Families, businesses, schools and many other people had to dramatically modify daily life due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The most significant effects of COVID-19, beyond health implications, have been the changes in outings and gatherings and how people celebrated holidays.

2022 figures to be especially festive, as the world continues to emerge from the pandemic. As shoppers hit the shopping trail throughout the year, they can look to the pandemic for gift-buying inspiration.

Travel-related gifts

Travel restrictions greatly limited where people could go, so millions embraced staycations to take breaks from school and work. With travel restrictions lifted in many parts of the world and vaccinated individuals traveling again, consider gifts that include travel essentials, such as luggage, plane tickets, toiletries, hotel vouchers, and even gift cards to use on vacation purchases.

“Actually, it’s a big thing right now for a lot of engaged couples to ask for gifts toward honeymoons. Certain cruise lines like Disney and Carnival offer gift cards that can be applied toward future travels. These can often be found at a discount with retailers,” said Dana Henry, a local travel agent with Cruise Planners in Athens.

Preparatory gifts

People are more germ-conscious as a result of the pandemic. Cases of COVID-19 are declining, but it’s essential to be cautious and sanitary.

Gifts that promote cleanliness may continue to be appreciated.

Stylish reusable face masks; special sanitary keys that limit contact with things like ATMs, doors, elevator buttons; ultraviolet disinfecting lamps and purses and bags that users can clean without damage.

Home improvement supplies

Homeowners channeled their vacation dollars into home improvements in the wake of canceled vacation plans.

Those who still have plans to redo and renovate will appreciate gifts that may include gift cards to popular home improvement and design retailers.

In addition, as certain home improvement materials like lumber have gotten more expensive, a cash gift to offset the cost of materials can help people see projects through to completion.

Dining out vouchers

Even though many restaurants pivoted to takeout service or established outdoor seating to meet safety requirements, dining establishments still felt the pain of the pandemic. More people have now returned to traditional dining, and restrictions on indoor dining have gradually loosened. Therefore, gifts that focus on dining out, such as certificates for favorite restaurants or wine bottle caddies for BYOB establishments, can make great gifts.

Driftwood Dragonfly, a tea shop located on Washington Street, has gift certificates available for purchase, as well as an assortment of plants, stones, jewelry and other items for customers to choose from when looking for a gift.

“I would honestly pick a plant, some of our jewelry, our stones or some of the more body care. That’s what I would personally pick,” said Aubrey Hood, an employee at Driftwood Dragonfly.

Support new hobbies

Many people took on new hobbies and explored new activities to pass the time during the pandemic. Encourage these hobbies by gifting tools and supplies. If a person adopts a new pet, try pet-toy subscriptions or even purchase pet health insurance.

In addition to tea and stones, Driftwood Dragonfly offers classes and sessions customers can participate in to learn skills.

“My boss also does Reiki sessions,” said Hood. “We also have some session sometimes where she does a lot of classes. And I took her energy anatomy class here that went through the chakras and all the details about it — you know, herbs for it, crystals, yoga, anything — and she also does singing bowls sessions. So if anybody would be interested in that, we do that.”

Though the pandemic is something many people would love to forget, holiday shoppers can look to it for inspiration when buying gifts for loved ones this year.

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A new type of ultraviolet light has been shown in a study to reduce the level of indoor airborne microbes by more than 98 per cent in less than five minutes.

Scientists at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians found that even as microbes continued to be sprayed into the room, the level remained very low as long as the lights were on.

Known as far-UVC, the light is safe for humans to be around and it is thought that lamps installed in the ceiling could be an effective passive technology for reducing person-to-person transmission of airborne-mediated diseases such as Covid and influenza indoors.

“Far-UVC rapidly reduces the amount of active microbes in the indoor air to almost zero, making indoor air essentially as safe as outdoor air,” said David Brenner, co-author of the study. “Using this technology in locations where people gather together indoors could prevent the next potential pandemic.”

