Keep A Water Trough Free Of Algae

Keeping your water trough free from algae is necessary for the health of your animals.

Algae grows in almost any wet environment. It seems to thrive in troughs and water buckets and although you scrub it away, it keeps coming back. The algae, as it begins to grow and decompose, can become toxic to your animals. Animals can detect the toxins and will refuse to drink the contaminated water. This can lead to dehydration of your animals. Controlling algae is a constant battle, but there are ways to keep your water troughs clean and your animals healthy.

Instructions

1. Clean and scrub your troughs regularly. You must dump out the old water and scrub the trough thoroughly using hot water, bleach and a scrubbing brush. A wire scrubbing brush used for cleaning pools is an excellent choice for scrubbing troughs. You will need to perform this step once or twice a month depending on the conditions and size of the trough.

2. Treat the water in your trough. Add 2 tablespoons of Clorox bleach to the trough every three to four days, or dissolve copper sulfate crystals in warm water and add to the trough. For a 700-gallon trough, dissolve 1 tsp. of crystals in 3 oz. of warm water and pour in the trough. The small amount of chemicals will not hurt the animals.

3. Add commercial products to keep troughs clean. Commercial products, such as Clear Water Tabs, are pre-measured tablets containing dichloroisocyanirate acid and sodium salt. This algaecide is widely used on farms and in food processing plants to disinfect water. Use one tablet every three to five days for a 75- to 100-gallon trough.

4. Keep a hose dripping very slowly on the bottom of the trough. This keeps algae from attaching to the trough. The animals will have a slow, continuous flow of freshwater as they drink the "older" water on top.

5. Move the trough out of the sun and excessive heat. Heat and sun accelerate algae growth; moving the trough out of the sun and heat will slow algae growth.

6. Add goldfish or catfish to the trough. The fish feed on the algae; the livestock gets used to the fish quickly while the fish keep the trough clean.

7. Use smaller troughs or buckets so there is less standing water. Smaller troughs are easier to empty, clean and fill again which deters algae growth.

Tags: your animals, algae growth, crystals warm, crystals warm water, every three, scrubbing brush

Coleman Oven Tips

Coleman is a manufacturer of numerous camping and outdoor recreation products, including a line of portable ovens. Constructed from steel, these ovens can hold up in the elements while baking your food items or keeping them warm. The oven folds flat for easy portability as well. Keep some tips in mind while using a Coleman oven.

Installation

The Coleman oven sets up quickly with the use of a simple tab system. To open, pull the two sides of the oven apart, and make sure all four tabs are engaged on each side. Pull the latch on the bottom of the oven to secure it. Keep one hand securely on the oven as you pull the top of the oven through the center to latch it in place. Once all tabs and latches are secured, open the door of the oven, and put the rack in one of the slots. When you are finished using the oven, fold it up by unhooking the latches. Make sure you wait until the oven has completely cooled first.

Temperature

An issue you may experience while using a Coleman oven is the inability to keep the temperature regulated inside. This is especially the case in outdoor conditions where the winds are high. Cooking temperatures that are not stable can cause food to cook unevenly or to take a long time to bake. To avoid this, wrap the exterior of the oven in tin foil before placing on top of the heat source. When operating the Coleman oven, use a portable stove to heat the unit. Coleman manufactures a portable camping stove as well. Monitor the temperature with the easy-to-read external thermometer. Stabilize temperatures by allowing plenty of time to preheat the Coleman oven.

Size

When packing items to cook in your Coleman oven, keep in mind that the unit is small; it will only accomodate an 8 to 9-inch pan. Expect to bake compact items, like muffins, small pies and compact loaves of bread. You cannot place full muffin pans, pizza trays and other large baking items inside.

Tags: Coleman oven, Coleman oven, using Coleman, using Coleman oven, while using, while using Coleman

Get Rid Of Fleas With Household Items

Fleas are not only irritating, but they can also be difficult to get rid of once they’ve infested your home. There are a number of normal household ingredients and methods that can be used to eliminate the problem without resorting to harsh chemicals. Read on for tips on get rid of fleas with ordinary household items.

Instructions

1. Sprinkle salt on carpets and around pet beds. Leave in place for 24 hours and then vacuum. Salt dehydrates the fleas causing them to die.

2. Coat bare floors and upholstery with borax laundry powder. Borax works in much the same way as salt by dehydrating the fleas, but if they find a water source, it does double duty by expanding within the flea causing instant death.

3. Place a tea light candle in the center of a shallow pie pan or baking dish. Fill the pan with water. Set the entire pan in a corner of a darkened room and light the candle. Fleas will be attracted to the light and drown in the water.

4. Vacuum daily for 4 weeks. This will eliminate the adult fleas and their eggs. Empty the canister or bag outdoors after each use as the eggs can still hatch and re-infect your home.

Tags: light candle, your home

Baby Developmental Stages After Birth

A 1-year-old has already experienced immense physical and mental changes since birth.

A baby goes through an immense amount of physical and mental growth in the first three years of life. Parents need to be prepared for the changes their baby will go through so that if there are any physical or mental abnormalities in the child, they will be able to detect these possible health concerns.

Birth to 1 Month Old

In just one month, your baby will experience radical growth in his mental and physical capabilities. Physically, the baby will gain on average 2.5 pounds and grow by 3.5 centimeters in length. The baby will begin to grasp objects in his hand and usually place the object in his mouth to taste. The sense of sound is particularly strong in a baby during this time as his brain becomes accustomed to parental voices and tone.

