Bees aren't the only insects who help pollinate fruits, flowers and veggies. Butterflies are also an important part of the ecosystem. To help attract butterflies to your garden, avoid insecticides, which are obviously lethal to them. Fun fact: Butterflies aren't attracted to flowers, but to flowering plants and bushes that are rich in nectar. Look for plants like milkweed, mint, zinnias, buddleia and heliotrope, which are all varieties butterflies love to drink from. Finally, filling a shallow dish with fresh water every day is a simple way to give them a place to drink, too.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you live in an older home that was painted with lead-based paints, don't reach for the vacuum when paint begins to chip and peel off. While it may seem like a logical idea to use a vacuum to avoid touching the chips, contamination can occur when you open the vacuum to empty out the canister. Powerful vacuums can turn paint chips into dust, and when the canister is opened, those dust particles can contaminate the air in your home. Instead, clean up the lead-based chips using a dustpan and broom, then throw them away in the trash.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Did you know with the growth of online shopping, the amount of cardboard generated for just a year of deliveries in New York City could fill the Empire State Building 50,000 times? The simplest way to help cut back on packaging waste is to avoid buying single items online that require a box, packaging material and fuel to get to you. Instead, fill your virtual shopping cart over time and try to get multiple items together in one box. Or better yet, buy from a local business and try to buy online only when you absolutely must.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION