Is it greener to shop online or at the store? The answer depends how far you drive. If you live near stores that are in close proximity of your house -- less than 10 miles away -- buying locally is the greener way to go. But if you drive more than 20 miles round trip to a store, buying items online will be more environmentally friendly and probably more convenient to you. Even with overnight air shipping, The Center for Energy and Climate Solutions says two 20-pound boxes is more energy efficient to order online and have delivered than driving those 20 miles. The trick to be the greenest is to elect ground shipping and to buy only what you need.

Washing your hands on a regular basis is a good habit to stay healthy year-round. But did you know the key to proper hand-washing isn't what type of soaps you use or how much you use, but the way you wash your hands? Instead of chemical-laden, antibacterial hand soaps packaged in plastic bottles, regular bar soap can be just as effective to get hands clean. The trick is to use warm to hot water (not scalding) and to scrub well and thoroughly. This will eradicate bacteria and viruses off your hands without the use of chemicals. Dry your hands on a clean towel dedicated to drying hands only.

Many people install bat houses near their homes because the flying mammals help control insect populations. But for some people, having a colony of bats at home can be too bothersome, noisy and messy. If you want to relocate bats, contact your local animal control office and make sure it isn't illegal to move them. If it isn't, find out who they recommend as a professional wildlife control service to come do the job. Summer and fall are the best times to relocate bats because come wintertime, the bats will be hibernating and will die from the cold if relocated.