pests

10 Repairs That Aren't Your Landlord's Responsibility

Mikey Rox — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 09:00:22 +0000

One of the benefits of being a renter as opposed to being a homeowner is that the landlord is responsible for many costly home-improvement projects, like replacing a leaky roof or updating dying appliances. But not all domestic damage is his or her responsibility. What exactly are you on the hook for? Find out which home repairs are not your landlord's problem — and start saving up for them now.

1. Replacing light bulbs, batteries, and HVAC filters

The landlord can't control how much you run the lights, so replacing bulbs when they burn out is your responsibility. The same may be true for replacing batteries where necessary, including those in smoke and CO2 detectors, which should be outlined in your lease so that there's no confusion about who's supposed to keep up with home safety. Many leases will also require tenants to replace air filters in HVAC systems on a regular basis (ideally every three months, but landlords often supply the filters).

2. Unclogging backed-up drains that you caused

Here's what I've learned from personal experience: Don't put eggshells or potato skins in the garbage disposal if you don't know how to unclog the sink. Otherwise, it'll cost you a visit from the plumber, because this is definitely not your landlord's problem. Same goes for the toilet — you do the crime, you do the time. Unclog it yourself or call someone ASAP before the problem turns into more damage from overflowing water and other "stuff."

Practice other considerate grooming habits, too — like cleaning your hair out of drains to keep pipes in working order. If your landlord has to come over to do this for you, he or she has every right to tack an extra fee onto your rent that month.

3. Certain pest infestations

Assuming that you're moving into a rental unit that doesn't have any existing vermin problems (you should verify this independently before signing a lease; don't just take the landlord's word for it), you may be responsible for any rodent or bug infestations that occur after you move in. Be sure to check the terms of your lease as well as any state-specific laws regarding pests such as bedbugs.

Certain living habits, like leaving old food out or failing to regularly take out the trash, can attract ants, cockroaches, or even rats. If your landlord finds you responsible for the infestation, you will likely have to pay up to get rid of the problem.

Other bug or rodent infestations can happen naturally. Termites, for example, can infest any building regardless of your living habits. In this case, it's on the landlord to get an exterminator. (See also: 6 Cheap Ways to Get Rid of Household Pests)

4. Lawn care and snow shoveling at single-family homes

Unless your landlord has agreed to handle the mowing and snow shoveling in the single-family home you're renting, you'll need to get out there yourself. While you can let the lawn go for a little while, you're legally required to have your sidewalk shoveled within a few hours after a snowstorm ceases. Fail to do it and you could face fines from the city, which also will be your responsibility. If you live in a multiunit dwelling, however, the landlord generally takes on this responsibility him or herself or hires someone to do it.

5. Damage to property due to your negligence

Being a decent human being means taking responsibility for damage caused by your own negligence — accidental or not — and that of your family, friends, kids, and other guests you invite into the home. Your landlord is not responsible for anyone's carelessness; you can't punch holes in the walls during an argument and expect them to fix it. And please, don't lie to get out of whatever it is you or they did to damage the property. Be an adult, pay for the repairs, and move on (ideally with people who don't destroy things).

6. Carpet cleaning and repainting

One of the biggest costs to landlords is replacing carpet ruined over time by tenants. I've seen some of this damage myself, and I'm frankly baffled by how disrespectful some people are and the lengths they'll go to try to skirt the cost of cleaning or replacing the carpet.

Repainting the walls their original color (if you've painted them) is also your responsibility. This should absolutely be a clause in your lease, but you should always contact your landlord before making any paint decisions. (See also: 7 Smart Ways to Get Your Apartment Deposit Back)

7. Pet damage

I once had a tenant who was not authorized to bring an animal into my shore rental, but did so anyway. When I questioned her about it, she denied it. I explained to her the strong smell of feline urine upstairs, at which point she revised her story to having a dog in the house briefly. I wasn't born yesterday, lady. The dog bit was a lie, too — but it didn't matter what kind of pet was in my house. It was unauthorized, and I passed the cleaning bill right along to her.

8. Misuse of appliances that cause them to malfunction

You break it, you buy it — that's the rule with appliances in your rental that you've damaged. Whether you've caused a dryer fire from neglecting to clean out the lint trap, burned out motors from working appliances too hard, or caused the dishwasher to overflow because you thought laundry detergent would work in lieu of dishwashing liquid (shout-out to my ex-husband), it's all your responsibility. If any appliance just stops working, however, it's probably on your landlord — so give 'em a call.

9. Holes in the wall from frames and shelving that you hung

Before you can get your security deposit back, your landlord will want to make sure a few tasks are completed, including patching up holes you've put in the wall from frames, shelves, and other damage you may have caused to the drywall and paint from adhesives. Skip out on it and you can kiss your money goodbye.

10. Anything else outlined in the lease

Read your lease closely before signing. Most issues of landlord/tenant responsibility are outlined in the document. Keep it on hand to go over again if issues arise so you can quickly determine whether or not the burden and financial responsibility falls on you. Once your signature is on the lease, you're legally bound to it. If you feel like something outlined should be the landlord's responsibility, discuss it beforehand to revise if necessary. After that there's no wiggle room — it's either your problem, or not.

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This article is from Mikey Rox of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Your Hotel Room Has Bedbugs. Now What?

Aja McClanahan — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 09:30:09 +0000

Bedbug infestations can quickly turn into a living nightmare. It seems like almost everyone knows at least one or two people who've been affected by the epidemic. What's more, bedbugs can easily be transported from one place to another via shoes, luggage, public transportation, and found in places you frequent like the grocery store or your favorite cafe.

Perhaps one of the most unnerving discoveries you'll ever make is finding bedbugs in your hotel room or vacation rental. You don't expect the place you've trusted to provide you with rest, refuge, and recreation to add another layer of stress to your life. So when bedbugs pop up, you'll want to know the next steps to take so that you might get some type of compensation or refund for your trouble, and be able to prevent the bugs from coming home with you.