2 to 6 Months

During this span of time, your baby will begin to see objects much clearer and in fuller color. The baby will begin to mimic sounds she hears with mumbles and noises, and closer to 6 months can begin making vowel and consonant sounds. If the baby is laid on her stomach, she will be able to lift her head up. Also, the baby can begin to roll over because of increased muscle strength.

7 Months to 1 Year

In between 7 and 9 months of life, your baby can stand up on his own and begin to crawl. Your baby's vocalizations will show a stronger command of language and the first words spoken will occur during this time. Your baby will also be able to understand and respond to commands such as "come here." Sleeping patterns will also be reduced. Before, a baby could sleep more than 12 hours a day. By around a full year of age, your child should be able to sleep around or below 12 hours a day.

1 to 2 Years

During this time, your baby will be able to walk for about a 20-minute period without needing rest. By the later end of the second year, your baby will be able to run and kick. Your child will also be able to play more games thanks to increased motor control. For example, your baby will be able to grasp crayons and draw or hold blocks and stack them one on top of the other. Your baby will also master around 200-plus words in her vocabulary. Bladder and bowel movement control will also be increased as potty training is introduced.

Tags: baby will, will able, will also, your baby, your baby will, baby will able, baby will begin

Do Fans Keep Mosquitoes Away From Pools

Fans make it hard for mosquitoes to land on your skin.

Mosquitoes bite humans for blood so their eggs can develop. This behavior makes them a nuisance and a source of diseases. If mosquitoes are present in the area around your pool, they may make it less enjoyable for you to spend time outdoor. You may be able to use fans to keep these nuisance insects away. Does this Spark an idea?

Disrupt Flying

Mosquitoes fly best in still air and don't have enough power to effectively maneuver themselves in circulating air. Fans create air movements so mosquitoes can't easily reach the humans they want to bite. As a result, mosquitoes may seek sources of blood meals elsewhere. If you place fans near the pools, you will be able to enjoy the outdoors without having to worry about mosquitoes.

Disrupt Detection

Mosquitoes detect sources of blood meals using various signals, one of which is carbon dioxide. As humans release carbon dioxide when they breathe, we inadvertently invite mosquitoes to bite. Disrupting the detection of carbon dioxide by mosquitoes confuses their senses and prevents them from finding humans. By circulating the air, fans scatter carbon dioxide gases so mosquitoes can't easily find the humans they want to bite.

Fan Strength

You don't need special fans to keep mosquitoes away from pools. Any fan that produces wind speed over 1 mph will help keep mosquitoes away, according to MSN Real Estate. On windy days when you naturally have 1 mph winds, you may not have to turn on the fans to get rid of mosquitoes. The Pennsylvania State University recommends using electric fans in outdoor areas, while the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign recommends using large exhaust fans.

Benefits

Fans repel mosquitoes without using insecticides, minimizing your exposure to potentially harmful chemicals. Unlike insecticides, these fans will also not harm non-target organisms, including insects that may be beneficial. Fans also help you stay cool on warm days, when mosquitoes usually come out to seek blood meals. Additionally, these fans keep away other biting insects that can't fly well in the wind, for example biting midges.

Tags: carbon dioxide, blood meals, fans keep, days when, humans they, humans they want

Frog Habitat & Adaptations

Frogs are well adapted for life on land and in water.

Because frogs are amphibians, they have adaptations that help them live on land and in water. They are cold blooded, which means that their body temperatures change with that of the environment. While they are most commonly found in warm, humid places, they also inhabit dry deserts and cold mountain climates.

Breathing

Frogs start their lives as aquatic tadpoles with gills to breathe. As tadpoles grow into frogs, lungs replace the gills and allow frogs to breathe on land. Frogs' skin is covered by a layer of slime that dissolves oxygen from air and water. Numerous blood vessels present in frogs' thin skin absorb the oxygen.

Movement

Frogs have webbed feet, which help them to swim. Their long hind limbs, which help them to leap on land, also aid them in swimming.

More Adaptations

Frogs' eyes and nostrils are positioned high on their heads, which keeps them out of water when frogs swim on the surface. Frogs have a sensitive area on their backs that helps them to sense vibrations through water. Frogs, which have a mottled appearance, can change color to merge with their surroundings.

Tags: help them, Frogs have, land water, which help, which help them

Build A Dock

The greatest way to enjoy waterfront living is to sit out on your dock. Whether you want to just enjoy the water, park your boat or have a nice fishing spot, a dock is a perfect addition to your outdoor space. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

Design Your Dock

1. Take a water depth measurement.

2. Find out what the bottom conditions are like. This will determine the method needed for driving support posts for the dock.

3. Plan your dock. You can download plans from the Internet (see Resources below), modify deck plans to turn it into a dock or have an architect draw custom plans.

4. Bring your plans to the building center near you. Get treated lumber and stainless fasteners for your dock. Most building centers can assist you in figuring out the supplies you will need.

Construct Your Dock

5. Get at least one other person to help you. Drive your support posts. The support posts should be no further apart than 8 feet. A boat or barge is very useful in this step, especially if you are working in deep water. In shallow water, you can use a ladder for this step.

6. Attach the stringers with stainless bolts and/or screws. Put the stringers at a level that will accommodate high water levels if you have changing levels during flood seasons.

7. Attach the decking to the stringer boards. Leave at least a 1/4" space between decking boards to allow water from rain to drain through the dock. Cut decking boards to fit around the support posts.

8. Attach bumpers to the outside edge of the dock. Depending on the type of bumper you choose, it may have a lip that goes over the edge of the dock. The bumper will protect boats parked next to the dock and dress the edge of the dock.

9. Attach the railing if your design calls for a handrail. Secure the railing so that it can take the weight of someone leaning on it.

