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FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE | WENATCHEE WORLD 2020
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FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE | WENATCHEE WORLD 2020
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FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE | WENATCHEE WORLD 2020
Wenatchee World’s Fall Home Improvement Guide Table of Contents Get Your Home and Yard Ready for Winter......................................................................Page 6 How to Choose a Contractor for Your Home...................................................................Page 10 Join the Pallet Craze..............................................................................................................Page 12 Easy Exterior Upgrades...........................................................................................................Page 13 Benefits of Home Automation..............................................................................................Page 15 Get a Fresh Coat....................................................................................................................Page 16 Prepare Gutters For Winter....................................................................................................Page 20 Do Your Gutters Need An Update? ...................................................................................Page 21 Pet Friendly Home Design ....................................................................................................Page 24 Renovations That Add Value...............................................................................................Page 26 Fun Crafts with Leaves...........................................................................................................Page 28 Paint a Staircase.....................................................................................................................Page 30 Erase Summer, Prepare For Winter......................................................................................Page 31 Tree Tips....................................................................................................................................Page 32 When to Call An Expert.........................................................................................................Page 34 Pressure Washing Safety Tips.................................................................................................Page 36 Save on Next Year’s Landscape.........................................................................................Page 37 Fall Container Gardens ........................................................................................................Page 38 Growing Fall Vegetables.......................................................................................................Page 40 Install a Water Feature...........................................................................................................Page 41 Backyard Upgrades on a Budget.......................................................................................Page 44 Upgrades That Enhance Health..........................................................................................Page 46
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FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE | WENATCHEE WORLD 2020
How To Get Your Home and Yard Ready For Winter Advice from local professionals As fall and winter approach, we get ready for more indoor time and less circulation of outside air into the home. It is a good time to make sure that indoor air is as clean as possible, according to Peggy Thatcher Aguilu, owner and manager of Columbia Home Cleaning.
Pet dander, spiders and webs, dust and particles left by fire smoke are all contaminants that cover home surfaces, including walls, windows and light fixtures. It’s a great time to have the carpets cleaned professionally, to clean light fixtures and to give the windows a thorough cleaning, including the window tracks. A dry Swiffer is a great implement for cleaning dust off walls, Thatcher Aguilu said.
If there were parts of the house that were left out of spring cleaning, now is another time to do those. For example, think about taking things out of cabinets and giving the cabinets and their contents a deep cleaning. In terms of maintaining a clean home for the long term, Thatcher Aguilu recommends making yourself a schedule and sticking with it. Few of us have time to clean the whole house in one go;
FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE | WENATCHEE WORLD 2020
list out the tasks that need to be done and make a plan for doing them regularly. When it gets cold out, we want to make sure that our heating systems are in good working condition. Tom Ross, owner of Alpine Aire Heating &
Cooling, Inc., said that his company offers spring and fall maintenance of the heating and cooling system. Workmen check the components of the system, which cuts down on unexpected breakdowns. Ross said that duct sys-
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tems can accumulate dust and other debris. He recommends that homeowners open up their registers and take a look down to see if it might be time to have the system cleaned. Perhaps most importantly, Ross said that homeown-
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FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE | WENATCHEE WORLD 2020
ers should make sure their dryer vent is clean. Lint-filled dryer vents are a common cause of house fires. Then, when preparing for winter, we don’t want to forget the yard. Julio Ramirez of Julio’s Lawn Care and Maintenance said that he recommends cutting back shrubs and bushes and
applying fertilizer to the lawn. If there are any bare spots in the lawn, it is a good time to reseed those. It’s also a good time to plant new shrubs and trees. If you have an underground irrigation system, it is important to have the lines blown out once you have stopped irrigating in
order to avoid frozen pipes. Overall it sounds like there are tasks to keep us busy these fall days, and think of how cozy we will feel in our homes when we know that we are on top of the season’s home and yard work. Karen Larsen is a contributing writer in the Wenatchee Valley
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FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE | WENATCHEE WORLD 2020
How To Choose A Contractor For Your Home
Are you envisioning your beautifully remodeled home or efficient upgrades? Home improvements are exciting! Actually doing the work might not be. It can be tempting to quickly pick a contractor or DIY an unfamiliar project to finish fast. However, picking the right person for the job is the most important step in making sure it’s done correctly. No one dreams of ill-fitting windows or chancy electrical work. WHY HIRE A CONTRACTOR? Many home improvement projects are great to DIY, like attic insulation.
For other projects, you might need a contractor for safety and permitting ease. Work done incorrectly – including HVAC, plumbing and electrical – can be unsafe or not work properly. Plus, contractors can save you money by identifying projects that may be eligible for rebates. HOW TO HIRE A CONTRACTOR 1. Get Recommendations Make a starter list of 5-10 contractors to narrow down. Ask friends or post on social media for recommendations (or contractors to avoid). Check out online reviews and local building associations.