If you find out that your hotel or vacation rental has bedbugs, here's what you should do.

Find the bedbugs

Hunting for a bedbug may not sound like your idea of fun, but it can help set up a convincing case for the hotel to take action. The EPA provides a handy guide on what the itchy offender looks like, along with the evidence that the bedbugs are around: dark blotchy blood stains, insect skins that have been shed, and even small dark droppings left by the bug.

Common places they will hang out include the creases of sheets and crevices of furniture, so start with your mattress. Lift it up. Check the edges and then look around the baseboards, electrical switch plates, curtains, and vents. Basically, anywhere there's a recess that could harbor the small bug is where you should look. (See also: This DIY Bedbug Detector Is Full of Science)

Take photos

Once you find the bedbugs, take pictures of every place you've found them. You want to get "action shots" up close and far away so that when you present the photographic evidence to the hotel, they will recognize their interior and the fact the bugs are, indeed, present on their property. If you can capture a bug, even better!

As you can imagine, there could be people who take advantage and might fraudulently plant or complain about bedbugs in order to get money back or a full refund for their hotel stay. So you want to make an airtight case that proves the presence of bedbugs.

Don't forget to take pictures of yourself, too. If you've got welts or red streaks from scratching, take pictures of them. If you visit a local urgent care facility to be treated, present the record of your visit and any prescriptions given to you for treatment.

Of course, there's no guarantee that your host will offer compensation for the inconvenience, but it's worth trying everything you can to convince them that this problem originated on their premises.

Protect your belongings

Once you're sure your hotel or rental has bedbugs, it's time to check your luggage. Empty your bags, and check your clothing.

Even if you don't find any bedbugs in your belongings, there are few things that you can do to prevent bedbug eggs or larvae from becoming full grown bedbugs that latch onto your luggage and head home with you:

Place your belongings, like clothing, in plastic bags you can seal until you are able to inspect and clean them.
Place the clothing you will be taking home in the wash and then dry on high heat (which bedbugs hate) to kill any bedbugs that could be hiding.
Have the carpets and furniture thoroughly vacuumed. This is an effective way to kill adult bedbugs as well as nymphs and eggs, but isn't a foolproof way to remove all bedbugs from the environment. Professional assistance may still be required, but it works as a short-term solution to the problem.

Alert your host

Your host may or may not be aware of the presence of bedbugs. They could offer you another room or send a pest control worker to contain the problem immediately.

Be diplomatic in your approach, because you could forfeit your chance at getting a refund. Present your photographic evidence, any stained sheets, or the actual bug so they know your claim is real. Be clear on the outcome you desire. If you want your stay refunded, let them know that. If you want them to cover the cost of cleaning or replacing your belongings, make that clear as well.

Report the problem

If your hotel has bedbugs, you can alert local health department officials. They may have even more tips on things you can do to protect yourself in the moment and upon returning home.

If you're not getting anywhere with your host or hotel management in terms of a resolution, reach out to corporate offices. Some people even report their problems on social platforms like Twitter to get an immediate resolution. Most hotel chains want to avoid this negative PR attention, so this can be an effective way to get a quicker customer service response.

Then there are national registries like Bedbug Registry and Bedbug Report, where you can report bedbug infestations at hotels. Don't forget to leave reviews on sites like Yelp and Google business, or even the platform where you booked your stay, like Airbnb or VRBO. (See also: What to Do About a Terrible Airbnb Stay)

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This article is from Aja McClanahan of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

How to Overcome These 5 Worst Homeownership Fears

Annie Mueller — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 08:30:06 +0000

Buying a home is a big step that, in many cases, will bring you years of happiness. But there's also a long list of things that can go wrong when you buy a house.

My husband and I bought our first home in the bliss of complete ignorance. We didn't even know enough to be afraid, but we should have. A little healthy fear of potential problems can help you prepare so you can avoid them. Here are ways to overcome five legitimate homeownership fears by employing some preventive action.

1. Pests

In my home-living experience, I have dealt with fleas, mice, ants, spiders, ladybugs, and moles. Oh, also termites. Those are the ones I know about, anyway.

Dealing with pests is a big fear for potential homeowners, and I get it. Pests are gross and invasive and make you feel dirty. They can also make you sick. You don't want them around.

There are two great facts about pests, however. First, dealing with pests, even at an infestation level, is doable and not necessarily expensive. And second, a thorough inspection before buying a home will ensure that you're not moving into something already infested.

Mind you, your standard pre-closing house inspection won't necessarily alert you to pest issues. You'll need to hire a pest control specialist to do a thorough inspection before you close on a home.

Dealing with pests when you're already in a home is unpleasant, but not impossible. You can use any of the many available DIY pest solutions or call a professional exterminator. A regular pest control service (you can sign up for a monthly plan) will keep most pests at bay and alert you to potential issues.

2. Water damage

First things first: Water issues can be a big problem. You want to know if the house you're about to purchase has any now, has had any in the past, or potentially might have more in the future. Your inspector is your friend. If you notice any telltale signs of water damage, ask the listing agent outright for all the facts. And ask the home inspector to pay close attention to those areas.

Most water damage can be prevented with a few smart moves.

Avoiding burst pipes

Winterize all your outdoor faucets to avoid the pain of a burst pipe. Buy an insulated faucet cover (less than $10) on Amazon or at any hardware store. Put it on your outdoor spigot (takes five minutes, tops). Take it off when warm weather returns.

Avoiding clogged pipes

If you have small children, or even adults with long hair, a clogged pipe is likely to happen. Purchase a drain snake and you can deal with most clogged pipes yourself. If it's something a little more serious (we had tree root issues), it can cost between $100 and $200 to have a nice person with a long, rotary, motorized drain cleaner come out and fix the clog.

