All posts by Tia

ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME

How To Stop Critters From Wrecking Your Home

How To Stop Critters From Wrecking Your Home

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Most of us love animals. But sometimes they don’t understand the concept of private property. They’ll move into your property without a second though, and damage it as though it wasn’t even there!

Fortunately, there are some ways that you can fight back and reclaim your home. Take a look at this advice. 

Keep Your Garbage Secure

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Garbage is perhaps the number one reason critters are attracted to your home. It gives off pungent smells, telling them that there is an easy meal nearby. Given how hard it is for most of them to find food, it’s no surprise that bins and waste are such a critter magnet. 


The solution to this problem is to keep your trash inside a sealed plastic bin that animals can’t open. Wooden-paneled enclosures usually aren’t sufficient because they have gaps between the panels and often don’t go all the way down to the ground, allowing smaller creatures and insects to crawl up from the bottom. 

Install Solar Panel Protection

Solar panel pigeon control is a big issue right now. Pigeon droppings reduce the efficiency of solar panels and the birds themselves can nest underneath them, causing issues with the electronics and heat transfer. 

Many homeowners, therefore, are installing clever wire meshes around the edges of their panels. These prevent pigeons from crawling underneath to nest, keeping them safe and preventing your investment from going to waste. Clever, huh?

Secure Your Entry Points

If they can, critters will attempt to move into your home. There are good reasons for this. For starters, it provides immediate warmth and shelter that can be hard to come by in nature. Furthermore, it protects them from predators. Predatory birds, for instance, can’t hunt a mouse living under your floorboards. 


The problem with many homes, however, is that they have small gaps around their periphery where creatures can infiltrate easily. What’s more, many of these entry points can be very deceptive. As a regular homeowner, you often can’t imagine how an animal could possibly fit through such tiny gaps, but they can. It’s a good idea to get a professional to check the exterior of your property, looking for areas of entry. 

Change The Type Of Fish You Keep In Your Pond

Major pests, like raccoons, love the koi that many people keep in their ponds. So actually changing the type of fish that you keep can have a massive impact on the type of creatures you attract to your garden. Likewise, squirrels love bird feeders and will concoct all sorts of strategies to access the food they contain. So removing these or just feeding birds directly can often resolve this issue. 

You can also investigate using strong smells to repel would-be pests. Predator urine from foxes or coyotes may be able to repel pests, depending on where you live. 

So there you have it: some of the ways that you can prevent critters from wrecking your home. Remember, most of the problems arise because food or shelter is easily accessible on your property.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.

ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME

Home Maintenance Checks That Will Protect Your Home

Home Maintenance Checks That Will Protect Your Home

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Every homeowner wants their property to be in the best shape possible. When you take great care of your home, you not only have a pleasant place to live, you can also help to make your house easier to sell in the future and even increase its value. So, taking great care of your home is a worthwhile thing to do. But, aside from keeping your home clean and tidy, you may feel unsure what more is needed to keep it running right.

There are several ways to ensure your home is healthy, safe, and well-maintained. Scheduling regular maintenance checks by professionals is the best way to ensure everything is running smoothly and efficiently. Having maintenance checks carried out is also an excellent way to detect any possible issues early and prevent them becoming serious (and more expensive) problems.

Here are a few of the regular home maintenance checks that you may want to arrange for your home to protect it and keep it looking at its best:

Get Your Roof Inspected

A roof is an area of the home that is often taken for granted. As the roof is not something that you can easily get a good look at, it can be challenging to know what state it is in, which means it is often forgotten. But, when a problem with your roof strikes, it can often be pretty expensive to resolve, so getting it inspected regularly is an excellent way to spot any roof-related issues that could cause further damage and disruption to your home. 

Your roof has a vital role to perform, and it also has to withstand the elements constantly. Unfortunately, being so exposed leaves your roof vulnerable to damage from the weather and general wear and tear. Scheduling a roof inspection will establish the condition your roof is in and whether repairs are needed.

Have Your Drains Checked

Most people do not spend time thinking about their home’s sewer lines and drains. But, it can cause massive disruption and a very unpleasant situation when something goes wrong with these. Preventing your home from being impacted by a sewer-related emergency requires regular inspections by a plumbing professional. A sewer inspection should detect any issues and enable you to get your Sewer Line Repair carried out before it has a chance to become a messy emergency.

Service Your HVAC

Your heating and cooling system is a part of your home that you rely on everyday to keep your home’s temperature comfortable. But, if you do not get your HVAC serviced and maintained regularly, this can impair the air quality in your home. Poor indoor air quality can be caused if the air ducts of your HVAC are clogged with dust and pollen. In this situation, you will have pollen, dust, and other debris spread throughout your home by the HVAC, which can damage the quality of air in your home and cause allergies. So, getting your HVAC professionally serviced is a job you should not avoid.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.

