Don’t Let Bugs Bug You or Your Guests

Image: roostery.com

LBH no one likes to sleep where bugs are—even in the great outdoors we often commit ourselves to tents, or other safety nets to protect ourselves from bugs. They can bite, carry and transmit diseases and they’re just gross! A necessity to the circle of life, however not to an overnight guest stay—here’s a few tips and tricks to keep unwanted pests away. 

Think inside and outside. 

You must treat for pests inside and outside of your home. We recommend hiring pest control to monitor the spraying of pesticides, however it's easy to tackle on your own as well. Just be sure to spray the inside and outside perimeter of your house for the most effective results. 

A crack is a welcome mat. 

Be sure all of the nooks of your home are sealed. Keep windows and cracks sealed with caulking. Be sure to replace your weather stripping every few years, a simple way to check its effectiveness is hold your hand to the door and see if you can feel outside air coming in. Keep window and door screens are in good shape, any hole or nick in a screen can allow unwanted bugs to come inside. 

A dry home is a happy home. 

Moisture is not only bad for the life of your home but it's often what bugs are searching for. Pay special attention to the areas in your home that often see water and check for collecting moisture. Use rugs, towels, and a dehumidifier if necessary. Always be sure that water outside is running away from your house and have your gutters cleaned and checked yearly to avoid water damage inside your home (and bugs from making your home theirs)!

Keep it clean. 

Sounds obvious—and while we’re proponents of all things clean—bugs really like a dirty habitat so any place that gets ignored likely will collect bugs. If you have areas like this try placing something here you use instead, like your gym bag or reusable shopping bags. It is also important to keep any carpet in your home clean by vacuuming and shampooing it a few times per year, this helps keep tiny bugs you often don’t see (like carpet beetles) away.

How to Keep Your Outdoor Space Tidy

Keeping an outdoor space tidy can vary in difficulty depending on where you live, the elements you’re exposed to, and obviously the furniture and materials you are working with in the space. So advice can vary greatly. However we find that most homes that we visit have a few common problem areas. Here’s a few tips for keeping those areas in tip top shape.

1) Entry ways can say a lot. They also tend to collect a lot. Keep these areas clean by setting up an areas for shoes, a container or shelf for drop-offs and items that aren’t meant to be there permanently. 

2) Utilize outdoor storage containers. We often think of aesthetically pleasing organization containers to be used indoors, but there are a lot that can work well outdoors too. And work really well for maintaining a clean space and very easy pick up. Look for storage options that are weather and water proof. Bonus points if they dual as seating. 

3) If you have outdoor furniture you should use a cover when not in use. But that’s hardly practical. So for an easy clean up hose off your outdoor furniture, let it air dry, use a Magic Eraser to wipe the surfaces clean. To clean sap and caked on sticky substances often found on outdoor furniture, wipe cushions, covers, or other fabric features, simply wipe gently with rubbing alcohol. 

Cleaning With Kids

One of the keys to cleaning with children is choosing the right materials to work with, the other is teaching them the right way to do the job. Easier said than done, we’re aware, but we have some tried and true tips from our staff (who are also parents) that work. 

1. Use kid-friendly cleaning materials. There are a lot of cleaning materials that are actually fun to use. Especially if you make it fun. Fairy dust spray anyone? But really, using things like Lemons to clean grout is a great example of how you can give a sensory experience to a child while teaching them some foundational life skills. 

2. Let them do it. Yes you might waste a little, but really what’s waste when you’re teaching valuable skills? So let them sprinkle the baking soda in the toilet or on the carpet before you vacuum or allow them to use a spray bottle and spray vinegar on to the tub and scrub it with their favorite washrag. You can make this fun by encouraging them to pretend the solution is something creative--Unicorn food perhaps? **bonus points if you make washrags from recycled materials at home. Perhaps an old unrepairable t-shirt?

3. Make household cleaners together. We like to create a science like environment so that kids feel like they’re real scientists. Encourage them to mix vinegar and water and stir it together. We like to put the vinegar in multiple different sized and colored containers so they feel like their mixing more. You can use that same solution and set a little aside and add baking soda to it (this can be used as a toilet cleaner). 

4. Get creative with the tools. We typically clean with the same tools, brushes, and rags every time. Although they make be effective they may not be the most inspiring to spark a child to want to clean. However a tool that catches their attention could be the key to spark the desire to clean. It could be a star shaped sponge, or a brush that they get to add their favorite stickers to, it could simply be their favorite color. You could buy a set, but you could also make one! Use sticks and old socks to create a horse inspired mop, even an old toothbrush has inspired one of our little’s to help clean grout on the shower floor. It’s really about making it safe and engaging. 

Do you have a tip to share with us?

We’d love to hear it!

Celebrating Independence Day

The Independence Day holiday is one of our favorite holidays, not only is it the unstated celebration of summer, but the fourth of July is chocked full of history and festivity. Equally the holiday calls for responsible behaviors, firework and water safety and of course great cocktails. 

Before you embark upon your plans for the holiday be sure you understand the rules for using 🎆 fireworks. If you are using fireworks, be sure you have a fire extinguisher near at all times. 

We recommend visiting the National Fire Protection Association for safety tips and here’s a great reference guide. 

If you plan to be near or in the water, be sure you’re aware of the water rules and where water floatation devices are found. A lot of events have special rules for the holidays, so be sure to check with wherever you’re visiting to understand their Independence day rules.

Once you feel safe and are 100% aware of the rules and precautions you can take to keep you and your love ones safe we recommend you make this drink promptly :)

🍋Lemosas Recipe🍋:

Grab your favorite type of Champagne and make sure its properly iced.🍾

Swap orange juice for lemonade and add a dash of raspberries or strawberries (your choice!) and top with fresh blueberries and a lemon wedge.

🥂Cheers.