A fireplace is much more than just a source of heat. It can be the centerpiece of your living room or garden and create a cozy atmosphere. Decorating the fireplace properly makes it a real eye-catcher that emphasizes your style. Even if you don’t have a classic fireplace, you can create similar accents with an electric model, an ethanol fireplace or a fire pit in the garden.

Decorating a fireplace: Ideas for every style

The design of your fireplace depends on your personal taste and furnishing style. Particularly popular is the seasonal decorationthat you can adapt again and again. In autumn, warm colors, pumpkins and dried natural materials create a harmonious picture. In winter, fir branches, cones and candles add a festive touch to your fireplace.

If your fireplace has a ledge, you can use it to set the scene. Picture frames, vases or small sculptures are ideal here. For summer, glass vases with shells or sand look light and fresh. Make sure that the elements are arranged at different heights to create dynamism. If you prefer simplicity, a few selected pieces, such as a large candle or a minimalist bowl, are enough to create an elegant look.

Structuring the room with the fireplace

A modern fireplace can be accentuated with clean lines and neutral colors. Metallic details or geometric shapes go well with a minimalist style. For a rustic look, you can opt for natural materials such as wood, linen or ceramics. Piles of logs or a coarse basket next to the fireplace enhance the rustic charm.

If you are planning a special event, you can customize the decorations. For an elegant celebration, candlesticks in Gold or silver are particularly elegant. For a family evening, you can create a relaxed atmosphere with colorful garlands or seasonal ornaments. If the fireplace is not in use, you can decorate it with logs, cushions or a string of lights to maintain the cozy effect.

For more flexibility and safety

To ensure that your fireplace always looks fresh and inviting, it is worth changing the decoration regularly. Bowls, baskets or other flexible elements can be easily exchanged and adapted to the season or your mood.

With a real fireplace, you should make sure that the decoration heat-resistant and is not too close to the fireplace. Electric or ethanol fireplaces offer you more freedom, but also require some care to ensure that dust and dirt do not detract from the overall impression. With a little creativity and variety, your fireplace will become the focal point of your home.

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Checklist: Decorating the fireplace made easy

• Choose seasonAutumn, winter or summer – coordinate your decoration in terms of color and theme
• Use fireplace ledges: Emphasize the design with vases, candles or works of art
• Combine materialsWood, metal, glass and fabrics provide structure
• Place decorations safelyKeep distance from the fireplace, prefer heat-resistant elements
• Change regularlySet fresh accents depending on the season or occasion

If you’ve ever been surprised by a moth infestation, you’ll know how difficult it is to fight moths. But even if it’s difficult to get rid of the little beasts, our tricks can help you get rid of the pests again soon! Read on to find out which tips really help with pest control and what you should look out for.

Where do moths actually come from?

Moths enter your home through open windows or old carpets, blankets or used upholstered furniture. But they can also be brought into your home when you go shopping, as food such as flour is often already contaminated with moths.

How do I recognize moths?

The most common types of moths in the home are clothes moths and food moths. The term food moth refers to a whole range of species. For example, the dried fruit moth, the flour moth or the flour moth.

Clothes moths can be recognized by their light yellow to dark brown wings and indirectly, of course, by damage to clothing. The larvae of the moth cause the damage because they feed on keratin, which is found in animal products such as wool, fur, feathers, down and leather. Check your clothes, as well as curtains, carpets and upholstery, for small, irregular holes or bald patches.

Depending on the species, food moths are usually rather grey and often difficult to recognize, as the pests are small and inconspicuous. They prefer dry foods such as flour, rice, pasta, cornflakes, baking powder, cocoa, nuts and animal feed and contaminate them with their excrement and saliva. However, they do not pose a health risk and do not transmit diseases.

Fighting moths

Female moths usually lay between 250 and 300 eggs which, once hatched, eat their way through the contents of your wardrobe, leave droppings behind and continue to reproduce. If you do nothing to prevent this, you will have a moth infestation within a very short time, which will take a lot of effort to get under control.

