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5 Warning Signs of Pest Infestation at Home

By
Elizabeth Williams

Do you hear noises in the walls? See pest droppings? These things and more? Here are five warning signs that you’ve got a pest infestation!

Do you have a pest infestation in your home?

These pesky creatures are not only annoying but also a health risk. According to EPA, indoor pests such as cockroaches are responsible for respiratory conditions such as asthma and allergies.

In addition to risking your health, pests also cause massive property damage. Termites damage property worth $5 million every year. Thus, the sooner you identify the infestation, the faster you can control it before it wreaks havoc in your home.

With this in mind, here are five telltale signs you have a pest infestation in your home.

Unusual Noises in Your Home

Pests such as rodents are certainly everything but not silent. During the night, when your home is quiet, they will run around making noises as they look for food. This is the best time to spot them.

Listen out for unusual noises in areas such as the garage, kitchen, crawl spaces, attic, and storage spaces during the night. If you have rodents, you’ll certainly hear them make a pitter-patter sound of their small feet as they dominate your home.

Unpleasant Odors

One telltale sign of a pest infestation is the presence of unexplainable odors in your home. Pests, especially rats, leave behind musky odors of urine and droppings. If you catch a whiff of an unexplained smell in your kitchen, garage, or pantry, it’s time to investigate.

Pest urine leaves behind an ammonia-like smell that’s almost choking. If you notice this, take immediate action before the pesky creatures contaminate your food and cause health risks.

Droppings and Carcasses

Have you recently seen dark, cylindrical droppings that resemble ground coffee or black pepper? Or have you noticed shiny, black droppings in your cabinets and storage units? Have you seen abandoned wings or carcasses of dead cockroaches in your home?

If so, you have a pest infestation. As with other animals, pests leave behind droppings in the places they frequent. What’s more, those with wings also tend to shed them in your home.

If you notice droppings and carcasses, you have a pest infestation in your home.

Pest Nestings

Pests such as rodents will build nests in the dark and unused parts of your home such as the crawl spaces, attic, and in old, unused furniture. Be on the lookout for such nestings as they are an indication you have unwanted guests.

Most pests won’t be in their nests when you come looking. However, you can use subtle treatments to eliminate them when they do come “home.” One of such options is the in-wall pest control system.

Tubes filled with pesticide are installed in the walls in your home. They slowly release chemicals and exterminate pests.

Only a small amount of the chemical is released in your home. Thus, you don’t have to worry about heavy pesticide use and its effect on the health of the home’s occupants.

Damaged Fixtures and Wiring

The final but most destructive sign is damaged fixtures and wiring. Rodents and termites are notorious creatures that can cause massive property damage in your home.

Rodents chew on electrical wiring and can expose your home to electrical risks such as fires and electrocution. Termites eat at wooden furniture and cause irreversible damage.

If you suspect an infestation, inspect your furniture and wiring for physical damage and contact a pest control expert immediately.

Do You Have a Pest Infestation?

Pest extermination can be costly, but even more expensive is the process of restoring your home and valuables after a pest infestation. Take charge today and contact the experts for professional pest control services.

 

20-Year-Old Student Defers His Studies To Take Care Of His Mother Suffering From Cancer

By
Riley Cooper

This man’s story proves that there’s nothing more important than family.

Liu Xinhong is a 20-year-old student whose life unexpectedly took a different turn. One year ago, he’d just started his first year of university in Yulin County in Taiwan.

However, when Liu found out that his mother’s cancer had spread to other parts of her body last year, he made a decision which he thought was the best at the time.

Liu decided to defer his studies in order to take care of his mother suffering from cancer. Thus, being just another freshman at the university last year, he’s now more like a nurse taking care of his mother at the hospital.

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Liu knows that education is important, but he also understands that family matters the most. He said: “I only have one mother, but with my studies, I can go back to them later.”