10. Install any other accessories you choose. Things like lockable dock boxes and benches help you enjoy your new dock.

Tags: support posts, your dock, edge dock, decking boards, this step, Your Dock

Install An Outdoor Misting System

Too hot to sit outside? For those hot summer days, an outdoor misting system, based on evaporation of water, can cool a yard up to 20 or 30 degrees F. It turns hot air into cold air and brings relief from a sizzling summer. To install a low-pressure outdoor misting system for a patio, follow these steps. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Cut PVC pipe into lengths of 24 inches. Use a PVC pipe cutter to cut the pipe, as this is easier and will not leave debris in the pipe. Coat the pipe and nozzle with PVC primer. The nozzle is a PVC joint with a spray nozzle head. Coat about ?-inch of the outside of the end of the pipe and the insides of both ends of the nozzle with the primer.

2. Glue the nozzles onto the pipe. Use PVC glue to coat the end of the PVC pipe. Insert the misting nozzle over the pipe. Give a quarter turn to lock into place. Continue priming and gluing the other nozzles and pipes for the straight run of the misting system. The nozzles must line up straight with each other as they are glued to the pipe, as they cannot be adjusted once the glue has dried. Lay the pipe out on the floor of the patio as each straight run is completed. Remove all the spray nozzle heads to allow the system to be flushed.

3. Attach the pipe clips to the pipe straight run. Hold the straight run of PVC pipe up to the roof of the patio. Hammer the pipe clips loosely onto the roof of the patio. Use three to four clips along the straight run to start. Be sure that the starting clip is an inch higher than the ending clip; this will allow for draining the pipe when necessary. Loosely attach the other straight runs to the patio roof using clips.

4. Adjust the nozzle holes so they do not point directly down. The nozzles should tilt out slightly. Using primed elbow fittings, glue the runs together. Be mindful that the nozzles stay at the correct angle; adjust if necessary. Tighten the clips. Add additional clips between each nozzle.

5. Add a drain to the system so that the system can be drained when necessary, especially before winter so the pipes don't freeze and crack. Take a primed elbow fitting and glue to a short piece of pipe, approximately six to eight inches. Attach a drain to the bottom of the pipe. The drain should be able to be unscrewed to release the water. Glue the elbow to the low end of the system.

6. Add the water source. Run PVC down from the ceiling to the faucet, using elbow fittings when necessary. Screw in an adapter to the faucet. Use an elbow fitting to glue the PVC pipe to the adapter. Allow one hour for the glue to set over the entire system.

7. Open the drain to begin flushing the system. Turn the water on and allow it to run for several minutes. Turn the water off and attach the spray nozzle heads to the nozzles. Close the drain. The outdoor misting system is ready to use; turn on the water to begin misting.

Tags: misting system, outdoor misting, outdoor misting system, spray nozzle, when necessary, elbow fitting, elbow fitting glue

Prevent Moss & Mildew On Brick Steps

Preventing the green will prolong brick life.

New brick is baked at temperatures that incinerate all organic materials. When the brick is exposed to organic materials and moisture in the outdoor air, moss and mildew spores receive the nutrients they need to grow in the cracks of the brick. Sealing the cracks in the new brick helps prevent the initial growth of moss and mildew, but annual applications of a moss and mildew preventative solution are also required. It's important to prevent moss and mildew because they retain moisture that can cause bricks to crumble when it freezes. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Wash the brick with clean water, spraying off all dust with a garden hose. Allow the brick to dry for 24 hours. It may take longer if the temperatures are below 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Pour brick sealer and water into a garden sprayer. Mix the sealer and water according to the sealer manufacturer's ratios found on the label.

3. Lift the sprayer's handle up and and push it back down several times to pressurize the liquid in the chamber. Shake the sprayer back and forth to allow the sealer and water to mix thoroughly. Lock the pump handle in place at its lowest position.

4. Put on a pair of safety goggles. Hold the garden sprayer in your left hand by gripping the handle. Hold the spray wand in your right. Spray the brick steps until they are saturated with the solution. Allow the sealer to dry for a few days.

5. Fill the tank of the sprayer with a moss and mildew preventive and water. Mix the two together according to the mixing ratios on the manufacturer's product label. Apply the solution over the brick steps once a year or as often as the manufacturer recommends.

Tags: moss mildew, sealer water, brick steps, cracks brick, garden sprayer

Baby Safe Bug Repellents Or Sprays

Insect repellents can protect a baby from insect-related diseases.

When used correctly, bug repellent can be an effective tool to protect a baby from uncomfortable, and possibly infectious, insect bites. Read labels carefully before applying any bug repellent to a baby. Does this Spark an idea?

Ingredients

Bug repellents and sprays that contain DEET or picaridin are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Using products with these ingredients can help to prevent insect-related diseases, such as West Nile Virus and Lyme Disease. Natural insect repellents are less effective than their chemical counterparts and may need to be applied frequently, according to Baby Center.

Age Restrictions

Insect repellents of any kind are not recommended for babies under the age of 2 months. For children over the age of 2 months, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends bug sprays containing 10 to 30 percent DEET. A lower concentration of DEET in a repellent does not mean it is less effective, but that the duration of effect will not be as long as a repellent with a higher DEET concentration.

Bug Repellent Safety Tips

Avoid using a combination sunscreen/bug repellent product, since sunscreen should be reapplied every 2 hours and bug repellent should not be reapplied on babies, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Use a bug repellent with the lowest concentration of DEET or picaridin and do not apply aerosol insect repellents in an enclosed area.

Tags: Academy Pediatrics, American Academy, American Academy Pediatrics, baby from, concentration DEET, DEET picaridin

Adverse Reactions To Mosquito Bites

In some instances, mosquito bites can lead to serious illnesses.

