Bed bugs are a common household pest that has been causing headaches for homeowners and travelers for centuries. But where do bed bugs come from, and how do they end up in our homes in the first place? These small, reddish-brown insects are notorious for their ability to infest bedding, furniture, and other household items, and can be incredibly difficult to get rid of once they’ve taken hold. But learning how they make their way into our homes is the first step to making sure we can take the necessary preventative measures. In this article, we’ll explore the origins of bed bugs and the various ways they can make their way into our living spaces. We’ll also discuss what attracts them to certain homes, and share resources with you so that you can deal with a bed bug infestation effectively. What are Bed Bugs? Bed bugs are small, flat, reddish-brown insects without wings that are about a 1/4 inch long before they feed which is approximately the size and shape of a small apple seed. During the day, they hide in the mattress seams, box springs, bed frames, and headboards, as well as in cracks and crevices in walls, floors,… Read more
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There are over 120 species in this genus, but the one you will most likely come across in nurseries, florists, or grocery stores is the Kalanchoe blossfeldiana. Most kalanchoe varieties are perennial herbaceous plants, although some are annuals and shrubs. This plant’s thick leaves vary in shape and can be either waxy or hairy. The orange, red, white, or yellow flowers have four clusters. Some varieties produce clonal plantlets from the base or along the leaf margins. Types of Kalanchoes Among the most common kalanchoe species, valued for their unusual foliage: Felt Buch: The Kalanchoe beharensis has fuzzy leaves with a white blush. This species often develops warty projections on the leaves’ underside. It can grow up to 4 feet tall indoors. Chandelier Plant: the Kalanchoe delagoensis has tubular leaves with brown or maroon splotches. This species is sometimes listed as Bryophyllum tubiflora or Kalanchoe tubiflora and can grow up to 4 feet tall. Panda Plant: Kalanchoe tomentosa, or as some may call it, pussy ears. This kalanchoe species is known for its fuzzy silvery leaves with reddish-brown tips. Mother-of-thousands: Kalanchoe daigremontiana has plump toothed leaves that produce microscopical plantlets along their edges. When these fall off, it starts new plants, which can grow up to 3 feet tall. This kalanchoe variety is… Read more
If you’re looking for the perfect tropical houseplant to add to your indoor garden collection, this plant is just for you. Prayer plants are among the most popular houseplants in your local garden If you’re looking for the perfect tropical houseplant to add to your indoor garden collection, the calathea makoyana may be just for you. Prayer plants are among the most popular houseplants, and the Calathea Makoyana is no exception. So do you have your eye on this plant but are still trying to decide whether you should get it? This guide will teach you everything you need to know about calathea makoyana care. Botanical Name: Calathea Makoyana Common Name: Peacock Plant, Cathedral Windows Family: Marantaceae Plant Type: Evergreen, Herbaceous, Perennial Hardiness Zones: 10 – 11, USA Sun Exposure: Partial Sun, Full Shade Soil Type: Moist but well-drained Soil pH: Acid, Neutral, Slightly Alkaline Height: Up to 4 ft. tall Bloom Time: Anytime, but flowers are small Flower Colors: White Native Area: Brazil What’s a Calathea Makoyana? Calthea Makoyana, also known as the peacock plant, is a stunning tropical houseplant framed by its contrasting green-purplish-red leaves that will brighten up any area in your house. The Calathea makoyana is a member of the family Marantaceae. Although this… Read more
If you’ve ever seen a bug scurrying across your kitchen counter or bathroom floor, your first thought might be that it’s a cockroach! But did you know that there are actually several other types of bugs that look like cockroaches? These bugs can be just as unwelcome in your home, and it’s important to be able to identify them correctly to get rid of them effectively. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most common types of bugs that look like roaches, and we’ll provide some tips on how to tell them apart. Whether you’re dealing with a pest infestation or simply curious about the creepy crawlers in your home, this guide will help you better understand the world of cockroach look-alikes. Cockroach vs Water Bug A water bug is a kind of cockroach, right? Even though many people believe this, it’s actually not true. Water bugs is a term often used to describe both Oriental cockroaches and smoky brown cockroaches. While several different kinds of insects such as water striders, water boatmen, and water scorpions go by the label ‘water bug,’ only one truly deserves the name. Unlike cockroaches, true water bugs belong to… Read more