Therefore, proceed as follows if you have discovered the pests in your home and want to combat the moths:

Wash textiles

If you are dealing with clothes moths, you should machine wash all infested items of clothing at a temperature of at least 50 °C. The insects usually do not survive the high temperatures.

Heat or cold

Delicate items of clothing that cannot be washed in the washing machine should be wrapped in a plastic bag and placed in the freezer for a week. This is because cold can also successfully combat moths.

Large textiles such as curtains, carpets or upholstered furniture fit neither in the washing machine nor in the freezer. In summer, place them in the blazing sun for several hours or blow-dry them on the highest setting to catch all the pests.

Be careful with leather sofas: They do not tolerate heat and can warp when blow-dried.

Remove food

If you are dealing with food moths, you should throw away all infested and adjacent food, as the small pests can easily eat through cardboard, paper, natural fibers and even plastic film.

Clean the cupboard

After you have removed all nests and affected textiles or food from the cupboard, you should first vacuum it out and then clean it thoroughly with vinegar cleaner. Finally, wipe it out again with warm soapy water.

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Clean the entire room

Finally, the room in which the moths have been located should also be cleaned. This includes skirting boards, cracks and crevices between cupboards, cavities, radiators and all areas that are covered by furniture. If not all areas can be reached easily, use a hairdryer again and blow-dry hard-to-reach areas at the highest setting to destroy all moth eggs and larvae.

Prevent further infestation

In order to protect yourself from another moth infestation, there are a few things you should bear in mind:

• Fit windows with fly screens
• Vacuum regularly
• Store unused clothing in plastic bags
• Clean out, rearrange, clean and air wardrobes several times a year
• only hang freshly washed clothes in the wardrobe (the smell of sweat, skin and hair dandruff attract animals)
• Wash curtains, carpets and cushions regularly at 60 °C
• Store flour, rice, pasta and muesli in glass or plastic containers
• Line your closet with scented sachets made from lavender, laurel, cloves or cedar wood

Moth traps

Moth traps can be used for the early detection and monitoring of moth infestations. These are so-called pheromone traps, which attract male moths with their attractants. These then stick to a layer of glue. This makes it easy to determine whether the pantry or closet is infested with moths.

However, the moth traps are not a method of combating moths, but rather a way of observing how severe the infestation already is. If more than 10 moths per week stick to the trap, steps should be taken quickly to combat them.

Ichneumon wasps

Ichneumon wasps are a simple remedy for moths. You can get them easily from DIY stores or online retailers. These are small insects that target the eggs of moths. They lay their eggs in those of the moths and feed on them at the same time. As soon as all the moth eggs have been eaten, the ichneumon wasps also die.

Make your own lavender sachets

You can buy lavender sachets relatively cheaply in shops, but they are also very easy to make yourself. All you need are dried lavender flowers, a cotton cloth, a cord and a pair of scissors. If you have lavender flowers in your garden, pick them between June and August and leave them to dry upside down for about a week. The dried flowers are then stuffed into the cloth and closed with the cord. They can then be placed in the closet where they will remain fragrant for up to two years.

If moths have taken up residence in your home, this is usually very unpleasant, as it involves a lot of work to get rid of them. Because they reproduce quickly, moths can quickly become a plague and cause considerable damage to various materials. Timely action and careful moth control are therefore necessary to get rid of the pests permanently.

Sources: moth-away, schöner-wohnen, otto
Thumbnails: ©pinterest/bobvila ©pinterest/top inspired

Carpets contribute significantly to the coziness in the home. But over time, they suffer from daily use, dirt and stains. Nevertheless, you can do without professional cleaning. Because you can get even stubborn stains out of most carpets yourself – using household products, the washing machine or a hand wash. Find out here what you need to bear in mind when cleaning carpets with household products.

It may seem trivial, but to keep your carpet clean and beautiful for a long time, you need to vacuum it regularly. If you have the money and space for another household appliance, you can also invest in a washing vacuum cleaner for time-saving deep cleaning of your carpet. If this is too time-consuming for you, you can just as easily clean the carpet with household products.

