Here's one healthy reason to leave the bed unmade in the morning after you wake up: Bed bugs hate a messy bed. The average person sweats about a liter of water every night in bed, which creates a warm, damp environment in your bed; bed bugs thrive in warm, damp environments. If you immediately make your bed after you wake up, you trap the humidity inside, which bed bugs love and could potentially thrive on. If you leave your bed unmade, the bedding has a chance to dry out, which helps create a healthier environment for you to sleep in and a less desirable one for bed bugs to thrive in.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Yes, the beloved ladybug can sometimes find its way into your home and often it can lead to an infestation that’s all too much. If you don’t want to chemically spray them to death, you can do the next best thing: Repel them. First, if you see ladybugs, vacuum them up right away. They give off a scent that can attract other ladybugs to your home. Then spray citronella oil on the window panes or wall where you found them; this can cover up their smell. Finally, planting mums outside your home can be a natural repellant; they hate the smell of mum flowers.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Got a problem with squirrels raiding your bird feeder? Instead of using nets and traps, or seeking out awkward places to hang your feeder, why not just change the type of feed? Safflower seeds (which are from a thistle-type flower) are sold at home improvement stores, and while birds love the seeds, squirrels hate them. Once squirrels have a taste of the bitter safflower seed, they will stay far away from the feeder. Giant bags of safflower seeds are also very affordable, so it’s an economical solution, too.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION