Here’s everything you oughta know to avoid a sticky situation on pasta night. Rachel Johnson There is nothing better than a heapingplate of pastawhen you’ve got a big appetite. And there is nothing worse than that heaping pile of pasta noodles sticking together in one giant mound. Credit:Rachel Johnson Dont let yourself get into this situation the next time you’re making your favorite noodles for pasta night. The amount of water you use to cook pasta is important in preventing the noodles from sticking together....

An expert weighs in. Unlike some wildlife species, raccoons (Procyon lotor) thrive even in urban areas. One reason the furry, striped mammals do well in various environments is that they are clever and adaptable. Credit:Getty Images / Diane Jackson But they can be destructive. Understanding Raccoon Behavior Raccoons areopportunistic feeders, chowing down on whatevers readily available. While theyre mostly nocturnal, its not unusual to see them out foraging during the day, says Owen....

Heres how to get control of these bacteria-carrying pests. Likeworrisome termites, cockroaches have a job to do, breaking down organic matter in the natural world. But even one cockroach isnt acceptable indoors. Credit:Getty Images They also can defecate or regurgitate pathogens on surfaces. Needless to say, you don’t want them in your home. Here’s how to get rid of roaches and keep them away. American Cockroach.Credit:Getty Images Meet The Experts What Causes Cockroaches?...

Heres how to keep skunks away from your home and garden. Skunks are easy to identify by appearanceand smell! The issue is if they decide to den under your porch or crawlspace. Credit:Getty Images / Karel Bock Skunks occasionally eat garbage and carrion. If given the opportunity, theyll sneak into a chicken coop and eat eggs, too, says Owen. Getty Images / Karel Bock What Are Skunks? Fortunately, skunks are not a huge problem for most homeowners....

Heres how to discourage snakes from hanging out in your yard. They also serve as prey for other predators, such as hawks. But probably the most important thing to know is that theyrenot at all interested in you. Credit:Getty Images Theyre shy animals that would rather hide than come in contact with us. Theyre also not as dangerous as many people think. Its okay to be uncomfortable with snakes, says Maerz....

Heres how to discourage squirrels from becoming a nuisance in your home and garden. Getty Images Squirrels are incredible little athletes, and their antics are fun to watch. But whats not fun? Credit:Getty Images When they gnaw on your bird feeder or take up residence in your attic. You cant keep squirrels completely away from your home and garden, says Michael Mengak, PhD. But you’ve got the option to take a few steps to reduce the damage they can cause....

But the truth is that wasps have a somewhat undeserved bad reputation. These insects do plenty of good in our lawns and gardens, and not alltypes of waspsare aggressive. Most of the time, wasps mind their own business. Credit:Getty Images When wasps are in your yard foraging, theyre not interested in you. Theyre just providing food for their babies, like any good parent. Of course, problems arise when wasps build their homes too close to ours....

Plus were naming the easiest care white hydrangea variety out there. Before investing in hydrangeas, you might be wise to do a little research. Can White Hydrangeas Change Color? Credit: Getty Images So you boughtblue hydrangeas and they turned pink? Which is good news for those looking to ensure their pretty ivory-toned blooms stay that way. “As fall approaches, some varieties will dry out to an antiqued white or warm tan....

Put a s’mores staple to good use. No amount of banging it against the counter will return it to its once supple, wet sand-like texture. Other interventions are required. Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Luckily, thats quite an easy thing to do. The refined sugars in your pantry comes from the juice of boiled sugarcane or sugar beets. In the refinement process of sugarcane, you get sugar crystals and molasses, a bitter but flavorful by-product....

Take these steps to protect your garden. Getty Images Winter in the South can be hard on plants. Fluctuating temperatures, sporadic freezes, and winter winds all take their toll on the garden. Credit:Getty Images Some plants need a little extra protection to make it through cold snaps. Dont wait until the weatherman predicts a freeze. Learn how to keep plants warm in winter and take steps now to prepare your garden....

Get rid of poison ivy quickly and naturally using these methods. Poison ivy grows quickly. Vines can grow as much as 20 feet in a season. Credit:Getty Images With all these creeping, crawlingpoisonous vines, eradicating them before they prove a larger problem is key. It is native throughout the U.S. and parts of Canada. It grows to 6 feet as a shrub. It is still poisonous during cooler months. Here are the pros and cons for different methods of getting rid of poison ivy....

Try these methods to prevent and kill grass in flower beds without damaging your other plants. Grass spreads rapidly in flower beds as it steals nutrients and water. Killing or getting rid of grass in flower beds is an ongoing process. Credit:Getty Images Try these methods to prevent and kill grass in flower beds without damaging your other plants. Vinegar:To be effective, usecleaning vinegarwhich is much stronger than apple cider or distilled white vinegar....

Instagram/@salsalhair Southern women know when it’s time to make the chop. However, Southern women also aren’t afraid to embrace a little changewhen it’s worth it. If you normally go short, a layered medium-length haircut could be your perfect refresher. Credit:Instagram/@salsalhair Factors to Consider A medium-length cut is any cut that ends between the shoulders and the chest. They’re often easier to care for than theirlonger counterpartsbut still long enough to style....