What’s not to love about a Peace Lily? They purify the air while bringing life and elegance to your home. Plus, they’re easy to take care of! Peace lilies, also known as closet plants, are popular indoor plants for both homes and offices. When it comes to houseplants, these are some of the easiest to care for. But, although lilies, in general, are easy plants to care for, proper growing conditions are still essential. Follow this complete guide for instructions on how to grow and care for your peace lilies. Botanical Name: Spathiphyllum spp. Common Name: peace lily, Spath lily Family: Araceae Plant Type: Perennial Hardiness Zones: 11-12 USDA Sun Exposure: Partial Soil Type: Moist but well-drained Soil pH: Acidic Height: 1–4 ft. tall indoors, up to 6 ft. tall outdoors Bloom Time: Spring Flower Colors: White and yellow Native Area: Central America, Asia What is a Peace Lily? Native to tropical Asia and Central and South America, peace lilies are not true lilies. This plant is a tropical, evergreen perennial member of the Araceae family. Peace lilies thrive on the forest floor, receiving low light and consistent humidity and moisture. Replicating these conditions at home is essential to keep your plant happy and healthy. With enough sunlight, peace… Read more
Creeping Charlie, or ground ivy, is an invasive nuisance ground cover that can quickly overpower grass and ornamental plants. This groundcover is native to Europe, and it was later introduced to North America in the 1800s as a medicinal and ornamental plant. Nowadays, Creeping Charlie has proliferated into a hard-to-kill lawn weed. This ground ivy readily spreads from its seeds, rhizomes, and stems that root at the nodes. Continue reading for tips and tricks on how to get rid of this invasive intruder. What is Creeping Charlie? Creeping Charlie is a ground-hugging plant classified as an aromatic evergreen and a mint relative. Creeping Charlie is a perennial, meaning it can live over two years and thrive in moist shady areas, though it can also tolerate sun. Creeping Charlie was thought to be a good shade groundcover. Creeping Charlie flowers bring in pollinating bees and butterflies with their nectar-producing blooms in spring and summer. These bluish-purple flowers grow in clusters, have five petals shaped like funnels, and typically grow in one-sided axillary whorls. A variegated form of Creeping Charlie can be used in hanging baskets. Scientific name: Glechoma hederacea Common names: ground ivy, catsfoot, alehoof Family:  Lamiaceae (Mint family)    Native Status:  Introduced… Read more
If you’re tired of mowing your turf lawn all the time and fretting about watering regularly to keep it green, a clover lawn may be exactly what you need! Clover lawns are becoming increasingly popular among homeowners for their lush, green appearance and low-maintenance requirements. Clover has been around for centuries and was traditionally used by farmers to feed their livestock until it started being considered a weed. But more and more homeowners are realizing its potential as a hassle-free, eco-friendly solution for landscaping. Not only do clover lawns attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, but they’re also drought-tolerant and have nitrogen-fixing abilities! This means you won’t need any fertilizer whatsoever to keep your clover lawn lush and green. And what’s best is that you only need to mow a clover lawn a few times a year as opposed to a regular turf lawn that needs to be mowed at least once a week. But are there any drawbacks to having your own clover lawn? And what else do you need to consider? We discuss all that and more in our complete guide to clover lawn. Learn what exactly it is, the common types of clovers, and the 14… Read more
Sterling Silver Scindapsus, or Treubii moonlight, is a hugely trendy plant right now, and it’s no wonder why. Its unique silvery heart-shaped leaves have made the scindapsus treubii moonlight one of the most desirable houseplants for beginners to cultivate. Besides being an excellent addition to your indoor garden, treubii moonlight is a low-maintenance plant that needs minimal care to thrive. So what are you waiting for? Step up your houseplant game with this unique plant and learn everything you need to know in this complete guide. Botanical Name: Scindapsus treubii moonlight Common Name: Moonlight scindapsus, Sterling Silver scindapsus, Dark Form scindapsus Family: Araceae Plant Type: Vine Hardiness Zones: 10 USDA Sun Exposure: Bright indirect sunlight Soil Type: Porous, quick-draining Soil pH: 5-8 pH Height: 6-8 feet Bloom Time: Rarely in summer Flower Color: Green Native Area: Southeast Asia What’s a Treubii Moonlight? Scindapsus treubii moonlight is a vining perennial native to the Southeast Asia jungles and the Western Pacific, now grown as a tropical houseplant known for its unique silvery sheen foliage. This plant has long heart-shaped leaves with a thick glossy texture that is dark, silvery, or mottled green. This plant is part of the Scindapsus genus and the Araceae family. Although native to Southeast Asia… Read more
