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The easy cotton wool hack that keeps wasps out of your home this summer & it takes seconds to do

The easy cotton wool hack that keeps wasps out of your home this summer & it takes seconds to do

The Sun30-05-2025
AS the summer months approach, more and more insects make their way into our homes.
While most of them are totally harmless, there's one we'd all rather avoid - wasps.
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Thankfully, a pest control expert has shared a simple way to keep them out for good without using harsh chemicals.
And all you will need to keep them deterred from entering your home is some peppermint oil and some cotton wool.
Wasps and hornets are known to have a hatred for mint - and so sprinkling mint around your property might be just the repellent you need.
Clancy Bros Pest Control also suggests using peppermint oil as an alternative.
To complete the hack all you need to do is put a few drops of the oil into the cotton wool, reports the Express.
In addition, cleaning sensation Chantel Mila has shared her tactic of placing peppermint oil-infused cotton balls under bin liners to ward off insects while also keeping odours at bay.
She also suggested vacuuming the cotton wool dabbed in oil up so the scent permeates the house to keep wasps out.
Mila, who shared the advice with her 1.6 million followers, also noted that she places a mint in jars full of water near windows to block fly entry.
The cleaning whizz also combats spider invasion by wiping down walls and floors with orange oil as spiders detest its smell.
Chantel also revealed that doorways are a critical point of entry for insects.
Tips and Tricks to Keep Your Garden Pest-Free
"Dirty door tracks can be a breeding ground for bugs, so wrap a cloth around a blunt knife to clean them easily," she said.
Wasps also detest the smell of cayenne pepper, according to Eliminate Solutions.
To create a repellent, mix one teaspoon of pepper with one cup of water and spray it around your home to keep these pests at bay.
Citronella, a citrus scent commonly found in perfumes and soaps, is renowned for its insect-repelling properties, particularly against mosquitos, but it's also effective in warding off wasps.
The pest control firm suggests "burning citronella candles to infuse the outdoor area" as a deterrent.
In addition, keeping homes free of exposed food and drinks is crucial to prevent these insects from venturing indoors.
Timothy Wong, a director at MandM Pest Control, shared with the Martha Stewart website that wasps are attracted to carbohydrates found in fruits, sugary drinks, and sweets, which explains their presence near picnic areas, rubbish bins, and inside homes.
IF you want to ensure that your home is pest free this summer, here's what you need to know.
Hornets and wasps - hate the smell of peppermint oil so spraying this liberally around your patio or balcony can help to keep them at bay.
Moths - acidic household white vinegar is effective for deterring moths. Soak some kitchen roll in vinegar and leave it in your wardrobe as a deterrent.
Flying ants - herbs and spices, such as cinnamon, mint, chilli pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cloves, or garlic act as deterrents.
Mosquitoes - plants, herbs and essential oil fragrances can help deter mozzies inside and out. Try eucalyptus, lavender and lemongrass.
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Map reveals where Americans are at highest risk of number one killer... and the shocking reason why
Map reveals where Americans are at highest risk of number one killer... and the shocking reason why

Daily Mail​

time24 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

Map reveals where Americans are at highest risk of number one killer... and the shocking reason why