Mosquitoes are pesky insects that can bite you most often during the hours of dusk and dawn. Although a typical mosquito bite is bothersome, it is rather harmless. What is harmful is the mosquito bite that triggers an allergic reaction or transmits a serious illness. It is possible that a bite may require medical attention, so it is important to your health to know the signs and symptoms of an adverse reaction to a mosquito bite.

The Facts

A mosquito bite occurs when a female mosquito lands on the surface of your skin and sucks your blood. Proteins in the female mosquito's saliva enter your skin and irritate your body. A red, itchy bump typically forms on the surface of your skin where the mosquito bit you. This bump can take two days to form, or it may appear immediately. For uncertain reasons, mosquitoes are more likely to bite men, overweight individuals and people with type O blood.

Serious Illness

Mosquito bites can cause allergic reactions in some people, which may include a swelling of the throat, wheezing and hives. In an allergic reaction situation, it is important to see a doctor immediately. Mosquitoes can bite an animal or a human infected with a serious illness and then transmit this illness to you. Illnesses spread by mosquitoes include the West Nile virus, dengue fever, yellow fever and malaria. See a doctor immediately if you suffer from any of the following mosquito bite complications: severe headache, fever, body ache, nausea or vomiting.

Treatment

You can use hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to help reduce itchiness at the site of a mosquito bite. If you have a stronger reaction to a mosquito bite, try taking an antihistamine containing Benadryl, Claritin or Zyrtec. If you are suffering from any of the severe complications of mosquito bites, such as headaches, fevers or nausea, a doctor will test you for a mosquito-borne disease and provide you with the necessary medicines to treat the disease.

Prevention

Mosquitoes are most active during dusk and dawn, so if you are outside at this time, wear protective clothing such as a hat, socks, long sleeves and pants. You should dress in light colors since mosquitoes are attracted to darker colors. You can use insect repellents such as DEET, Picaridin or the oil of lemon eucalyptus, to block a mosquito's ability to locate you. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant or standing water, so eliminate sources of standing water around the outside of your house.

Tags: mosquito bite, your skin, allergic reaction, doctor immediately, dusk dawn

Properly Identify A Spider Bite

Spiders can bite.

You notice a spot on your arm is swollen and reddish after you have gone outside. Could it possibly be a Spider bite? You experience a wide array of symptoms including slight vision loss and muscle pain. While it can be difficult to know in every case for sure (Health professionals struggle identifying spider bites often times), learn a few of the ways you can identify what might be a spider bite.

Instructions

1. Your first sign will be how quickly you notice the bite. Nearly all spider bites are painless at the time of the bite. Chances are you won't even notice you were bitten for a few hours. Some bites can take up to a day to progress and get worse.

2. Now look carefully at the wound. It should redden and swell, much like a mosquito bite-except larger. (Don't listen to myths that will tell you that you will notice fang marks, only the largest of spiders will leave any sort of mark). If the wound continues to swell and get larger after a few hours it could potentially be a serious spider bite and should receive immediate attention. A target shape on your arm is also a sign of a deadly spider bite and should receive priority medical treatment.

3. Common symptoms of those bitten include local pain, nausea, headaches, vomiting and fevers (all mild in most cases). If none of these symptoms exist, you might have encountered some other variety of bug bite. These symptoms will usually show up anytime after 8 hours from being bitten.

4. If hives, shortness or breath or other similar symptoms exist, the victim might be having an allergic reaction to the bite. Medical attention should be sought immediately.

Tags: after hours, bite should, bite should receive, should receive, spider bite, spider bite should

Use A 555 Timer

The 555 timer IC has been used in electronics projects for decades.

The 555 timer integrated circuit (IC), first introduced in the 1970s, is a perennial favorite among electronics designers and hobbyists. Inexpensive and flexible, it can perform many basic time-related functions including oscillators, one-shot pulse generators and frequency dividers. To use the 555 IC, first look at its data sheet and learn its basic operating parameters, then practice building circuits on a breadboard. This will give you enough experience to put the 555 to use in circuits of your own design.

Instructions

1. Study the 555 timer's data sheet thoroughly. It lists the circuit's current and voltage requirements, typical performance specifications and the functions of each of its eight pins. Pay close attention to the applications section. These are general examples of how you can use the IC.

2. Read the data sheet section describing the 555's timing network. A capacitor and one or two resistors determine the time period of the IC's pulse output. For example, the frequency of the 555's astable mode is determined by the following formula:

T = .693 x C x (Ra + 2Rb)

T is time in seconds, C is the capacitor's value in farads, and Ra and Rb are the ohm values for two resistors.

3. Understand the 555's modes of operation. Depending on how you configure the 555, it can be used in different ways. The astable mode is a pulse generator where the timing network described in Step 2 determines the pulse's duty cycle and period. You can use this to make a tone generator, a slow clock pulse for a digital circuit or to flash an LED.

The 555's monostable mode, or one-shot, generates a pulse with a specific on time when you trigger the IC at pin 2. This is useful anytime you need to turn something on for an exact period of time. In this case, the timing network determines the 555's on time.

You can also configure the IC for a bistable mode. This has two triggers, a set and a reset. The set trigger turns the circuit on, reset turns it off. This serves as an electronic latch or simple memory circuit. The bistable mode doesn't use a timing network.

4. Build several circuits with the 555 on a prototype breadboard using the application notes as a starting point. Try different values of resistors and capacitors in the timing network to see their effect on frequency and duty cycle. Use the 555's output at pin 3 to drive an LED in series with a 150-ohm current limiting resistor, and examine the output and timing network waveforms on an oscilloscope.