2. Use a Certified Contractor Verify a contractor’s registration online with the Department of Labor. Don’t use a contractor unless they’re licensed, bonded and insured. Upgrading your HVAC and live in Chelan County? Visit ConservationMakesCents.org for a list of certified heat pump contractors and get up to $1,400 in rebates from Chelan PUD. 3. Get Multiple Written Bids Ask for a written bid from at least three contractors, ideally with itemized pricing so you know what’s included and can compare them. Remember that
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cheapest isn’t always best. 4. Check References and BBB Ratings Talk with past customers and make sure the contractor is in good standing with the Better Business Bureau. 5. Don’t Pay in Full until the Job is Done Pay after the work is completed as detailed in your bid. DON’T LEAVE IT TO FATE No one thinks poor quality work can happen to them, but our energy advisers have uncovered subpar work during inspections and home energy audits. Follow these steps to find the best contractor and ensure quality work on your home every time. Also, take advantage of Chelan PUD rebates to improve your home energy efficiency and save money. The Chelan County PUD contributed this piece
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FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE | WENATCHEE WORLD 2020
Join the Pallet Craze
If you follow arts and crafts or custom furniture communities on social media, you have likely been exposed to pallet projects’ growing popularity. DIYers are finding unique ways to repurpose the highquality wood in pallets, typically found in warehouses to store and organize inventory. These unique structures are easily obtainable and can be used in a plethora of ways to update both the interior and exterior of your home. When committing to trying your hand at creating a one-of-a-kind display for a home improvement project, finding pallets isn’t always difficult. Simply ask busi-
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Easy Exterior Upgrades Since the exterior of your home is typically the first impression people get of the property, ensuring it’s well-kept is essential. Fortunately, upgrades to refresh the space don’t always have to cost a fortune. There are numerous ways you can give your home a modern touch-up on a budget and many projects can be handled by the homeowner with a little knowledge of repairs. Before investing in upgrades to your property, analyze the lawn for unattractive features like cracked sidewalks or overgrown weeds. A little TLC to your yard can make a significant difference when improving the looks of the exterior. A good way to find problem spots is to drive by the home and look for problems that are visible from the road. Make a plan to resolve landscaping issues to instantly add curb appeal over a weekend.
ADD LIGHT FIXTURES Adding or upgrading exterior lighting is an easy project that can enhance the visual ambiance of a home and provide more security. When searching for new fixtures, look for options that include motion sensors, capabilities to utilize brighter bulbs and housings that blend well with a home’s design scheme. Homeowners should consider upgrading to LED lighting to provide long-lasting illumination that can lead to savings on utility bills. According to the United States Department of Energy, approved bulbs use at least 75% less energy while lasting 25 times longer than incandescent lighting NEW SHUTTERS The simple addition of shutters to existing windows will make the outside of your home stand out and provide an updated look. Before buying new accents, make sure to measure your window and
purchase the appropriate size. In some cases, the correct dimensions may have to be special ordered and custom built. Simply bring your required dimensions to the local home improvement store and ask an expert for their recommendations on style and installation tips. They may be able to recommend a local pro to do the install. Consider hiring a professional to pressure wash the exterior of your property prior to updating the shutters, so they are installed on a clean backdrop. STAIN YOUR DECK As a wooden deck becomes weathered and dated, the visual appeal quickly degrades. Save your deck by applying a layer of stain and weatherproof clear coat. Before beginning the project, make sure to thoroughly clean the patio, protect exterior walls with painter’s tape and acquire the right tools for the job.
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FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE | WENATCHEE WORLD 2020
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Benefits of Home Automation Technology has changed the way homeowners care for and protect their homes. If you’re looking for an upgrade that enhances safety while boosting convenience, total home automation is an investment to consider. Since the systems are so intricate, it’s beneficial to work with an expert in the field, so you don’t miss out on life-changing features. Since many home automation innovations require a solid internet connection to work flawlessly, it may be necessary to upgrade your current setup. Call area providers for the best value while investing in quality download speeds and connectivity reliability. You should also make sure you have a capable smartphone or tablet as these devices may act as a remote control for operation. If you’re unfamiliar with home automation systems,
check out some of the cutting-edge technology your home is missing. AUTOMATED DOOR LOCKS With a high-tech lock, you will never worry about leaving your front door unsecure. Typically, these advanced devices connect to a smartphone and are operated with the touch of a button. The software also allows you to analyze if a door has been unlocked without your authorization, giving you a chance to contact emergency services if necessary. Another benefit to automated door locks is opening the door for a house sitter or friend if you are uncomfortable leaving a spare key while you’re away. TEMPERATURE ADJUSTMENTS Do you notice a climbing heating or air conditioning bill during the changing
seasons? Consider investing in a thermostat that allows you to alter the temperature while you’re away. Some units will adjust to your work schedule without interaction to alter the comfort levels before you arrive home. Many models also can be operated remotely, allowing you to crank up your HVAC equipment to create a comfortable environment on the way home from work. CONTROL YOUR LIGHTS According to the group Clearly Energy, an incandescent light bulb will cost you about 75 cents for every hour it is left on. If you have a bad habit of forgetting to kill the lights before leaving for the day, the costs can add up on your utility bill. Learn how to save money by purchasing smart lights that are operated by smartphone or another device.
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FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE | WENATCHEE WORLD 2020
Get A Fresh Coat
The cooler weather of fall can be a great time to update the exterior of your home with a fresh coat of paint. Here are some tips from HGTV on how to get your home looking great in no time. Step 1: Clean it up. You can’t put paint over dirt. Get the best coverage by removing dirt and debris from your house using a pressure washer. Work from the top to bottom, overlapping each stroke. Step 2: Repair. While you’re washing, make note of any damage to wood, brick, stucco or siding. Use epoxy filler to cover cracks or holes. Once the filler is dry, lightly sand it using medium-grit sandpaper. Step 3: Remove loose paint. Scrape or sand loose
paint off the surfaces around your home before painting. Step 4: Caulk the trim. Fill any gaps between the house and trim around your doors and windows using caulk made for exterior finishes. Caulk wherever different materials meet.
Step 5: Cover stains. Put a coat of stain-blocking primer over any stains to help your paint cover it. Step 6: Protect doors, windows and lights. Cover anything you don’t want painted with plastic sheeting and tape.