“Far-UVC light is simple to install, it’s inexpensive, it doesn’t need people to change their behaviour, and above all it’s a safe way to prevent the transmission of any virus, including the Covid virus and its variants, as well as influenza and also any potential future pandemic viruses.”

Scientists have known for decades that UVC light rapidly kills microbes, including bacteria and viruses. But conventional germicidal UVC light cannot be used directly to destroy airborne viruses in occupied indoor spaces because it is a potential health hazard to the skin and eyes.

But Far-UVC light is safe for people because it has a shorter wavelength than conventional germicidal UVC, so it can’t penetrate into living human skin cells or eye cells. But it is equally efficient at killing bacteria and viruses, which are much smaller than human cells.

In the past decade, many studies around the world have shown that far-UVC is both efficient at destroying airborne bacteria and viruses and safe for use around people. But until now these studies had only been conducted in small experimental chambers, not in full-sized rooms mimicking real-world conditions.

The researchers tested the efficacy of far-UVC light in a large room-sized chamber with the same ventilation rate as a typical home or office (about three air changes per hour).

During the experiment, a sprayer continuously emitted an aerosol mist of S. aureus bacteria into the room. This microbe was chosen because it is slightly less sensitive to far-UVC light than coronaviruses, providing the researchers with an appropriately conservative model.

When the concentration of microbes in the room stabilised, the researchers turned on commercially available overhead far-UVC lamps.

At an intensity based on the current regulatory limit on far-UVC light exposure, more than 98 per cent of the airborne microbes were inactivated in just five minutes. This low level of viable microbes was also maintained over time, even though microbes continued to be sprayed into the room.

“Our trials produced spectacular results, far exceeding what is possible with ventilation alone,” says Kenneth Wood, senior author of the study. “In terms of preventing airborne disease transmission, far-UVC lights could make indoor places as safe as being outside on the golf course on a breezy day.”

Interest in the use of UV light technology in public areas has been increasing since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Heathrow introduced a cleaning robot which uses UV to kill bacteria and viruses in the airport, and researchers have developed a handheld device that emits UV to disinfect specific surfaces.

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The concept of interior design dates back over 3,000 years to the practice of feng shui, utilizing design styles within our space to add mental clarity and overall comfortability to our day-to-day living.

However, with technological and general human advancements and the amount of time spent indoors rising, interior design and the way we interact with our space are evolving at a rapid rate.

One-third of American workers report that they have found themselves more productive and feel a rise in their well-being working their 9 to 5 from home. And with the prediction that 25% of the workforce will be permanently remote by 2025, more are beginning to understand just what they need from their happy, healthy home space. 

Having spent more time in our cozy surroundings, we have learned to question what works, what does not, and just what makes us feel good when we are facing our co-workers at the desk, or are cuddled up on the couch watching a movie in the next room over. This has led us to become more adapted to differentiating or calibrating our wants and needs. 

Along with this increased time indoors, the world has become progressively more aware of how to re-approach the functionalities of their living space and overall expression of style. Couple this with technological advancements as the years fly by, and you start to see a result of fast-paced integration merging the overall user experience with traditional methods of interior design. 

Keeping user experience in mind throughout the customer interaction process can naturally increase users’ understanding and overall clarity on what they want out of a living or work area that they plan to spruce up and redesign. Pair this process with an empathetic designer and you have the perfect opportunity to enhance the optimal usability of your space without sacrificing taste in the process.

Bespoke Spaces Tailored to Usability and Taste: Just How do Designers Ensure Optimal UX?

Much like traditional UX design when creating an app or website, an interior designer’s first point of contact with the user is all about discovery — looking for the emotive reason they’ve decided to take the road to transformation in their home. 

In this process, communication on goals, wants and needs, design-wise, and overall functionality, is vital to the user experience process.

Outside the home, in professional environments, brand identity or appearance is highly taken into consideration also, prioritizing company tone and culture throughout the entire design process. 