Cleaning carpets – household remedies and tips

If you want to remove damp stains from carpets, you should act quickly. This is because the liquid has not yet penetrated as deeply into the fibers and the stain is easier to get out. Therefore, try to soak up the liquid immediately with a cloth or kitchen paper. Do not rub or apply pressure, however, as this will cause the dirt to penetrate deeper into the fabric.

Before you use a stain remover or one of the following home remedies for stains, you should use warm water and a clean cloth. Many stains are water-soluble and can be easily removed with gentle twisting movements.

Home remedies to clean the carpet

1. Vinegar: Mix vinegar essence with water in a 1:1 ratio. Soak a cotton cloth in the mixture and carefully dab the stain on the carpet. After half an hour, wipe the area with clean water.
2. Baking powder or baking soda: Sprinkle this on the stain and moisten with water. Leave on for several hours or at least until the mixture has dried, then vacuum.
3. Salt: For red wine stains, simply sprinkle salt on the stain from the outside inwards, leave to dry and vacuum after a few hours.
4. Shaving foam: Apply this to the stain and brush into the carpet. After one hour, remove the shaving foam and dirt with a cloth.

Wash the carpet yourself

Certain plant fibers (e.g. raffia, sisal and coconut fibers) only tolerate very little water. Here you should only treat the stain carefully with a damp cloth (or an old toothbrush if necessary) and a little detergent.

Leather carpets also hardly tolerate any water and should only be cleaned with a slightly damp cloth and a natural soap.

Some lambskin rugs can be cleaned in the washing machine on the wool program without spinning. However, there are also lambskin rugs that can only withstand cold water and a special moisturizing detergent, and even some that can only be dry-cleaned.

Washing carpets in the washing machine

Small and light rugs made of synthetic fabrics (e.g. polyester), cotton and wool can be washed in the washing machine at 30 °C on the delicate wash program.

Larger and heavier rugs are not suitable for conventional washing machines due to their weight. However, you can wash such rugs in a launderette if they are not too large. There are washing machines with more capacity.

Washing carpets by hand

1. Vacuum the carpet. Long-pile carpets should also be combed before washing.
2. Pre-treat stains with water and curd soap or a mild detergent.
3. Pour lukewarm water and a mild detergent into the bathtub and stir to form a suds solution.
4. Leave the carpet to soak for between 15 and 60 minutes, depending on the material and degree of soiling.
5. Knead the carpet thoroughly and, if it is made of a robust material, treat it with a soft brush.
6. Then rinse the carpet several times with clean water until there is no more foam.
7. Finally, wring out the rug thoroughly and hang it on a washing line or clothes horse.
8. The carpet must be completely dry when you lay it out again, otherwise mold will form.

Sources: kaercher, utopia, house journal
Thumbnails: ©Flickr/Teresa Trimm ©Flickr/Stefani Spitzer

In Germany, an average of 33.8 liters of cola or mixed cola drinks such as Spezi were drunk per person in 2023. No wonder: the drink not only wakes you up, it also tastes delicious. Unfortunately, the soft drink contains a lot of sugar as well as some chemical colorants that are not particularly healthy. We can’t replace the delicious sugar, but you can make your own natural alternative with the so-called cola herb from the herb garden. We explain how to do it.

Cola herb: what’s behind the plant

The so-called cola herb is actually called Rue (lat. Artemisia abrotanum var. maritima) and originally comes from Eastern Europe and Asia Minor. The robust herb is related to plants such as wormwood, tarragon and mugwort. All plants that have an intense smell or taste.

Reading tipDid you know that cola is an effective cleaning agent?