When you move into a home, find a nearby plumber. Ask the neighbors for a recommendation if you're new to the area. Ask the plumber the cost to do a thorough inspection of the plumbing in the house. A plumber can let you know where clogs are likely to occur and whether there is any old or worn-out plumbing that should be replaced.

Avoiding a flooded basement

Handling a flooded basement is, as with most house issues, not a lot of fun. But it's not the end of the world, either. The best news is that most flooding can be prevented by having well-maintained gutters, a sump pump, and landscaping that directs the flow of water away from your house.

3. Mold

Mold is a scary thing when you're buying a home. Mold often grows where you don't see it, and it can make you very sick. But although mold is gross, it is easy to detect and simple to eliminate.

Most states require any known mold issues, past or present, to be included on the seller's disclosure. Mold is a potential issue for a house that is in a humid environment or that has had water issues in the past. If your potential home fits that description, and there's no mention of mold on the seller's disclosure, consider a specialized inspection. A mold inspection typically costs under $1,000 and can give you great peace of mind.

If the inspection turns up evidence of mold, get an estimate on mold remediation and negotiate with the sellers.

4. Fires

The thought of a fire is terrifying for many homeowners. The good news is you can lessen the probability of a fire by staying on top of a few important things.

Review the house inspection for any issues with wiring or electrical fixtures. Negotiate to have these issues fixed or to have the cost of the repairs taken off the price. Keep smoke detectors installed and test them monthly. (You'll want to have carbon monoxide detectors installed, as well.) Other common-sense fire safety tips include being smart about how you use space heaters, electrical cords, and heat lamps, as well as regularly having your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, your dryer vents, and your chimneys cleaned.

5. Floods

If you live near a large body of water, you may be in a flood zone. Find out when floods have happened in your area and how big they have gotten. This will tell you how often flooding is a problem and how likely a flood is to reach your home. (Start your search online, and, for more detailed information, follow up with your local City Works department.) You can prevent many flooding issues with the same practices that keep your plumbing in shape: a good inspection, a good plumber, good maintenance, and good landscaping.

Homeownership can be intimidating, but many disasters are preventable to a certain degree. Preparation and awareness are key in handling anything that comes your way.

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This article is from Annie Mueller of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

20+ Questions to Ask During an Open House

Annie Mueller — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 08:30:14 +0000

Shopping for real estate can be daunting. It takes time and discernment to know which house is right for you. To avoid wasting time on open house visits, be prepared with these key questions. If you find a house that matches your wish list, chat with the listing agent to find out all the details you don't want to overlook.

Before you start asking questions

First things first: Pick up a copy of the property information. These are often on the kitchen counter or near the entry during open houses. Many people view the house, and then look over the information. But the disclosure statements often reveal things you'll want to see while on site; maybe there was water damage, or the carpets were recently replaced. Spend five minutes reviewing the property information so you can eyeball the improvements or issues as you move from room to room.

Some listing agents will wait near the information sheets, ready to talk to prospective buyers. If you're not ready to chat yet, say so; the agent should accommodate your desire to view the house and review the information before either of you starts asking questions.

General questions

Ask these questions to get an idea of the overall condition of the house and area.

What's the reason for the sale?

This may seem like a personal question, but it's a valid one. If the house is being sold because the owners are unhappy with its condition, need for repairs, the safety of the area, or the feel of the neighborhood, you want to know. Your goal is to understand if the reason for the sale is personal or due to an issue with the house or area.

Don't press for personal information about the owners, of course; the agent should protect their confidentiality while giving you a top-level answer. If the agent is very hesitant, or unable to provide even a generic or partial answer, note that. If you're interested in the house, you can have your own real estate agent follow up with the listing agent.

What are the biggest problems with the house?

If you ask, "Are there any major problems with the house?" then the agent may say, "No, it's in great shape." Phrasing matters. Every house has problems. This is the time to find out what those problems are. The listing agent wants to sell the property, of course, but they want the sale to be a satisfactory one.

In many states a seller's disclosure is required, and should be included with the property information. You can ask for more details on any issues disclosed:

Have there been any more water problems since the sump pump was replaced?
How extensive was the termite damage listed on the disclosure?
Have the owners done any further mold testing?

Asking for more information will help you determine if the issues have been resolved or would require additional repair or maintenance.

What are the average utility costs?

Older houses tend to be less energy efficient, and can come with heftier utility bills than you'd expect. On the other hand, the owners may have a installed top-of-the-line HVAC system, put in double-paned windows, and invested in other energy-saving upgrades. The listing agent will know, or be able to find out, the average monthly cost for utilities. It's a good idea to ask for a typical monthly cost in the winter and in the summer, so you can compare how much the energy use might fluctuate seasonally.

Has the price changed at all?

The listing agent will know the history of the house, if the listing price has dropped or increased, and the reasons for any change in price. A lower listing price can be great news for you, but multiple drops in price should be a red flag. Was the house listed much too high for the area? Or are there major issues that are keeping buyers away?

In your discussion on price, you can ask other questions to get an idea of the urgency of the sellers:

How long has the house been on the market?
Have there been other offers on the house?
Are the sellers eager to negotiate?
Are the sellers in a hurry to sell?

You may not get direct answers to all these questions, but they're still worth asking. If you are genuinely interested in the property, talking with the agent can give you insight on what matters most to the sellers. If they're in a hurry to move, for example, they might accept a lower offer with a rushed closing date.

Is this a good neighborhood for families?

Maybe you don't have a family; this is still a good question to ask, because "family-friendly" is often code for safe, clean, and welcoming. Are there community events nearby? Is there a neighborhood association? Ask the agent about the nearest places for shopping, entertainment, and dining out. If the nearest grocery store is 10 miles away but the nearest bar is just around the corner, it may not be so family-friendly, after all.