Tags: timing network, data sheet, astable mode, bistable mode, duty cycle

Prevent Mosquito Pupae

A few steps can keep mosquitoes from swarming your garden.

Not only are they annoying, but mosquitoes spread diseases like West Nile Virus and sleeping sickness. To control the 150 species of mosquitoes that live in North America, it is best to destroy the mosquito before it becomes a breeding adult. The mosquito life cycle consists of an egg that hatches into a larva that grows into a pupa. Days later, the adult mosquito is ready to bite. By halting the mosquito life cycle before it reaches the pupae stage you can greatly reduce the number of mosquitoes in your garden. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Remove any standing water from your yard. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water so by removing a place for the eggs, you reduce the possibility the eggs can reach the pupal stage. Remove any old tires where water can collect, empty the saucers of flower pots, improve drainage where water collects in your lawn and drain off any water pooling on tarps.

2. Cover rain barrel openings with fine mesh screen. Rain barrels hold water for long periods of time and are inviting to mosquitoes. To keep your rain barrel mosquito-free, secure a frame of fine mesh screen over the opening.

3. Place mosquito dunks in your ponds. Mosquito control doesn't mean you can't enjoy a water feature in your yard, but you do need to learn maintain it. A mosquito dunk contains a bacteria that inhibits the mosquito's growth at the larval stage. One cake of the mosquito dunk will treat a 100 square foot area of water surface and isn't harmful to your fish. Add a new dunk every month.

4. Contact your local vector control agency about getting mosquito fish. Gambusia feed on mosquito larvae and are usually given away free by county or state vector control agents. The fish need little care and will get along with other fish in your pond.

5. Install a bubbler or aerator on your bird bath or pond. Mosquito eggs are less likely to hatch when the water is disturbed. Although the action of a bird playing in your bird bath will disturb the eggs, it's more reliable to install a bubbler.

6. Skim the surface of your pond with a net. The larvae of mosquitoes can be seen with the naked eye. If, despite all your efforts, you find larvae floating in your pond or bird bath, scoop the larvae out with a fine mesh net such as those used for aquariums. Dump the captured larvae in a dry area where they will desiccate.

Tags: bird bath, fine mesh, your pond, adult mosquito, fine mesh screen, life cycle

Treat Intestinal Parasites In Children

Microsoft Clip Art

There are more than 100 different kinds of intestinal parasites that can live inside your body. They can be contracted through the air (through the nose or skin), food, water and insects such as mosquitoes. Symptoms may include diarrhea, digestive problems, fatigue, anemia, asthma and skin rash. Your physician can prescribe medications for your child to rid him of the parasites, but some of these can be harsh with their own uncomfortable side effects. There are alternative treatments that you can use.

Instructions

Treating Intestinal Parasites in Children

1. Give your child raw pomegranates, beets and carrots. These foods contain properties that discourage parasites. Avoid giving her refined foods and sugars except for honey.

2. Include high-fiber foods in his diet, such as whole-grain cereals and breads. These foods will help clear his intestines of worms.

3. Give her probiotics, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacilus plantarum or Saccharomyces boulardii, to prevent parasites from proliferating.

4. Give him digestive enzymes, such as papain, which comes from papayas, approximately 30 minutes before each meal.

5. Add daily vitamin C and zinc supplements to boost her immune system.

6. Give him herbs that are appropriate for treating the specific type of parasite that he has. Your physician should make the diagnosis and can recommend which herb to use. Some of the herbs that may be used include garlic, barberry, golden seal, anise, tea tree oil or black walnuts.

Tags: herbs that, Intestinal Parasites, Intestinal Parasites Children, Parasites Children, These foods, your child

B12 As A Mosquito Repellent

Vitamin B supplements are one home remedy to repel mosquitoes.

Several home remedies have been used to try to repel mosquitoes, including eating garlic, vitamin B12 supplements and applying herbal essential oils. Several university and research centers have tested vitamin B12 supplements for their efficacy. Does this Spark an idea?

Testing Results

The University of Florida IFAS Extension found no scientific evidence to support the use of vitamin B supplements, including B12, as an effective mosquito repellent. The University of Wisconsin's Integrated Mosquito Management program reached the same conclusion.

Considerations

Mosquitoes are enticed to bite due to a complex interaction of visual and chemical cues. The University of Florida IFAS Extension admits that some foods or vitamins may increase or decrease a given individual's attractiveness to mosquitoes, but the reasons why they may affect one person in one way and another in the opposite way is not understood. However, vitamin B supplements do not provide the kind of consistent results necessary to earn an endorsement as an effective mosquito repellent.

Potential

Vitamin B does seem to help ward off another biting bug related to the mosquito: the flea. Vet Info says dog owners have experienced some success in warding off fleas by giving their dogs vitamin B and garlic supplements.

Tags: vitamin supplements, effective mosquito, effective mosquito repellent, Florida IFAS, Florida IFAS Extension, IFAS Extension, mosquito repellent

Identify West Nile Virus Symptoms

It usually takes two to 15 days for any signs or symptoms to show after you have been infected with West Nile virus from a mosquito bite. Most people that are infected with West Nile virus won't show any symptoms. However, 20 percent of people do develop an infection called West Nile fever that does have a few symptoms you can look for. Most of the symptoms will last for three to six days before a full recovery. However, 1 percent of people will have serious neurological infections that can have long term affects. If you believe you have West Nile Virus you should consult with your doctor.

Instructions

1. Test your temperature to see if it is higher than normal. The 20 percent of people that do show symptoms will have a fever. You may also have a headache, backache or muscle aches.