But in the meantime, rue has also found its way into German gardens are kept. However, the fact that a drink can be made from the perennial plant is still new to many people. Although the cola herb is not included in the recipe for Coca Cola, it can be used to “recreate” the popular drink. And this is how it works:

Cola herb recipe: Make syrup from cola rue

What you need:

• 60 g of cola herb (mountain rue)
• 1-2 organic lemons
• 250 l water
• 375 g raw cane sugar
• Measuring cup
• Cooking pot
• Washed out glass bottle or preserving jar

This is how it works:

1. Wash and juice the lemon. Hoe then chop the peel. However, the pieces do not have to be very fine.
2. Put the prepared lemon and juice together with water in a sufficiently large pan. Leave the whole thing on a low heat for three minutesbefore you continue.
3. Before you add the cola herb to the water, it must be washed be washed. Also remove woody areas.
4. Tip the lemon water through a sieve into a measuring jug. Add lemon water (if necessary) to make up to 250 ml of liquid.
5. Now put the water back into the pot and mix with the cane sugar brought to the boil.
6. When the sugar has dissolved, add the cola herb Add the cola herb. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cabbage well.
7. Now it’s time to wait: the cabbage remains in the pan for 12-18 hours. sugar water.
8. Almost done: Remove the cola weed and cook boil the syrup again briefly to preserve it.
9. The last step is to pour the cola syrup into a clean, hot rinsed glass bottle.

The next time you fancy a cold cola, you can mix some of the syrup with mineral water. Voilà: a natural version of the popular drink.

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Does cola really wake you up?

No, cola contains no caffeineso the homemade cola does not have the same effect as the original. But it is a medicinal plant and has a health-promoting effect on the human body. This is because cola contains essential oils and bitter substances that were already used in ancient Greece to treat various ailments. The cola herb is said to alleviate the following complaints:

• Respiratory diseases
• Muscle pain like during menstruation or childbirth
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Digestive problems
• Restlessness and stress

Attention: The cola herb can induce premature labor, so pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid it.

Boar’s rue tea as a sugar-free alternative

Do you want to take advantage of the healing properties of cola, but want to avoid sugar? Then a tea made from cola herb is the healthy alternative. Simply pour boiling water over the fresh herb and sweeten it with honey or sugar as required. Of course, you can also order the medicinal herb as a dried 🛒 medicinal tea.

Sources: mein-schoener-garten, lichtyam

Watering houseplants needs to be learned. There is usually a fine line between “far too dry” and waterlogging. But one thing is certain: your beloved plants will die if they are not cared for properly. Fortunately, with the help of these tips, you can easily determine how often you should water your plants and what additional care they need. Read on to find out how to correctly assess the “thirst” of your houseplants.

However, it is important to note that every plant species has different needs. The tips should only serve as a general guide. Therefore, always inform yourself about the individual care of your plant, on which you will often find a label with care instructions. You can also ask the retailer directly about the correct handling of the respective plant.

Avoid waterlogging of houseplants

There are a few types of plants, such as primroses and mountain ash in the garden, that have no problem with waterlogging. However, potted plants only have a limited volume of soil available, so excessive watering should be avoided at all costs. Ivy plants, for example, need a moist substrate, but should never stand in water.

Succulents are the most sensitive plants. Their roots and stems quickly become moldy if they stand in water for a long time. Waterlogging prevents the plants from absorbing nutrients and oxygen through the roots. Once these have died, it becomes difficult to save the plant.

Correctly assess the water requirements of plants

You can now find out which 5 things you need to pay attention to in order to water your plants correctly.

Check the plant for yellow leaves

You should check your plants every two days. Leaves and any flowers can provide information about their well-being. The following characteristics can be signs that the plant needs water:

• Yellow or brown leaves
• withered flowers
• soft and drooping leaves
• sagging stems

Lifting the pot

You can test whether a plant needs water by lifting the flower pot. If it is heavy, there is still enough water in the soil. This method can be combined with other tricks until you get a feel for the weight of the pot. If the plant has a planter, you can see whether water has collected in the pot by lifting the plant.

Carry out a stick test

You can use a shashlik skewer or another stick to check the moisture content of the soil. To do this, stick the stick several centimeters deep into the soil. If the stick is dry, you should water the plant. If it is moist, you should do the test again two days later.