Visual and Vocal Communication is the Key to Unlocking the Perfect Castle

Redesigning a space to which one may be attached can quickly become a complicated and overwhelming experience. Therefore, it’s essential to prioritize UX processes in the early stage of a project to ensure that users can truly visualize their dream living space before making any commitments. 

To visually communicate creative ideas and flow, designers may present physical product samples of flooring or tiles, or produce a mood board or prototype to a client in an overhaul to avoid any hiccups down the line.

Marie Kondo from KonMari.com once said, ‘Every item should be delightful and easy to access. Only you can know what kind of environment makes you happy.’

Therefore, ensuring thorough and creative questioning in the early stages of a project, such as ‘What’s the most important factor you take into consideration during the selection of your favorite furniture?’ and ‘What is the first thing you do when you begin to decorate your room?’ can help discover inner depths to the users own personal, creative process, in order to understand what environment will make them truly happy and fulfilled. 

It is also essential to consider the user’s background or culture. 

Some cultures may even perceive particular color meanings differently, so bear this in mind. For example, the color red in some Asian communities symbolizes good luck and fortune.  However, red is a reminder of violence and mourning in some African cultures.

Considering all aspects, no matter how big or small, during the initial discovery process or throughout the entire project will help integrate the user’s needs and wants while staying sensitive to any cultural, social or physically/mentally limiting aspects of their day-to-day living. 

Balancing Needs and Wants is a Sensitive, Empathetic Art Form 

Built within us is a sense to thrive in environments that prioritize efficiency, productivity and overall simplicity. So naturally, when it comes to design, we must learn to incorporate the basic human need for comfortability and practicality alongside our favorite teal green or grandma’s old chair that we want to keep in the family. We must help users integrate our needs and wants and merge them as one, respecting boundaries, of course. 

Take indoor plants, for example. Not only will they bring a lively and colorful design aspect to even the blandest of environments, but they also add physical and mental health benefits such as reducing feelings of stress or boosting air quality in smaller, stuffier homes. 

It is paramount that interior designers utilize all their empathy to create a space that resonates with the user and how they want to feel and thrive within it. Other vital factors to consider may be: What activities will take place in the home? Is the user social? Will they be hosting? Or maybe the user is more introverted, thus spending a lot of time alone indoors. How can we make it comfortable in that regard? Does the user have any disabilities, physical or mental, which will need to be considered when designing a space? 

Or let’s say the user expressed that they struggle to be in their space during the winter months due to a lack of light. They’ve been experiencing seasonal depression. How can we open this space up to bring in ample sunlight during the user’s darkest period? 

By finding out this type of information, designers can elevate the user experience by solving this problem. Using brighter indoor colors, switching out the lighting, harnessing the power of mirrors to reflect light, or simply adding greenery will improve the users’ mental health if they struggle in the winter months. 

How to Leverage the Influx of Technological Advancements

Some users may enjoy scrolling through Pinterest or signing up for Architectural Digest‘s monthly subscription to fill themselves with inspiration. Still, when it comes down to decorating the home, some may be shocked at just how complicated, time-consuming and expensive the process is.

User-facing applications such as DecorMatters or Havenly use augmented reality to allow users to upload images of their home space. These hurdles can quickly be overcome by visualizing their design options in real time with the click of a few buttons. They can see how that couch they may have taken an interest in last week looks against their exposed brick wall, thus allowing options to visualize their redesign without the financial or physical commitment. 

These apps also focus on the UX processes, offering live customer support with real, qualified interior designers who use an ample amount of tailored, bespoke discovery, providing continuous and authentic support. Other applications such as RoomScanPro even allow you to measure your dimensions and walls, all through the touch of your phone to the surface. 

What do we Expect to See in the Future? 

As augmented and virtual reality advance, so will the options to provide more immersive UX experiences, such as utilizing VR headsets to enter the visual realm of a dream project or using holographic projections in large open spaces to host virtual reality showrooms. And with immersive meeting spaces such as the metaverse, users can meet worldwide and be completely immersed in what you have to offer. 

