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Natural Foods for Bluebirds Bluebirds are thrushes, the same types of birds as American robins, hermit thrushes, solitaires, and fieldfares, and they share the same type of diet. Depending on the season, habitat, activity level, and general food availability, bluebirds eat: Snails, grubs, caterpillars, and other mollusks and insect larvaeGrasshoppers, crickets, beetles, ants, spiders, and other insectsFlying insects such as moths, termites, and mosquitoesBerries such as sumac, holly, dogwood, pokeweed, and hackberriesSmall tree and vine fruits including grapes and cherries...

As the main power source for the home, the circuit breaker panel usually provides between 100 and 200 amps of total power, depending on the rating of the panel, although modern homes with many electrical appliances now sometimes require as much as 300 to 400 amps. This total power availability is divided among individual branch circuits found within the panel. Power comes to your home from the utility company’s lines (collectively called the service entrance)....

Not only does a porch offer a convenient space for couriers to leave packages and guests to enter your space, but it can also give your home some serious curb appeal. And, when the temperature is just right, it’s an ideal spot to kick back and relax. But, as often as we see and step on porches, we rarely think about where they come from. Why are porches so popular?...

Always call the Call Before You Dig number before undertaking such a project so you won’t be damaging buried utility lines. How Is a Retaining Wall Used? One of the most common functions of a retaining wall is to stop erosion on hillsides in cases where growing plants to control erosion is either undesirable or impractical. But you are underestimating the possibilities for these structures if you see them only as erosion-fighters....

Why Should I Plant a Specimen Tree? Gardeners and plant lovers are pretty predictable in some ways: we love natural beauty in many forms, and find beauty in humble things, like the simple change of the seasons. Is anything more beautiful than a tree covered with pink blossoms in springtime, a majestic oak with huge brown leaves in early winter when other trees have bare branches, or a lush evergreen in a snowy landscape?...

Aries (March 21 to April 19) Neon LightsAries are the ultimate fire sign. So, of course, the comeback of neon lights and signage in the interior design world is perfect for them. Bright, a little nostalgic, and totally unique, there are plenty of ways to fuse this trend into an Aries home, from bright pink signs in a bedroom to witty neon phrases above a bar cart. Taurus (April 20 to May 21) Green Kitchen CabinetsA Taurus may be an earth sign and love muted hues, but a Taurus also adores green in all of its shades....

If you’re moving with kids, get them to help, too. There are some things your children can pack safely without too much supervision, starting with their room. This will help your children have time to say “goodbye” to what’s familiar and help them adjust to the move while providing you with some much-needed assistance. Get Professional Help Arrange for a babysitter for moving day. It’s better if children are out of the house completely, so you’re not distracted, and they aren’t in the way....

Reasons to Wait It is very important that you always follow label guidelines with whatever product you choose to apply, including when you apply grub killers to new lawns. Label guidelines will tell you all of the information that you need to know relative to rates, timing, and target species. In general, most insecticides will not harm new grass, given that their chemistry is designed to target insects and not plants (herbicides would be another matter)....

Old Wood vs. New Wood Many spring-flowering trees and shrubs set their flower buds the previous fall, on stem growth from that year. When these plants then flower the following spring, they are said to bloom on old wood—the stem growth that occurred during the previous year. This is the pattern for many, though not all, of the early spring-flowering trees and shrubs. The earlier your tree or shrub blooms, the more likely it is to belong to this group....

While there is an abundance of sizes, shapes, and attachment variations with electrical boxes, all of them fall into two categories: plastic boxes or metal boxes. In many cases, your choice of a metal or plastic electrical box is one of personal preference, economy, and ease. In a few cases, though, the choice is clear-cut and obvious, mainly with respect to grounding. Most do-it-yourselfers prefer plastic electrical boxes, while electricians use both metal and plastic boxes....

Normal shrinkage of 2 to 3 percent is fairly common for many garments that have not been prewashed, but anything more than this invariably affects the fit. Shrinkage also can account for things like seam puckering, torquing (pull or hang of fabric), and decorative stitching distortion. In general, clothing fabrics shrink either because the fibers in the yarns and threads actually contract and get smaller, or because the threads and yarns tighten together....