TipYou can of course also do the test with a finger. Here, too, you should make sure that you stick your finger deep enough into the soil.

Checking the quality of the soil

Sometimes it is also enough to look at the soil in the pot. Dry soil is lighter than moist soil. This method is particularly helpful for plant species that require permanently moist soil. Moldy soil should be carefully removed and you should wait until the soil is dry before watering the plant again.

Moisture sensor for the soil

If you don’t feel like or don’t have time to deal with the plants, moisture sensors 🛒 can be the solution. These measure the moisture content of the soil and let you know when it’s time to water.

SOS tip for dried out plants

If you have forgotten to water your plant, you can try to save it. To do this, fill a bucket with water and place the plant and its container (if it has a hole) or pot in it. Wait until there are no more air bubbles in the water. Then remove the plant and allow the excess water to drip off.

With these tips, you will hopefully never have to deal with moldy soil or dried out leaves again. You can find more articles about plants and gardening here:

Source: comment-economiser, utopia, myhomebook, home garden

Originally a classic of Mediterranean cuisine, basil has become an indispensable part of our kitchens. Who would want to do without the spicy green on a plate of tomato and mozzarella or can imagine a fresh green pesto without basil? However, this popular plant likes to drop its leaves and die. To prevent this from happening to you, you need to look after your basil properly – find out how here.

Proper basil care: tips for location, watering and harvesting

You usually buy it as a fresh plant in the vegetable section. However, what looks so juicy and lush in the store usually cuts a rather sad figure after a few days and ends up in the organic waste garbage can or on the compost heap with a heavy heart. However, it is quite possible to save the plant. There are even people who give their basil names and have a veritable cult surrounding the spice plant. But that’s exactly what you need: a good dose of dedication and the following tricks and tips.

Watering basil – the right amount

Most people go to two extremes: some water their basil overprotectively and literally drown it in water. Others don’t bother and let the soil dry out. The right thing to do, however, is to keep the soil evenly moist and avoid waterlogging. In addition, you should only water the soil, not the leaves, as otherwise fungi are encouraged.

The right location for basil

This Mediterranean plant loves as much light as possible. So choose the sunniest spot in the house if you want to keep it indoors. The garden or balcony is better, at least in the summer months. Outside, the plants get plenty of sun and fresh air and usually have more space to develop.

Growing basil in a pot

It is best to give the plants plenty of space. To do this, you can divide the pot from the store into four parts and plant each in an individual pot with plenty of fresh soil.

This is the soil basil needs

Please do not use herb soil for this, but high-quality, nutrient-rich potting soil. Basil is demanding and hungry.

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Fertilizing basil correctly

Fertilize your basil once or twice a month with an organic liquid fertilizer for foliage plants (outdoors, every six weeks is sufficient). It will thank you with plenty of fresh leaves and pests such as spider mites will be kept at bay.

Harvesting basil

Many people believe it is best to pick individual leaves from different branches so as not to weaken any branch too much. In reality, however, it makes more sense to cut off entire stems. This makes the growth denser, as new shoots and leaves form at the cut points.

Basil in bloom: Can you still eat the leaves?

Cutting off the stems also has the advantage that you can control the flowering. This is because when the plant flowers, the leaves lose their size and aroma. However, if you overlook a branch and it starts to flower, don’t panic: The flowers are also edible, extremely tasty and an adornment for any salad.

Your basil arrives at your home rather stressed, as the stems are actually too densely packed in the finished herb pot, have too few nutrients and transportation is hard on them. This means that the plants only have a short life ahead of them when you buy them. However, if you provide them with a “species-appropriate environment”, they will thank you for it – in the best case for a long time.

Sources: t-online, utopia, gartenlexikon

The dragon tree (Dracaena) is a popular houseplant that provides an exotic flair with little effort. Does your dragon tree keep getting brown tips, constantly losing leaves or not growing properly? This easy-care plant also needs the right treatment to stay healthy for a long time. Here you can find out how to care for your dragon tree.

