House Mice: 3 Tips To Keep Them Away
One of the things that we, as homeowners have to be always vigilant about is our safety. This does not just apply to being prepared against burglars and intruders but to mice infestation as well. As much as we prepare against thieves by installing anti burglary systems and perhaps video surveillance cameras and motion detector lights, we also need to prepare against house mice.
House mice are scavengers by nature and they are potential carriers of many diseases and if left untreated, could harm our family, and in the worse case scenario, this could be dangerous. History has shown that the bubonic plague, which devastated Europe in the middle ages were due to mice infestation. Mice droppings were ingested by people through their food and this in turn made them sick, and in most cases, killed thousands of people. Many cities were almost decimated because of this occurrence. History has taught us because of this tragedy how to protect ourselves against this. The need for cleaner surroundings and proper sanitation protocols were developed because of the black plague and we as a society found out just how deadly house mice and rats could be.
Here are some tips in protecting your home against such intruders:
- Clean your surroundings. By keeping your surroundings clean, especially in the kitchen, we prevent the chances of house mice from invading our dwellings. Make sure that the garbage is segregated and properly disposed of in an area far away from the kitchen. Try to also make sure that the garbage bags being used are sturdy. If unsure of the sturdiness of the garbage bags, double bag them.
- Listen for any sounds of mice in your home. You can hear them if they are in between your walls. They have that scratching sound which can be heard throughout the day. If you hear them, set up traps to lure them out and capture them. There are traps that are also non-lethal which you may want to use.
- Look at your walls and floors to see if there are any signs of mice. Look at the floors and the walls to see if there are any holes, or scratches. Mice will often make scratches in the floors or look at cracks in the walls or ceilings. If there is a serious infestation, better to call a professional exterminator to take care of the problem. In the long run, it may be better for your family for it prevents any unnecessary trip to the hospital for food poisoning due to ingestion of mice droppings.
Finally, the real truth about effective mice repellant! Find out what really works and what’s a waste of money! You can move those pesky house mice right on out the door!
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Five Native Texas Plants That Can Enhance Your Landscape Design
By using native plants in their landscaping plan, homeowners can be assured that their plants will thrive in the dry, sunny Texas climate. Native plants make good environmental sense as well, as they generally require less water and can survive for extended periods with little or no watering. Many also serve to attract butterflies and other wildlife, providing an additional level of beauty to these practical and attractive plantings. Here are five of the best native plants for Texas landscape design.
For a burst of color throughout the spring, the huisache daisy’s bright yellow blooms will brighten any yard. Also known as the butterfly daisy or honey daisy, this charming flower of the aster family has attractive foliage and a sweet scent that attracts butterflies; the flower grows up to one foot in height. Huisache daisies can be found growing in large quantities along Texas roads and highways, providing a solid blanket of golden color from March to June; they require partial shade in order to thrive. Because the huisache daisy flourishes in the dry conditions of Texas, it is an outstanding choice for environmentally conscious homeowners who want to conserve water.
The anacacho orchid tree, also known simply as the orchid tree, is so named for its springtime display of orchid-like flowers ranging in hue from soft white to pale pink. Standing six to twelve feet high, it is tolerant to Texas heat and does well on very little water, but requires a certain amount of shielding from harsh winter wind. After the flowers are gone, silver bark and dense green foliage make this a lovely ornamental tree all year round.
Also known as the hummingbird bush, flame acanthus is a native Texas honeysuckle shrub with reddish-orange flowers and light green leaves. Blooms appear in early June and persist throughout the fall, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds with their sweet-smelling fragrance. Drought tolerant, this hardy plant prefers fairly moist soil for best results. It likes full sun and can survive extremes of hot and cold better than average. Pruning in winter produces a denser and more attractive plant for ornamental purposes.
With large, dramatic flowers ranging in hue from golden yellow to red and magenta, Indian blanket is a showy addition to any landscaping project. Also known as firewheel due to the firework-like appearance of its blooms, Indian blanket grows to one or two feet tall and spreads like a shrub. It does well in dry conditions and prefers full sun or partial shade; the sandier the soil, the more flowers it produces. Indian blanket is an excellent choice for first-time native plant gardening since it requires little care and is exceptionally hardy, even reseeding itself naturally at the end of its growing season. It attracts butterflies and stands up reasonably well to incursions by deer.
Because buffalograss is a native prairie grass endemic to Texas, it is an environmentally responsible and hardy alternative to other types of lawn grass. It requires little water to survive, and is tolerant of both sun and heat. Soft to the touch and varying in color between grayish green and blue-green, its flowers attract butterflies and, if left unmowed, it can provide homes for a variety of native wildlife. Buffalograss can grow to a height of one foot, but generally ranges between three and ten inches tall. It does best in clay loam, and goes dormant during extended droughts and in the winter.
Joe Cline writes articles for Austin Texas real estate. Other articles written by the author related to Realtors Property Resource and Austin real estate can be found on the net.
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