Although it is common to fear the rapid pace of advancement in our technological society, leveraging it to our advantage can create a more immersive and accessible user experience for our clients in interior design in the future. 

Farris Wu is Founder and CEO at DecorMatters. He is a multi-disciplinary entrepreneur with success in three industries: consumer technology, venture capital and commercial real estate. Prior to DecorMatters, Wu co-founded and served as Managing Director of ZenStone Venture Capital to bridge China’s capital and innovations in Silicon Valley. Wu was named a Top 20 Best Cross-Border Venture Capitalist by China Venture and Hurun Midas List in 2016. He obtained a PhD from the University of Texas at Austin, and a BS and MS from Harbin Institute of Technology, China.

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Using far-UVC light in places where people gather indoors could help prevent the next pandemic.

A new type of ultraviolet light that is safe for people took less than five minutes to reduce the level of indoor airborne microbes by more than 98%, a joint study by scientists at Originally Appeared Here

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL —The McHenry County Department of Health is reporting an increase in norovirus outbreaks and encourages people to take action to prevent the spread of the virus.

Norovirus, also known as stomach flu, is highly contagious, spreads quickly from person to person and cannot be treated with antibiotics. Symptoms of norovirus include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain that usually last between 24 hours and 48 hours.

Anyone with norovirus illness should stay home when sick and for 24 hours after experiencing vomiting or diarrhea, according to local health officials.

Good hygiene practices are important for everyone to prevent the spread of illness. Health officials are reminding residents to take the following steps to prevent the spread of the stomach flu:

• Frequently wash your hands, especially after using the toilet or changing diapers, before eating and preparing food or before taking or giving someone medicine.
• Using hand sanitizers in addition to handwashing can be beneficial but using hand sanitizers should not replace hand washing. Handwashing with soap and water is always preferred over hand sanitizers.

To help make sure that food is safe from norovirus, routinely clean and sanitize kitchen utensils, counters and surfaces before preparing food. Additional steps to reduce the spread of norovirus include:

• Rinse fruits and vegetables before eating.
• Cook oysters and other shellfish thoroughly before eating them.
• Avoid preparing food for others when sick and for at least two days after symptoms stop.

If you are caring for someone with norovirus, always thoroughly clean and disinfect an area immediately after an episode of vomiting or diarrhea, according to the health department news release.

Health officials also urge the use of rubber or disposable gloves and to wipe the entire area with paper towels. Here are other tips for properly sanitizing your home and belongings:

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Blackout tattoos (sometimes called blackwork tattoos) are having a bit of a moment, but they’re nothing new. They’re also a welcome counterbalance to the discreet, delicate designs that have filled our feeds over the last few years.

Blackout tattoos look much as the name suggests. They involve predominantly black designs that take up a lot of body real estate. Think: an arm, leg, or chest almost entirely, well, blacked out. Some tattoos are just areas of solid black, while others have various designs with a black background.

They make a dramatic statement, and while not everyone’s cup of tea, they’re especially appealing to folks who have tattoo regret and want to cover up existing ink.

Blackout tattoos may use the same equipment and ink as other tattoos, but on another scale.

“The process of a blackout tattooing differs from other types of tattooing in the sense that the entire surface of the skin is completely saturated with ink, with no bare skin peeking through. Blackout tattoos are way more intense. There is much more trauma to the skin,” says Roxx, an LA-based tattoo artist specializing in blackwork.

Getting the saturation right could mean multiple sessions. It also means a different recovery than with other designs.

“Depending on the client, their pain threshold, and the piece, the tattoo could take anywhere from 1 session to 3 back-to-back sessions,” Roxx says.

Roxx also points out the importance of making sure clients are well rested and prepared for back-to-back sessions.

“Sometimes, people’s minds are stronger than their bodies, and they can push themselves too hard, which can have a negative impact on the healing of the tattoo,” Roxx explains.

The location of the tattoo and your individual pain tolerance play a role in how much it’ll hurt. That said, blackout tattoos are typically more painful than other designs, both during the session and after.