The right location makes all the difference

You determine the location, because the dragon tree copes well with different light conditions. If you want it to grow quickly and compactly, make sure it gets as much light as possible! In order for the dragon tree to grow optimally, it needs a bright, but not too sunny spot.

Direct midday sun can burn its leaves, while too little light inhibits growth. A semi-shady spot near a window is ideal. On frost-free days, your dragon tree can even move outside, as it tolerates temperatures between 2° and 36° C. Do you want your dragon tree to grow straight? Then turn it a little regularly, for example when watering!

How often should it be watered?

A common care mistake is too much water. The dragon tree likes it dry rather than wet. Only water it when the top layer of soil has dried out well. Waterlogging can lead to root rot, so excess water should always be able to drain away easily and should be poured away. It is best to use low-lime, stale water.

Dust off your plant

Dust settles like a film on the leaves of your houseplants and reduces energy production and growth. Does dusting your dragon tree leaf by leaf sound unattractive? You’re right! Put it in the shower once a year and dust will be a thing of the past! This allows leaf respiration and photosynthesis to run optimally and your dragon tree is perfectly cared for.

Which substrate is the right one?

Choose a soil that suits the location! Your dragon tree will also be really happy with standard potting soil if you add enough pumice 🛒 or perlite 🛒 to the soil (mixing ratio of potting soil to pumice/perlite 2:1). This makes it much more permeable and minor watering accidents do not directly lead to the roots rotting. However, succulent soil or a mineral substrate are also ideal for dragon trees.

How to fertilize correctly

The dragon tree needs nutrients to grow vigorously. You can fertilize it all year round with a low-dose solution in the irrigation water. Yes, you read that right! If you do not place it in a cool winter habitat, such as a conservatory, but keep the conditions almost the same all year round, then year-round fertilization is also good for your plant.

Leaves turning brown? This helps

Brown leaf tips are often a sign of dry air or too much, too little or too irregular watering, but can also occur in nature under optimal conditions. ButIn heated rooms, it is worth increasing the humidity, for example by occasionally spraying with low-lime water.

Pruning for more vitality

If the dragon tree grows too tall or develops bald patches, it can easily be pruned back. Cut the trunk to the desired height with a sharp knife. New shoots will form in a few weeks.

If you don’t want to cut away the entire crown, you can also cut off individual shoots with a clean, disinfected knife. To do this, take the leaves up and tie them together in a “plait” with a soft hair band, then nothing will get in the way when cutting. You can put the cut shoot in a glass of water to root. Once enough roots have sprouted, plant the mini dragon in the same pot for a bushy appearance or give the cutting as a gift.

The following generally applies to all houseplantsAlways orient yourself to the conditions of the place of origin and adjust the location, the amount of watering and the substrate in your home accordingly. The darker the leaf color, the less light it needs.

The dragon tree is an easy plant to care for as long as you follow a few basic rules. A bright location, moderate watering and occasional fertilization are enough to keep it healthy and strong. If you also keep an eye on the humidity, you will be able to enjoy this exotic houseplant for a long time. And, isn’t it easy to look after a dragon tree? Good luck with our tips!

Do you know other dragon tree lovers? Then share this article with them now!

Source: Youtube/Crazyplantboy

Alongside aphids, fungus gnats and whiteflies, scale insects are one of the most common pests of houseplants. They mainly infest woody plants, but also orchids and oleanders. You can find out how to combat scale insects and protect your houseplants from these pests here.

Recognizing scale insects on houseplants

Scale insects feed mainly on plant sap and thus extract valuable nutrients from your plants. The small pests excrete the sugar contained in the sap in the form of a sticky secretion. A pest infestation is therefore usually only noticed when the leaves of a houseplant become strangely shiny or sticky. On closer inspection, small, pockmark-like formations are then usually discovered on the shoots and on the underside of the leaves. Orchids are also frequently infested by scale insects. You can recognize this by the fact that the leaves wilt and the flowers are deformed.