While some people think that Liu’s decision to drop out of college is wrong since education is vital, he doesn’t share the same opinion, and he has a good, strong reason for that.

Liu said: “Mom has put a lot of time and effort into raising me. She’s helped me with homework and lots of other things, but I haven’t spent much time with her.”

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In a Facebook post, Liu thanked his mother for all the love she’s given him. He added that as she now needs to be taken care of, he has the full responsibility to take on that role. He also wrote:

“I think companionship is very important during a person’s last days. Facing the inevitable result, I would like to learn to discard regret and say goodbye to my loved ones and bless them; isn’t it better than just being sad?”

Fortunately, this devoted son has other family members who support him during these difficult times for him. His brother joins him in the hospital every day. And his father, who can’t spend that much time in the hospital with them as he’s busy running their family shop, is proud of his devoted, selfless, caring son.

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Remember Steve Irwin? His Son Is Now An Award-Winning Photographer And These Are Some Of His Best Photographs

By
Stephanie Reeds

People say the apple doesn’t fall far from the apple tree. And the Irwin family is certainly proof of that saying.

Remember Steve Irwin? The Australian zookeeper, also known as the Crocodile Hunter, who dedicated his life to exploring the wilderness and helped with the conservation and protection of many animals?

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Well, his son Robert Irwin certainly inherited the best side of his genes. Why? Well, this 15-year-old boy is an award-winning photographer and a real nature enthusiast. He has a truly sharp eye for aesthetics and a genuine love for the animal world, just like his father.

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Robert has already been a part of a few conservation initiatives alongside his family where they worked hard to spread the message of conservation. But another thing that Robert takes interest in is photography. 

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According to his website, Robert has always been fascinated with the natural world. That, as well as his parent’s genes, were his inspiration to keep thriving in this field. As a result of his hard work and passion, Robert’s photographs have been featured in many photography galleries around Australia and worldwide.

And the photographs that he has taken will definitely blow your mind.

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He is also the leading photography contributor to the Australia Zoo Crikey magazine. Moreover,  he has also judged the National Geographic Kids Photo Contest and been recognized in many photography competitions. 

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Way to go Robert! As a passionate nature lover, myself, I am genuinely speechless. All I have to say is… Keep scrolling down, because the photographs that you are about to see are absolutely breathtaking!

Cuteness Overload: IKEA Donated Doll-Sized Beds To A Cat Rescue Center And The Felines Love Them

By
Stephanie Reeds

Have you seen cats sleeping on tiny beds?

I am sure you’ve all scrolled through Instagram and liked those cute videos of kittens sleeping on tiny pillow snuggled in small, warm blankets. But now you have the opportunity to go and visit them. Oh, and of course you can also adopt one if you like.

The place is called The Etobicoke Humane Society. It is a cat rescue center and it has been around for more than 25 years. Their main goal is to protect, shelter and take care of stray animals.

But the thing that makes this whole experience even more interesting and cuter is the fact that recently IKEA donated tiny, doll-sized beds to this cat shelter. Thanks to them, their furry friends no longer have to sleep on the floor.

Our floors are easy to clean but not terribly comfortable to lay on,” the Etobicoke Humane Society wrote on their Facebook page.

And, trust me, I cannot even find the words to describe to you how cute these fluffy babies look in their new bedrooms. I can’t get enough of seeing them sleeping so peacefully in their new cozy corners!

Luckily, we have photos for all of you cat lovers out there.

The funny things are, IKEA doesn’t sell pet furniture. So, these tiny beds are actually made for dolls.


They decided to donate 10 Duktig Doll beds to the cat shelter in Ontario, Canada.

And the felines immediately fell in love with them. Now they no longer need to sleep on the floor.

The beds are made of pine wood and there is a linen set on top of it.

Just look at this fluffy baby enjoying its naps. Snug as a bug in a rug.

Here’s an unboxing video of the Duktig Doll Beds. If you are interested in purchasing one for your furry friend, don’t hesitate to visit your local IKEA and surprise them.