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The North American bird population has decreased by 2.9 billion breeding adults, a net loss of North bird population has decreased by 2.9habitat billion breeding adults, a net reason loss of for 29%The over the American last half-century.* Scientists have identified loss as the biggest overWild the last half-century.* identified habitat the biggest reason for the 29% decline. Birds Unlimited isScientists proud tohave be the Champion forloss the as National Wildlife Federation the decline. Wild Birds Unlimited is proud to be the Champion for the National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat program, whose goal is to inspire everyone to create a haven for wildlife Certified Wildlife Habitat program, whose goal is to inspire everyone to create a haven for wildlife in their yard. *www.3billionbirds.org/findings in their yard. *www.3billionbirds.org/findings
Creating a wildlife habitat is is fun, rewarding big difference. difference.It’s It’seasier easier than you might think. Creating a wildlife habitat fun, rewardingand andmakes makes a a big than you might think. HereHere is what your wildlife habitat should is what your wildlife habitat shouldinclude: include:
Food Food Include native to provide providesong songbirds birdswith with natural food Include nativeplants plantsininyour your yard to natural food sources.You Youalso alsocan canattract attract a greater of of birds by by sources. greaternumber numberand andvariety variety birds offeringa aconsistent, consistent,reliable reliable supplemental supplemental food thethe form of aof a offering foodsource sourcein in form bird feederfilled filledwith withaaquality quality seed seed blend. feeding station bird feeder blend.Creating Creatinga abird bird feeding station with a varietyofoffoods foodsand and various various bird you many hours with a variety birdfeeders feederswill willbring bring you many hours bird watchingenjoyment. enjoyment. of of bird watching
Water Water Birds need clean, reliable water sources for drinking and bathing
Birds need clean, reliable water sources for drinking and bathing throughout the year. Water can attract as many birds to your yard or throughout year. Water attractbirds as many birds your yard patio as athe food. Often, you can will attract that do not to normally visit or patio a food. Often, you will attract birds that do not normally visit yourasbird feeders. your bird feeders.
Cover
Cover Birds need protective cover for times of rest, social interaction and as
a retreat foul weather predators. Landscaping for the ideal Birds needfrom protective cover and for times of rest, social interaction and as wildlife habitat should use aand variety of nativeLandscaping plants rangingfor in size and a retreat from foul weather predators. the ideal density. wildlife habitat should use a variety of native plants ranging in size and density. A Place to Raise Young same native plants that provide food and shelter can provide safe A The Place to Raise Young areas for many species of wildlife to mate, build nests and raise their
The same But, native plants that provide and shelter provide families. with the increased loss food of natural habitat, can many cavity- safe areas for birds manyare species wildlife to mate, build andbird raise their nesting havingof trouble finding homes. Bynests providing houses, families. with the increased natural habitat, you willBut, encourage these birds toloss raiseoftheir young in yourmany yard. cavitynesting birds are having trouble finding homes. By providing bird houses, you will encourage these birds to raise their young in your yard. Sustainable Practices The idea of a flawless lawn may be a thing of the past. A few weeds
and insects are a small price to pay — better for the environment and Sustainable Practices
theidea birds. your landscape a sustainable, environmentallyThe of Maintaining a flawless lawn may be a in thing of the past. A few weeds friendly way ensures that the to soil, air — andbetter water for thatthe native wildlife (and and insects are a small price pay environment and upon stayyour clean and healthy. thepeople) birds. rely Maintaining landscape in a sustainable, environmentallyfriendly way ensures that the soil, air and water that native wildlife (and people) rely upon stay clean and healthy.
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FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE | WENATCHEE WORLD 2020
Step 7: Paint! Here’s the fun part. Load a paint sprayer with your chosen exterior paint (pick a flat or eggshell finish for the best look). Work your way from top to bottom, moving smoothly and overlapping your strokes, just like you did when you power washed. If your color is very different from what’s already on the house, you may need a coat of primer, too. Talk to the professionals at your local paint store for advice. Step 8: Paint the trim. Remove the plastic sheeting and get to your windows and doors using an exterior semigloss paint and a paintbrush. Use drop cloths to make clean up easier. Step 9: Touch up. After you get everything cleaned up, walk around your house and touch up any surfaces that may have gotten missed or scratched during the process. Then, sit back and enjoy your fresh curb appeal.
FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE | WENATCHEE WORLD 2020
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FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE | WENATCHEE WORLD 2020
Prepare Gutters For Winter Gutters are the unsung heroes of the outside of your home. A clean gutter keeps water away from the vulnerable structure of your home, including your foundation. You may be used to clearing fall leaves out of your gutters, but take the opportunity to get them ready for the coming winter, too. CLEAN Get rid of leaves, sticks and other debris in your gutters. Clogged gutters can send water under the roof and into your home’s foundation. If your area gets below freezing, it can also cause ice dams in the winter. Use an old plastic spatula (hit up the dollar store if you don’t have one) clipped to fit your gutters. Scoop leaves and other debris right out of
the way. For downspouts, run a plumber’s snake through them to make sure water can run away from your home.
find loose joints or leaks, clean the gutter and scrape away the old sealant, then re-coat it with fresh sealant from your local hardware store. Holes may require a GUTTER SCREENS patch, which you can make You can install screens to with roofing cement and a protect your gutters from piece of metal similar to leaf and other build up, or your gutter material. you can have them installed. As with any professional MAKE A DE-ICING CABLE installation, ask friends and If your area gets snow family for recommenda- and ice, consider making a tions, get several quotes, ask de-icing cable to make sure lots of questions and make an ice dam doesn’t form on sure your chosen contractor your roof. Take an old pair of is licensed and insured. pantyhose and fill with an ice melting compound, such INSPECT as what you would use on While you’re cleaning out your sidewalk. Toss them on your gutters, inspect them your roof intersection with for damage, creases, rust or the gutter, and this dam will holes. Also check for sagging give water a way to travel off gutters or seams that have the roof if the gutter fills up begun to separate. If you with ice.