Some scale insects also release toxic substances into plants, which can massively impair their growth and even lead to the death of the plant. If you notice an increased number of ants in your home, this could also be an indication of scale insects on your houseplants. The ants love to feed on the so-called honeydew produced by the scale insects.

Which houseplants are particularly frequently affected?

Scale insects spread mainly in winter and spring. If they find a dry, warm climate, they also multiply rapidly. However, they particularly target some houseplants. These include

• orchids
• Oleander
• Ficus
• Palms
• Aralia
• Citrus plants
• Laurel
• Succulents with thick fleshy leaves

However, it is best not to let it get that far in the first place. Healthy and strong plants are much less likely to be infested. With an optimal location and the right care, you can effectively prevent scale insects. Plants over-fertilized with nitrogen are particularly susceptible to scale insects. To strengthen your houseplants, you can spray them with a mixture of garlic, nettle and tansy during the winter months.

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Effectively combating scale insects

If you discover scale insects on your houseplants, it is important to act as quickly as possible. First of all, you should separate the pest-infested plant. If it is only a light infestation, you can simply wipe off the scale insects with a damp cloth or carefully brush them off with an old toothbrush. Check your plant regularly for new infestations and repeat the process. Spraying with water usually does not have the desired effect on scale insects.

Oil as a secret weapon against scale insects

In some plant forums, hobby gardeners recommend combating scale insects with olive oil, orange oil or tea tree oil. You can also try your luck with preparations based on kerosene or rapeseed oil. The oil film suffocates the small pests. Please note, however, that not all plants tolerate oil treatment. Young shoots in particular could turn brown and die. Therefore, find out in advance whether this treatment is suitable for your plant. You will probably not get rid of all the scale insects the first time you spray, so repeat the application after a week.

If the pests are not impressed by this either, the only other option is to use plant protection sticks 🛒 with chemical agents from specialist retailers. Simply insert these into the pot ball. The sticks poison the plant sap, causing the scale insects to die. However, only use the sticks on ornamental plants.

Use these tips to combat scale insects and save the lives of your houseplants. It is best to check your plants regularly for pests so that you can react in good time if the worst comes to the worst.

Source: meinschoenergarten

Hobby gardeners have to protect their beloved plants from various pests all year round. Fungus gnats and aphids are particularly common. But there are also small whiteflies that infest your houseplants, herbs or vegetable plants. Find out what you need to know about the so-called moth scale insect and how to combat it.

Recognize moth scale insects

The small white flies are closely related to aphids and scale insects and have nothing to do with the classic fly. A distinction is made between the greenhouse moth scale and the cotton moth scale. Both species occur mainly in greenhouses or indoors, but in rare cases also outdoors, e.g. on balconies. The aphids are 2 to 3 mm in size – with their milky white wings, the females resemble moths, which is where the name comes from.

Both the larvae and adult moth scale insects damage your plants through their sucking activities. This also transmits viruses. In addition, the pests excrete honeydew, which makes your plants susceptible to fungal infestation. Yellow, falling leaves, growth disorders and fruit deformities are the result.

Which plants are particularly at risk?

The following plants are considered particularly endangered:

• Basil and other herbs (also in the home)
• Money tree
• Tomatoes
• Cucumbers
• Beans
• Cabbage
• Fuchsias
• Gerbera
• Geraniums

The insects can only survive for a short time at temperatures around freezing point. However, they find optimal living conditions in the greenhouse, in the home or anywhere where high temperatures prevail. Incidentally, the females lay up to 400 eggs in their short, four-week life. These are elongated-oval and white to yellowish-green in color. Especially in warm places, the small whiteflies have the ideal conditions to multiply rapidly. All the more reason to combat them as quickly as possible.