15 Things I Am Supposed To Do, But I Don’t, Since I’m Always Procrastinating

By
Riley Cooper

We are all guilty of procrastinating from time to time. Whether we’re avoiding doing a certain task because we find it unpleasant, difficult, or just boring, we somehow always manage to come up with tons of reasons as to why not do the task today.

By postponing fulfilling a task until later, i.e. tomorrow, next week, or next month, we always drive ourselves crazy as we end up having to do a bunch of things all in one day.

If you’re like me, i.e. you have a habit of procrastinating, then you understand well how irritating and stressful this can sometimes be.

I don’t know what kind of things you usually postpone doing, but I’m perfectly well aware of the things I’m supposed to do, but I don’t, since I’m always procrastinating.

Here they are:

1. I have tons of clothes that are waiting for me to iron, but as you can guess, I’m always busy doing other “more important” things than that.

2. A couple of weeks ago, I found an interesting recipe in a cookbook, and I’ve been desperately wanting to make it, but, you know, why bother trying it today – I can do that next week.

3. My watch hasn’t been working for a while now, but I’m always “forgetting” to take it to a watch repair shop to have it fixed.

4. A couple of letters have been sitting on my desk for a week, ready to be sent, and I really can’t tell for how long they’ll still have to sit there.

5. I started going to the gym last week, and I’m supposed to go there 4 times a week. But, hey, it’s not a big deal if I only visit it twice a week, right?

6. Every time I watch TV and have to go out with my friends or go shopping, I always choose to stay at home and watch a little bit more TV, and, after an hour – there I am – fast asleep. And as for my friends or the shopping – well, they can wait.

7. My laptop has been making strange noise for 2 weeks now, but as it still works – I haven’t checked it yet.

8. Sometimes I get so lazy that when I have to attend a wedding or another important celebration, I even postpone doing my make-up or buying a gift, and, of course, I always get there late.

9. For a long time, I’ve been thinking about taking a German course, and I’ve even started putting money aside, but “I simply can’t find the time.”

10. One of the things that I really need to focus on in my life now is my master thesis. But, you know – “I can’t find the time to do that either.”

11. Sometimes I find myself thinking whether I’ve left a dress or a coat at the dry cleaner since perhaps I’ve forgotten to pick it up.

12. And when it comes to my dishes, well, I don’t want to talk about that at all.

13. I need to make a dentist appointment, but I simply can’t find the time to squeeze this into my hectic schedule.

14. You have no idea how much I want to start jogging. But, sleeping until noon always appears like a more important priority for me.

15. It’s not easy to admit this, but sometimes I’m so lazy to prepare my own dinner that I immediately convince myself that this is the most effective way to lose weight, am I right?

Hilarious Moment: Man Wakes Up To Find His Dog Wearing His Dentures

By
Riley Cooper

Dogs are man’s best friend isn’t just an adage. It is the real truth. Besides always being loyal to you, they bring joy and happiness into your life. Whether they are warmly and innocently looking at you while you eat so as to give them a piece of your food, chewing your slippers, hiding your TV remote, or just greeting you by wagging their tail excitedly when you get home, these 4-legged adorable creatures do all of the little things which put a smile on your face.

Indeed, when you have a cute, playful dog roaming about the house, you simply never get bored. And Eunice, a woman from Long Island, New York, knows this the best. On her Twitter account, she decided to share a funny story about her cute little Shih Tzu dog called Maggie that played a really funny trick on her elderly father.

This mischievous deed was done one afternoon while Eunice’s father was taking a nap. But as his gums had been hurting him, he took the dentures out and put them aside before he took his afternoon nap.

However, when he woke up later, he was surprised to find that his dentures were gone. He immediately thought that perhaps he had absentmindedly left them in a different place. But, he was wrong.

While he was searching for his dentures, he found Maggie hiding under his living room table with a hilarious grin spread across her face.

