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.
Read More-
-
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.
Read More -
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.
Read More -
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.
Read More -
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.
Read More -
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.
Read More -
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.
Read More -
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.
Read More -
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.
Read More -
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.
Read More -
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.
Read More -
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.
Read More -
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.
Read More -
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?
Read More -
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.
Read More -
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.
Read More -
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.
Read More -
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.
Read More -
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.
Read More -
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.
Read More -
Say Goodbye To Ticks By Getting Rid Of This Invasive Plant In Your Garden
Ticks are a fact of life in much of the country. Removing these fast-growing invasive plants is tough, but it could help reduce the local tick population.
Read More -
Why Your Kayak Keeps Tipping Over (And How To Prevent It)
It may surprise you, but most kayaks are built for stability. That said, to avoid tipping, you want to pay attention to your own body and any gear in the boat.
Read More -
Do Coyotes Attack Humans? What You Need To Know
Coyotes are everywhere in North America, even on golf courses and city streets. While they can be a risk to humans, generally you have the advantage.
Read More -
The Essential Items You Need For Your Kayak Adventure
Kayaking is an incredibly versatile, accessible sport. But regardless of the level or type of water, you want to make certain you have these essential items.
Read More -
How To Measure Ape Index For Climbing (And Why It Matters)
If an ape index sounds like a measure of how good you might be at swinging through trees, you're not far off. Climbers can benefit from knowing this metric.
Read More -
Rock Climbing 101: Why You Need To Practice Falling First
It may seem that the most important part of climbing involves grip and finding footholds. But you may be surprised the best way to climb is to learn to fall.
Read More -
Don't Fall Victim To Floods: How To Protect Your Home From Heavy Spring Rain
Preparing for heavy spring rains starts before the first raindrop falls. You’ll want to set up your home and yard well in advance to minimize flood damage.
Read More