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Do Your Gutters Need An Update? It’s easy to take our home’s gutters for granted. When they’re working properly, their defense against heavy rain may go unnoticed. However, when they fail, homes be seriously damaged. Do you know the signs of a failing gutter system and the best course of action to resolve them? PURPOSE OF GUTTERS Effective guttering provides protection to keep heavy rainfall from entering an attic or exterior wall. Without this barrier, intrusive water can destroy siding, ruin insulation and create stains around brick or
stone. It’s also crucial to reroute rain from the ground perimeter of your home with gutters and downspouts. Failure to do so introduces the risk of interior flooding, shifting soil and a cracked foundation. The National Association of Home Builders estimates the average lifespan of galvanized steel or aluminum gutters is 20 years. If you are due for a new system and plan to hire an expert, be sure they are both licensed and insured. WHAT TO INSPECT Preventing overflow is the most important maintenance you can provide
your gutters. Inspect the system for blockages, an insufficient number of pipes to care for the entire structure and dislodged joints. Anything that is inhibiting your gutter’s performance should be removed or replaced. SAFETY TIPS When performing inspections or maintenance on your home’s gutters, caution is required. The experts at the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors urge DIYers to follow these safety tips. • When scaling a ladder, always use a spotter to
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FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE | WENATCHEE WORLD 2020
ensure it is secure and never reach out, get down and reposition it. • If performing maintenance on your roof, wear footwear with gripping treads to help add traction. • Wear gloves to protect
your hands and arms from sharp debris that may have collected. • Whether you plan to tackle the project yourself or hire a local expert, ensuring your gutters are ready for the wet winter ahead is a
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FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE | WENATCHEE WORLD 2020
Pet Friendly Home Design It may seem like petfriendly home design is a narrow field, limited to doggie-doors and jump-proof fences, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Petfriendly home design is becoming increasingly popular –– and there are all sorts of products and Pinterest boards to prove it. In fact, according to a 2017 survey conducted by the National Association of Realtors, nearly half of all pet owners have completed a pet-related home renovation project. “Dogs [and other pets] are inside more and [seen as] family members now,” said Jennifer Larsen, coowner of Firehouse Pet Shop. While durable floors, new fences, and dog-doors
are the most popular petrelated renovations, there are all kinds of options for someone who wants to take their pet into account during the renovation process. “In a lot of new homes, people are putting in their own self-wash, like a raised tub or shower pan, in their bathroom or mudroom,” said Larsen. Other renovations include built-in feeding stations in the kitchen, designated dog-runs in the back yard, and enclosed patios so your cats can get some sun. Installing an outdoor outlet is also a good idea, adds Firehouse co-owner, Allen Larsen, so that you will have a place to plug in a heated water bowl during the winter.
Pet-friendly home design isn’t limited to fullscale home renovations, of course. There are a multitude of products on the market that are made to match your existing design while making your home a bit homier for the pets living in it. “There are doggie doors for your slider,” said Larsen. “You just put a section into your slider so you’re not damaging any walls or doors, and it has the doggie door in it.” Other products are even more creative. There are end-tables with litter-boxes hidden inside, small “catios” that can be attached to windows, and dog beds that are made to look like posh sofas.
FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE | WENATCHEE WORLD 2020
Of course, with all this new innovation, safety should always be at the top of your list. When setting the ambiance of your home, for example, one thing you need to be careful about is fragrances. “A lot of fragrances, like Glad plug-ins, aren’t necessarily pet-safe, but they aren’t advertised that way,” said Mackenzie Crawford, the general store manager for EarthWise Pet. The fragrances that they use are actually toxic. I’ve been looking into bringing products into the store that are more natural.” If you have a senior dog, there are even more consid-
erations to take into account. Some people put in ramps, or even design their home to have fewer stairs, said Crawford. Larsen agrees, adding that considering the type of flooring you have is also important. Hardwood floors can be slippery for older dogs with joint issues and mobility problems, and falling can be dangerous. Small dogs can also be in danger, particularly from outdoor predators. “We’ve had a lot of issues with dogs and cats getting picked up by owls,” said Larsen. Because of this, Larsen recommends building a safe outdoor
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area –– preferably covered. With so many things to think about, it can be hard to know where to start. Just keep in mind the basics –– open spaces, an outdoor area to play, and a comfortable spot to rest. Everything else –– the posh dog beds, the litter box end tables, and the built-in, diner-style feeding areas –– is more for you than your pet. So go ahead, go crazy with the matching furniture and coordinated dog bowls, but rest easy knowing that Fido will love you just the same. Erin Rebar is a contributing writer in the Wenatchee Valley
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Renovations That Add Value
Whether you’re planning to sell your property or wish to invest in your forever home, fall is a great time to renovate. As the distractions of having fun in the sun pass with summer, take advantage of cooler weather to improve the appearance and increase the value of your house. While not all renovations break the bank, those on tight budgets can benefit from financing. While searching for a lender, you should plan to shop around for competitive interest rates, reasonable terms and manageable payment obligations. Make sure to disclose your desire
to acquire a home-improvement loan as it features attractive benefits to borrowers. Here are a few common repairs that homeowners perform to add value to their home, according to the experts at Consumer Reports.
KITCHEN UPGRADES The kitchen has long been regarded as a room that attracts the most attention. If your cabinets or appliances are outdated, refreshing them to more modern standards can change the entire aesthetic
Douglas PUD’s DIY Checklist Digging? Make sure to call 811 - Call Before You Dig to mark underground utilities.
