These Insanely Helpful Garden Plants Keep the Mosquitoes Away
Say goodbye to the outdoor pests. Bugs come with the territory when you’re outdoors, but some are more tolerable than others. If it feels like mosquitoes are invading your yard, it’s understandable to want to do what you can to get rid of them. Enter mosquito repellent plants. Here’s the thing: Experts say that the best way to keep mosquitoes at bay is to use personal repellents recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But if you want to go a more natural route, you may be interested in selecting certain plants—they’re just not necessarily guaranteed to work as well as a spray. “The idea that planting certain plants around your home will successfully repel mosquitoes is only supported by anecdotal evidence and not empirical evidence,” says Eva Buckner, Ph.D., assistant professor and state extension specialist at the University of Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory. It’s important to note, though, that there is some evidence that certain plants may help discourage certain mosquitoes from setting up camp in your yard—they just don’t work as well as a chemical or spray. If it feels like your outdoor space is a haven to mosquitoes, it’s a good idea to “eliminate mosquito breeding grounds on and around your property by draining standing water from flowerpots, birdbaths, grill covers, baby pools, and other sources,” says Jim Fredericks, Ph.D., board-certified entomologist and senior vice president of public affairs at the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). Using a small fan outside may also help keep mosquitoes away since “they are not strong flyers,” Fredericks says. But if you like the look and smell of certain plants and want to see if they keep the mosquitoes away, too, there’s no reason not to try them. These are the plants fans swear are most likely to help get rid of mosquitoes. Snap up one or a few to enhance your outdoor space.
2023-06-26T20:04:01Z
Conversation confidence and the art of talking with anyone
Communicating is a daily occurrence for each of us and, whether it's at work or with friends and family or somewhere else entirely, being able to converse confidently is an important skill. On the surface, communication may seem as easy as simply talking with another person; however, quite the opposite is true. There are so many factors that go into effectively speaking with someone, and all of them matter. In fact, if each one of us isn’t aware and committed to effective communication, it can lead to frustration, misunderstanding, and even conflict. So take the time today to read this guide, and learn how you can confidently talk with anyone and have productive, healthy conversations. Click through the gallery to learn more.
2024-04-19T06:11:13Z
These Delicious Passover Foods Deserve a Spot on Your Seder Table
Plus, some of our favorite Passover recipes. Every spring, Jews around the world sit down to begin the eight-day (or seven days, depending on the family) festival of Passover with a dinner called a seder. In 2024, the holiday begins on the evening of April 22nd and ends at sundown on Tuesday, April 30. Though every family has its own traditions and rituals, the purpose of the holiday is to retell the Biblical story of the Jewish people fleeing slavery and finally leaving Egypt. The festival is perhaps best known for the Passover foods consumed (and not consumed) throughout the week. Though every Jewish family has its own standards and levels of observance, one of the most common rules is that Jews cannot eat anything considered chametz. This refers to anything that contains grain that has come into contact with water and had the chance to rise–think bread, pancakes, cupcakes, and cookies. This is because when the enslaved Jews were leaving Egypt, they didn’t have enough time to allow their bread to rise. Many Jews will only consume foods that are unleavened and have a special kosher for Passover marking. Additionally, some Jews that come from Eastern European countries also avoid foods called kitniyot, which include rice, mustard, corn, beans, and other legumes. Instead, many Jews will use ingredients like almond flour, potato starch, and an unleavened cracker called matzah to cook throughout the holiday. When the sun sets on the first night of Passover, a large dinner will be served, and at the center of the table is the seder plate. A large plate with a shank bone, egg, bitter herbs, greens, lettuce, and a special mixture called charoset (more on these later). Recipes to make Passover foods If you’re looking to make some delicious meals with some of the Passover foods below and more, some of our favorite recipes include: Matzo Ball Soup Gefilte Fish Slow Cooker Brisket Crispy Roasted Potatoes Green Beans With Olive-Almond Tapenade Roasted Chicken and Potatoes with Kale Cauliflower Tabbouleh Potato Kugel Roasted Baby Vine Tomato Grilled Chicken Flourless Chocolate Cake Roast Lamb Charoset Chewy Chocolate-Walnut Cookies So, what traditional Passover foods are served at a Passover meal? This varies family-to-family, but some common foods include:
2024-04-11T17:19:58Z
Children and other unbelievable things sent through the mail
The parcel service revolutionized the way people sent stuff around the world. For a fee, individuals could ship all sorts of things across the country, and, in some cases, across borders. While today there are many rules on what can and cannot be posted, which include limits on size, weight, and quantity, in the early days things were a lot more ambiguous, and some people certainly took advantage of this fact! From parents posting their children to body parts being shipped out, in this gallery you'll get to know all about the weird stuff sent through the post. Click on for more.
2023-12-19T11:09:47Z