A discussion about the neighborhood is a good time to ask about area resources and attractions, as well as cost of living:

Are there any parks or natural attractions nearby?
What do people in this area like to do for fun?
What's the best restaurant nearby?
Do you know what the average income is for this area?
Where is the nearest hospital?

Room by room questions

Some questions are room-specific. Ask the agent to walk through the house with you and discuss as you go.

Kitchen

Which appliances are included? How old are they?
Have there been any major updates or renovations in the kitchen?
Are there any water issues in the kitchen?
Have there been any major repairs in the kitchen?

Basement

Are there any water issues in the basement?
Is there a sump pump installed?
Have there been any issues with mold?

Living rooms and bedrooms

How old is the carpet?
What's underneath the carpet?
Have the rooms been recently painted?
Are the window treatments included?
Have there been any renovations or updates done lately?

Bathrooms

Are there any water issues in the bathrooms?
How is the water pressure? (Ask if you can check it.)
How recently have the bathroom fixtures been updated?

Yard

Does the landscaping allow water to flow away from the house?
Are there any wet or soggy areas in the yard?
Have the owners done regular pest control?
Are there any issues with the yard or garden?

Open house etiquette

Open houses vary, but there are some common etiquette rules to follow. Don't forget to sign in; leave your name only if you prefer not to include your contact information. Be sure to greet the listing agent. Let the agent know you have questions, but don't keep them from being able to interact with other visitors. Discuss, don't dominate.

Expect to answer a few questions about yourself, such as "How long have you been looking?" A good listing agent will be trying to determine who's a serious buyer and who's there for the free mints.

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This article is from Annie Mueller of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

8 Problems Home Sellers Must Disclose to Buyers

Dan Rafter — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 09:00:13 +0000

No home is perfect. When you're selling one, your job is to highlight its best features — the big backyard, the renovated kitchen, and the bright sunroom — while downplaying the too-small master bedroom or the cramped first-floor bathroom.

But there are certain negatives that you shouldn't hide. If you keep these problems secret — anything from a leaky basement to past termite damage — you might face a future lawsuit from your former home's new owners.

What is a disclosure agreement?

When you're selling a home, you'll have to sign a disclosure form asking you several "yes/no" questions about your house. The form might ask whether your basement has leaked, if your home has suffered termite damage, if your property sits in a flood zone, whether past construction work has been done without the proper permits, and whether your home has suffered past sewer backups.

You'll have the option to answer "yes," "no," or "I don't know" on these questions.

If you lie on this form, it could lead to trouble. State regulations vary, but you could be responsible for what you do and don't disclose on this form for up to 10 years. If you lie on your disclosure form, the new owners can hit you with an expensive lawsuit.

Keep in mind that every state has different rules when it comes to disclosures. California, for example, has some of the strictest disclosure regulations for sellers to follow. Here, sellers must disclose any possible hazards relating to floods, earthquakes, and fires in what is known as a Natural Hazard Disclosure Statement. Sellers in the state of California must also provide buyers with a form that alerts them to a state database of sex offenders living near the home.

Other states typically require less. It's best to work with your real estate agent on the required disclosures in your state and municipality.

1. Lead-based paint

Under the federal government's Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992, if your house was built before 1978, you must disclose all known examples of lead-based paint in your home. You must also provide buyers a pamphlet prepared by the EPA titled "Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home," which offers them tips on how to keep their children and others safe from lead paint.

Under the federal law, buyers also have 10 days to test the house for lead paint.

Don't try to skip out on this disclosure. Under federal law, buyers can sue you for triple the amount of damages that they actually suffered because of lead paint if you fail to follow the disclosure rules.

2. A leaky basement

Even if you are not legally required to disclose all the problems with your home, there are some that you're better off listing. For instance, if your basement floods during heavy rain, don't hide it. Your new owners will find out when the next big storm hits, and you can bet they won't be happy. If you're unlucky, they might file a lawsuit against you for hiding this information.

3. A leaky roof

Disclose a damaged or leaky roof, too, if you haven't repaired it. This is another issue that can only remain hidden for so long — until the next rain, or until the home inspector discovers the problem. This can create all kinds of headaches right before your home sale is about to close.

4. Termite damage

Let potential buyers know if you've treated your home for termites or other dangerous pests. This is a problem you don't want showing up during a home inspection. It could scuttle your sale.

5. Damaged foundation

Repairing a damaged or sinking foundation is a big expense. You might be tempted to keep your home's foundation problems a secret, but don't. Potential buyers who order a home inspection will certainly uncover this major issue. Buyers, scared off by big future repair bills, might walk away from the sale.

6. Radon

Radon is a toxic gas that rises from the ground and up through the basements of some homes. Prolonged exposure to radon can cause lung cancer. Before you list your home, you should test its radon levels. If they are too high, you should pay for remediation services before listing your home.

Many states require that you disclose high radon levels. If you know that your home has high radon levels and you haven't paid for professionals to solve the problem, disclose this fact. Hiding this information could leave you open to a future lawsuit.

7. Asbestos

We all know that asbestos is extremely toxic. Breathing it in can cause lung cancer and other serious health problems. Many older homes still have asbestos in them, usually as insulation wrapped around pipes or even in floor tiles. If you have asbestos in your home, your state might require you to disclose it. (Not all do.) Not doing so when legally required could open you up to an expensive lawsuit.

Remember, not all asbestos is a problem. If it is hidden away in areas that you nor the buyers will ever access, you probably won't have to pay to remove it.

8. Mold

Mold problems are another big issue when selling a home. Most mold is harmless, but there are some varieties that can cause illness or respiratory problems. Because of this, many states require that you disclose past mold issues. If you've paid to have mold removed in the past, you should disclose this. You could again face a hefty lawsuit if you don't.

