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FeaturesSeptember 12, 2007

home It's estimated that some 2 million homes will need termite treatment this year. Unfortunately, unlike with fire, there is no insurance policy that covers termite damage. However, there are things you can do to spot and quickly correct this problem. ...

Home

It's estimated that some 2 million homes will need termite treatment this year. Unfortunately, unlike with fire, there is no insurance policy that covers termite damage.

However, there are things you can do to spot and quickly correct this problem. First, don't confuse termites with winged ants. While similar in size and color, flying ants have a slim waist, hard body and double wings that are unequal in length, while termites have a soft round body and two pairs of wings equal in length. And the termite's antenna are straight, not bent. Whether you find them or not, here are a few things you should always do:

  • Seal cracks in stucco and concrete and gaps in siding, and paint or stain everything.
  • Soil around foundations should be 8 inches below walls and drain away from the house.
  • All wood-like stairs and railings should have concrete footings or piers to avoid ground contact.
  • Find and correct all leaks inside and out, because these little pests love damp wood.
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Garden

Except tulips, spring bulbs may be planted as soon as they are available. Tulips should be kept in a cool, dark place and planted in late October. Begin readying houseplants for winter indoors. Prune back rampant growth and protruding roots. Check for pests and treat if necessary. Houseplants should be brought indoors at least one month before the heat is normally turned on. Keep broccoli picked regularly to encourage additional production of side shoots. Pinch out the top of Brussels sprout plants to plump out the developing sprouts. Harvest herbs now to freeze or dry for winter use. Tie leaves around cauliflower heads when they are about the size of a golf ball.

Kitchen

The Pampered Chef now offers something to solve the messy dredging problem. Here's the issue: when preparing a food that is coated or battered during cooking (such as fried chicken), it often is dredged through several ingredients, flour, egg and breadcrumbs. This ensures a crisp coating that stays put during cooking. These ingredients usually end up in shallow bowls lined up next to one another. Trouble is, bowls can't be set flush against one another, which means the counter can get covered in debris as you move your food from one bowl to the other. A new product from The Pampered Chef fixes this. The Coating Trays and Tool kit include three interlocking rectangular trays that snap together, allowing the easy movement of foods from one to the next without any mess. The trays, which can be configured in various ways, are dishwasher and microwave safe (the latter is nice for use in chocolate-coated deserts, as the chocolate can be melted directly in the tray). They also come with tongs. Coating Trays and Tools from The Pampered Chef, $19.50, available online at http://www.thepamperedchef.com.

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