Americans in about three dozen counties are being exposed to dangerous air pollution that puts them at a heightened risk of cardiovascular disease. A research team from the University of Michigan constructed a map of the more than 15,000 cattle and hog feeding operations in the US and found a quarter are located in just 30 US counties out of more than 3,000. Based on the analysis, the factory farms occupy an area of about 500,000 football fields, with cattle operations representing almost 80 percent of that total. For comparison, there are about 16,000 high school football fields in the country. Researchers found that these factory farms are putting millions of Americans at risk of heart disease, the leading cause of death in the US, and respiratory issues by pumping out high amounts of pollutants called PM2.5. PM2.5 levels in the air near the animal feeding operations, or AFOs (large-scale facilities where animals are confined for concentrated feeding), were higher than in similar counties without such operations. PM2.5 levels were 28 percent higher than average in tracts of land with cattle operations and 11 percent higher in areas with hog farms. Both short-term and long-term exposure to PM2.5 has been found to trigger heart attacks, stroke, and other cardiovascular events. Some states with the highest density of factory farms (more than 300 per county) include Idaho, California, Utah, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. In the study, the researchers focused on PM2.5 levels. PM2.5 denotes particulate matter that is 2.5 micrometers or less. They are about one millionth of an inch, meaning these particles are easily inhaled by anyone exposed to them. The pollution is linked to a number of heart, lung and airway health effects. 'It lingers in the air and can get really deep into your lungs and create scar tissue. It's nasty stuff. There are really no safe levels of it,' said Benjamin Goldstein, a senior author of the new study. The researchers note that the American Medical Association has estimated that for every 10 micrograms per cubic meter (10μg/m3) increase in PM2.5, there is a corresponding four percent increase in overall mortality, with a six percent increase in cardiopulmonary mortality and an eight percent increase in lung cancer mortality. These health impacts have been observed at communities up to 11 miles from AFOs. In the study, an analysis revealed that tracts of land with cattle AFOs exhibit an average PM2.5 concentration of 7.7μg/m3. This is 1.7μg/m3 higher than identical tracts without these facilities. Similarly, the areas with hog farms show an average PM2.5 concentration of 9.2μg/m3, which is 0.9μg/m3 higher than spots without such facilities. The researchers said of these findings: 'These confirm that AFOs are associated with elevated local PM2.5 levels. Given the absence of a safe PM2.5 exposure limits, even slight increases in particulate pollution from AFOs pose health risks to nearby populations.' AFOs release a variety of air pollutants including ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, methane, particulate matter (PM), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The researchers said: 'Because of high stocking densities at AFOs, vegetation is scarce, and animal hooves often kick up dust. 'The sheer number of animals also produce immense volumes of manure and urine. 'These activities generate airborne particulate matter, both directly as dust and indirectly through precursors volatilized at manure lagoons.' The researchers found cattle farms are primarily concentrated in select counties within California, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Idaho, Iowa, and Texas, while hog farms are mostly clustered in Iowa, North Carolina, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and Missouri. Several of these states have the highest rates of heart disease mortality in the US. Cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke, claim more lives than all forms of cancer and accidental deaths combined, according to the American Heart Association. It has been the leading cause of death in the US since 1950. In 2023, it was responsible for about one in three deaths, killing 919,000 people. According to 2022 CDC data, the latest statewide available, Oklahoma had the highest heart disease mortality at 257 deaths per 100,000 people. And the leading cause of death in all the other states, aside from Minnesota, is heart disease. Previous studies have found that people who live within a few miles of an animal feeding operation are more likely to die from a cardiovascular problem than people who do not live near an animal facility. The pollutants have also been found to increase the risk of contracting respiratory illnesses like asthma and bronchitis. The researchers said they were concerned to find that communities near AFOs are 'often lower income, less educated, and composed of higher proportions of racial minorities compared to more distant neighborhoods'. Specifically, these communities were more likely to have lower levels of health insurance coverage 'One of the things that this study reveals is that we could focus on a limited number of counties to really address health impacts in these communities,' said Joshua Newell, a senior author of the report published in Communications Earth & Environment. He added that creating the map is important for policymakers, governments, and community groups to 'develop very targeted policies or measures' moving forward. Although entities like the EPA and the Department of Agriculture do collect some data on AFOs, there's variability and inconsistency in how that data is reported across the country. As a result, the existent body of data was messy and limited in its scope and accuracy, lead author Sanaz Chamanara said. For example, she combined government data to start with an original list of more than 10,000 AFO locations. But as Chamanara started verifying those locations with satellite imagery, she found thousands of sites without active AFOs. 'I can't remember the exact numbers, but, at the end, the data contained just about 5,000 locations,' Chamanara said, a number that was far too low to be accurate. 'I saw that and said, "This doesn't make sense." And that's when I started developing the whole data set.' A community science project called Counterglow provided information on where to start looking for the missing AFOs, but Chamanara still had to comb through satellite imagery of every continental US county to locate the operations. Because nationwide data is available on air quality and the socioeconomic makeup of communities, the team could use its new data and systematically examine correlations with the presence of AFOs on an 'unprecedented scale'. Researchers have examined such connections before, but previous studies were constrained to much smaller, local extents. The researchers used census data to analyze the sociodemographic makeup of the communities near feeding operations. 'The meat you eat comes from somewhere. It takes up a lot of space and produces a lot of pollution,' Goldstein said. 'And somebody else and place has to bear that pollution.'

GLP-1 microdosing for weight loss: Experts weigh the pros and cons
GLP-1 microdosing for weight loss: Experts weigh the pros and cons

