News
Can a Metal Roof Save Your Home From a Wildfire?
“The primary factor that experts—and the owners of the Lahaina Miracle House—attribute to its survival was its metal roof. Scott Allen, co-founder and licensed insurance agent at Seniors Life Insurance Finder explains why: “When it comes to home wildfire safety, there aren’t many surefire ways to ensure a house will remain unscathed. But experts have been touting metal roofs as one of the only real preventative measures that can be taken.”
This New Construction-Grade Building Material Recycles the World’s Worst Plastics
“Plastic is a massive contributor to global waste and pollution. In fact, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) states 91 percent of the plastics produced worldwide are not recycled. Among the biggest contributors to global plastic waste are single-use plastics. These everyday items are made from petrochemicals from the fossil fuel industry and are meant to be discarded right after they’re used. Some common examples include water bottles, straws, plastic bags, and product packaging. The routine use of these plastics is staggering in scale, with an approximate 150 million tons of single-use plastics being produced each year, according to the NRDC. While there have been mounting calls to ban single-use plastics, they still remain in use worldwide.”
It’s Swarm Season for Honeybees: How You Can Help Keep These Important Pollinators Safe
“Swarming is an essential part of a honeybee colony’s reproduction process. It occurs when a colony becomes too large for its existing hive, causing a group of bees to leave and seek out a new nesting site. Alternatively, the entire colony might leave a nesting site if they deem it to no longer be safe. The process typically takes place in the spring and early summer. Swarms are composed of a queen and a group of worker bees, including a number of scouts. The swarm sends out these scouts to find an ideal location to nest. Once the scouts agree on a nesting site, the swarm will fly there and settle in to begin producing honeycomb and collecting pollen.
Could a Ban on Ornamental Grasses Aid Water Conservation?
“Las Vegas has been in the midst of a water shortage crisis for the last decade. In fact, 2020 was one of the driest years on record in the region, with 240 days without measurable rainfall. Simultaneously, Southern Nevada’s water consumption is on the rise, increasing 9 percent since 2019. In 2003, the water authority successfully banned developers from planting ornamental front yards in new subdivisions. Now, they’re tackling public areas. An amendment to Assembly Bill 356 by the SNWA aims to reduce consumption. The organization suggests that the Las Vegas metro area has 8 square miles—or more than 5,000 acres—of “nonfunctional turf” in street medians, housing developments, office parks, and other areas that get little to no practical use. This decorative grass needs four times more water than alternative, water-smart landscaping.”
Product Recalls You Need to Know About as of July 1, 2024
“Keeping up to date with the latest product recalls is essential in keeping our homes safe. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) plays a key role in this by regularly issuing recalls across a diverse range of products. We’ve rounded up products in our most-watched categories here at Bob Vila and will be updating the list regularly to keep you informed. For the most current information between our updates, you can consult the CPSC website.
If you discover that a product in your home has been recalled, the first step is to stop using it immediately. Then, follow the instructions found in the official recall notice. This typically involves contacting the manufacturer or distributor in order to arrange for a repair, refund, or replacement.”
Mosquito Season 2024—What to Expect and How to Prepare
“Between El Niño and climate change, spring has come earlier than usual this year in the U.S. As the temperatures climb and the days stretch longer, the familiar buzzing sound of summer draws near—it’s the return of the mosquitoes. These small, troublesome insects not only disrupt outdoor activities but they also bring health concerns due to their ability to spread diseases like Zika, West Nile, Chikungunya, dengue, and malaria.
As we approach the 2024 mosquito season, Americans need to be aware of what lies ahead and how to prepare for their arrival. To shed light on this topic, we reached out to experts from Thermacell, the spatial mosquito repellent and targeted tick control solutions company, and Mosquito Joe, a Neighborly company. They provided insights into the expected challenges and effective mosquito control solutions to know this year.”