2. Look on the trunk of your body for a skin rash. Swollen lymph glands can also be an indication of West Nile fever.

3. Know that having diarrhea, nausea, a lack of appetite, or vomiting can be another sign of West Nile fever. Drinking enough fluids during this time is important so you do not become dehydrated.

4. Check for signs that could show that you have developed the more serious type of West Nile virus, also called West Nile meningitis, West Nile encephalitis or West Nile poliomyelitis. The symptoms listed above will be more severe in this case, such as having a high fever and severe headahce.

5. Notice if you start to have convulsions, confusion or disorientation, a stiff neck, sudden weakness or partial paralysis, or go into a coma. Those that have the most serious type of West Nile virus can also develop symptoms that are similar to those associated with Parkinson's Disease.

Tags: West Nile, West Nile virus, Nile fever, percent people, that have

Stop A Bite From Itching

One treatment of the itch that accompanies a mosquito bite is as close as your freezer.

If you spend time outdoors, you may have experienced the annoyance of an itchy insect bite, perhaps from a mosquito or a chigger. Remedies are available to help ease the itch and pain caused by such bites.

Apply Ice

A simple at-home remedy for an itch caused by an insect bite is the placement of an ice pack on the bite, according to Ohio State University Extension. Ice can help reduce swelling around the bite, and it helps to numb the area and reduce the itching.

Don't Scratch

Although scratching the itchy insect bite might provide instant relief, it can ultimately do more harm than good. According to Tim Gibb, a diagnostic entomologist at Purdue University, scratching the bite may cause it to become infected. This may slow down healing time, making that itchiness linger even longer. It may also cause bleeding and scabbing.

Lotion or Cream

Apply calamine lotion to your insect bites to soothe the skin and reduce the itching. You can apply this lotion as often as your bites itch. A hydrocortisone cream may serve as an anti-inflammatory, reducing redness around the bite while decreasing the itchiness as well.

Antihistamines

An antihistamine may help. Those listed by MayoClinic.com as available over the counter are diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine maleate, loratadine or cetirizine.

Tags: insect bite, around bite, itchy insect, itchy insect bite, reduce itching

Tell If A Boy Likes You On The Internet

The Internet has added a whole new dimension to the world of dating and flirting. It used to be you had either face-to-face contact or phone contact with someone as a medium for interpreting behavior. Now you have the written word in the forms of emails and instant messages, along with computer cameras that capture a person’s image--even if it is pixilated or in slow motion. So how can you tell if a boy likes you on the Internet? There are some easy giveaways.

Instructions

1. He sends you IM messages throughout the day, trying to get your attention. He’s using the Internet to communicate with you and may feel safer this way approaching you instead of directly approaching you in person.

2. He does an Internet search for you and you get an email notice he is looking for you. Often, companies that perform searches on people over the Internet will alert you that someone has searched for your name. If you had a suspicion that someone liked you and get a notice like this, consider it a good sign they are returning your attention.

3. He actually contacts you and asks you many personal questions, trying to get to know you more than just casually. Guys have clear ways of making their interest known. If you get lots of inquiries, consider it a yes. The guy is very interested in you.

4. He visits your personal page on places like MySpace.com, Reunion.com and Facebook.com. It's a great way to get your virtual "bulletin board" out there and allow people to contact you in a casual way. If a guy starts inviting you to be his "friend" through the popular friend request features, consider it the first steps of flirting. Depending on whether or not you like him, contact him back and get the ball rolling.

Tags: that someone, your attention

Planting Guide For Arizona

Arizona's low country provides a perfect climate for year-round backyard gardening.

Although Arizona is often known for its desert landscapes and dry heat, this Southwestern state has a variety of climates suitable for vegetable gardening. Northern Arizona experiences four seasons like most other areas of the country, but the unique weather conditions in the low desert require a specialized planting schedule. Does this Spark an idea?

Time Frame

In the Arizona desert, including Phoenix, gardeners can plant and grow vegetables practically year-round. While frost dictates the beginning and end of season in most areas of the country, heat is the main factor in planning Arizona gardens. June is generally the hottest month for garden plants to survive.

Recommendations

Plant traditional summer vegetables, including tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, peppers and melons, in mid-February so they are ready to harvest by late spring, before the scalding temperatures break. Start bush beans and squash from seed through the end of July for a late fall harvest. Cool-season vegetables, such as lettuce, turnips, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower, can be started indoors during the summer heat and transplanted to an outdoor garden in late September to November.

Considerations

Water conservation is an important practice in the desert, so deep, infrequent watering is an effective way to ensure that your plants receive an appropriate amount of water without much loss to surface evaporation. Water once weekly during spring and fall and twice weekly in the summer, providing enough water to soak the soil to a depth of 12 inches. Insert a yardstick in the soil to measure moisture depth. A top layer of mulch is a good way to help maintain soil moisture.

Tags: areas country

Treat Fungal Nail Infections

Treat Fungal Nail Infections

While nail fungus is common among older adults, this problem also affects younger people. There are several ways to become infected with an annoying nail fungus (from a nail salon, walking barefoot or weak immune system). The severity of the condition varies. Some people notice a small black spot on their nail, whereas others experience pain or discomfort. Fortunately, there are ways to treat the condition.

Instructions

1. Trim the infected nails. Before applying medicine to the infected nail, use a clipper and trim the nail. Next, file down the thick spots.

2. Discard or disinfect the clipper and nail file. Nail infections are contagious. Therefore, it's best to sterilize or throw away the clipper and file you use to trim the nail. If you don't cleanse the tools, the nail fungus can spread to other fingers.