Yes, the dog’s mouth was full of  Eunice’s father’s teeth. And, of course, he couldn’t help but take pictures of this little thief’s hilarious grin. When Eunice posted them on Twitter, they went viral in no time. And it’s no wonder since the photos are adorable.

 

Solar Panel Return on Investment: 7 Benefits of Using Solar Energy

By
Elizabeth Williams

When looking at the return on investment for solar panels, one may want to invest in using solar energy for their home. Click here to learn more!

The energy generated by solar panels in the United States has now reached the capacity needed to power 5.7 million homes. Not only that, installations have increased seventeen-fold since 2008.

Besides environmental benefits, the main reason for this is that the average solar panel return on investment is impressive. Keep reading to learn more about the financial advantages that are available.

  1. Much Lower Electric Bill

The average lifetime of a solar panel system is 25 years. Most systems get paid off within eight years, leaving 17 years to benefit from free electricity.

Dividing your saved energy costs by the initial investment in the system results in an average ROI of 10 to 30 percent. That kind of return on investment rivals stocks and bonds.

The higher your electric costs, the more you’ll save with solar energy. Even if your solar system doesn’t generate enough power to eliminate your bill in full, the reduction will still save you a ton of money.

Use solar energy panels by Solar Energy Systems and reduce your Florida electricity costs.
  1. Security From Energy Rate Hikes

Electric energy is a volatile market. Residential energy rates go up an average of three percent each year. The continued surges are due to the scarcity of non-renewable resources like oil, gas, and coal. These are the three main fossil fuels used in electricity generation. With a home solar power installation, you’ll enjoy self-sufficiency in clean energy and become independent from traditional electrical providers. The switch to solar will protect your pocketbook from the increases.

  1. Energy Tax Credits

The federal government offers a tax credit to homeowners that install solar energy. This tax credit applies to the entire cost of your system:

  • Equipment
  • Installation
  • Shipping
  • Permit Fees
  • Other Miscellaneous Fees

Keep in mind that this solar tax credit expires in 2022.

  1. Rebates

Some states or counties have rebate and grant programs for solar panel investment and use. Check with your local and state governments to find out what’s available in your area.

  1. Net Metering

This is a program that allows you to sell solar power to utility companies for use in the grid. Check with your local utility company to find out if this option is available to you. Not every utility offers it and rules vary from company to company.

  1. Solar Renewable Energy Credits

If you live in one of the 30 states that take part in renewable portfolio standards (RPS) you can sell the solar renewable energy certificates that you earn for a financial return.

  1. Property Value Increase

If you’re wondering, “Do solar panels increase home value?” the answer is yes. Installing solar energy tends to increase property value because it’s considered an upgrade. Not only that, on average, they also sell faster.

The demand for homes equipped with solar energy will continue to increase as more and more buyers learn the benefits of it. Real estate agents selling such homes will help spread the word.

Solar Panel Return on Investment in a Nutshell

The total solar panel return on investment will vary depending on the location that you live in. There are many different types of programs available to help with installing one. Beyond these, you’ll increase the value of your home and save money on electricity when you switch to solar.

Make the next move in deciding if a solar panel investment is right for you by investigating which programs are available in your area.

5 Key Tips for Finding the Best AC Repair Company

By
Elizabeth Williams

Not all AC repair companies are created equal. Keep reading for 5 key tips for finding the best AC repair company.

When the weather heats up, you rely on your home’s air conditioner to keep your space comfortable. But since the average air conditioner costs between $3,000 and $7,000, making your current unit last is always a priority.

To do this, you’ll need to find a reliable AC repair company. They’ll be able to handle all the repairs, maintenance, and tune-ups required to keep the unit running well.

So, where do you start?

Here are a few simple tips to help you find the best repair company for your needs and your budget.

1. Ask Your Friends and Family

The best place to start looking for AC companies is with the people you trust. Ask your friends, family, and coworkers who they use to keep their units in good shape.