BEAUTY

How to Take Care of Your Hair While Living a Busy Life

How to Take Care of Your Hair While Living a Busy Life

Good hair care does not have to take too much time out of your day, so there is virtually no excuse for skimping out on your hair routine. Even if you have a busy schedule with a thousand responsibilities to take care of daily, there are plenty of ways you can keep your hair in great shape-you have to find workarounds that fit best into your busy routine.

Here are some of the best strategies that you can start with:

Find hair care products that work best

If you still don’t have go-to hair care products, make it a point to switch regularly until you find the ones that work best for your hair type and scalp. For example, if you are prone to dandruff, find an anti-dandruff shampoo that fixes your problem and works well with your level of scalp sensitivity. The same goes for other hair products, such as conditioners, hair masks, dry shampoos, hairsprays, and styling gels, among many others.

Use Moisturizer

There are a lot of things that you need to try to make the most of when it comes to improving and looking after your hair. This is something that can really help you when it comes to making sure you improve your self-care routine and enhance the way you look and feel about yourself. Being able to make the right choices here is so important, and finding the right moisturizer for your hair can make such a huge difference. The best hair moisturizers on the market will help to nourish and protect hair, as well as work to prevent hair loss.

There are some that are particularly well suited to black men’s hair, and this is important for treating different hair types. It would be easy to assume that moisturizer is purely part of a skincare routine, but in reality, you can use it to improve and enhance your hair as well. It can offer nourishment, replenish and revitalize hair, help growth, reduce the risk of hair loss, and make you feel great in the process. If you are developing a strong and successful hair care routine, and one that you need to work into your schedule as much as possible, this is something that can really help with that.

Wash your hair at night

For busy people, it’s more advisable to wash your hair at night than in the mornings. This is because if you constantly rush through your morning routine, your hair may not get the type of TLC that it needs to stay healthy and look great throughout the day. More than that, if you brush through wet hair in a rush, you could be taking out healthy strands along the way and increasing your risk of excessive hair fall.

That said, try washing your hair at night before going to sleep. This way, you are less rushed, and you can ensure that your hair is completely dry before heading to bed without blasting heat onto your scalp (another bad thing for your hair). By washing your hair at night, you can also ensure that the dirt and grime that end up on your hair all day don’t end up on your pillow, which can help avoid skin breakouts.

Choose a low-maintenance hairstyle

The key to looking great without putting too much work into it is choosing a low-maintenance hairstyle that works best for your face. The perfect hairstyle varies from person to person since we all have different face shapes and preferences, so be sure to consider hairstyle options that are recommended for the face shape and composition that you have. More importantly, be sure that that hairstyle requires little to no maintenance; it should look great regardless of if you style it in the morning or not.

Deep condition on the weekends

Getting the full effects of conditioner requires some time, which you might not have during the weekdays. If this is the case for you, opt to deep condition your hair on the weekends. Apply a generous amount of conditioner or oil onto your hair and scalp, and then let it sit for a few hours while you relax or do some chores around the house. Doing this can keep your hair looking shiny and voluminous for days, and it is easy enough to accomplish on the weekends.

Avoid mistreating wet hair

Rushing through your shower routine can have you aggressively towel drying your hair or brushing vigorously through it while the strands are still wet. Although this may be efficient, you are, unfortunately, causing more harm than good to your crowning glory. With that kind of stress on wet hair, the strands are more likely to weaken and eventually break.

That said, make it a point to gently towel dry your hair and avoid brushing or combing until it is completely dry. Handle wet hair carefully in the shower as well, and avoid aggressively combing through the tangles with your finger.

Try non-heat styling

Using heat-styling tools is the most efficient way to style your hair, and this may even be a regular part of your routine as someone who has less free time on their hands. However, keep in mind that regular exposure to heat can weaken your hair strands and cause them to fall out at a faster rate, not to mention the dryness that the excessive heat can cause.

Instead of heat styling tools, try styling alternatives that don’t use heat. Examples of these are traditional rollers, volumizing mousse, texture sprays, and knots.

As you can see, you can keep your hair looking great without investing a lot of time or effort into it. Incorporate these tips into your routine and watch as your hair become more beautiful and manageable without too much effort.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.

SEX & LIFE

5Things You Can do to Protect Yourself and Your Car on the Road

5Things You Can do to Protect Yourself and Your Car on the Road

Driving is a necessity for many people, as they rely on it to commute to work, run errands at the mall, or drop and pick up kids from school. However, driving is also a risk that involves inherent dangers. Motor vehicle accidents are still the leading cause of annual deaths and injuries. While driving is taking a risk, here are a few things you can do to protect yourself and your car on the road.