3. Apply an anti-fungal nail polish. Use an anti-fungal nail polish at the first sign of infection. Early signs include a small dark spot, yellowing of the nail or a change in nail shape.

4. Use a topical nail fungus cream. Over-the-counter topical creams are effective and generally cure the infection within six weeks. Creams are great for lengthy infections accompanied with pain. Apply the cream as directed.

5. Get an anti-fungal prescription from a doctor. If the nail fungus doesn't respond to nail polish and topical creams, you may need prescription medicine. Visit your general practitioner or dermatologist and inquire about treatment options. Several prescription medications can treat nail fungus. To prevent harmful side effects, inform your doctor of all medical conditions.

Tags: nail fungus, nail polish, anti-fungal nail, anti-fungal nail polish, Fungal Nail, Fungal Nail Infections, Nail Infections

Natural Citrus Mosquito Repellent

Citrus-scented lotion provides some protection from mosquitoes.

Some plants have repellent properties and can effectively keep mosquitoes away. Generally, citrus mosquito repellents have low mammalian toxicity, but provide only short-term protection. Several repellent products use extracts from citrus plants as active ingredients. Does this Spark an idea?

Types

People use essential oils of citrus plants as mosquito repellents. Extracts from citrus oil such as limonene and linalool also work as repellents. They increase the sensory nerve activity of mosquitoes, causing lack of coordination, convulsions and paralysis.

Efficacy

Citrus plants don't have any significant repellent effects, but citrus-scented essential oils and lotions provide short-term protection against mosquitoes. However, repellents that use citrus oils tend to work less effectively compared to DEET.

Fun Fact

Crested auklets in Bering Sea islands release a pungent citrus odor to repel mosquitoes. Scientists tested a synthetic version of the seabirds' citrus-smelling substance and found it to effectively keep mosquitoes away, even at a 1 percent concentration.

Tags: citrus plants, effectively keep, effectively keep mosquitoes, essential oils, from citrus, keep mosquitoes

Citronella Oil As An Insect Repellent

Many products contain citronella oil, which can repel mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes can be extraordinarily annoying pests, especially over the summer months during cookouts and other outdoor activities. There are many repellents available from various manufacturers that can keep the pests at bay, including citronella oil, which can be burned in a candle or sprayed around a perimeter to protect you and your family from the disease-spreading bugs as well as a variety of other potentially harmful insects. Does this Spark an idea?

Basics

Citronella oil is an essential oil, meaning that it contains aroma compounds from plants, that is extracted from lemon grass. The oil is not only used as an insect repellent, but it also has anti-fungal properties, can calm dogs that tend to bark too much and is used as the basis for fragrance in various perfumes.

Insect Repellent

Citronella oil has been recognized as a natural, non-toxic insect repellent by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) since 1948 and is considered a biopesticide, meaning that it uses biological methods to control pests such as mosquitoes, gnats and other insects. It repels insects by distracting their olfactory senses, burning their scent glands and sending them away.

Types

Citronella oil as a repellent comes in various mediums. In diluted form the oil can be applied directly to the skin using a spray. This method is useful for hiking or outdoor activities where you will be expecting to do a lot of moving. It also comes in a candle form. These candles burn and create a perimeter around a picnic table or patio to keep the insects away.

Other Notes

The EPA considers citronella completely safe and non-toxic and should not induce any health risks when used with healthy individuals. However, in order to perform as an effective repelling agent when used directly on the skin, it must be reapplied every 30 to 60 minutes. When used in shampoos, it has been shown to also help repel head lice.

Tags: citronella which, directly skin, meaning that, outdoor activities

Kill Wood Ticks In Your Woods Naturally

Adult wood ticks linger on tall grass, waiting to grab prospective hosts as they pass by.

The wood tick, referred to commonly as the American dog tick, is a chestnut brown arthropod slightly larger than a sesame seed. The male wood tick is darker than the female but approximately the same size. As larvae, wood ticks have six legs, developing a fourth set as they become adults. The wood tick carries the bacterium that causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which can be contracted by a tick bite. There are several options if you want to control the tick population naturally in woods on your property.

Instructions

1. Clear the woods surrounding your property of dead vegetation. Trim grasses to low, lawn-like lengths. Wood ticks prefer tall grasses. If clearing the entire wooded area is impossible or not preferred, clear and mow pathways. Remove dead leaves and brush from the area as well.

2. Spray citronella oil, eucalyptus oil or IR3535. Although these biopesticides are not as effective at killing wood ticks as chemical pesticides, they do offer some protection.

3. Adopt Guinea fowl and allow them to roam the property and woods. Guinea fowl forage for their food, consuming ticks, mosquitoes, slugs, seeds and grass. They are frequently kept to rid an area of wood ticks. Guinea fowl owners report that the birds provide a security function as well, as they tend to sound off whenever something unusual occurs in their vicinity.

4. Remain vigilant for ticks when you spend time in the woods. After such visits, check your clothing and hairline before entering your home. Remove outerwear and place it in the clothes dryer for one hour. Examine yourself again for ticks by checking your groin area, inner thighs, waist, armpits, shoulders and hair.

5. Check your pets after they have been in the woods. Don't forget to look in their ears and behind their legs.

Tags: wood ticks, Guinea fowl, wood tick, your property

Gemmy Lowlying Fogger Instructions

Gemmy's low-lying fogger is a consumer-grade unit that uses commercially available glycol fog solutions. This solution is pumped through a 400-watt heat exchanger that vaporizes the solution into thick fog that hangs close to the ground, rather than dispersing into the air. These units are typically used for Halloween parties, amateur musical presentations and school plays. After an initial warm-up time, the Gemmy will generate approximately 40 to 60 seconds of fog until the machine pauses to reheat. A quart of fog solution should produce about two to three hours of fog, depending on volume settings and frequency of the sprays. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Make sure the fogger is on a level surface. Unscrew the cap of the solution reservoir on the top of the fogger and fill the reservoir with fog fluid. A see-through gauge on the back of the fog machine will show you when it's filled.