This article is from Dan Rafter of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

9 Surprising Things Your Homeowners Insurance Doesn't Cover

Tim Lemke — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 14:00:03 +0000

If you've never read the entirety of your homeowners insurance policy, you might believe you're protected against any kind of problem with your home or property. But the truth is, many things are specifically excluded from most policies. Most of us know flooding and water damage is not generally covered by standard policies. The rest, though, may surprise you.

Does your homeowner's policy cover any of these 10 items? If not, consider getting special endorsements or riders to make sure you have the proper level of coverage.

1. Pools

You might think the liability insurance tied to your policy will suffice, but it's probably not high enough to protect you against many pool-related injuries. A typical homeowners policy covers about $100,000 in liability insurance — but if you have a pool, you'll probably need greater protection. The Insurance Information Institute recommends bumping your liability insurance to $300,000 or even $500,000.

2. Termites

Pests can pose a big threat to your home, but don't assume damage from the little critters is covered. That's because most insurance companies consider damage from termites and other pests to be preventable. Pay attention to moisture around your home, and closely examine any wood for possible pest damage. Also be sure to keep plants and wood piles a good distance from your house.

3. Tree Houses

Many insurance companies place treehouses in the "high-risk" category along with trampolines. Check your policy for exclusions before constructing that clubhouse in the old oak tree.

4. Earthquakes

What's interesting here is that damage from a volcanic eruption usually is covered by most homeowners policies. Earthquakes are a different story, and that also goes for earth tremors, landslides, and mudslides. If you live in an earthquake-prone area — Californians, I am talking to you — consider buying extra earthquake insurance.

5. Trees Damaged by Wind

If a tree gets knocked down during a storm and damages your house, the repairs to your home are covered. But insurance won't cover the actual removal or replacement of the tree itself. This goes for any other shrubs and plants. In general, homeowners insurance only covers damage to plants and trees caused by fire, theft, lightning, and car crashes. So if a car crashes into a tree, you're covered (up to $500.) But if the wind knocks the tree over, tough luck.

6. Expensive Jewelry or Other Personal Property

You may think your wedding ring is covered under your homeowners policy, but unless your hubby bought you a cubic zirconia, it's probably not. Most policies cover personal artifacts up to $1,000 or so. After that, you'll need a separate rider. But don't worry, such riders usually cost less than $100 a year.

7. Your Home Business

It's logical to assume that if you're running a business from your house, that business is covered under your homeowners policy. But that's not necessarily true. If you run a catering business from inside the home and someone gets food poisoning, you're not covered. If you are giving an art lesson and a student breaks a toe, you're not covered. This is especially true if your home business is located on your property, but in a separate structure from your home.

8. War

What's worse than having your house blown up by the enemy? Knowing that insurance won't cover the repairs. Most policies will not pay you back for damage caused by war, terrorism, or nuclear dangers. However, civil unrest, riots, and vandalism may be covered.

9. Many Popular Dog Breeds

Most dogs are covered under your homeowners policy, but only if they are not considered "aggressive" or "risky." And you'd be surprised how many breeds of dogs are basically uninsurable. The American Veterinary Medical Association lists the dogs most likely to bite humans, and appearing on that list is often a black mark for insurance companies. Blacklisted breeds include Pit Bull Terriers, Doberman Pinschers, Akitas, Rottweilers, and even Chow Chows.

This article is from Tim Lemke of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

6 Cheap Ways to Get Rid of Household Pests

Laurel Randolph — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 17:30:31 +0000

Have a pest problem? It’s time to take control — pest control. Commercial traps and poisons costs can add up quickly and be less than effective, and calling in the professionals can easily exceed your budget. (Note: if your infestation is totally out of control, then definitely call a professional.) To rid your house of unwanted visitors the DIY way, try the following cheap and effective techniques. (See also: 8 Cheap Ways to Deter Garden Pests)

1. Clean Up

The best way to keep pests out is prevention. I know, I know, you already have pests. But preventative measures can help keep the problem from escalating, and actually help get rid of existing pests. The best way to keep unwanted bugs and rodents away is to keep your house extra clean and in good repair. Pests tend to be attracted to the unsightly elements of a house, like unsealed or old garbage, leaky pipes, and food residue. They can also enter your home through cracks, rotted wood, and be attracted by overgrown plants and piles of firewood or debris nearby. Keeping things tidy will help keep pests out in the first place, and a good clean up can help make your home less than hospitable to current invaders.

2. Spritz With Vinegar Spray

If your pesky problem is ants, then try a vinegar and water spray. Mix roughly one part water and one part vinegar in a spray bottle. Track down the ants to find their trail and see where they are entering the house. Spray at their entrance and along the baseboards, door, and/or windows. Follow the trail and spray its entirety. This will kill the ants sprayed, and more importantly, it will ruin their scent trail. Keep an eye out for more ants, and spray wherever you see one hanging out. Let sit before wiping up dead ants with a cloth, and repeat when you see more ants. Even if they don’t come back right away, repeat a few times the first week to keep them at bay.

3. Homemade Bait

Vinegar spray isn’t enough to get the job done? Create a homemade ant bait to rid your house of the pests. Rather than buying costly traps, make a Borax and sugar mixture and put in small containers. Place them in the ants’ path and let them feast. These ants will take the mixture back to the colony to share, killing more ants. This process could take a few days, as more ants come to grab the mixture and take it back to their hiding place. Depending on the time of year and the type of ant, they may be more into fatty foods, so something like peanut butter would make a better bait. If the sugar fix isn’t working, try mixing Borax with something oily or fatty.

4. Diatomaceous Earth

If you’re not into organic gardening, you might be scratching your head. Diatomaceous earth is a powdered substance made up of fossilized remains of phytoplankton. It’s non-toxic, harmless to mammals, and lethal to bugs. Some farmers feed it to their animals to help ward off pests, and some people include it in their diet for various potential health benefits.

