9 unusual but effective ways to repel mosquitoes

9 unusual but effective ways to repel mosquitoes

A mosquito bite can cause an irritating, itchy sensation to the point of distraction. Moreover, mosquito bites are associated with various diseases, including malaria, dengue, yellow fever, and chikungunya. Today, several prevention measures exist for mosquito bites, ranging from traditional ones like bug sprays to more modern interventions. Choosing the right strategy to repel mosquitoes depends on the setting and the available resources. Read on to learn some effective ways to keep mosquitoes away: Use citrus peel Citrus peels contain natural oils which are highly effective in repelling mosquitoes. Thus, it helps to spray a solution made of citrus peels around the house or place citrus peels at different corners to keep mosquitoes away. Place catnip plants in outdoor areas While catnips are known to have a wide range of effects on cats, from hyperactivity to zoning out, they are also excellent additions to an outdoor space to prevent mosquito bites. Planting catnip plants around outdoor locations can help prevent mosquitoes from ruining one’s outdoor event or a relaxed evening by the lawn. Spray lemon eucalyptus essential oil This essential oil is a proven mosquito repellent when applied on the skin. Moreover, spraying a solution of it indoors or outdoors is another effective way to avoid mosquitoes.
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5 things to check before donating to a charity

5 things to check before donating to a charity

Donating to a charity is a way for one to contribute to the well-being of others and give back to society. However, despite having the best of intentions, one can inadvertently encounter challenges or potential deceivers when donating. So, before proceeding to donate, it is essential for one to be informed and discerning about the charities they choose to support. Here are a few things that one must know and check before donating. The type of charity The first thing one must check about the charity they are donating to is their cause. It is crucial to have a clear understanding of the causes and type of charity one is supporting. A few common causes charities usually work toward include healthcare research, animal welfare, social services, environmental conservation, education, etc. Besides these, one must also learn about the charity’s mission and its aims with the funds received. Legal status, accreditation, and registration It is extremely important to find out about the charity’s legal status, accreditation, and registration before donating, as these aspects determine the organization’s legitimacy. Reputable charities are typically registered with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Additionally, there are some reputable organizations that help find credible charities where one can donate.
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13 subtle signs of a partner having an affair

13 subtle signs of a partner having an affair

Navigating the complex terrain of relationships requires attentiveness to subtle changes. The suspicion of infidelity can cast a looming shadow over the foundation of trust. While definitive proof may be elusive, certain behaviors can raise red flags. These signs can indicate an underlying situation, so it’s crucial to approach the situation with sensitivity and honest communication. Whether it’s an unusual behavior or something else, here are a few signs one’s partner may have an affair. Changes in communication patterns Open communication is paramount for any thriving relationship. If a partner who was once open and communicative becomes secretive or distant, it could raise an alarm. A sudden change in communication patterns, such as avoiding eye contact, being vague, or showing reluctance to discuss specific topics, may indicate an underlying issue. Altered emotional intimacy Emotional connection is integral to a healthy relationship. If there is a diminishing emotional intimacy, where one’s partner is less engaged or interested, it could indicate emotional energy being invested elsewhere. Unexpected affection or distance While it might seem counterintuitive, an affair can increase affection as one’s partner attempts to alleviate guilt. Conversely, some may withdraw emotionally, creating a noticeable distance. Nonetheless, a sudden surge of affection or unexplained emotional detachment can be red flags.
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Avoid these 6 mistakes when donating to a charity

Avoid these 6 mistakes when donating to a charity

In a world of prevalent disparities, looking beyond one’s four walls and helping in need can go a long way in facilitating a better world. Over the years, charitable organizations have emerged to support several pertinent causes, from helping underprivileged children receive education to empowering women and preventing child trafficking. Many benevolent individuals regularly contribute small and large amounts to such organizations. However, it is imperative to exercise caution to avoid inevitable mistakes while donating: Not verifying the charity organization’s credentials A common mistake is donating to charitable trusts solely based on their vision, mission, and genuine appearance and not researching their credentials. Today, there are several credible online sources from which one can obtain crucial details regarding a charitable organization’s credibility. Therefore, one should always check for minute details before going ahead with the donation. Being unclear about the cause It is important to have an in-depth understanding of the cause for which one is donating a certain amount and its impact on society. This helps one contribute to the most pertinent causes in the current day and age and prioritize charitable endeavors accordingly. Another way to prioritize one’s charitable activities is to ponder what aligns with one’s values – a political stance, a particular health condition that one is passionate about eradicating, a certain community one would like to support, etc.
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5 golfing mistakes every beginner should avoid

5 golfing mistakes every beginner should avoid

Golf is a challenging sport to master. Sure, you won’t hear enthusiastic commentary or witness nail-biting running across the field; but if you understand the sport, it can be just as exciting despite the slow pace. That said, it takes practice and patience to get good at golf. As a beginner, it is next to impossible to avoid mistakes, but the learning curve is lots of fun if you are willing and eager. 5 golfing mistakes every beginner should avoid Choosing the wrong equipment A common golf swing mistake arises from picking the wrong equipment. Choosing the right club takes time and can be difficult because of the sheer amount of options available. An important tip to remember is that choosing the right club is more important than choosing the expensive one. It is not advisable to go out and buy a custom set of golf clubs on a whim. Instead, practice your swing with some clubs and take a few test swings, before buying one. This will help you avoid common swing mistakes on your golfing journey. Skipping through warm-up While slow-paced, golf requires as much warming up as in other sports. If you don’t believe us, jog your memory back to your first few days of swinging around that golf club.
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Tips to remember and mistakes to avoid when choosing printing services

