It's Peak West Nile Virus Season In The US: Here's How You Can Protect Yourself
West Nile virus has been a significant concern all summer, but September is peak season for the mosquito-borne disease. Luckily you can protect yourself.
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Think Twice Before Letting AI Decide Your Hiking Route
It seems like planning a hike — complete with route, supplies, and timelines — is an ideal use of an AI chatbot. But the risks may outweigh the benefits.
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Say Goodbye To Wasps & Hornets With A Natural Solution They Can't Survive
Dealing with a wasp nest under your eaves or in your garage can be stressful, but you can douse them and kill them from a distance with a household cleaner.
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Deet Vs. Picaridin: What's The Difference?
Among the many mosquito repellents, DEET and picaridin are two of the best. While both are considered safe, one might be the better option for sensitive skin.
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What To Do If You're Bitten By A Brown Recluse Spider
It’s worth noting that brown recluse spiders rarely bite, and their bites are usually mild. If you do get bitten, don’t panic: Take these steps to be safe.
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Boomers Loved These Outdoor Activities — Now They're Nearly Forgotten
It’s a trope that boomers lived differently than today’s kids. But their outdoor games and toys were unsupervised and carried next to no safety regulations.
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Boomers Grew Up Playing On Them — Now Experts Say They're A Safety Hazard
It can get tiresome to hear how brave or independent boomer kids were. But seeing this aspect of their formative years, it's a wonder any of them made it.
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Think Before You Burn: The Material That's Banned In Fire Pits Across America
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.
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Boomers Everywhere Used It Into The '70s — Now It's Forever Banned In The US
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.
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Say Goodbye To Termites: The EPA's Best Advice For Preventing An Infestation
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.
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Not Essential Oils: There's A Smarter Way To Prevent Carpenter Bees From Drilling Into Your Deck
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.
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Skip The Decoy: There's A Better Way To Prevent Birds From Flying Into Windows
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.
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Termites Can't Stand This Natural Ingredient That Makes Your Patio Smell Great
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.
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These Mushrooms Look The Same, But One Is A Delicacy And One Is Poisonous
Successfully foraging for mushrooms is incredibly rewarding and delicious. But one popular wild mushroom has several lookalikes that can be damaging or deadly.
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If You Don't Want To Attract Wasps, Avoid This Sweet-Smelling Mistake
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.
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Not Red Or Green: Wearing These Colors Attracts Wasps The Most
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.
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These 'Grapes' Look The Same, But One Is Edible And One Is Poisonous
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.
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Say Goodbye To Carpenter Bees With A Natural Ingredient They Hate
Carpenter bees are beneficial pollinators, but destructive to wood decks, houses, and rooflines. Rather than kill them, send them off with this easy deterrent.
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Consumer Reports Names The Top Bug Repellents For Summer 2026
With warmer weather comes ticks, mosquitoes, and other irritating pests. Consumer Reports looked at over 50 repellents and found five that stand out.
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The 'Snake Magnet' Plant You Probably Grow In Your Yard
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.
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Do Copper Birdbaths Really Prevent Algae Growth?
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?
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Prevent Sunburn While Hiking With The Best-Reviewed Sunscreen
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.
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The Animal With The Strongest Bite Force That You Don't Want To Meet In The Wild
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.
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The Easiest Way To Prevent Wasps From Nesting In Your Yard
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.
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The Rookie Rock Climbing Mistake You're Probably Making
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.
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Here's What To Do When You Find A Ground Wasp Nest
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.
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The Best Way To Prevent A Blister While Hiking
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.
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