Pruning? Look up and Live! Ladders and electric lines don’t mix. Increasing the electric load in your home with a new hot tub? Call Douglas PUD to determine if your current transformer can supply your needs. Installing a generator in case of a winter storm? Please consult a professional to ensure proper installation and safety to our lineworkers. Adding some outdoor lighting? Consider fixtures that direct the light towards the ground and minimize light trespass into the night sky. Looking to save money? Sign up for SmartHub paperless billing and auto pay and receive a $10 account credit! More information can be found at douglaspud.org or by calling 509-884-7191
FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE | WENATCHEE WORLD 2020
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of your room. You can also use an attractive backsplash to tie together countertops and cabinets during a renovation. For more extreme (and expensive) upgrades, redesigning the layout of cabinets or adding an island is another value-enhancing trend. If your new blueprint requires you to remove walls, it’s best to hire an expert who can ensure load-bearing stabilizers remain unaltered. FINISHING THE BASEMENT This renovation may be an expensive investment but can add ample living space to your home’s square footage. While HomeAdvisor suggests that homeowners should expect to pay between $10,000 and $27,000 when converting a
basement, the extra space for a new bedroom or office can add tremendous upside to your property. REDO YOUR FLOORS Carpet doesn’t hold the same fashion sense as it used to. Updating your floor coverings with high quality hardwood or vinyl is an easy upgrade that can visu-
ally enhance a room. When replacing floors, inspect your home’s structure for signs of damaged wood or water spots, especially in the bathroom and kitchen. Resolving these problems before adding new flooring will protect your investment and ensure the newly installed components are uncompromised.
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FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE | WENATCHEE WORLD 2020
Fun Crafts With Leaves
Turn piles of autumn leaves from a pile of yard waste into beautiful seasonal crafts. These ideas aren’t just pretty, they’re kid friendly, too. Start a new tradition with these ideas. LEAF STENCILS To pull this off, try to find full leaves with unique patterns on their tips. Transfer shapes by tracing it to high quality paper with metallic markers, colored pencils or ink. You can make your designs stand out by coloring them in with glow-in-thedark or glossy paint. After a little practice, consider showcasing them on an accent wall to create an appealing fall aesthetic indoors. GLITTER LEAVES Creating shimmering leaves is easy with a little glue and a lot of glitter. Draw unique designs or shapes on the leaves with a hot glue gun or stick, and sprinkle glitter
on top. The adhesive will hold it in place and showcase your glimmering art. For extra creativity, visit your local hobby shop to find colored glue to combine with the sparkling glitter. GOOGLY EYES This one can be a lot of fun for the kids. Googly eyes add fun and personality to boring old leaves. Encourage children to complete the facial structure with noses and mouths and
create their own leaf family by giving each character its own name and story. 3D LEAVES Use a plaster mixture to cast leaves and complete the display with a coat of paint once it dries. You can find suitable mixing compounds at any arts and crafts store. Be sure to cover your work area with a barrier like wax paper to protect it from overspills.
FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE | WENATCHEE WORLD 2020
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FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE | WENATCHEE WORLD 2020
Paint A Staircase
The home’s entry point to a second story can quickly become a focal point in any room. Whether the staircase features dated carpet or wood with cosmetic damage, touching up the covering can totally change the feel of the entire interior. While the desired outcome may be simple to imagine, the actual process of restoring stairs can be difficult. Before you make your mind up regarding which color to repaint the banisters, flooring and surrounding wall, it’s beneficial to analyze the existing covering to see if it can be refurbished. In many older homes, you may discover
Once the flooring has been stripped, consider these tips from Better Homes and Gardens to flawlessly redecorate your staircase.
quality hardwood that can be easily restored. Try to start in a small, inconspicuous area and apply paint stripper to find out how the rest of the project will look. Of course, if the thought of potentially ruining expensive wood isn’t what you have in mind, hire a professional contractor to carefully begin the process.
PAINTING THE HANDRAIL AND BALUSTERS Prior to painting the components on your staircase, apply coats to the wall that holds the steps and rails to ensure the chosen colors will blend together. Be careful to use quality ladders if the area is out of reach. Once the backdrop is dry, you should mask the stairs with heavy butcher paper and painter’s tape to avoid dripping as you paint around it.
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Erase Summer, Prepare For Winter Autumn is a chance for many Americans to take a breath from the extreme heat of summer before brutal winter weather presents itself. It’s also the perfect time to repair issues on your home that you may have put off. Prolonged exposure to the sun can wreak havoc on your home’s exterior. Winter brings along its own set of challenges if you live in a region where heavy snowfall or freezing temperatures are common. Learn the right steps to take and resolve problems caused by the summer and prepare your home for the incoming cold. PRESSURE WASH Over time, our home’s beauty falls victim to elements like sunlight, rain, wind and pollution. The
result can be a dirty or sometimes green color clinging to the siding. The safest and most effective way to eliminate it and restore a structure’s appeal is with a pressure washer. When choosing to purchase a pressure washer and perform the job yourself, research the unit that works best for your needs. Typically you can choose from gasoline or electric models. For big jobs like cleaning a house, one that operates on gas is your best bet as it will feature higher flow rates and a more powerful performance. While the job isn’t difficult with a little practice, you can hire an expert to wash your home at an affordable rate. Many reputable businesses use commercial cleaners that aren’t
available to the public and will avoid damaging compromised siding or windows. INSPECT THE ROOF Roofs are subject to degradation during intense summer heat and heavy snowfall or ice in the winter. Autumn is the perfect time to inspect your roof for damage and find a professional to repair or replace it. Here are a few signs that your home’s cover needs attention, from the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety. Loose or cracked shingles, missing granules from tiles and buckling shingles, leaks inside the attic, water stains on the roof decking, a discolored roofing deck, interior water stains on the ceiling, and cracked ceiling paint or peeling wallpaper.