As their name suggests, sugar ants have a particular affinity for sweet substances, and their organized foraging behavior and social structure make them a fascinating species to observe. Sugar ant is a term used to describe many ant species that all share their love of sugar. Sugar ants enter your home in search of sweet and sugary food. They eat baked goods, fruits, raw sugar, sweets, and honeydew from aphids. Little black ants, pavement ants, carpenter ants, and ghost ants are some of the insects that fall into the sugar ant category. How Can You Spot Sugar Ants? Since there are several types of sugar ants, they vary in size and color. But they range from 1-13 mm and can have brown, reddish-brown, black, white, or even yellow bodies. They tend to have a tiny waist, large blackheads, and a rusty brownish middle. Sugar ants are often spotted in kitchens (especially on kitchen counters), sinks, cabinets, and sometimes outdoors under rocks and logs. Types of Sugar Ants There are over a hundred different species of ants worldwide, with a small portion feeding on sugary foods. The term sugar ant in America is a colloquial term used to identify several species… Read more
If you’re looking for a stunning houseplant that will add an exotic flare to your indoor space, look no further than Alocasia Polly. This plant is famous for its striking foliage, characterized by glossy, dark green leaves with prominent white veining.With its unique and eye-catching appearance, Alocasia Polly will surely be a conversation starter and a favorite among plant enthusiasts. But beyond its striking looks, this plant is also relatively easy to care for, making it an excellent choice for experienced and novice plant parents. So, Alocasia Polly is a plant to consider whether you’re an avid collector or just looking for a statement piece to liven up your living space. Read on to learn more about this small plant that makes a big statement. Botanical Name: Alocasia × amazonica ‘Polly’ Common Name: Alocasia Polly, African mask plant Family: Araceae Plant Type: Bulb Hardiness Zones: 10 – 12 USDA Sun Exposure: Partly shade and indirect sunlight Soil Type: Moist and well drained Soil pH: Acidic Height: 1 to 3 ft. Bloom Time: Summer Flower Color: Cream, pale green Native Area: Southern Asia What’s an Alocasia Polly? This unique elephant ear plant was developed as a smaller version of its parent, Alocasia x amazonica ‘Polly’ (assumed scientific name)…. Read more
Callas lilies are admired for their understated elegance. They have long been a popular choice for Easter bouquets and are frequently included in a variety of flower arrangements for events like weddings and funerals. Callas lilies symbolize purity, rebirth, and resurrection with their pure-white trumpet-shaped flowers and delicate appearance. These perennials can be grown in pots, flower beds, and along borders, where they can reach a height of 1-3 feet. Here’s a complete guide on how to grow and care for your Callas lily plant so it’ll thrive in your garden. Botanical Name: Zantedeschia aethiopica Common Name: Callas lily, arum lily Family: Araceae Plant Type: Rhizome Hardiness Zones: 8 to 10 USDA Sun Exposure: Full, partial Soil Type: Moist but well-drained Soil pH: Acidic Height: 2–3 ft. tall Bloom Time: Spring Flower Colors: White, coral, pink, maroon, yellow, and orange Native Area: Africa (Southern Africa, Swaziland) What is a Callas Lily? Ironically, Callas lily flowers are not considered ‘true lilies. Callas lilies grow from rhizomes and come in bright white and different shades of deep pink, rose, bright yellow, orange, and dark maroon or burgundy. Some have pretty white freckles on their leaves, so they are eye-catching even when not in bloom. Callas lilies, or arum lilies, are… Read more
Carpet beetles are small insects that can wreak havoc on your home by damaging your carpets, clothing, and other household items. They are common household pests that can be difficult to get rid of once they have established themselves in your home. Not only can they cause damage to your belongings, but they can also cause allergies and skin irritation in some people. If you have noticed small holes or damage to your carpets, clothing, or other household items, it’s possible that you have a carpet beetle infestation. In this article, we will discuss what carpet beetles are, how to identify them, and most importantly, how to get rid of them. We will provide practical tips and advice on how to prevent future infestations and protect your home and belongings from further damage. Whether you are dealing with a current infestation or want to take preventative measures, this complete guide will provide you with the information you need to keep carpet beetles at bay. What are Carpet Beetles? Carpet beetles are common household pests. They cause greater damage to fabrics, carpets, rugs, and woolens than clothes moths. There are four species of carpet beetles that are common in the United… Read more