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Avoid distractions

Many distractions present themselves when you’re driving. Distracted driving is among the most common causes of car accidents. A lot can happen within a second when your focus shifts from the road. Stay alert by keeping your phone away and pull over when it’s necessary to pick calls or check messages. If you’re driving for a long distance, resist the urge to change the radio station. Instead, prepare a playlist before starting your journey.

Observe regular vehicle maintenance

Many things can go wrong with your car as you drive due to your its condition. To stay safe on the road, schedule a Volvo MOT at least once a year. Vehicle maintenance and servicing allow a mechanic to check fluids, lights, brakes, heating and cooling systems, and tire air pressure. Similarly, you can avoid surprises with your car by monitoring the health of vital systems. Keep an ear out for noise when braking or difference when braking to have your brakes checked. Regularly check your tire pressure to ensure they have enough traction and replace shock absorbers if you have trouble turning around corners.

Monitor blind spots

Even with backup cameras and mirrors, there’s always a blind spot around your car. Blind spots are the primary cause of vehicle crashes. Develop a habit of regularly monitoring these areas by looking over your shoulder before you switch lanes. This way, you can spot other vehicles or motorbike riders who are overtaking or splitting lanes.

Look out for reckless drivers

As much as you take all the necessary precautions to protect yourself while driving, reckless drivers still expose you to potential accidents. Although you can’t control their actions, you can watch out for them and be ready to take prompt action. You’re better safe than sorry; keep an eye out for potentially intoxicated drivers and swerving. If a driver is distracted, it’s safe to keep your distance.

Observe traffic rules and signs

Traffic rules and signs are meant to keep all road users safe, whether driving, walking, or biking. While it’s assumed that following traffic flow and what neighboring drivers do makes it okay to follow suit, it can obstruct you from doing what’s right. Remember to always watch for light signals, signposts, construction warnings, pedestrian crossing areas, and any hazards that can put your safety on the line.

Driving makes you more vulnerable than ever. Your top concern should be protecting yourself, other road users, and your vehicle while on the road. Ensure you know safe driving rules and follow safety advice. Prevent car damage while driving by keeping it in good condition, monitoring blind spots, and staying alert.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.

ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME

4 Budget-Friendly Ways To Turn Your House Into a Home

4 Budget-Friendly Ways To Turn Your House Into a Home

Large apartment with modern interior decorated with mirrors and illuminated with bright lamps in daytime

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A home is a haven where you can bury your daily hustles and struggles and get relief and peace. Your home needs to be your place of refuge; it needs to be cozy and beautiful to fill you with positivity and joy. Therefore, you need to ensure you take care of your home to take care of you. 

Whether it is a studio, bungalow, apartment, or townhouse, there are many methods you can use to improve your home’s appearance and feel. Unfortunately, most people will often rush to get expensive pieces of décor that will light up your house. 

In contrast, there are many budget-friendly ways that you can use to personalize your space. You only need to be keen on the details in your house to identify how you can easily tweak them to get a beautiful outcome.

Here are some tips that will help you save a lot on your makeover design:

Incorporate Nature

Nature always has a way of healing your souls, spirit, and body. It would help if you incorporated natural elements in your house, like having plants or flowers. If you have a smaller space, worry not, as you can utilize the vertical space in your room to hang your favorite plants. 

If you are not a flower or plant enthusiast, you can choose to have wooden pieces of art representing nature. You can go as far as having an aquarium or a pet that will give you something to look forward to at the end of the day. 

Mind Your Theme Colors

Different color combinations will often have an impact on the mood of the house. You need to choose colors that will liven your place and create an optimistic attitude in the house. Consider the lighting while selecting your theme color. The simple inclusion of different sets of curtains will give your home an uplift that will put a smile on your face. 

Schedule Routine Maintenance Checks

A house with maintenance issues will frustrate you due to the numerous repairs and problems that will arise. Apart from being in an uncomfortable area, you will also have to cater for these repairs financially. 

In addition, you need to schedule regular maintenance of the plumbing and sewer systems, boiler and electrical systems, and general house inspection tasks. 

It will give you the confidence and comfort you need when you know your house is safe and well-maintained. Simple actions like drain cleaning, lawn mowing, electrical and plumbing inspections will go a long way in ensuring you enjoy your home without creaks, molds, or fear of getting hurt or injured. 

Uniquely Arrange Your Items Around the House

A house with a neat arrangement usually emanates a positive feeling and aura. You need to ensure that every item is in its rightful place within the house. Declutter your house periodically to add more space to the house. Be keen to assign each item a home to ease the congestion in the house. You can also choose to change the furniture arrangement periodically to have a new appearance in the place. 

Everyone deserves a safe place where they can let out their stress without having additional frustrations. It will give you time to unwind and have a good rest as you prepare for the next day.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.