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FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE | WENATCHEE WORLD 2020
Tree Tips
Fall. Some say the most beautiful time of the year. Autumn is a good time to get things ready for the winter. Tree trimming is one of them. I'm Scott with Scotts Tree Care, Inc. I've been in the business for over 40 years. We specialize in tree trimming and Japanese style pruning. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work. While most trees can be pruned throughout the year, birch trees we reserve until fall. This is an article from my website: Birch dieback is a condition in which branches or parts of branches die. In some cases, one side of a tree will be dead or one or more stems of a cluster of a birch will die. In
individual cases, the specific causes of dieback are often difficult to determine. Several environmental conditions are known to cause dieback. When birch trees are growing under natural conditions in a forest, the ground is shaded by other trees and is kept fairly cool. Falling leaves form a natural mulch beneath the trees. In the landscape, however, birch are often planted on an open, exposed site. Leaves are raked up each fall. Birch is a shallow-rooted tree. Its roots are known to be damaged or killed by relatively high soil temperatures. Soil temperatures are likely to be highest on open south or west facing slopes. An early freeze in the fall
may kill some branches of ornamental birches. This is especially serious with species or varieties that are not native to this area. Warm days in late winter and early spring can cause excessive loss of moisture from buds and branches which cannot be replaced because the roots are in frozen ground. Soil moisture can become critical during extended periods of drought during the growing season. Light rains or ordinary watering for the grass will not soak down to the level of the tree roots. On the other hand, poor soil drainage and heavy rainfall can cause poor soil aeration. This can result in dam-
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FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE | WENATCHEE WORLD 2020 age to the roots due to lack of oxygen necessary for root growth. Trees that are weakened by one or more of the above conditions are often attacked by secondary invaders. An example is the bronze birch borer whose larvae tunnel into the inner bark. The tunnels often girdle the branches and cut off the flow of sap, causing the branch tips to die back to the point of the girdling. Birch trees are generally short-lived. This fact should be considered when choosing them. Under good growing conditions, native birch trees may reach an age of fifty years, but most of them die before that. In natural stands, they generally live longer than in the landscape. Exotic species and varieties usually have even shorter lives. The cut leaf European weeping birch frequently dies at an early age in Minnesota. The best safeguard against birch dieback is good growing conditions. Plant trees in locations with at least partial shade for the root area. An organic mulch such as wood chips will help keep the soil moist and cool, along with suppressing weeds. The mulch should be four to six inches deep and extend from the trunk out under the canopy of the tree as far as is practical. - end. The root system is the real key here. Get a real cold spell without a good snow cover unhappy roots. Heat of the summer and nothing over the roots but grass or flower beds etc; - not happy. Look around town at the birch trees and you will notice a lot of them are dying from the top. That is the birch dieback. Bottom line - Birch trees don't belong in an urban setting, but there are things we can do to help the ones that are here. Trim only in the fall, NEVER top a birch tree and try to have it growing in an area that has plenty of mulch covering the root system. If you love your birch tree, do what you can to make it happy and we will too. The best thing for your birch tree is to thin the inside of the tree, take the deadwood out and of course clear the house if needed and lift the canopy. Thanks for reading. Scott Milner of Scott’s Tree Care contributed this piece Scott Milner 509-630-9931 wenatcheetree.com
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FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE | WENATCHEE WORLD 2020
When To Call An Expert
Many home upgrades can be completed on your own. When the improvements seem too difficult for your level of experience, however, don’t hesitate to hire a local expert. Attempting a repair with which you are unfamiliar can lead to more severe damage and the resolution can be costly. Before tackling a project, do your research to discover if it’s something you can complete yourself. A few ideas include watching DIY videos of others doing the same repair or reading home improvement books focusing on the renovation. There is no shame in hiring a professional when you want the job done right the first time. Consider calling an expert before attempting these difficult home repairs if you lack the experience. WINDOW INSTALLATION Installing new windows is not a task for every DIY homeowner. A faulty job can lead to leaks, energy inefficiency or lackluster results. When looking for an expert to complete the project, Consumer Reports recommends looking for the following specific traits. • Speak with several contractors for the best price and their experience in construction. • Determine how long the project will take during the quote process. • Research the construction company via online reviews and word-of-mouth referrals.
• Make sure the install is properly insured and licensed in your state. When choosing windows, consider pricing glass that is ENERGY STAR certified as they are efficient in keeping the outside air from leaking in. PLUMBING CHANGES While most homeowners can handle the repairs of simple leaky faucets and pipes under the sink, a major renovation should be accomplished by an expert. Especially if you are performing projects like moving the washing machine or hot water heater, setting up an area for plumbing can be overwhelming. A plumber can efficiently tap into the existing system and reroute pipes to ensure they are free of leaks and insulate exposed pipes.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, water damage and freezing ranked fourth in claims severity between 2014 and 2018; the average claim expense was $10,849. ELECTRICAL UPGRADES Whether you’re installing new outlets throughout the home or making major electrical changes, hiring an electrician is a valuable resource. Working with a licensed professional ensures that the project is performed correctly and safely to protect your home and livelihood. It is also possible that your homeowner’s insurance will not cover damage caused by DIY electrical repairs. Make sure to check with your provider before you consider tackling a project on your own.
FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE | WENATCHEE WORLD 2020
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Pressure Washing Safety Tips So many fall projects, like painting the house, start with getting everything clean. And the quickest way to clean most exterior surfaces is with a pressure washer or power washer. Remember that any pressure washer that produces greater than 100 pounds per square inch of pressure can cause serious injury that can lead to infection, disability or amputation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers these safety tips for using a pressure washer. • Always follow the safety instructions included in the owner’s manual. • Never point a pressure washer at yourself or others. • Remember that the
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spray can throw objects, also at high pressure, that can cause injuries to bystanders or to yourself. • Never attempt to push or move objects with the pressure washer spray. • Never use a gasoline-powered washer in an enclosed space or near air intakes. • Always test the ground fault circuit interrupter before using a pressure washer. • Always plug a properly grounded pressure washer into a properly grounded receptacle. • If you need an extension cord, keep the pressure washer’s power cord connection out of standing water and use a heavy duty extension cord rated for use in wet locations.