This comes down to going over the skin multiple times in order to achieve the right coverage and saturation, which can leave your skin feeling pretty raw.

According to Roxx, you can also expect “a lot of swelling” for up to a week after the process is complete.

The cost of a blackout tattoo depends on a lot of variables, starting with the artist’s rate, which can range from around $100 to as high as $500 per hour depending on their experience and popularity.

The size and complexity of the tattoo matters, too. A bigger and more detailed design will take longer. A big area of solid black, while not as intricate, requires a lot of ink, time, and needles, which can jack up the price significantly.

Don’t forget to factor in a decent tip — at least 20 percent is customary.

As intense as they look, blackout tattoos heal like other tattoos. How long this takes depends on various factors, like placement and aftercare.

Some body parts take longer to heal, because they see more daily action from movement and clothing. Your skin, lifestyle, and overall health matter, too.

“The client has to be prepared to be very diligent with the aftercare, which includes resting the limb that was tattooed, eating well, and drinking plenty of water, not just tending to the actual tattoo,” Roxx says.

You can expect swelling, pain, and itching in the first week or so of healing. Tattoos also tend to ooze for a few days.

Typically, tattoos heal — on the surface — within 2 or 3 weeks, but they can take up to 6 months to heal completely.

Choosing a tattoo artist who is experienced in blackwork tattoos can also make the process and recovery faster and easier.

Taking care of your tattoo per your artist’s instructions will go a long way in preserving your ink, helping you heal, and avoiding complications, like infection and scarring.

Much of the usual aftercare advice applies to blackout tattoos, but on a bigger scale. And because of the size of the tattooed area and full coverage, taking some time off to recover after the process is recommended.

“There’s a lot of swelling that doesn’t usually happen with other kinds of tattooing. The best tip I can give to people [is] to time their appointments with a couple of days off after the appointment, so [they] can fully rest and recover from the process. You don’t want to get a blackout tattoo and then go right back to your normal life, using your arm (or whatever you got tattooed),” Roxx says.

Roxx also recommends applying ice to the area in the days after your appointment (on top of the tattoo covering, not directly on the tattoo), and keeping the limb elevated.

Some consider non-Black people getting blackout tattoos to be a form of cultural appropriation because it involves adopting a feature of a marginalized group without acknowledging the history or significance behind it.

For centuries, Black people endured racism based on the color of their skin. As a result, some find it offensive when a non-Black person intentionally blackens their skin for their own benefit, whether that’s to appear “trendy” or simply because they like the way it looks.

Others disagree with this interpretation, but it’s a point worth considering if you’re contemplating a blackout tattoo and aren’t Black.

Learn more about cultural appropriation and why it’s harmful.

Along with more swelling and recovery time compared with other tattoos, blackout tattoos carry the same risks as other tattoos.

Skin infection

Your skin is prone to infection during the first couple of weeks while your skin is healing. Proper aftercare can greatly reduce your risk of infection.

See a healthcare professional if you notice any signs of infection, such as:

Allergic reaction

It’s possible to be allergic to ingredients in tattoo ink.

An allergic reaction can cause symptoms, like:

• severe itching
• hives
• skin rash

Scarring

You could develop a scar if your tattoo doesn’t heal properly or if you have an allergic reaction or infection.

Some people are also more prone to scarring, such as those with a history of keloid scars.

Bloodborne illness

Unsterilized needles increase the risk of infection and can also transmit bloodborne illnesses, like HIV and hepatitis C. Choosing a reputable artist who practices proper health and safety protocols can prevent this.

Potential to hide skin cancers

Blackout tattoos are, well, predominantly black and cover a lot of skin. This can make it hard to see signs of skin cancer, like new spots on the skin or changes to existing moles.

Another thing to consider: If you develop skin cancer within the tattoo, surgical treatment will likely alter the tattoo’s appearance.

You can remove a blackout tattoo. Contrary to popular belief, black ink is easier to remove than other colors. That said, the size of the tattoo and how deep the ink has penetrated the skin can make it harder to remove.