To get rid of pests in your home, sprinkle food-grade (not the kind for swimming pools) diatomaceous earth along baseboards and in corners — anywhere you typically find bugs. Use enough to get a good dusting, but do not pile up the powder, or bugs will just crawl over it. It may take a few days to work, but it will eventually kill the bugs in your home, and keep future bugs at bay. Diatomaceous earth can be effective at killing ants, spiders, and even bed bugs.

5. Less Water

It seems too simple, but if you’ve got tiny little gnats flying around your house, your plants could be the problem. Fungus gnats are attracted to moist soil, and will happily have babies in your potted plants. An easy way to get rid of these tiny insects is to let your plants completely dry out on the surface before watering. This will kill the larva and prevent new gnats from reaching maturity. Make sure your plants have good drainage, and clean up any standing water. Not only will these techniques solve your gnat problem, they are also good for your plants.

6. DIY Traps

Fruit flies and cockroaches can be a real annoyance, and while setting traps won’t completely rid your home of an infestation, they can help catch stragglers and keep your living areas bug-free. To create a homemade bug trap, cut off the top section of a plastic soda bottle. Invert it, and tape or staple it to the bottle opening, making a funnel into the bottle.

To catch fruit flies or gnats, pour apple cider vinegar in the bottle. If you don’t have a huge population of the little flies in your house, using this trap for a few days can take care of the problem. For cockroaches, fill the bottom of the bottle with soapy water. Cockroaches are attracted to water, and will crawl in and drown. If a wasp made it’s way in your house, or they are ruining your picnic, pour some honey or other sweet into the trap to attract them.

How do you ward off pests … naturally?

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This article is from Laurel Randolph of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

8 Cheap Ways to Deter Garden Pests

Ashley Marcin — Tue, 14 Jul 2015 17:00:12 +0000

When we moved out of our urban neighborhood last year, we had no idea how our summer gardening efforts might change. Almost immediately, we discovered that living slightly closer to the country meant critters — lots of them. So, we've had to bulk up our pest-control efforts considerably. Here are some friendly ways to keep the fruits of your labor from falling prey to bugs, bunnies, deer, and more.

1. Insect Spray

Try this DIY insect spray on your plants and you'll see a huge difference in just a couple weeks. You may even have all the ingredients on hand. Combine two cloves of garlic with three cups of mint leaves, cayenne pepper, and biodegradable dish soap. This mix repels bugs, and it's best to spray on the leaves of your plants on a cloudy day so it doesn't burn them.

2. Soapy Solution

Are deer cramping your style? You can cut up bars of Irish Spring soap, attach to stakes using scraps of fabric, and scatter throughout your garden. The benefit here is that you don't need to reapply anything after rainstorms like you do with sprays and other methods. Plus, your yard will smell amazing.

3. Cornmeal Wonder

Get rid of ants and weeds with a simple cornmeal application. Stow this tip away for next year because the gluten works against seed development, so it's best to sprinkle in the early spring before the weeds actually sprout up. If ants are your bigger issue, you're in luck. They will carry the cornmeal back to their homes. It disrupts their digestion, but it will take about a week to fully work.

4. Bunny Banisher

We were most surprised last year to find an entire family of bunnies nesting underneath our tomato plants. This season we're hoping to keep them away with this organic rabbit repellent. This frugal mix of garlic, red pepper, water, and dish soap works best after it has soaked in the sun for a couple days. Apply to your plants once a week continuous control.

5. Hair Helper

Save money by cutting your hair at home. Then use the clippings in your garden to keep deer and other animals out of your plants. This method is one I learned from my mother-in-law, and it's surprisingly effective. It should help repel deer, rabbits, and snails all while acting as a mulch and natural fertilizer. Summer is a great time for a shorter style anyway. Hair that isn't heavily shampooed works best.

6. Bird Netting

We can't forget birds in this list. Keeping them out can be as easy as installing bird netting atop your raised beds. You'll need a staple gun to make the process go faster, but just secure the netting to the side of your box, stretch over your plants, and secure on the other side. Alternatively, you can use stakes to secure the netting in the ground if you don't have raised beds.

7. Scare Tactics

Pick up a few cheap aluminum pie plates at the dollar store. Then stake them up using some string to create a quick homemade scarecrow. The sound and bright shine should keep birds and other animals away.

8. Easy Eggshells

Slugs and snails will steer clear of this eggshell solution. Place the shells in a large bag and crush using your hands or feet. From there, scatter the pieces around plants once a week. Those critters don't like sharp edges, so it should stop them in their tracks. Bonus: the calcium in the eggshells also fertilizes your garden.

What are your favorite DIY garden protection methods?

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This article is from Ashley Marcin of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

8 Ways to Eliminate Ants Without an Exterminator

Ashley Marcin — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 15:00:15 +0000

Ants. Can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em. Well, wait a minute. Yes, I can definitely live without ants crawling all over my kitchen floor. So, in the last month I have fought and won the battle with these tiny beasts. And I am here to share with you how I did it — sans exterminator.

(Note: Though these methods are all natural, you'll want to keep most of these ingredients and mixtures out of reach of children and pets.)

1. Cleaning

First and foremost, try sweeping, vacuuming, and wiping down flat surfaces (counters, floors, etc.) on the daily. Consistent, scrupulous cleaning should at least help the issue by eliminating anything that's attracting ants. Of course, your castle could be neat as a pin and still have an ant highway a mile long.

2. Blocking

Though I haven't personally had wonderful results with this tip, our neighbor reports that she got rid of ants by caulking gaps near her doors and windows. If there are obvious places where the ants are getting in, this idea might work well for you. We did try it, but they found a new path a few feet over in our dining room.

3. Spices

At the first sight of ants, I sprinkle cayenne pepper or ground cinnamon to make a barrier. I learned this trick while researching ways to keep bugs out of my child's sandbox without chemicals. In your home, sprinkle spices close to entry points to deter the ants from crossing the line. I've read that chalk works in a similar fashion, especially on the outside your home.