Medical News Today

time25 minutes ago

  • Medical News Today

GLP-1 microdosing for weight loss: Experts weigh the pros and cons

Over the last few years, the popularity of taking GLP-1 medications for weight loss has greatly increased. More than half of Americans taking GLP-1s say it was difficult to afford. Online health platform Noom recently launched its Noom Microdose GLP-1Rx Program to reportedly address barriers to GLP-1s, including medication cost. Over the last few years, the popularity of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1) used for weight loss has greatly increased. Type 2 diabetes medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro are sometimes prescribed off label for weight loss, while Wegovy and Zepbound are approved for the treatment of obesity. Industry researchers estimate that while about 12% of United States citizens have used a GLP-1 medication for weight loss, 54% of adults who have taken GLP-1s say it was difficult to afford, and 53% say it was still too expensive even if they received insurance coverage for the medication. Medication cost is just one of the reasons why online health platform Noom recently launched its Noom Microdose GLP-1Rx Program, which, according to the company, also helps lower potential side effects and helps with creating sustainable behavior changes. Medical News Today spoke with five GLP-1 medical experts to find out what exactly is microdosing and how it is different from taking normal amounts of GLP-1 medications, as well as its safety and efficacy. What is microdosing? According to Maria Cecilia C. Asnis, MD, FACE, DABOM, director of The Center for Weight Management at Stamford Health and assistant clinical professor of medicine at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, GLP-1 microdosing is the new 'buzzy' term circulating in the conversation regarding these tools for weight management.'However, the concept of flexibility in dosing and personalization of medication management is not new in the clinical space,' Asnis explained to MNT. 'Every individual person has unique needs and goals — and the 'dose' they need to achieve and maintain those goals is also unique. In that same vein, the dose people respond to and tolerate without side effects is also individual.' Babak Orandi, MD, PhD, obesity medicine specialist and transplant surgeon at the NYU Langone Weight Management Program, and associate professor in the Departments of Surgery and Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, said that for many doctors who prescribe this class of medications frequently, microdosing is something they have already been trying. 'When I counsel my patients, I tell them that the study sponsors have to escalate the dose monthly in clinical trials but that doesn't mean I have to practice medicine that way,' Orandi explained to MNT. 'Some patients are more responsive to lower doses than others and pushing them to a dose faster or higher than is necessary just leads to side effects.' Similarly, Kayley George, MS, RD, LD, a registered dietitian, and founder of the Ditch the Diet coaching program,told MNT that microdosing through Noom or any other platform is not necessarily different from what doctors prescribe with, for example, Ozempic — the active ingredient, semaglutide, is still the same. 'What Noom is offering, however, is a lower dose than the traditional FDA-approved dosing regimen,' George explained. 'The traditional Ozempic dosing starts at 0.25 mg [milligrams] once weekly and is escalated typically every four weeks. In contrast, Noom states that their dosing starts at 25% or less of the standard 0.25 mg dose and escalates at a personalized rate.'Is microdosing GLP-1s safe? While microdosing GLP-1 medications may provide a more personalized experience, there are still questions regarding the safety of this practice as there are currently no published studies on the process, and the microdoses may come from a compounding pharmacy. Jennifer Cheng, DO, chief of endocrinology at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center in New Jersey, told MNT that, right now, GLP-1 microdosing is an experimental means that is not well studied currently, there is no reliable information on the safety and side effects of microdosing GLP-1, and there are no guidelines on how microdosing should occur.'Safety is unknown; [it remains] unknown if [this approach] is good or bad,' Cheng continued. 'It still may trigger the side effects of GLP-1. Giving a smaller dose of Ozempic or any other GLP-1 can still produce these side effects such as nausea, vomiting, muscle loss, upset stomach, headaches, and slowing of bowel movements potentially leading to ileus or obstruction.' George said that microdoses of the drug are only as safe as the pharmacy producing it:'To access these custom doses, Noom must use a specialized compounding pharmacy. 'Their website claims to work with a 'leading 503B FDA-inspected pharmacy to dispense compounded semaglutide medication.' They also highlight that the compounding pharmacies are U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP)-compliant.' 'Although they've taken extensive measures to ensure safety, it's still important to understand that compounded medications are not FDA-approved,' she continued. 'This means the final product is not reviewed for safety or efficacy the way commercial drugs are. In addition, compounded medications are typically not covered by insurance.' How effective is GLP-1 microdosing? Mir Ali, MD, a board-certified general surgeon, bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA, told MNT that while it is usually not harmful to microdose GLP-1 medications, they may be less effective.'Though some patients may feel the effect of these medications at lower doses, most patients require a higher dose to see significant results,' Ali explained. 'It may be useful in patients who have achieved their goal weight and are using lower doses to maintain their weight.' However, 'early data and clinical experience suggest that it is an effective strategy,' Orandi commented. 'People with diabetes, particularly severe diabetes, tend to lose less weight with GLP-1s than people without diabetes, so microdosing is less likely to be as effective, though their dose should only be increased as they tolerate it.' George said that in her professional opinion, microdosing is a potential option for patients with smaller amounts of weight to lose or as a bridge to start, or wean off, regular GLP-1 medications.'It may also be used as a maintenance dose after significant weight loss has already been achieved,' she added. 'I would not recommend microdosing GLP-1s for individuals with significant amounts of weight to lose or known metabolic dysregulation.' Is GLP-1 microdosing right for me? The bottom line is that there are still questions regarding the effectiveness and safety of microdosing GLP-1 medications, and this type of regimen is not for everyone. 'I would like people to know that microdosing is not the normal way these medications are used, though it may be feasible in those who have achieved the desired results or have much less weight to lose,' Ali to George:'Microdosing is a big trend in the weight management space but still not FDA-approved. Noom hit the nail on the head — patients need access to more affordable versions of GLP-1 medications with more tolerable side effects. As more generic, low-cost versions of Ozempic become available and medication innovations improve, I believe we'll see more solutions rolled out in the near future. Compounded microdosing is a good interim solution, but patients considering this option need to be very cautious on where the medication is sourced.'Experts also stressed the importance of having medical oversight while using GLP-1 medications. 'It is essential that people be medically evaluated and followed on these medications in the long term — not just when they are paying to subscribe to a program,' Asnis said. 'In the end, if we can increase access to these tools while maintaining oversight, and put patient outcomes over profits, that is what will ultimately move the needle on the proverbial scale in the pandemic of excess weight.' And Cheng noted that: 'It is better to use FDA approved treatments rather than experimental and unproven treatments.'Moreover, 'it is important to speak with your healthcare professional regarding the use of GLP-1 or microdosing,' he emphasized. 'There are risks, benefits and possible side effects to medications and, if discussed, they can help you navigate through the possible effects.' Finally, Orandi offered strategies to help minimize side effects that people should follow when taking GLP-1 medications in general. 'Eat slowly,' he advised. 'Avoid heavy, fatty foods, particularly in the first 24–48 hours of the injection. [And] don't force yourself to eat when you're not hungry.'