• Keep the power cord and any extension cords as far away as you can from the item being washed and any water runoff. • Wear rubber-soled shoes that provide insulation from electrical jolts. • Never cut or splice the pressure washer’s power cord or extension cords. • Never remove the grounding prong from the pressure washer’s power cord or the extension cord. • Always have a qualified electrician check the pressure washer if it trips a circuit breaker. • Never allow children to operate a pressure washer. Keep children away from a pressure washer while it’s in use.
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Save On Next Year’s Landscape Sure, May showers bring spring flowers, but it’s fall planning that deserves most of the credit. You can save a ton of money on next year’s landscape by investing and planning during autumn. Here are a few tips to get you started without breaking the bank. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF AUTUMN SALES For most parts of the country, fall is the time to plant perennial bulbs for spring blooms. Nurseries also typically hold autumn sales to unload inventory before the cold temperatures arrive. Once you plant your bulbs, be sure to cover them with a protective layer of mulch to serve as a barrier to frost. You can also look for great price cuts on hardy flowering plants that
can be cared for indoors before transporting them outside in spring PREPARE YOUR LAWN How you treat your lawn during autumn can have a direct impact on how healthy it is when spring arrives. Experts at Popular Mechanics suggest regularly mowing until the last two cuttings of the year. For the final two, drop your mower’s blade but avoid taking off more than one-third of the grass blades at one time. Depending on the length of grass, you may have to gradually lower your deck as you finish out the year. Keeping it cut short helps the sun reach its crowns and promote future growth. Don’t forget to fertilize your lawn to ensure it stays healthy during the winter. With the help of a broadcast
or walk-behind drop spreader, you can evenly distribute nutrients throughout your entire lawn. If you’re not sure which type of fertilizer is right for your lawn’s condition, consider hiring a professional lawn care service to find the right mixture. FERTILIZE BEDS While the leaves and flowers of your perennials may look worse for the wear during fall, underground, the plant is very active. Fertilizing the area during the fall is a great way to ensure they will be back in full force next spring and avoid investing in new plants. The experts at Missouri Botanical Garden suggests using a complete fertilizer that contains important nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
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FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE | WENATCHEE WORLD 2020
Fall Container Gardens Fall, with its cooler days, just begs you to get outside and enjoy your patios and porches. And while spring and summer’s glory days are over, that doesn’t mean you still can’t add pops of color with container gardens. Here are some ideas for sprucing up your outdoor spaces with containers of color. DON’T FORGET THE TEXTURE Color is important when planning a container garden, but so is texture. This means the shape of the plant, the leaves and how it grows. Fall is a great time for tall, elegant ornamental grasses, and they also make great container garden centerpieces. Look for varieties like ponytail grass (stipa tenuissima) and purple fountain grass, with stunning deep aubergine blades.
CREATIVE CONTAINERS Go beyond the basic flowerpot. With the right drill bit, you can turn just about anything into a container for plants. Think of particularly fall-like accents like plastic pumpkins, craft logs or a basket. BLOOMING AUTUMN Yes, there are still lots of flowers that bloom right through fall, depending on your growing zone. Look to plants with trailing blooms, like petunias, which also come in a dizzying array of colors. Snapdragons are another fall favorite and come in a wide array of fall shades, like deep red and vibrant orange. In the warmer South, pansies do well in late fall and autumn and come in a riot of colors to match every decor. FESTIVE FOLIAGE And there’s plenty of non-blooming plants to
provide great color in your container. These include coleus, which comes in several bright hues; heuchera; stonecrop; golden leaf sage; flowering kale or cabbage; all kinds of ficus; sweet potato vines and many ivies. Just keep some of the more voracious growers, like vines and ivies, neatly trimmed. MUMS It wouldn’t be fall without mums. You can choose all kinds of colors. Look to bring home a plant that’s healthy and green with an upright attitude and lots of tightly closed buds. Make sure your container’s light enough to move easily; as the season wears, you may need to move your mum around to better growing conditions. Pair fluffy mums with wiregrass or creeping Jenny for an elegant look.
FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE | WENATCHEE WORLD 2020
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FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE | WENATCHEE WORLD 2020
Growing Fall Vegetables Summer is known for its array of bountiful fruits and veggies. But there are plenty of tasty crops that thrive the cooler months of fall. KNOW YOUR ZONE The USDA divides the country into zones of plant hardiness so that you know what plants are more likely to thrive in your area. It’s based on the average annual minimum winter temperature, divided into 10-degree zones ranging from 1a-13b. You can visit the USDA website, enter your ZIP Code and find your growing zone to determine which plants will do best in your yard. FALL VEGETABLES No matter where you live, there are certain plants that will do best in the fall. Look for these tasty plants to add to your fall gardens (and tables).
• Beets: These root vegetables are nutrient rich, packing a punch of folate as well as vitamin C and magnesium. Try them roasted. • Beans: There are tons of varieties of beans and all of them are high in protein and fiber. • Broccoli: This relative of cabbage is full of nutrients and fiber that promotes healthy digestion. • Turnips: Another root vegetable, turnips are full of vitamin A and K, and also has plenty of calcium and manganese. • Collard greens: Here’s another relative of cabbage that’s loaded with vitamins A and C. In the South, greens are a staple vegetable usually served smothered with smoked meats and served with cornbread. • Lettuce: Get ready for tasty salads. The cooler months mean tender leaves.