4. Vinegar

Or you can go with a spritz or five of vinegar mixed with water. The combination helps to get rid of the pheromone trails the scouts leave the lead other ants through your house. This step is pretty easy if you're wiping down floors and countertops regularly (see above!) — vinegar is a great all-purpose cleaner. (See also: 30 Household Products Vinegar Can Replace)

5. Borax

A friend of mine shared with me that she puts out bowls of powdered sugar and borax. The sugar attracts the ants. When they consume it, they also consume the borax, which eventually kills them by disrupting their digestive systems. You can also make a wet mixture by combining about a cup of sugar with a tablespoon of borax and a half cup of boiling water.

6. Essential Oils

Peppermint is a powerful ant repellant. A simple line of the essential oil at window sills or on the floor near an entry point should make ants scurry in a hurry. If you'd rather create a formal solution, try this peppermint spray that combines the power of peppermint, citronella, and lavender essential oils.

7. Castile Soap

I use a lot of castile soap in my indoor routines, so I love that I can spritz a household cleaning spray on ants to give them the hint. To make the spray, just combine water, tea tree oil, and a quarter cup castile soap in a bottle. Use as needed — it will kill ants on contact — and wipe up when you're done.

8. Boiling Water

If you can find the source of the ants outdoors, try pouring boiling water over the anthill. My grandmother swears by this method, and she'll occasionally mix in some dish soap in a 1:1 ratio. Try pouring atop the anthill two or three times in a single day for the best results.

What natural solutions have you tried to deal with ants?

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This article is from Ashley Marcin of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

How to Get Rid of Bees

Daniel Packer — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 10:00:05 +0000

Bees are very important to our food supply; cross-pollination is necessary for many plants to fertilize and grow. Still, the insects can be a major annoyance around the house. There's nothing worse than a bee sting, and many people have allergic reactions to them.

The good news is that there are some specific things we can do to keep bees away and deal with them if they do pop up. The best way to avoid bee stings is to never have bees around the house to begin with, so if you see them on your porch or backyard, it's time to take action. (See also: Use Beer to Get Rid of Pests)

The best thing to do is to get a beekeeper to take the bees away. In most cases, they'll do this as a free service (they want bees!). Check your area for a local beekeeper. If there isn't anyone who will take them away, you can always call an exterminator to do the job for you. But if you're careful, you can take care of the problem yourself for little cost.

How to Get Rid of a Beehive

With the wind at your back, simply spray insecticide directly at the beehive, ensuring that it makes contact with all the bees. The best and least risky time to spray a beehive is during the day when all the bees are out looking for nectar, because you're least likely to get stung. Some say that spraying at night when all the bees are there is a good time because you know they'll get hit with the insecticide. Insecticide products can spray up to 25 feet and kill on contact, so spraying in the evening when the creatures are home is definitely an option.

The next day, spray the insecticide again, and after a few days, if you don't see any bees in or near the hive, you've successfully killed them.

How to Keep Bees From Returning

Killing the bees or destroying their nest while they are away can be just a temporary solution if you don't take the proper steps to make it last.

In order to keep the bees away, you must fully destroy the nest. If the bees built a nest in a crack or hard-to-reach spot, you should block it off with cement or sealant so they can't reach and continue using it.

How to Handle Wasps and Hornets

Unfortunately, bees aren't the only pests that can ruin a picnic. Hornets and wasps are other creatures that should be taken care of if they're flying around the house. Techniques for dealing with wasps and hornets are the same as for dealing with bees, except that you can't call a beekeeper in on these guys. But a can of wasp, hornet, and bee spray (and some good running shoes just to be safe) should do the trick.

Bees, wasps, and hornets can be very distracting and frustrating to deal with. However, having these nasty creatures at home doesn't mean you're stuck with them forever. These steps can help get rid of bees around your house and let you enjoy your summer bee-free!

This article is from Daniel Packer of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Naturally Get Rid of Ants in Your Kitchen

Camilla Cheung — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 10:36:12 +0000

When we first moved into our apartment last autumn, I noticed a few ants in the kitchen. They went away by themselves in a few weeks though, so I didn’t think anything of them. This spring, they came back in force! I was horrified to find ants crawling over my counters and cabinets, feasting on invisible crumbs of sugar. Not wanting to buy toxic ant poisons, I did a search on natural solutions to my ant problem using common household products. Here are a few of my findings. (See also: Use Beer to Get Rid of Pests)

Keep Surfaces Clean

Ants are attracted to bits of food, so if you keep your counters spick-and-span, they’ll go elsewhere.

I didn’t have huge numbers of ants (thank goodness), but I was determined to nip the infestation in the bud. The first step I took was to wipe down my counters and floors with white vinegar. This erases the trails of the “scout” ants, so that more ants won’t follow. Vinegar is also a cheap and effective cleaner and made my counters gleam like never before. For several days, I kept a bottle of vinegar within reach so that I could wipe down my counters immediately after cooking.

I learned that soapy water, or water mixed with a detergent (such as Dawn), is also an effective way to keep ants off your surfaces. Wipe your counters with a soapy sponge, and then dry them. The residual film helps keep ants away.

I also washed all of my containers of sugar, flour, cereal, honey, and syrup, making sure that they were tightly closed and that there was no sticky residue on the outsides. I moved fruits and vegetables to the fridge.

Herbal Ant Repellers

After I had cleaned all my surfaces well, I still had the odd ant or two looking for a snack. I realized that ants were getting into my home through numerous cracks behind my counters. I looked for natural ways to keep them away and learned that ants don’t like spices such as cinnamon, cayenne pepper, mint, bay leaves, black pepper, cloves, and garlic.