Tips to remember and mistakes to avoid when choosing printing services

Choosing a printing service might sound straightforward enough. You go online, compare a few services, find the best quotes, and arrange for projects to be scheduled for printing. But that’s not all there is when hiring professional vendors. You must pay attention to factors like the scope of the projects, expectations, and a quick turnaround for the paid services. Here are some helpful tips to remember and common mistakes to avoid when choosing printing services. Tips to remember while choosing printing services Check for a decent range of services When you hire professional printers for bulk projects or specialist printing, ensure the company has the right tools, resources, and workforce to handle the task. Labor and materials go hand in hand with bulk printing; therefore, ensure the company can provide the output by the stipulated deadline. The executives working for these printing services should know the industry and customer requirements well. Printing booklets, business cards, newsletters, magnets, stickers, and flyers are among the top requirements for businesses. You should be able to place multiple orders for distinct types of print jobs and expect the company to deliver on the due date. Compare cost versus quality of work Bulk projects are serviced with custom quotes, so the cost of hiring professional printing services will vary depending on the quantity of work.
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7 common gardening mistakes to avoid

7 common gardening mistakes to avoid

Gardening is just as nourishing for the mind as it is for one’s body. The use of gardening as a workout session is well-known. Gardening requires very specific knowledge regarding plants, seeds, climate conditions, soil conditions, and fertilizers. The lack of this all-important know-how can undermine the quality of plants and fruits one grows in their garden. With that in mind, here are some common gardening mistakes one should avoid: Planting too close together Overcrowding is a problem that affects plants’ health in a garden. This is why botanical experts always advise first-time gardeners to maintain enough space between plants to make the most of their efforts. Not keeping enough space hampers the growth of plants. Additionally, overcrowding also leads to fungal diseases in plants and an infestation of pests. Also, unlike what many people think, overcrowding does not give the garden a lush and pleasant look either. Whenever plants are placed together, the trapped moisture between them can lead to undesirable wet soil and fungal growth. Moreover, it may also lead to many plants not receiving essential sunlight. To avoid all such and many more problems, one needs to leave at least two to three feet of gap between each plant to let them breathe and grow.
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5 warning signs of child neglect

5 warning signs of child neglect

Parents and caregivers play a vital role in children’s lives by helping them manage behavior and positively cope with emotions. The type of care that children receive helps shape their attitude toward others. Various situations at home, including neglect, can have a negative influence on a child’s behavior and development and how they interact with people around them. A few common warning signs that point toward child neglect are discussed below: Poor hygiene The most common warning sign indicating child neglect is a lack of proper hygiene. Children may show up at school or elsewhere wearing unwashed or messy clothes. They might also have poor oral hygiene and have unkempt nails and hair or wear clothes that are inappropriate for the weather. Additionally, toddlers or infants subject to neglect can suffer from frequent diaper rashes. This happens when parents or caregivers don’t properly wash reusable diapers, clean their children after changing them, or keep dirty diapers on for too long. Not changing diapers on time can cause diaper rashes that can develop into thrush and other severe infections, which sometimes don’t respond to treatment. Lack of participation Sometimes neglected children may struggle to participate in school activities because of a lack of confidence.
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6 yard maintenance hacks that are not effective

6 yard maintenance hacks that are not effective

Lawn and yard maintenance is a hands-on task. You must tend to the plants and ensure essential tasks like mowing, weed removal, and trimming are done regularly. That’s one of the reasons why homeowners are always looking for hacks and tips to save money and effort. But, some gardening hacks found on popular social media platforms claiming to be the best for lawn maintenance are the ones to avoid. Here are six such examples. Using eggshell as a plant base It’s vital to be conscious of environmental issues and find ways to repurpose waste material that accumulates in the kitchen. Eggshells, for example, are the most commonly thrown-out trash items. And there is a good chance you’ve already come across this gardening tip to use empty eggshells as a base for your new plant saplings. Rumor has it that the egg will provide all the necessary nutrition for the saplings to quickly sprout and break through the shell once it starts growing. However, the roots of the saplings mature even before they can break through the eggshell. So essentially, using the eggshell means you’ve restricted its growth and will have a decomposed sapling that’s been deprived of ground nutrition. The hack only works to stabilize the roots, but it certainly does not work when it comes to the sapling actually maturing into a full-size plant.
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7 beard grooming mistakes to avoid for a well-maintained look

7 beard grooming mistakes to avoid for a well-maintained look

Beards are back in fashion. Recent surveys show that most men want to grow their beards and achieve a rugged look. Depending on the style, beards can complement short and long hair. However, maintaining a good beard requires effort. Simply growing out facial hair is not enough. From trimming and shaping to using special beard growth and maintenance products, grooming is an extensive task. Also, avoid making the following mistakes that can hamper beard growth and maintenance. Not understanding your beard growth Your beard growth depends on two things, genetics and grooming style. Some people can grow a thick beard, whereas others struggle with patchy growth and bald spots. This will affect your grooming style for sure. If you use a straight razor the first few times while letting the beard grow out, you’ll notice a slightly thicker and better growth with each session. But if you use only a trimmer to shave off the ends and cut down the beard, then be vary of patches and bald spots that can completely ruin the look. The bottom line is that you should never become impatient and scrap the idea of growing a beard altogether. Take the time to understand the growth process and research suitable grooming styles.
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