Travis Kelce: Taylor Swift reminds me of my mum
Travis Kelce: Taylor Swift reminds me of my mum

Telegraph

timean hour ago

  • Telegraph

Travis Kelce: Taylor Swift reminds me of my mum

Travis Kelce has said Taylor Swift reminds him of his mother. The Super Bowl-winning Kansas City Chiefs player, 35, has previously said that his ideal partner would share some qualities with Donna Kelce. Speaking to GQ magazine as their September cover star, the American footballer said that his mother and his pop star girlfriend share the characteristics of kindness, generosity and 'their ability to say hello to everyone in the room'. He added: 'Their ability to show love and support no matter what. And on top of that, their work ethic. 'I saw my mother reach goals that she had set for herself, go from being a teller to working all the way up in the KeyBank building.' Kelce, who has been dating Swift since 2023, explained: 'I've seen Taylor do the exact same thing of setting goals for herself and exceeding the expectations and really captivating the world in that regard.' The player has been thrust into the global spotlight since their romance was publicly confirmed with Swift's appearance at Missouri's Arrowhead Stadium in September 2023, when she joined Mrs Kelce in her son's VIP suite. Since then, Swift has been pictured growing closer to both parents, who split up when Kelce and his older brother, Jason, were at university in Cincinnati. They remain amicable and often watch Kelce play together, as well as with Swift's mother, Andrea, who has also appears to have become friendly with Mrs Kelce at the games they attend. Kelce suggested the pair may have bonded over their drive and success, which has seen Swift become one of the world's most successful artists and led Mrs Kelce through a 30-year career in banking. Mrs Kelce has more recently taken up acting and made her debut in two Hallmark films last year. It came after Swift used Kelce's podcast, New Heights, to announce her 12th studio album The Life of Showgirl, on Tuesday. The star made the announcement in a teaser clip from the podcast posted after a timer on her official website counted down to zero. The clip revealed she joined the NFL star as a guest on the show, which he hosts with his brother, with the full episode set to be released at midnight on Thursday. View this post on Instagram A post shared by New Heights (@newheightshow) Speaking about his own career goals, the three-time Super Bowl winner told GQ: 'Win a super bowl is the only goal. It's the only goal. It's every goal.' Discussing the Super Bowl defeat his team suffered four months ago, Kelce suggested that he had perhaps expended too much energy elsewhere. 'I think it might have slipped a little bit because I did have a little bit more focus in trying to set myself up. And opportunities came up where I was excited to venture into a new world of acting and being an entertainer,' he said. He added: 'I don't say this as 'I shouldn't have done it.' 'I'm just saying that my work ethic is such that I have so much pride in how I do things that I never want the product to tail off, and I feel like these past two years haven't been to my standard.' Elsewhere in the interview, he touched on the increased media scrutiny and pressure he faces since being linked to Swift two years ago. Kelce told the magazine that he is someone 'who does care' and who is unable to block the negative coverage out. 'If someone says something that they don't like about you, you have to be able to understand how you are portraying yourself for them to say that,' he explained. 'I don't want anyone to say anything negative about me. Some people don't give a f---. I'm someone who does care.'

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