I sprinkled a little cinnamon into the crack beneath one counter and voilà! No more ants on that counter. But there were still a few wandering here and there elsewhere in the kitchen, so I placed a few bay leaves strategically around food items to deter them.

I’ve also read that ants are repelled by cucumbers and used coffee grounds. I did notice that ants stayed away when I was cutting up a cucumber, and that they stay far away from the coffee machine.

Get Rid of Ants Outdoors

One way to make sure ants stay away from your house is to make sure they’re not being attracted by aphids in your garden. Aphids secrete a sticky-sweet substance called “honeydew” that ants love to eat. Ants will actually protect aphids from predators in order to preserve their honeydew source! Hose off your garden plants to wash off the aphids, or apply natural aphid repellents (like soapy water) to your plants.

Kill Ants with Borax Solution

If your ant problem is too much for the aforementioned methods to handle, you may need to resort to the big guns. Mix some Borax powder (a natural mineral) with an equal amount of jam or syrup and place where ants congregate. Ants will be attracted to the sugar and will feast on the mixture, but the Borax will get into their systems and kill them. This method means you’ll have a lot of ants for a short amount of time, but it should get rid of them for several months.

Borax has low toxicity to humans, but if you have small children or pets, you may wish to avoid this option.

Even if you have only a few ants, it’s important to get rid of them quickly before they become a bigger problem. A friend of mine didn’t notice that ants had gotten into her maple syrup until one day she served pancakes and noticed a strange amount of black “pepper” in the syrup she had poured over them. Looking closer, she realized that they were little ants. Unfortunately, that was after she and her guests had already eaten half of their pancakes. Don’t let it happen to you!

If you’ve had ants in your kitchen, what worked best for getting rid of them?

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This article is from Camilla Cheung of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Snail Free Gardening

Andrea Karim — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 20:17:27 +0000

Green gardening should be cheap. Organic gardening was the way of the world before chemical companies found ways to create compounds that could destroy pests quickly and effectively. The thing that makes organic gardening less-favored than, say, using pesticides, is that it's not as efficient. You have to put more effort into organic gardening.

But it's worth it. It's cheap, it's fun, and you can protect your water supply. Remember, whatever we spray on our lawns and gardens ends up in our drinking water.

I haven't had too much luck with critter control where I live. Seattle is a very snail and slug-heavy area, and I have one very serious problem:

I love snails.

I think snails are beautiful. I grew up in an area where there simply aren't any snails, and I was so taken with the little guys when we used to visit my grandmother in Pasadena. I was heartbroken when my father announced the ingredients to the escargot that I had just sampled while dining at my very first French restaurant. When I take my dogs out for their last walk at night here in the Pacific Northwest, I often have to tiptoe through the streets because the snails come out in droves and line the sidewalks - I can't bear to step on one.

Thus, I can't stand the idea of drowning them in beer or setting traps and then throwing them in the garbage (although I don't suppose I would object to some one actually trapping and eating them - I wouldn't do it, but I can see why someone would).

My mom used to drip some weird, sludgey black poison to protect her roses from slugs. I never liked this, and snail bait can be very dangerous to household pets. But I'm happy to report that there are plenty of ways to reduce the damage that slugs and snails do to your garden that don't involve pesticides. Sure, it take a bit more elbow grease than plain ol' poison, but it's worth the effort.

I should stress that there's probably no such thing as a snail-free garden, just a garden that snails don't really like to visit that much.

Here are some tips from discouraging those mollusky visitors, courtesy of The Garden Helper:

Pulling the weeds from your garden is something you need to do anyway. As you pull each weed, you remove a potential slug outpost.
Keep all decaying matter cleaned out of your garden beds. While leaves make a good mulch, once they begin to compost they become food and shelter for slugs and snails.
Prune the branches of any shrubs which are laying on the ground. Keep the old leaves and such cleaned out. By doing this you will have destroyed yet another slug haven!
Cultivate your soil regularly to keep the dirt clods broken up, and unearth any slugs which may have burrowed under the surface.
The shaded areas beneath decks can be a slug arena: keep them weed and litter free.
Keep the lawn edges trimmed. Slugs will congregate under the umbrella of unkept grass.
Cedar bark or gravel chips spread around your plant will irritate and dehydrate slugs.
Rosemary, lemon balm, wormwood, mints, tansy, oak leaves, needles from conifers and seaweed will repel slugs.
Enlist allies... snakes, ducks, geese, toads, and [chickens] would enjoy helping you out as they dine on your slugs.

Here are some other ideas that I've gathered over the years:

Create as sunny a garden as possible. Now, this is tough, especially for those of us who live in the Land of Perpetual Rain, but put all of your snail-prone plants in a sunny area. If you have lots of shady areas in your garden, try to keep it free of ground cover like ivy, where the slugs and snails like to sleep during the day. I have a long strip of skinny yard that is VERY shady, and I'm making it into a rock garden with some moss and a couple of tiny Japanese maples. It's low-maintenance and pretty, and snails just aren't interested in it.

Protect prone plants with copper barriers. For some reason, slugs and snails won't cross copper. You can buy copper foil online for pretty cheap. I have a teeny courtyard that I use to grow tomatoes, so I put copper around the base and around the lip of the huge ceramic pots that I use. It looks pretty as an accent if you put it on right. You can also put a loop around the base of a plant.

If you are a great big meanie, traps are easy to construct. Spray some beer on a board and place it, beer-side down, 1/2 inch off of the soil in a shady area of your garden. The snails that collect under there can be eaten, or thrown into your evil coworkers yard. You can go out at night and collect them, as well. They are nocturnal, so day time collection is harder.

Also, take note: another use for vinegar!

"As you wage your war on slugs and snails, you are almost certain to be 'slimed' at least once. YUK! Mix up a little warm water and vinegar, and use this formula to remove the slime from your hands like magic!"

Photo by mozzercork.

This article is from Andrea Karim of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: