Many of us use humane mousetraps to keep the small critters out of our house, without having to lead them to a painful death. Humane traps work great: They capture mice without killing them so they can be released far away from the house with the lift of a hinge. But to make these traps work effectively, do one more thing: Wear gloves. When you place the humane traps around the house, the natural oils from your hands can leave a strong scent that will deter mice from entering. By wearing gloves, you don't leave your scent behind. Be sure to check the traps regularly. If you go away for a few days, deactivate the traps so the mice don't starve or try to chew their way out of them.

If you run a company or manage employees in an office environment, do you know the greenest thing you can do for the workplace? While using recycled paper, energy-efficient lighting and reusable cups are green choices, they aren't the greenest. Allowing a casual dress code for the office is. When employees have the freedom to dress casually, they wear fewer dry-clean-only suits and formal clothes, which cuts down on cleaning and the chemical used for it. Plus, studies show offices with a casual dress code also have the happiest and most productive employees.

Drafts from poorly sealed doors and windows are to blame for chilly homes and skyrocketing heating bills as the temperature drops. While repairs and sealants are the best way to block drafts, one DIY solution can help you keep your home warm on the cheap. All you need are two neckties (about the same length and size) and a needle and thread. Placing one tie on top of the other and sew them together, leaving a small hole at the top. Fill the tube with pebbles or dried beans before sewing it shut. Place the snakelike tube along the edge of a chilly spot to block the draft for good.