Keep in mind that tattoo removal isn’t a quick process and usually requires multiple sessions with a few weeks of downtime between each.

Removing a blackout tattoo could be very expensive, time-consuming, and painful. If you’re on the fence or think you may change your mind down the road, a blackout tattoo is probably not the way to go.

If you want a dramatic piece and are prepared to do the time in the chair and while recovering, have at it. Just be sure to do your homework first, and choose a reputable artist with experience in blackwork tattooing.

Adrienne Santos-Longhurst is a Canada-based freelance writer and author who has written extensively on all things health and lifestyle for more than a decade. When she’s not holed-up in her writing shed researching an article or off interviewing health professionals, she can be found frolicking around her beach town with husband and dogs in tow or splashing about the lake trying to master the stand-up paddle board.

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The AIR DUCT CLEANING Technology

There custom cleaning tech starts the duct cleaning process by removing the front panels from the air handler. There blower motor is then removed to be thoroughly cleaned and lubricated to extend the life of the motor. They then will completely wash down the interior of the cabinet removing all dirt and mold. Then they brush off the coils inside your system by hand then clean them with non-corrosive metal cleaner. In the final step, they disinfect the whole cabinet along with the coils and dry off the coils with compressed air tools to finish the entire service.

In there second step, they connect a 5000 CFM Negative air machine (Vacuum) to the air handler and proceed to seal all the vents in the house. This creates great negative pressure and helps all the dirt and mold to get sucked back through the ducts to the Vacuum.

Starting at the furthest part of the house they then will start to remove the vents and clean off all dirt and mold by hand. They will then push compressed air-lines through all the ductwork pushing the debris back to the machine. The vents and opening get disinfected put back together and the process moves on to the next vent until all the vents are finished: https://cleanductsorlando.com/faq

The blower motor gets reinstalled then the unit is fogged with a long-term EPA registered viricides. The system is checked thoroughly, and the air handler gets sealed airtight. This entire process usually takes 4-5 hours. It seems very labor intensive and tedious however, in a professional air ducts cleaner experience, it’s as close as you can get to a completely new system. By State law, duct cleaning can only be done by licensed and insured contractors. Always keep this in mind be sure to protect yourself and your home along with your family in Orlando.

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Company Name: Clean Ducts Orlando
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Phone: 407-548-7581
Address:5223 E Kaley St
City: Orlando
State: Fl 32812
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Website: https://cleanductsorlando.com/

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There are several varieties of houseplants, some which are easy to maintain and some which require extensive and specific care. However, all require more light, cleaning as well as making sure they are watered correctly.

Pol Bishop, gardening expert for Fantastic Gardeners, said: “It’s extremely important to allow your plants to rest over winter months. If you keep the plants fed and watered as much as you do in summer, their growth will be encouraged, which will lead to weak growth.

“As we all know, winter months have shorter days and less sunshine, that’s why it’s important to maximise the amount of light reaching your houseplants.

“Move them into a sunny conservatory or porch, so they get sunlight from multiple directions. 

“If those aren’t an option, move them onto a south or west-facing windowsill. I also recommend cleaning the windows inside and out to maximise the light exposure for your plants.”

READ MORE: Grass: ‘Continue to maintain’ lawn through winter

“Check plants that have spent the summer in the garden, so you can avoid introducing new pests and remove any that you find. Inspect your plants on a regular basis during winter.”

When checking leaves, it is also important to give them a quick, regular clean.

This is because houseplants often gather a lot of dust, especially ones like snake plants.

Pol said: “This drastically reduces the light that reaches their leaves, making it difficult for them to manufacture food.

“Wipe the dust off them using a damp cloth or you can lightly shower the plant in lukewarm water for approximately five minutes.

According to the expert, the plants will need to be kept warm throughout winter, but not too close to any direct heat sources.

Pol explained: “Most plants need a temperature of 12 to 18 degrees celsius. They don’t like large temperature shifts, hence the reason why I strongly recommend to keep them away from cold droughts, open doors and windows.