A buzzing light fixture can affect different types of lights: LED, fluorescent, CFL, and incandescent. Reasons range from mismatched dimmer switches and light bulbs to old light ballasts that need replacing. You can fix most of these light fixture buzzing problems by yourself. LED Light Fixture Is Buzzing When LED light fixtures are humming or buzzing, the reason is usually an incompatibility between the LED light and the dimmer switch....

Toilet Flush Chain Is Sized Incorrectly or Damaged The flapper at the bottom of the toilet tank needs to be fully shut after every flush to keep the next cycle of water in the tank. A chain is attached to the top of the flapper. The other end of the chain is attached to the extension arm of the toilet handle. A toilet makes a hissing sound when the chain prevents the flapper from closing or when the chain is so long that excess chain gets caught under the flapper....

Defined as much by yuppie style as punk rock and postmodernism, ’80s interiors were dominated by such disparate trends as chintz; Laura Ashley floral prints; Pop Art; neon colors and lighting; asymmetry; color palettes that ranged from red-and-black to pink and green to peach or mauve everything. Marble was everywhere from furniture to accessories to paint effect wall treatments. On-trend interiors could have been alternately shabby chic, decorated with Art Deco-inspired geometric forms and rounded edges, Southwestern influences, or postmodern style from the Memphis Design movement founded by legendary Italian designer Ettore Sottsass....

Luckily, this collection from Beach Brella is a gamechanger. With their soft and pretty patterns, decorative fringe, and large scalloped edges, you’ll stand out in a good way. But, you don’t have to compromise. Instead, pair your candles with some pretty outdoor candle holders that will hide them perfectly.

There are many possibilities among evergreen species, flowering shrubs, and other specimens that deer aren’t likely to munch on. Here are 10 varieties of deer-resistant shrubs. USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 8Color Varieties: Dark green to yellowish-green foliage Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shadeSoil Needs: Loamy, evenly moist, well-draining USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 8Color Varieties: Foliage of blue, green, yellow, or silverSun Exposure: Full sunSoil Needs: Sandy, well-draining...

Very cold-hardy bushes, common lilacs can be grown in zones 3 to 7. Locate them in full sun and in a rich, loamy soil. This bush is suitable for zones 4 to 7. Install it in full sun or partial shade. Recommended for zones 5 to 8, Carol Mackie should be grown in partial sun to partial shade. Provide the bush with a rich soil that drains sharply. Very cold-hardy, purple-leaf sand cherry is suited to zones 2 to 8....

Some of these privacy screens can also be used to hide anything unsightly in your yard such as trash cans, recycling bins, an air conditioner, or even areas of your yard that you just don’t love. All of these DIY privacy screen projects are beginner-level and low-budget. You’ll learn a lot without spending a lot, and have a great build that you’ll be eager to share. Garbage Can Privacy Screen from Homemade by Carmona Wooden Gate Window Privacy Screens from Funky Junk Interiors Trellis Backyard Privacy Screen from Practically Functional Outdoor Privacy Screen from Neli Design Pretty DIY Window Privacy Screen from Thrift Diving Wood Privacy Screen from Crafted by the Hunts Decorative Outdoor Privacy Screen from From House to Home Outdoor Privacy Curtains from Southern State of Mind Under $100 Privacy Screen from Thrifty & Chic Trash Can Privacy Wall from Charleston Crafted

Here are 10 easy herbs to grow in your garden. USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 11 (depends on species)Color Varieties: Pink, purple, whiteSun Exposure: Full, partialSoil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 9Color Varieties: White, pink, redSun Exposure: FullSoil Needs: Loamy, sandy, dry to medium moisture, well-drained USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9Color Varieties: PurpleSun Exposure: Full, partialSoil Needs: Loamy, sandy, medium moisture, well-drained USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 7Color Varieties: White, yellowSun Exposure: Full, partialSoil Needs: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained...

The fun doesn’t have to be limited to ice cream flavors. You can also have kids try a variety of toppings such as sprinkles, cookie dough, syrups and broken up pieces of ice cream cones. Give each kid a bowl with a scoop of ice cream, and have them sit around a table that has been stocked with toppings. One at a time, they pass the die around, rolling it to see which component they get to add to their sundae first....