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Home Improvement

Watch out for some uninvited guests

By David Harris-John Smithereen Pest Management Services When the warm days of summer and autumn dwindle down to a precious few, many homeowners and apartment dwellers start to notice unwanted visitors. Visitors with four or more legs, that is. Flies, beetles, and rodents can suddenly appear inside our living spaces in small or great unwelcome numbers. Many of them do no real harm to us or our structures, but they can be a definite nuisance. They can become active during warm spells in autumn or winter, and usually become a problem again when they try to find their way back outside the next spring. Although they don’t cause much real damage, some of these pests can cause a real mess. Boxelder bugs, for example, leave reddish stains on furniture, floors or walls when they are mashed there. They can also be present in very large numbers, and their presence can become bothersome. Rodents and other urban wildlife can be serious health threats. They can carry and spread serious disease such as rabies or hantavirus. Many can harbor fleas, ticks, and mites, which might bite humans. They can often cause much damage to structures by chewing or tearing holes in walls, doors or screens, and damaging or contaminating food and clothing. Some of these pests are even a threat to bite us or our pets. If you have problems with these “party crashers,” contact a professional pest control company, which can help identify and control them using integrated pest management (IPM) procedures. IPM is a holistic, environmentally responsible approach to pest control. It emphasizes sanitation, exclusion, baiting and other non-chemical control measures, and utilizes safe, minimal amounts of pesticides only if necessary. Pest management plays a major role in allowing Chicagoans to live healthier, more prosperous and more comfortable lives. The pest management professional’s expertise, training and sophisticated techniques means that any application of pesticides will be done responsibly. ITALICIZE THE NEXT David Harris-John is corporate operations manager for Smithereen Pest Management Services, a Chicago company more than 100 years old.

Cleaning tubs made easy

By Ed Lowe special to inside Among the advantages of attending the trade shows held in Chicago is the opportunity to sample and evaluate new products. At last August’s National Hardware Show, one attention-getting product was called “Shower Blaster,” which promised to remove soap scum, rust stains and mildew from tubs and showers. Cleaning bathtubs is not any homemaker’s favorite task, and a fast and effective product would please many people who’d rather devote their time and energy to more pleasant tasks. Amazingly, it was easy to apply, and it did everything it promised—quickly and easily. The problem with Shower Blaster, as with many new products, is a lack of wide distribution. Several neighborhood stores responded to inquiries with “No, we don’t carry it.” At this point only one store in Chicago carries it—on the far south side of the city. It’s not yet available in any chain hardware stores or home centers. But, there’s good news for anyone wanting to save time and still have a sparkling bathroom. Call the manufacturer at (800) 391-9918 and order it by phone. At $4.99 per 32 ounce bottle, plus shipping and handling, it’s a value you’ll appreciate.

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