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Fighting small whiteflies

The first step, of course, is to prevent a pest infestation. Insect hotels in the garden and beneficial insects, such as ladybugs or spiders, can help you to keep the pests away. If necessary, you can strengthen your plants with tansy tea or nettle slurry. Also make sure to ventilate your home and greenhouse regularly and check your plants for pests from time to time. However, preventative measures are not always successful or you may bring the moth scale insects into your home, greenhouse or garden via newly purchased plants. Various methods have proven successful in combating the small whiteflies.

• Yellow tablets 🛒 attract the pests. They stick to them and eventually die.
• Rapeseed oil 🛒 or Neem products 🛒 are also suitable for controlling the moth scale insect. Make sure you also treat the underside of the leaves and repeat the application regularly. You should mix rapeseed oil with a little water before use.
• Ichneumon wasps 🛒 are particularly helpful in the greenhouse or in the home to control pests.
• Predatory bugs are also effective. It is best to give them grain moth eggs as food so that they do not accidentally damage your plants.
• Certain plants, such as the poison berry or the Blue lantern flower effectively control the pests within a radius of six square meters. The little beasts die when they suck on these plants.
• After successful pest control, it is advisable to change the substrate for houseplants.

Do without pesticides

The use of pesticides should really only be considered in an absolute emergency. Such products can cause considerable harm to the beneficial insects in your garden. First try the means and methods listed here to get rid of the small whiteflies for good. Good luck!

Source: meinschoenergarten

Have you cut up too much sausage or taken advantage of a special offer? No problem – you can simply freeze salami and enjoy it later. Due to its processing, salami has a longer shelf life than many other types of sausage anyway – and if you do everything right when freezing it, you can extend its shelf life even further.

Freezing salami – when is the right time?

If you want to freeze salami, it should be frozen as soon as possible. fresh be fresh. It is best to freeze them before the best-before date. Whether in slices or in one piece, the sooner you freeze the sausage, the better its quality will be preserved.

Especially with sliced salami quick action is required. As soon as the surface has dried out or the first changes appear, it is too late. Fresh, slightly moist sausage with a good smell, on the other hand, is ideal for storing for later – without any loss of flavor.

How to freeze salami properly

You should prepare the salami carefully before freezing. If possible, wrap it airtightto avoid freezer burn. Freezer bags, tins or – even better – vacuum bags are suitable for this. The less air comes into contact with the salami, the longer it will stay aromatic.

TipAvoid air pockets and freezer burn with a simple trick.

Divide the sausage into smaller portions before freezing. This saves you time later and allows you to defrost only as much as you really need. Don’t forget to put the packaging with the freezing date to be labeled. Salami stays fresh in the freezer for around three to four months.

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Defrosting without loss of quality

When defrosting, small changes can occur – especially with thinly sliced salami. This is due to the fact that ice crystals form during freezing, which slightly affect the structure of the sausage. Especially sensitive are thin slices, while pieces in one piece remain more stable.

It is best to defrost the salami slowly in the fridge. This way it stays juicy, retains its flavor and is ready to use again after a few hours – whether for a sandwich board, a pizza or as a snack between meals. Once defrosted, however, it should consumed quickly can be consumed quickly.

If you want to avoid freezing

Do you need the sausage soon? Then you can avoid freezing it and store it well packaged in the fridge. Salami keeps well here up to two weeks. It is important that you store it in an airtight container so that it does not dry out or absorb foreign odors.

Particularly long-life varieties such as chorizo or cabanossi can even be stored unrefrigerated – provided they are in their original packaging or well protected. These varieties are also excellent for freezing, as they remain particularly stable due to the salt and fat.

Checklist: Freezing salami made easy

• Only fresh, use flawless salami
• On Piece or in Slices freeze – as required
• Airtight packaging (freezer bags, tins or vacuum seal)
• In small portions freeze for more flexibility
• Labeling with freeze date do not forget
• Frozen 3-4 months shelf life
• Slow Thawing preferably in the refrigerator
• Thawed Salami consume quickly
• AlternativesRefrigerator storage or long-life varieties at room temperature

_{This article was created partly with machine support and carefully checked by the editors before publication.}