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Another unforeseen problem buzzing around foreclosures and the bad economy is the dramatic increase in the mosquito and garden pest population. 

Many entire neighborhoods now feel the sting, as millions of vacant properties, along with those owned by cash strapped homeowners, have turned overgrown lawns, swimming pools, hot tubs, water gardens and koi ponds into insect breeding grounds.   

Before you light the citronella candles or coat yourself in insect repellent, consider heading to your local garden center for relief.   Some plants are natural insect repellents and keep summer bugs away, while improving the curb appeal of your home.

NATURAL “BUG OFF” PLANTS

Marigolds–Marigolds don’t have the greatest smell, but mosquito’s and other pests literally hate it.  The bright, inexpensive and easy to grow annual is a proven workhorse in deterring pests around patio’s porches and vegetable gardens.

Catnip– In addition to being a favorite of your beloved feline, catnip is 10 times more effective than DEET when it comes to repelling the universally hated and dangerous mosquito.   The annual plant grows easily in a sunny, dry location like the one found around most patio area’s.

Lemon Thyme–  Smells and Tastes Great to Humans.  Its lemon scent is a wonderful to smell as you walk or brush by and its lemon flavored leaves can be used in salads or recipes calling for lemon or lemon zest.  This perennial grows great in most climate zones, requires little to no watering and thrives with a little sunshine.

Lemon Basil–  Is another plant that smells great to people and is delicious to eat with summer tomato’s.  Lemon Basil is a tender annual that needs watering.  It is does self sow, but buy starter plants versus sowing seed packets for the best results with this yummy option to a pest problem.

To learn more about natural insect deterrents and repellents click here.

Learn about rebates, loans and subsidies for energy saving upgrades to your home at the non-profit website http://www.dsireusa.org/ .    

The Database of State and Federal Incentives for energy efficiency is comprehensive, well organized and a great resource for the “ever changing” programs available to taxpayers.   It features easy links for federal, state, local rebates and loan programs for a variety of home improvements from adding insulation to replacing an old water heater.

Readers would be wise to check with the DSIREUSA website before making decisions about home improvements or home building.    Also, if you have made home improvements during 2007, verify with your accountant that all deductions and credits for qualified improvements have been included on your tax return before April 15th.

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      I often refer to “painting” as the ideal home improvement.   Considering the nominal cost and ease of application, nothing compares with a simple coat of fresh paint and its ability to update and freshen our homes.   The downside of painting was the overwhelming smell that remained afterwards.

Now, thanks to new, innovative products, paint is stink-free and a better value than ever before.   You can increase the value of your home, improve the environment and your health, by repainting with Zero VOC paints.  

VOC is the acronym for Volatile Organic Compounds.  Simplified, VOC is noxious odor we smell after applying fresh paint.    VOC ratings for paint measure the amount of materials that come out of our paint as it dries.  The EPA has determined that architectural coatings account for 9% of all the offgassing that damages our ozone layer and environment, which is reason enough to choose Zero VOC paints.

Thankfully, we have a number of new choices in innovative paint products.  My personal favorite is  www.greenplanetpaints.com , which I believe to be an ideal role model for this country and the paint industry.   

Their beautiful paints are made from sustainable, natural  materials such as clay, mineral pigments, soy extracts, etc., which bring VOC’s emissions to Zero.   In addition to lessening environmental impact, Green Planet Paints is pro-America, purchases all materials locally and hires the disabled to make their paints.      

Tip:  When selecting a Low or No VOC paint, keep in mind that the government only rates the paint base for VOC.  The colorant that is added to the base is not yet calculated into the VOC total.  This means until the rating system changes, you should look deeper than the overall, advertised rating to ensure your paint is not emitting VOC into your home.

If you are selling your home, tell home shoppers that your home is painted with Zero or Low VOC paint.   Today’s buyers are placing a higher value on healthy and environmentally friendly homes.  If smart sellers pay attention to their needs, the market will reward the effort.

Luggage, Holiday Decorations, High School Year Books, Baby Beds packed long ago…for most of us, the list of boxes and items we save for future use quickly stack up and block access to items we need today. What to do? Simply look up. Not to heavens, but to all that space above our heads…the attic.

If you have determined that the attic is safe for storage, but you haven’t determined how to get there safely and conveniently, the telescoping attic ladder named Televator may be the answer.

Unlike traditional folding access stairs, the Televator requires little effort to use and less room to open and set up. It’s unique design makes it an excellent choice for the small closets and hallways where attic access is usually located. If you have a hole in your ceiling, the unit is easy to install, even for do-it-yourselfers. Televator is completely assembled and the only tools required for installation are a drill and a wrench for putting in the lag bolts.

The Televator can handle up to 250 lbs and the 8 foot model retails for around $199. The Televator may be just the answer for storing seldom used items right over your head. For more information or to locate a dealer visit http://www.wernerladder.com/