Insects and Rock Collecting for Your Home's Outdoor Spaces

Shrubs, plants, flower beds, and vegetable gardens are just some of what one may find in yards across the country. These items enhance the appearance of one's property and help create an environment that is beautiful, peaceful, and inviting. In most yards, insects and rocks are also commonly found. For many homeowners, insects are considered an unpleasant nuisance or a destructive force. As a result, people often seek to eradicate them as quickly as possible. Bugs, however, are frequently beneficial to one's outdoor space, and care should be taken before using chemicals or other means to destroy them. Beneficial bugs can help the environment by facilitating the spread of pollen or by killing destructive and invasive insects. For homes with children, insects can even be interesting and educational. Outdoor rocks, which are also common in yards, are highly versatile and can greatly impact the overall appearance and functionality of a space. They can serve as a textured ground cover that adds interest around flower beds or walkways. Additionally, the long-lasting and maintenance-free nature of rocks makes them a desirable alternative to other forms of ground cover. Depending on the specific type of rocks used, they can add color and help set the tone of any given space. Rock gardens or large, unusually shaped rocks or boulders can also prove an interesting and unique focal point in one's yard. Other uses of rocks or stones include creating natural walkways and paths.

• Bedbugs and Other Household Pests: The National Association of Housing Cooperatives offers this link to download the 81-page Guide for Affordable Housing.
• Bedbug Resources and Helpful Home Improvement Links: The Canine Detection & Inspection Services offers this page of links to bedbug resources and NPMA guidelines.
• Insect and Creation Resources: Feed your curiosity about insects by clicking any of the links here.
• Gem and Mineral Links: Interesting information about gems and minerals can be found from any of the national organizations and societies that are listed on this page.
• Rocks, Minerals, and Soil: This page lists links to rock, mineral, and soil websites where site visitors can find reading materials, Web quests, and videos.
• Rocks and Minerals: Ideas and Information for Hobbies and Home Improvement: Parents can share and view links to projects and lesson plans when they visit this page.
• Study Tools: This faculty web page for Katie Briggs features study tools and unit materials.
• Websites to Expand Your Mind: Science Websites: On this Davis School District page, parents and teachers can find a list of links to science-related websites.
• Useful Links About the Web, Entertainment, and Home Improvement: This page provides an assorted list of search engine and hobby links.
• Caves, Crystals, and Rock-Related Websites: The links on this page will take the reader to websites on caves, rocks and crystals, and fractals.
• World of Earth Science Links: Visitors to this page will find a list of earth science links.
• Earth Science Regents: Students who visit this page will find links with information regarding test day, extra help, lab practicals, and lab practical review. The page also includes class notes, handouts and review sheets, and answer keys.
• Opal and Gem Links: Review a list of opal, mineral, and gem websites by clicking this link to the Virgin Valley Opals website.
• DIY Eco-Friendly Home Repair: Home owners can read five DIY eco-friendly home repair tips by clicking this link.
• Be More Efficient With These Three Affordable Home Improvement Ideas: A more efficient home can help save money and the environment.
• Five Home Improvement Tips to Go Eco-Friendly on a Budget: Visit this page for enlightening tips on how people can make their home more environmentally friendly while not spending a lot of money.
• Four Valuable Home Improvement Tips for Avoiding Furnace Failure This Winter: Learn how to keep a furnace working properly.
• Why You Should Pay More Attention to That Water Leak and How a Timely Home Repair Job Can Help: Water leaks can cause significant damage to a home and are often costly to repair. Click this link to read why homeowners should pay attention when they discover a leak.
• Home Energy Ratings: People who live in Florida can visit this page for information on how to be more energy-efficient. The page also provides information about residential energy performance in both North and South Florida and cooling and heating load sources.
• What Home Energy Improvements Are Worth It? There are a lot of claims that improvements to homes can improve energy efficiency. Click on this link to read whether these improvements are worth the effort.
• Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credit: Get Ohio energy tax credit information by clicking on this link.
• Get Paid for Your Improvements: This page offers information about the Arlington Home Improvement Incentive Program, or AHIIP.
• Home Improvement Loans and Property Fix-Up Programs: West St. Paul, Minnesota, wants to help its residents have access to an affordable mortgage program. Homeowners will find links to the program's website, brochure, and additional home buyer information here.
• Science Tracer Bullets Online: Home Maintenance, Repair, and Improvement: Click on any of the categories at the top of this page for home repair and maintenance information.
• Larimer Home Improvement Program: This program is available to income-qualified individuals with homes in need of repair and improvement.
• Home Improvement Fraud and Theft: Residents of Plano, Texas, will find useful information about detecting and avoiding home improvement scams on their city's website.
• Household Hints and Help: Safety is an important issue to consider when embarking on a home improvement project. The University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension offers tips on how to protect oneself from toxic threats such as asbestos, mold, dust, and lead while doing home renovations.
• Energy Efficiency Credit: Homeowners who make energy efficiency-related home improvements may qualify for a federal tax credit.
• New Jersey's Green Home Renovation Guidelines: Homeowners looking to protect the environment while remodeling their home can find useful information about eco-friendly home improvement techniques on the University of Rutgers website.
• Database of the Week: Residents looking to do home improvements can visit this page on the Huie Library website to access a database of home remodeling techniques.
• Home Improvement Process: Homeowners in The Woodlands who fall under the township's covenants and standards must abide by certain rules regarding home improvements.
• Home Improvement Workshops: Get more information about workshops to help people fix up their homes here.
• Carpentry, Electrical, and HVAC Classes: Visit Delaware County Community College for information about their construction-related courses. Home repairs, residential wiring, and remodeling are some of the classes that they list on their schedule.
• Home Improvement News: Click this link to read an article about the Illinois real estate market and how it is improving.
• Your Home: Home Improvement: The state of Georgia requires that all general and residential contractors acquire a license. The government explains this and other facts about contractor licensing on their website.
• Energy Star for Existing Multifamily Housing: Multifamily properties that are more energy-efficient have higher asset values.