All posts by Jannaire Faulkner

5 Ways to Prevent Moths Attacking Your Wardrobe

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With the warmer weather approaching it’s more than likely that before you know it, your wardrobe full of fine, soft wools, cashmere, and even your favourite jumper could become ragged and ruined from moth infestation. We thought it would be useful to include 5 easy and effective solutions to prevent these garment-hungry pests infesting your wardrobe.

Clothing Moths 6

1. Cleaning out your wardrobe regularly –This includes both your wardrobe itself and your clothing. Firstly, it is recommended that you remove all clothing from your wardrobe periodically, throwing out any clothing that is old and unworn. This stops moths being attracted to the dust and dirt normally found on older clothing, such as vintage items for example. By shaking out your clothing and exposing it to sunlight season to season, moths will be deterred from visiting. Equally, it is important that your wardrobe itself is clean and dust-free, therefore should be cleaned out regularly to avoid attracting moths.

2. Using scents in your home – There are a few particular scents that can discourage moths. Lavender has been found to be a popular and effective budget friendly method of deterring moth infestation. Similar to moth balls, lavender bags can be easily stored with clothing in your wardrobe, as the natural aromas repel the moths. Although, most lavender bags use a chemical to preserve and strengthen the aroma, so if you prefer a more natural approach, conkers can also be an effective method. Used by fashion designer Giles Deacon, it is said that the brown skins on conkers contain a specific compound named triterpenoid saponin that warns off the pests.

3. Storing garments properly – As the seasons change and we approach the warmer months, there may be clothing less appropriate for the warmer weather that should be stored away. This is not only effective in simplifying the contents of your wardrobe, but stops moths from attacking your knitwear unnoticed. It is important that clothes are cleaned thoroughly before storing away, with airtight containers or vacuum packs being an effective storage method.

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4. Vacuuming regularly – Although referenced to as clothing moths, they are also attracted to carpets and furnishings around your home. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly vacuum, focusing on the edges of your carpets and underneath wardrobes and tables as these are places that can often be forgotten, yet are a manna to moths.

5. Freezing clothes – If you have already begun to notice larvae and moth eggs, these can be killed off by wrapping delicate garments such as silk and wool in plastic and freezing them for at least 12 hours. This is an effective way of removing all signs of moth infestation for clothing that cannot be washed at a high temperature.

What to do if all else fails?

If you’ve tried to de-moth your wardrobe and failed, call in an expert pest controller. They will ensure all moths are treated efficiently and won’t return, causing as little disturbance as possible.

We recommend TDC Pest Control. Operating 24 hours* a day, 7 days* a week, meaning that if you have an emergency and need a pest controller you can rely on, TDC Pest Control

 

8 Helpful Home Hacks

Blog, Electrical and Energy Saving, Glazing, Home Health, Home Security, News, Pest Control, Plumbing & Drainage, , , , , , ,

Home hacks are an extremely useful way to save both time and money around your home. That’s why we have scoured the internet in order to find what we think are the most effective and time efficient home hacks that anyone can use. Many are obvious, small changes that can be implemented in your day to day life, although we have also listed some real game changers we bet you’ve never thought of below.

double glazing

1. Bug Spray can do more than prevent pests – If you need to remove stubborn stickers from windows, bug spray can shift them quickly, without leaving any marks.

2. Clingfilm can be just as effective as double glazing – If you have smashed a window or have a single glazed window that is failing to insulate your home effectively, try using clingfilm. By taping the clingfilm across the window frame and tightening it with a hair-dryer, you are essentially trapping air within and reducing heat transfer, sharing the same principle as double glazing.

3. To reduce pesky draughts, invest in a rubber weather sealant – These can easily be found either in your local homeware store or online and are very inexpensive. This is an effective temporary solution to conceal old windows that may need to be replaced.

4. If your refrigerator is pushed back as far as possible – Moving it forward slightly can reduce energy usage of it as much as 40%.

5. Homemade pest control remedies – Such as cedar oil and baking soda can be used to deter pests from infesting in your home, and even protect your plants. Read our recent post Homemade Remedies: An Effective Form of Pest Control more information.

6. When painting the walls in your home – If stale smoke or other odours are an issue, add a few drops of vanilla to your paint. This will help combat odours that have seeped into your drywall.

7. If you are short of space – Try using a shelf as a table. For example, if you would like a bedside table in your room for a lamp but do not have sufficient floor space, a floating shelf can be very effective in utilising the space you do have.

8. There is even a hoover hack – If you are worried about hoovering up a lost earring for example, simply put a pair of tights at the end of the nozzle and secure tightly with an elastic band, that way the earring can be caught without going into the vacuum cleaner.

Do you have any useful home hacks that consistently save you time and money? Let us know in the comments!

Professional tradesmen recommended by Home Guidance:

How to Find & Turn Off The Main Water Supply Valve in Your Home

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Plumbing 4

If you have discovered a leaking or burst pipe, it is important to know where the main water supply valve is in your home in order to shut it off immediately.

Firstly, it is important to know where your main water supply is in your property. The location of the main water supply can vary from property to property, try checking the basement or crawl space below your house. Alternatively, it may be near your water heater or garage.

To turn off your water supply, simply turn the valve clockwise as far as it will go. If you are still having problems with finding your water supply, or cannot turn it off for whatever reason, find the water meter and turn it off this way (you will need a meter key to do this).

Alternatively, if you have a plumbing emergency and need a professional plumber you can rely on to be with you in under 90* minutes, we recommend East London Plumbers. 

 

 

Garden Pests: What You Need to Know

Blog, News, Pest Control, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Cat and mouse - pest control

We all know garden pests can be a pain, especially in the warmer months. With some obvious culprits such as wasps and bees, to the lesser known pests such as moles, squirrels and even foxes. We have included a helpful list of what you need to know about garden pests, with some helpful tips on how to treat them too.

Moles

Moles are burrowing mammals measuring at approximately 12-15cm in length, with a dark, brown-black fur covered body. These mammals are virtually blind and live underground, maneuvering through and creating a network of tunnels. Because of this, they are thought to be a pest as they are notorious for leaving mounds of earth on the surface. One of the most effective ways of identifying if you have a mole problem can include checking your soil and lawn for their tunnels as they should appear as raised swellings; moles prefer moist soil and are generally most active in the spring or autumn.

squirrelclimbing

Squirrels

Some squirrels such as the grey squirrel are subject to pest control as they are known to use nearby foliage to enter the home (generally in the attic) gnawing at wiring which can in turn lead to costly repairs. To deter squirrels from entering your home and avoid an infestation, try cutting all shrubbery back, as this will cut off a main access point. The red squirrel however is a protected species. This is because they are endangered, due to their population dramatically declining in the last 50 years.

Badgers

Much like red squirrels, all badgers are protected in the UK. They are not an endangered species, but it is still an offence to wilfully kill, injure or take a badger.

Foxes

Many homeowners will refer to foxes as pests. This is because they not only try and source food for their young by going through your bins, but are known to dig up earth and sometimes cause damage to a once aesthetically pleasing garden.

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Bees and Wasps

As the warmer season approaches, it is not uncommon to see more bees and wasps in your garden. However, if you notice a nest in your garden on even in your loft, it is important that you do not disturb this and call a professional and certified pest controller that will be able to treat this both safely and efficiently.

Read here for our top homemade remedies in controlling pests in your garden.

If you are suffering from an infestation and need a pest controller you can rely on, we recommend TDC Pest Control, a nationwide, 24 hour* pest control company with over a decade of experience.

 

6 Efficient Ways to Reduce Your Energy Bills

Blog, Electrical and Energy Saving, News, , , , , , , , , ,

There are a few obvious ways to reduce energy consumption in your home, from changing your energy supplier to using less gas and electricity as a household. As effective as they are, we thought we would include some of the lesser known tips and tricks you may not have tried to ensure your energy bills will falter in no time.

Energy Bills

 

1. Update your windows & glazing – If you still have single glazed windows in your home and are finding your heating bills to be high, investing in double glazed windows can resolve this, as well as providing an array of additional benefits. Read here for more information about the benefits of double glazing.

2. Replace your boiler – If your boiler is over 10 years old, it will be using a lot more energy than that of a newer model. Although replacing your boiler can be a fairly big investment to make, modernising your source of heating can provide instant benefits and be a more economical option.

3. Insulate your home – Much like glazing, if your home is not properly insulated, you will find yourself turning the heating on much more than could be necessary. There are various ways to improve your home’s insulation, many of which are very cost effective. Energy suppliers are even offering free home insulation deals as they have to meet strict energy efficiency targets set by the government. By making your home more energy efficient, you could save hundreds of pounds each year.

Energy Bills

Image from BBC iWonder

4. Time your heating thermostat – By being aware of the heating in your home and knowing how it works, it will be easier to control how long it is on for. For instance, if you have a thermostat in which you control your heating, you can set a timer for the heating to come on at specific times each day. By making this small change, it will prevent the heating from being left on for extended periods of time.

5. Replace or uninstall old appliances – Old appliances can actually use more energy than modern appliances. In fact, one of the main culprits for higher energy consumption is old air conditioners. According to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, ‘buying a new air conditioner with an energy efficiency rating (EER) of 10, to replace an older one rated at 5, can halve the cost of cooling that room.’

6. Assess your home and make small changes – By becoming more conscious of your energy usage as a household, and developing small but effective habits such as washing your clothes at 30 degrees and turning off appliances that aren’t being used, you will soon notice a difference in your energy bills.

Think you can cut your energy bills? Or do you have any other essential energy saving tips? Let us know in the comments or tweet us @Home_Guidance

If you have any issues with the electricity or heating in your home it is always important to never try and resolve this yourself. You should always be sure to use a professional and reputable company.

Electricians recommended by Home Guidance:

Electricians Wraysbury

Electricians Billericay

Electricians Dartford

For more information and statistics about keeping your energy usage down, read BBC iWonder’s infographic here.

How to Find a Water Leak in Your Home

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Whether you have noticed that your water bill has become unusually high, or you have discovered damp on the ceiling and aren’t sure where the leak is coming from,  we have included our top tips to identify a leaking pipe below.

http://www.eastlondonplumber.co.uk/

If left untreated, leaking pipes can lead to serious damage in your home. You could even end up with mould that can potentially cost thousands of pounds to repair.

So, how do you find a water leak in your house?

Signs of Leaking Pipework in Your Home

If you suspect you may have a leaking pipe but are not sure what to look out for, the early signs of leakage include:

  • Stains on your walls
  • A damp, musty smell
  • Peeling wallpaper
  • Wooden floors and surfaces buckling.

Check Everywhere

It is important to thoroughly check every single conceivable part of your property. Do you have an attic, basement or crawlspace? Make the effort to inspect them one by one, and save yourself from having to pay the plumber an additional fee. Check all faucets, kitchen units and radiators.

Toilets in particular often leak in a slow and discreet manner that is difficult to spot. A top tip to identify the source of a leaking toilet would be to try placing food colouring in your toilet tank, and placing kitchen roll around the base of the toilet. Any leakage as a result of flushing should then become easier to spot.

If you have tried our tips and still need a plumber to resolve a leaking pipe dilemma, it is important to always use a reputable plumbing company with fully qualified, professional plumbers. We recommend East London Plumbers, an emergency plumbing service operating 365 days* a year.