you try to look younger by wearing an outfit that will be more appropriate for youngsters. For example, if you don high heels, short skirts, or flashy fashions that might be more appropriate for a person half your age, you are indirectly making yourself appear “older.” Instead, you can opt for clothes that are specially tailored for women your age. Sporting “age-appropriate” dresses will conceal your age and make others appreciate your other features like glowing skin or your build. And consequently, you will appear much younger than your actual age. Recognize your fashion style One of the essential things to dress well is to first recognize your fashion style. More so, if you are unsure of the latest fashion trends, it is time to engage in some experimentation and try something out of the box. That doesn’t necessarily mean you dress into something bizarre. It only means you should try out new styles that women your age can flaunt flawlessly. Keep it a point to try out multiple combinations of clothes to assess what color or style looks good on you. Not to forget, it is wise to consider your body type too.

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5 tips to prevent and manage ulcerative colitis

5 tips to prevent and manage ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a long-term inflammatory disease that triggers inflammation and ulcers in the digestive system. It impacts the colon and rectum’s innermost lining. The symptoms are typically produced over a period rather than unexpectedly. According to the latest studies, about 1 million people have ulcerative colitis, and if left untreated, it can be crippling and cause life-threatening conditions. So, here are 5 tips to prevent and manage ulcerative colitis: Get on with the treatment plan immediately Even though there is no concrete cure for ulcerative colitis, proper treatment can help ease the symptoms and signs of the condition and eventually provide long-term remission. If a patient feels that their bowel habits are consistently changing or if they experience any of the following symptoms and signs, they should immediately consult a doctor: Blood in stool Ongoing diarrhea that is not getting cured by any other types of treatments An unknown fever going on for more than a day or two Abdominal pain Diarrhea that wakes up the patient from sleep The treatments prescribed by the doctor will typically include a combination of oral therapy or surgery. As far as oral treatments are concerned, the doctor may prescribe any of the following types of therapies, depending on the patient’s existing condition:
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3 common types of soaps that trigger eczema flareups

3 common types of soaps that trigger eczema flareups

Atopic dermatitis or eczema is a skin disease that makes the skin reddish, inflamed, and itchy because of specific triggers. It can affect any body part and appear anywhere on the skin. The most common symptoms are dryness, bumps, rashes, redness, and peeling of the skin. Despite being one of the most typical forms of atopic dermatitis, there is no such common definite cause; however, particular triggers cause eczema flareups, including specific kinds of soaps. Soaps and eczema flareups When eczema triggers, most of the time, it makes its appearance in certain typical parts of the body. These include behind the knee areas, hands, and feet. Some of the most common triggers of eczema flareups include household cleaners containing specific chemicals, and, most notably, soaps. However, the experience of eczema won’t be the same for everyone. One of the most typical symptoms is dry skin, where the soap’s role becomes significant. It is a pretty well-known fact that using soaps makes one’s skin dry. This happens because of specific harsh chemicals that swipe off moisture from one’s skin. These chemicals can also trigger severe irritation and reactions, specifically if the skin is too sensitive or if one is suffering from eczema.
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