Outdoor Guide - For Those Who Live Outside: Safety, Wildlife, Tips, Gardening, & Travel

Think Before You Burn: The Material That's Banned In Fire Pits Across America

staff@outdoorguide.com (Danno Wise) — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 12:15:00 +0000

Once, your neighbors could toss anything into a fire pit, spewing toxic smoke everywhere. These days, burning the worst items is banned in all 50 states.

Boomers Everywhere Used It Into The '70s — Now It's Forever Banned In The US

staff@outdoorguide.com (Danno Wise) — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 12:15:00 +0000

Many things Boomers grew up using, like lawn darts and leaded gas, are no longer legal. One yard product seemed like a cure-all, until dangers were discovered.

Say Goodbye To Termites: The EPA's Best Advice For Preventing An Infestation

staff@outdoorguide.com (Danno Wise) — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 12:15:00 +0000

Termites are the bane of homeowners. While there's plenty of advice online and from pest control companies, it's nice to know we can go straight to the EPA.

Not Essential Oils: There's A Smarter Way To Prevent Carpenter Bees From Drilling Into Your Deck

staff@outdoorguide.com (Danno Wise) — Sat, 11 Jul 2026 12:15:00 +0000

Carpenter bees are beneficial pollinators, but they wreak havoc on wood decks and other structures. One trick to deter them also makes your deck look fresh.

Skip The Decoy: There's A Better Way To Prevent Birds From Flying Into Windows

staff@outdoorguide.com (Danno Wise) — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 12:15:00 +0000

The "thunk" sound when a bird hits a window of your house is chilling. A decoy protects one section, but one cheap method helps birds avoid the whole window.

Termites Can't Stand This Natural Ingredient That Makes Your Patio Smell Great

staff@outdoorguide.com (Danno Wise) — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 12:15:00 +0000

Termites are the bane of any homeowner, and they're hungry for your patio and outdoor structures. This pleasant essential oil can help drive they away.

These Mushrooms Look The Same, But One Is A Delicacy And One Is Poisonous

staff@outdoorguide.com (Danno Wise) — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 12:15:00 +0000

Successfully foraging for mushrooms is incredibly rewarding and delicious. But one popular wild mushroom has several lookalikes that can be damaging or deadly.

If You Don't Want To Attract Wasps, Avoid This Sweet-Smelling Mistake

staff@outdoorguide.com (Danno Wise) — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 12:15:00 +0000

Sitting outside and having a wasp or two fly uncomfortably close around you isn't fun. If they won't leave, it may be because you smell like flowers to them.

Not Red Or Green: Wearing These Colors Attracts Wasps The Most

staff@outdoorguide.com (Danno Wise) — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 12:15:00 +0000

It's never any fun to have a wasp (or several) buzzing around you. Wearing any number of colors may attract them, but not necessarily the colors you'd expect.

These 'Grapes' Look The Same, But One Is Edible And One Is Poisonous

staff@outdoorguide.com (Danno Wise) — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 12:15:00 +0000

Foraging for wild grapes is a fun pastime whether around the neighborhood or on the trail. But as with any edible plant, there are dangerous lookalikes.

Say Goodbye To Carpenter Bees With A Natural Ingredient They Hate

staff@outdoorguide.com (Danno Wise) — Sun, 24 May 2026 12:15:00 +0000

Carpenter bees are beneficial pollinators, but destructive to wood decks, houses, and rooflines. Rather than kill them, send them off with this easy deterrent.

Consumer Reports Names The Top Bug Repellents For Summer 2026

staff@outdoorguide.com (Danno Wise) — Mon, 18 May 2026 12:15:00 +0000

With warmer weather comes ticks, mosquitoes, and other irritating pests. Consumer Reports looked at over 50 repellents and found five that stand out.

The 'Snake Magnet' Plant You Probably Grow In Your Yard

staff@outdoorguide.com (Danno Wise) — Thu, 14 May 2026 12:15:00 +0000

A diverse landscape in your yard or garden can attract pollinators, but it can also attract snakes. Snakes love this decorative plant for a number of reasons.

Do Copper Birdbaths Really Prevent Algae Growth?

staff@outdoorguide.com (Danno Wise) — Tue, 12 May 2026 12:15:00 +0000

There's something of a consensus that a few pennies will help inhibit algae in a birdbath. So an all-copper birdbath should work even better. But does it?

Prevent Sunburn While Hiking With The Best-Reviewed Sunscreen

staff@outdoorguide.com (Meghan Allsopp) — Sun, 10 May 2026 12:15:00 +0000

When you're hiking, it's easy to focus on the trail and forget about sunscreen. You need something that's lightweight, works well, and is easy to reapply.

The Animal With The Strongest Bite Force That You Don't Want To Meet In The Wild

staff@outdoorguide.com (Danno Wise) — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 12:15:00 +0000

Most animals, even large, aggressive predators would rather not tangle with humans. However, the one with the world's strongest bite force has no such qualms.

The Easiest Way To Prevent Wasps From Nesting In Your Yard

staff@outdoorguide.com (Danno Wise) — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 16:15:00 +0000

Sure, wasps are beneficial pollinators. We just don't want them setting up nests in our house or yard. Or anywhere near us, really. Prevention is step one.

The Rookie Rock Climbing Mistake You're Probably Making

staff@outdoorguide.com (Meghan Allsopp) — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 16:15:00 +0000

Rock climbing is easy to grasp, hard to hold. One of the toughest things for new climbers to remember to not do is also one of the most important.

Here's What To Do When You Find A Ground Wasp Nest

staff@outdoorguide.com (Danno Wise) — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:15:00 +0000

Looking to your roofline for wasp nests is prudent, but also look down: Several species make their nests underground. Here's when and how to deal with them.

The Best Way To Prevent A Blister While Hiking

staff@outdoorguide.com (Danno Wise) — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 00:15:00 +0000

Getting a blister while hiking is the worst. And while it's important to treat blisters as they're happening, even better is to prevent them in the first place.