Happier @home Without Mosquitoes

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Mosquitoes in your home or backyard can be infuriating, especially when you have to deal with 10 bites from just one mosquito! Males bite once; females will bite until they are full and ready to lay eggs!

In order to make your summer more pleasurable @home, follow these steps to help get rid of mosquitoes:

  • Eliminate the source where mosquitoes come from! Repair torn screens to prevent mosquitoes from coming in through small gaps. Keep windows and doors closed when not using.
  • Prevent further breeding: Mosquitoes lay eggs on standing water, so emptying all standing water located in birdbaths, fountains, potted plants, wading pools, and other things capable of holding water will reduce the mosquito population at your home.
  • Empty moisture collecting sources: Another condition that mosquitoes are highly attracted to are dark, moist places. Clean out debris in gutters and thin out overgrown shrubbery, and swampy places to eliminate humid areas that harbor mosquitoes. 
  • Use bug repellents! Buy insect repellents to prevent getting bitten. If you want to try some natural remedies, consider growing mosquito repellent plants: lemongrass, citronella, mint, marigolds, rosemary.

 

Areas in your backyard that are most likely cultivating mosquito eggs.

Although this is a common insect that leaves you feeling itchy, but doesn’t seem like a big deal, people should take these precautions for health reasons. 

Mosquitoes can carry diseases such as the West Nile virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and Zika, which can be contracted by humans and pets. 

Another thought to keep in mind is that Mosquitoes typically bite when temperatures at night are above 68℉. Breeding season begins as early as May up until November.

Other Tips: Mosquitoes are most prevalent in humid areas such as stagnant swamps and puddles to lay their eggs, so make sure to put on bug spray before entering a wet forest or swamp!

Following these tips will make yours a safer and more pleasant place to call home!

Contact me for all things real estate.

You CAN Donate Old Textbooks!!!

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Beneficiaries of Books4Cause

I get so excited when I find resources that solve BIG problems…and in this case, do GOOD!!!

This is an organization that you can donate your OLD books to, including old textbooks.

This amazing resource is here in Chicago (also in NYC). It takes book donations and makes libraries in Africa… or gives them to schools here in Chicago or sells them to pay for shipping or recycles those that can’t find a new home. It’s called books4cause. Their office is located in Skokie, but they will even pick up the books from your home!

Get more facts at:  http://www.books4cause.com/
You can also find them on facebook under “books4cause”

Check them out, then share your experience, by commenting below.

How to CHOOSE SEA-LIFE SAFE SUNSCREENS that Don’t Kill Coral Reefs or Hurt Fishes

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Protect Sealife by choosing Non-Toxic sunscreen

Like me, are you heading south for a sunshine and ocean holiday vacation? Did you know that MOST sunscreens are killing the coral reefs and hurting the fishes? I just learned this, so I wanted to quickly share what you can do to help protect our sea-life.

Make a difference by choosing products that are NOT TOXIC. Below is a link to an article I found most useful in explaining the problem and how to choose ocean-safe products. In this post I have summarize the key points from this article and will show you two of the products I happened to have that appear to be ocean safe.

DON’Ts:

-Don’t use sunscreen with Active Ingredients: Oxybenzone and/or Octinoxate. They kill coral.

–Don’t use sunscreens with Methyl Paraben, Butyl Paraben, or Phenoxyethanol. These are preservatives that are also toxic.

-If you must use these, they don’t recommend using SPF ratings over 30. They are not anymore effective in protecting your skin and contain higher concentrations of the toxic chemicals.

–Don’t use aerosol sunscreens. The chemical ingredients are microscopic and [are] inhaled into the lungs, and dispersed airborne into the environment

Reef-safe sunscreen, bought at Walgreens.

DO:

-Do use sunscreen with Non-Nano Zinc Oxide

-Do use sunscreen with Non-nano Titanium Dioxide. See pictures. I bought these sunscreens at Walgreens, here in Highland Park,

–The best thing to do is wear UV protective shirts or “Rash Guards.”  A rash guard, also known as rash vest or rashie, is an athletic fitted, spandex top, bottom or one-piece that protects beachgoers from the sun and other elements. Surfers typically wear them while they are riding the waves or hanging out on the shore. These shirts/leggings have UV protection ratings.

Remember, you will still need sunscreen protection on your face, neck, feet and hands… so be sure to wear the non-toxic products!

Here is the article link: https://www.travelandleisure.com/style/beauty/reef-safe-sunscreen

Also reef-friendly sunscreen

 

 

 

HomeAlone and the Holidays, is like Hot Cocoa and Marshmallows

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It’s that time of year again. Thanksgiving meal hangover and my phone starts to buzz with emails from the media about the Home Alone home. It’s been nearly seven years since I sold the Home Alone home for the original owners, the ones who lived through the filming and got to know John Hughes and the cast. And all that happened nearly three decades ago, as the movie was released in 1990! Yet, the calls keep trickling in.

Not imagining there was any more I could possibly tell, I returned one of these calls as a courtesy. It was from Rich with “Guys Telling Stories.” He was interested in interviewing me for a podcast on what it was like to sell the Home Alone Home. I couldn’t help but ask why? Who could possibly be interested in this old story?

The-Home-Alone-House

Maybe it’s the time of year or maybe it’s the magic of the stately Red-Brick Georgian, but as we spoke it became crystal clear. It’s all about home. The place we make memories. The place we want to know everything about; every story. The place that protects us- keeping evil at bay. The place we bury hidden treasures, and breathes in new life with every newborn. So my story is another facet of the house of everyone’s dreams.

So, if you are so inclined, here is another chapter in the Home Alone Home story. Find a comfortable recliner, a warm blanket and sip on hot cocoa, as you learn a little about me and my telling of selling the Home Alone Home.

Happy holidays,  Marissa

P.S. Every home has a story. How is yours special?