If they’re happy with the service, you’ll likely have the same experience.

When contacting the company, make sure you tell them who referred you. This lets them know that their customers appreciate their services and may earn you a discount on an appointment.

2. Research Online

If you can’t get a referral from someone you know, start looking around online. Search for companies in your area and look at the services they offer.

You’ll also want to look at the online reviews to get a feel for the quality of service the technicians offer. If most people have positive experiences, the company is worth contacting. But if the reviews are overwhelmingly negative, keep searching.

3. Get Estimates from More Than One AC Repair Company

Your budget matters and every repair should be as affordable as possible. This means you’ll want to get estimates from more than one company.

Schedule an appointment with the technician and let them see what’s going on with your unit. They’ll tell you what needs doing and how much it will cost. Then, compare the estimates with those given by other companies.

Remember, though the price of repairs is important, it’s always best to choose a company you’re comfortable with. The cheapest option may not be the best one.

4. Ask for Proof of Insurance and Business Licenses

Every HVAC technician should have a valid business license and insurance policy in place before ever working on your unit. And reputable companies are more than happy to provide proof before they ever start working on your system.

Don’t be afraid to ask for it. If the company won’t give you the relevant documentation or tells you they don’t have insurance, keep looking.

5. Look for Emergency Availability

When the temps rise, you need your AC to keep your home comfortable. If it breaks in the middle of the hottest summer day, you need to know someone will come to repair it quickly.

Look for companies that offer emergency availability. This way, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your system will get fixed when you need it most.

Final Thoughts

Finding the right AC repair company can feel like a daunting task. But with these tips, you’ll find a repair technician you can trust in no time.

For more helpful tips and useful tricks to help you keep your house in order, check out our recent posts!

Improving your career with knowledge and free certifications

By
Elizabeth Williams

I know that summer will decide, to enter the OFF mode and recharge the battery. We need to rest and enjoy family, friends and ourselves.

But this is also a good time to reflect study, read a good book and why not get free certifications that allow us to return to the last four months with more hope if possible. For this, we can take advantage of all the free online certifications provided by the Internet to develop our digital potential and talents.

One day I was talking to an acquaintance that was actively looking for work and didn’t know one of the best free certifications, the BitDegree certification. At present it is an obligation, whether we actively seek employment or not, that we increase our Digital Talent. We will all agree that the world is increasingly digital, that most companies have begun their journey towards Digital Transformation and that this transformation began with the people who formed these companies.

And to develop this digital talent we talk about what is called Soft Skills (Behavioral Competence) and Hard Skills (Technical Skills). Here are some of my “free” recommendations so that this summer, you will strengthen your personal and professional empowerment by focusing on becoming your company’s Digital Transformation Superhero. Here are some of good free certifications I have tried in my efforts to get certificate.

Leading Digital Transformation in organizations:

Mooc (Massive Online Open Courses) from the Miriadax platform:

In this course you will know in a very simple way what is digital transformation. Through various modules, you will find out the main pillars that form the basis of Digital Transformation; Digital Marketing, Digital Strategy, Digital Talent Management, Digital Operations Management and Digital Financial Management. You are still in time to register and take a course that ends on August 12.

Google Activate:

Google Activate has special attention in this article. In this certificate of achievement, you will access free training in digital competitions, both in online courses and in direct courses. From the Online Digital Marketing Course, Electronic Commerce, Cloud computing, Application Development … That is, if you don’t use the free resources provided by this Google, I suggest you do it from YES. Usually in this course all modules have a test and then there is a final exam to get free certifications.

Digital Competence:

This certificate of achievement covers general concepts, keys and strategies for developing your Digital Competence. Through various modules, interesting topics such as digital culture, personal branding and social networking are touched.

Marketing Inbound:

At present it is very important to move from more troubling marketing to marketing which really adds value to the final client. Hubspot offers a free inbound certification course where you can get certificate, learn more about the Inbound methodology and enhance your professional career. In addition, you will get a certificate that accredits this knowledge. This is one of the best free certifications.

