What You Need To Know About Yellow Jackets

How to kill yellow jackets and keep them away. Yellow jackets are a bane to many people, particularly in the fall. Here’s how to identify yellow jackets, get rid of them, and prevent them. Credit: ElementalImaging/Getty Images How To Identify Yellow Jackets Yellow jackets are actually atype of wasp, hailing from the generaVespulaandDolichovespula. Often, they are mistaken for other types of wasps, like hornets, which have larger heads. They are even sometimes mistaken for bees, given their similar size and color....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 259 words · Kyle Holmes

What You Need To Know Before Buying A Vintage Light Fixture For Your Home

Jack Prestiais the owner of The Big Chandelier in Atlanta, Georgia. He and his wife Ellen source antique light fixtures all throughout Europe and restore them to their former glory. Sara McDanieloffers design and renovation consultations through her Louisiana-based business, Simply Southern Cottage. Credit: Mary Katherine Morris Jack Prestia is the owner of The Big Chandelier and holds certification from the Underwriters Laboratories (UL). He shares advice on what to look for when it comes to wiring....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 177 words · Andrea Conley

What You Need To Know If You're Finding Ladybugs In Your House

Plus a few strategies for keeping them outdoors. In cultures across the globe, ladybugs have come to symbolize prosperity. It’s even been said that finding one of these beetles in your home signals good luck. Credit: BSIP/Getty Images While the symbolism may seem fortuitous, an infestation of ladybugs in your home can be a pain. Are Ladybugs Harmful? That odor combined with their bright, spotted wings helps to deter predators....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 236 words · Lawrence King

What You Should And Shouldn't Store In Your Junk Drawer, According To The Pros

This dreaded black hole of stuff doesn’t have to be chaotic. Contrary to what you may believe, ajunk draweris not meant to be a catch-all for lifes throwaways. That would be your trash can. Credit:Johnrob/Getty Still, many people treat their junk drawer as a pre-garbage can limbo. In general, though, there are still some junk drawer dos and don’ts. Read on to learn about the proper function of a junk drawer and what does and doesnt belong there....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 522 words · Jesse Palmer

What Your Oven's Bottom Drawer Is Really For

Hint: its not shoes. Getty Images Youve likely never givenyour ovens bottom drawer much thought. In fact, its probably been weeks since you last opened it. Credit:Getty Images Or maybe, youve never even used it. Hey, no judgement here. The muffin tins we put in ours when we moved in are probably covered industby now. And its easy to see where the confusion comes from. The purpose of an ovens bottom drawer can vary greatly depending on the oven model....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 222 words · Brian Horn

What's A Fiddle? Everything You Need To Know About The Violin's Southern Cousin

We’re not letting this instrument play second fiddle anymore. Any Southern native, or transplant for that matter, has a general idea of what a fiddle is. “You know the fiddle licks from ‘The Devil Went Down To Georgia,’ " he says. Credit: Peter Xiong / EyeEm / Getty Images “It’s such an ingrained part of music where we are.” But what exactly is this omnipresent instrument? Is There A Difference Between A Violin And A Fiddle?...

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 430 words · Jose Steele

What's A Mayhaw?

Southerners go wild for this native berry’s jelly. My family loves mayhaws. What’s a mayhaw, you ask? Credit: Courtesy of Louisiana Mayhaw Organization If you asked my nephew, he’d say, “Mayhawthat’s thejelly I like.” Don’t know what I’m talking about? The mayhaw, the fruit of the mayhaw tree, is a lesser-known berry harvested inyou guessed itMay. What Is A Mayhaw? A punch in of hawthorn tree, mayhaw trees (Crataegus aestivalis,C....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 286 words · Brenda Durham

What's Appropriate Attire For Guests Attending A Debutante Ball?

Society is criticaldress accordingly. Despite the debut’s European roots, debutante balls are commonly associated with the South. or “What does ‘black tie’ actually mean?” Credit: FPG/Hulton Archive/Getty Images And really read it. Here are some dress code examples and what you and your date should wear in each scenario. Traditionally, the black tie was solely a bow tie. Suspenders are always an option under a dinner jacket, although not required....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 350 words · Wesley Heath

What's Killing My Boxwood?

Why is this awful thing happening? As always, Grumpy knows. The latter disease attacks the English boxwood. Credit:Nadya Tkach/Getty Images Above ground, the damage from either looks like this. Whole branches die, and the foliage drops. Dig up the afflicted plant, and you’ll see why theleaves turned brown. A diseased boxwood. Photo by Steve Bender.Credit:Photo by Steve Bender Most of the roots have rotted away. Boxwoods can only grow with roots....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 216 words · Matthew Medina

What's Really In Canned Pumpkin?

What’s inside might surprise you. Some say it can contain more than just pumpkin (and we aren’t talking about spices). What Is In Canned Pumpkin? Credit:Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox You may have heard that canned pumpkin is actually made of squash. That is both true and untrue. On Libby’swebsite, it states that their product is 100 percent pumpkin. In fact, its closest relative isbutternut squash. Libby’s uses this kind of gourd because it has both a better taste and texture than other pumpkins....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 224 words · Courtney Bryan

What's Really The Best Way To Reheat Leftover Chicken?

And what about reheating chicken after youve already cooked it? To maintain the best quality, your refrigerator temperature should be 41 degrees Fahrenheit or less, says Schaffner. Types of Leftover Chicken Can You Freeze Leftover Chicken? Credit:Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen With that timeframe, its ok if you dont get to your chicken leftovers the day after cooking. Schaffner points to the USDAFoodKeeper appas a good resource....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 100 words · Donna Duffy

What's The Best Substitute For Crème Fraîche?

Is it even possible to substitute creme fraiche? We’ve got a great suggestion that will crack the code. Sour cream is the best and easiest substitute for creme fraiche. Credit: Maximilian Stock Ltd./Getty Images This succulent ingredient is a staple in Europe, but harder to buy here in the United States. What Does Creme Fraiche Taste Like? Creme fraiche is a throw in of soured cream popular in France. Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 315 words · Cameron Farley

What's The Difference Between A Couch And A Sofa?

Though we wouldnt recommend correcting people on their choice of term. Laurey W. Glenn In America, most people consider the words “couch” and “sofa” interchangeable. After all, they’re both long, upholstered pieces of furniture intended for sitting and lounging. Credit:Laurey W. Glenn Whatever room youre decorating, heres the difference between a couch and a sofa. What’s the Difference? Historically speaking, a couch and a sofa are two different things. Cooper chose a performance velvet for the 20-foot banquette....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 203 words · Maria Duran