• Pumpkins: You can’t have a fall garden without the season’s favorite decorative squash. In addition to making a great pie, a serving of pumpkin packs a whopping 197% of your daily value of vitamin A. • Potatoes: Fall is the perfect time for root vegetables, as you can probably tell. Potato is a staple and will be perfectly at home in your fall garden. GET STARTED IN SUMMER A great fall garden actually starts in summer. You need to plant in the heat of summer (usually around August) to give your fall crops more time to mature. Cooler weather also means that crops can stay in the garden longer instead of having to be harvested immediately like their warmer weather counterparts.
FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE | WENATCHEE WORLD 2020
Install A Water Feature
You can put in a gorgeous, eye-catching water feature in just the span of a weekend. Keep reading for more on turning your backyard into an oasis. LOOK AT YOUR SPACE Decide what kind of feature that your space, your budget and your lifestyle can handle. Is it a giant koi pond or a simple fountain trickling over rocks? Generally, the larger your feature is, the more electric or plumbing work you may have to have done. You also need to consider what’s under the ground, and that includes tree roots and utilities. USE UNDERLAYMENT No matter which project you choose, you’ll likely need underlayment to protect your water feature. Look for it at your local home and garden center. Get enough so that it extends over and around your water feature. GET PHYSICAL Also common to almost all water feature projects: holes. You’re likely going to have to dig and it’s probably going to be more than you think. Consider getting help if you’re not sure you might be up to the task.
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FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE | WENATCHEE WORLD 2020
garden centers sell a variety (though they can be surprisingly expensive) and you’ll also need help placing them when you get home. Look for finishes and textures that compliment your surrounding landscape, any patio stone or masonry on your home, and that will wear well in the weather. Depending on the design of your feature, you may also have to
drill through the stone. year and tend to them careYou may be able to rent fully over the winter until the equipment from the they are well established. home and garden store or a local tool rental. FOUNTAIN CARE If you live in a colder cliCONSIDER PLANTINGS mate, take your water pump Set off your new water inside for the winter and feature with plants, but not store it in a pail of water to those so big they might dis- keep the seals wet. rupt your pond or fountain Otherwise, your feature with roots or branches. Also should weather freezes nicemake sure you choose ly and be ready for you in the perennials at this time of spring.
FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE | WENATCHEE WORLD 2020
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FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE | WENATCHEE WORLD 2020
Backyard Upgrades On A Budget Is your backyard due for an update? Sometimes simple landscaping or a new entertainment area will completely change your yard’s appearance. When you feel uncomfortable making the upgrades, simply search your local area for competitive prices from numerous landscaping businesses. With their help and some creativity, you can create an outdoor paradise just outside your door. When searching for a company to expertly renovate your outdoor living space, be sure to research their professional profile. Ask them about their experience based on a particular project and inquire about before and after photos they might have in a portfolio. Ensuring you find the right expert for the job is crucial to receiving the desired results.
Entertainment Area on a Budget If outdoor entertaining is your passion, you probably have numerous pieces of equipment like a barbecue grill, pellet smoker and patio set. Consider keeping them in one area by building a perimeter of pavers for your gear and fill in the middle with mulch or a weed-killing area rug. If you have space and electrical capabilities, enhance the space by installing a television in the gathering area. Use weatherproof covers to encapsulate the screen and seal other essential components from rain. Plant Perennials Perennials are flowers that return each year with attractive blossoms and pleasant scents. Save money by investing in
these unique plants and creating beds around your property. Each year, as your perennials begin to sprout, your investment will continue to pay off. For the best results, pay close attention to the planting instructions during the initial process and find out how to protect them during the winter. Many should be cut back and covered with mulch. Backyard Accents You likely incorporate your interior design with accent items to tie the room together. Your backyard should be no different as it benefits from minor aesthetics that provide significant results. Consider laying stepping stones throughout flower beds or solar lights to highlight a desolate part of the yard.
FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE | WENATCHEE WORLD 2020
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FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE | WENATCHEE WORLD 2020
Upgrades That Enhance Health
There are numerous ways a home in poor condition can affect its occupants. In some cases, necessary upgrades can be lifesaving or boost the healthy livability of a space. If your home is older, it’s especially crucial to analyze it for safety conditions that may be impacting your and your family’s health. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the use of lead paint in residential properties in 1977. Asbestos is another hazardous material used in insulation, drywall, floor tiles and cement.
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FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE | WENATCHEE WORLD 2020 According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the substance was banned to manufacture, distribute or process in 1989. If your home was built before this time, it’s imperative to hire an expert to determine if dangerous wall covering or insulation is present and prepare a strategy to remove it safely. Check out these other dangerous conditions that may be found within the place you call home as recommended by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. COOL INDOOR TEMPERATURES It’s crucial that your HVAC system and home’s insulation is operating correctly to warm and cool your house. The National Center for Biotechnology Information suggests that low indoor temperatures can lead to these serious health conditions. • Inflammation of lungs and circulation inhibition. • Increased risks of respiratory illnesses like asthma. • Cardiovascular damage like heart disease, stroke and even death. If you have trouble staying warm during the winter, consider talking to your electricity company about performing an energy audit. They can easily analyze your home to find out where you’re losing heat and recommend steps to correct the problem. PEST INFESTATIONS Homes that are infested with pests and rodents have a risk of more than just degraded structural integrity. Inhabitants are also exposed to harmful bacteria when these nuisances are present. If your property is overrun with pests, don’t be embarrassed to call a professional exterminator. Check out these statistics from the National Pest Management Association to realize you are not alone in the struggle. • Nearly 30% of American homeowners have had a rodent problem in their home. • Termites cause over $5 billion in property damage annually. • About 63% of homes contain cockroach allergens, which can cause severe allergic reactions • One in five households have had a bug infestation or know someone who battled an infestation.
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