Big Data and Business Intelligence:

You know what Business Intelligence is and what it can bring to your company. In this case I share a Webinar that my colleagues gave, in which they explained what you need to be #DataDriven and use all the power of the Data.

English:

Nowadays we have to work with English and it has to be part of our competences. If you want to get certificate, be up to date and research your specialty you must control English. It is clear that the ideal thing would be to have a native prof @ r to our side, but failing that we have many resources online and free. For example, the Mooec program focused on English and some tools to learn a free language and have fun.

As Buddha Dhammapada said “Everything we are comes from our thoughts” so think that everything is possible, that you will get where you set out and empower yourself by developing your skills. Your career depends on you. If you improve your skills then you will naturally increase your chances of getting a better career. Hopefully this article is able to provide great motivation to you and to anyone who wants to improve his career, especially what is called Digital Talent.

3 Surefire Ways to Boost Your Self-Confidence

By
Elizabeth Williams

Confidence is a tricky thing. If it is nurtured right, it can take you to the top of the world, and show you the extent of human achievement. If, however, it is pricked, it can drag you to the darkest pits of the world, and expose you to the depths of human misery.

Depending on how you wield it.

This is something every individual has to struggle with at least once in his/her lifetime.

Low self-esteem, dejection, and absolute faithlessness regarding one’s true potential.

I know I have had my fair share of it. Nevertheless, each time, I’ve come out more empowered than before, and in control of myself. You just have to understand that it is only a state of mind, which can be conquered and turned around for the better. So, hang tight, and follow the three crucial confidence-boosting tips I’ve gathered for your convenience, below. They have proven to be quite effective so far.

Break the Chain of Comparisons

Measuring yourself with a yardstick of ‘comparisons’ is more toxic to your essential being than anything else. You are YOU. Not Bill Gates, not Rihanna, not your class topper, not your next-door Olympic-champion neighbor, and certainly not your favorite Avengers character from the Infinity Saga series, you might’ve order on-demand from your reliable Cox services. You are YOU.

Unique, incomparable, and full of wonders.

So, stop belittling your abilities by hankering after the achievements of others. When you look in the mirror, see your true reflection and own it. Recognize your being for what it really is, and estimate it on the level that it deserves. Break off the chains of comparison and come out of other people’s shadows. Open up to your flaws, be proud of who you are, assert yourself where needed, and walk with your head held high. Treat yourself to lavishness, and gradually, desensitize yourself to rejection by accepting yourself wholly. This is the real secret, after all.

Step out of your Comfort Zone

You’ve always feared taking risks, right? Do you know why? Because you, like everyone else, are used to the safety of your comfort zone. However, a thing about this zone is that it does not really allow growth. At all. It only suffocates your self-confidence and prevents you from actualizing your true potential. Is that how you want to spend your entire life? Under the shadow of fear? No.

Life is an endless adventure that demands participation for rendering a fruitful result.

So, after you’ve taken the first step out of the door, confront what terrifies you. Do something you’re afraid of every single day. Desensitize yourself to fear. Conquer heights, dive into the oceans, and trek through the desert. This thrill will induce a huge amount of confidence in you. Trust in your potential to come out of it alive. Believe in your abilities to make the best of whatever circumstances life throws at you. Be free. Be fearless.

Give More and Receive More

Confidence goes hand in hand with compassion. One of the best ways to boost your self-confidence while staying in tune with your softer side is by extending a hand of help to others. Once you aid someone in their times of need, you will feel a lightness in your soul. A utility. Relevancy. Thereby, you will become attuned to your purpose in life, and have something to be proud of. In short, volunteer in social works as much as you can.

So, don’t wait an eternity under the duress of low self-esteem. Instead, try the aforementioned tips to resurrect your self-confidence, and live life up to its fill.

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