“If you have plants on a windowsill, leave the curtains open if possible, as they can trap cold air at night.

“You can also move them off the windowsill at night. Also, make sure you keep them away from heat sources, such as AC, radiators or fireplaces, as heat can scorch delicate foliage.”

During summer months, houseplants need to be watered on a regular basis, although still don’t need large amounts of water to thrive.

While this can vary between houseplants, winter means that the plants can be watered less frequently.

The expert said: “Too much water will most likely lead to soft and weak growth or will rot because of the accumulated water in the compost.

“I recommend reducing the watering for houseplants to once every fortnight.

“Stop watering cacti entirely, water succulents every two to three weeks. Regarding winter flowering plants – water them once the compost gets dry.”

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Protect your home and family from wildlife. Critter Stop is a humane wildlife removal company located in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. They have a four-step process to ensure wildlife removal from your property. You can contact them to get a quote if you hear noises in your attic or find animal droppings on your property.

Southlake, TX – March 21, 2022 – Animals such as raccoons, squirrels, opossums, rats, and mice can be destructive sometimes, and they have a likelihood of coming to our homes. Hence if you experience such invasions, you can call us for animal removal services Southlake through our mobile number. We offer a 24 hours turnaround for scheduling estimates on all our services. We follow a four-step process that involves 1. Free inspection – we do thorough inspections for signs of damage, animal nesting, animal entry, or droppings 2. Seal your home – we patch up entry points to avoid rodents from getting in 3. Remove the critters – we ensure the animals are out of your home or property 4. Restore and sanitize – we ensure we restore any destroyed part of your home and disinfect, not only killing germs, microbacteria, and diseases that animal feces can carry, but also killing pheromones left behind by animals that would just re-attract other animals in the future. This fogging is part of what allows the company to offer an industry-leading guarantee.

At Critter Stop, we not only do wildlife removal services in Southlake, but we also ensure that we have conducted a thorough inspection in your home to determine your level of sanitation and restore your homes to clean and safe spaces to ensure the issue does not recur again.

The best thing about critter removal from attic Southlake is that we give large animals that have been removed from their homes an opportunity to go back to nature where they can live naturally and in a more friendly surrounding.

About Us

Critter Stop is a humane wildlife removal company located in Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. They are dedicated to helping their residents with animal removal services from their homes or property.

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Company Name: Critter Stop
Contact Person: Chisam Reiter
Email: Send Email
Phone: (214) 561-2744
Address:1610 Hart St Ste 102
City: Southlake
State: TX
Country: United States
Website: http://www.critterstop.com/

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Problems with houseplants typically arise because of the growing conditions they are living in. This could include too little or too much humidity as well as a fluctuation in the temperature. However, there are lots of steps that can be taken to get rid of common pests, as well as preventing them altogether.

For extra precaution, owners can also sterilise the area by rubbing it with alcohol.

The next step is to use natural soaps and detergents to disinfect the houseplant.

Essential Living said: “Now wash the infested plant with insecticidal soap, or you can use a mild liquid soap, as soap can kill houseplant bugs on contact. 

“Some contain degreasers and detergents that can harm sensitive plants, therefore be careful with the type you choose. 

Houseplants are more susceptible to pest infestations during the winter months due to the change in temperature.

This means going forward, long-term plant protection should be used to ensure the pests do not return.

Essential Living said: “Your plants should be fully disinfested by now, however, to make sure they can restore a healthy condition and avoid an infestation going forward, you can treat the plant with neem oil which works as a long-term indoor plant pest control and prevention. 

“Alternatively, you could use horticultural oil or a hot pepper wax concentrate which can protect up to two weeks per spray.”

For flying tests, the experts advised using yellow sticky fly traps to capture and kill tiny bugs, this can prevent them from flying to nearby plants too.

For larger bugs, you can use a vacuum cleaner to suck them up, getting them under control as quickly as possible before they spread even more.

The experts added: “Just be careful not to vacuum your plants in the process!”

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