2. Plug the power adapter into a three-prong outlet. Plug the remote control into the jack on the back of the fogger. Turn the main power switch on the back of the unit to "On."

3. Turn on the "On/Off" switch on the remote control. Wait approximately five to seven minutes for the fogger to warm up. When the green fog indicator lights, the machine is ready for use.

4. Press and hold the red button on the remote control for the desired amount of fog. After 40 to 60 seconds, the fogger will automatically stop producing fog in order to reheat.

5. Release the fog button and wait approximately one minute for the machine to reheat. When the machine is ready, the fog light on the remote control will light again.

6. Turn the switch on the back of the fogger to the "Off" position after use and unplug the power cord.

Tags: remote control, back fogger, machine ready, switch back, Turn switch

Stop The Itch Of Bed Bug Bites

Destroy bedbug-infested clothes by running them in a dryer at high heat.

If you wake up in the morning with swollen, red and itchy skin, it is possible your sleep was disrupted by bites from bed bugs. While bed bug bites are harmless, the itching that accompanies them can lead to a bacterial infection, if you continue to scratch your skin, according to MedicineNet. You can stop the itch from bed bug bites with oral medications. However, you can best prevent the itch from recurring by getting rid of bed bugs with preventive treatments.

Oral Treatments

Avoid scratching the skin where you are experiencing the itch of the bed bug bite. Take an over-the-counter antihistamine pill, or apply steroid creams and calamine lotion over the itchy skin, or creams containing diphenhydramine to get quick relief. You can also place a hot washcloth over the affected area to experience relief from the itchy sensation. If you have scratched the itchy skin quite badly, you might need to see a doctor who will prescribe antibiotic medication to prevent a bacterial skin infection.

Prevention

Cover your body when going to bed by wearing pajamas and sleeping under a mosquito net because bed bugs do not burrow beneath clothing. Regularly inspect your mattress, bed and furniture for signs of bed bugs. Look for dried feces that resemble black spots, mottled shells caused by shedding skin, and blood spots. Treat bed bug infested bedding and discard heavily infested ones.

Nonchemical Treatments

You can use several nonchemical treatments to get rid of bed bugs. Regularly vacuum your bed and the areas surrounding it. Once you have finished, put the vacuum cleaner bag in a disposal bag and place it in an outdoor garbage bin. Wash your bedding and clothes at a temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit, and run them in a clothes dryer set at high heat for 20 minutes to destroy resident bed bugs and their eggs.

Chemical Treatments

Eradicate bed bugs by applying a low-odor insecticide spray or dust specially designed for bed bugs, in areas of your home frequented by these pests. Do not apply the insecticide directly on your bedding, mattress or clothing. You should also be aware that bed bugs tend to build resistance to insecticides, which can prove ineffective over a period of time. If you have a bed bug infestation, get in touch with a pest control service to professionally exterminate them.

Tags: itchy skin, dryer high, dryer high heat, high heat, itch from, your bedding

Treat Mosquito Nets

Stop this from happening to you by following a few simple steps.

Traveling through the tropics -- and in particular through parts of Asia, Africa and South America -- puts the holidaymaker at the mercy of the mosquito. As dusk falls, a buzzing sound will grow, often seeming to only stop when the insect has landed to feed on the traveler's blood. While they are often no more than an annoyance while the traveler tries to sleep, the mosquito can carry deadly diseases such as malaria and dengue fever, which are spread by their bite. Using a mosquito net can keep them away from you at night, but using a net that has been effectively treated can all but eradicate their threat.

Instructions

1. Put protective gloves on. Wash the net by putting soap and water in a container and giving it a thorough rinse.

2. Measure out how much water you will need to mix with the insecticide using a measuring jug; for one synthetic net you need one pint of water, but for a cotton net you will require four pints of water. Mix the correct amount of insecticide with the water. Insecticide may come in single tablets or sachets that will be one dose, or in a bottle that will have instructions printed on it telling you how much to use.

3. Put the net in the container with the water and insecticide mix; ensure that all of it is submerged and that it is given time to soak into all areas of the net.

4. Remove the net from the mix and give it a gentle squeeze to get rid of excess insecticide in order to speed up drying.

5. Lie the net flat on the ground and in a shaded area while it drys; at first it will smell of the product, but this will go after a few days.

6. Installing a treated mosquito net can be a great help when looking for a good night's sleep.

Pour the remaining insecticide down the toilet and flush. Clean the basin thoroughly with water, and safely throw away the insecticide container and the protective gloves.

Tags: with water, protective gloves, that will

Email Ringtones To A Verizon Wireless Phone

Verizon Wireless customers can use email to send free ringtones to their phones.

Verizon Wireless allows users to add ringtones directly from their phones. These ringtones are not free, though. Users once were able to add ringtones to a Verizon phone free from various websites, but Verizon has put a stop to this. You can still send your favorite ringtone to any Verizon Wireless phone without paying a nickel, though, simply by using your email.

Instructions

1. Log onto your email account. You can use any email account to do this.

2. Enter the phone number as the recipient of the email. Don't put in any spaces or hyphens; the numbers should run together, such as 1234567890. You must put the entire phone number in, or the email will not work.

3. End the email address with "@vzwpix.com." This will send the email as if the ringtone were a picture message. The email address with the above phone number, then, would read "1234567890@vzwpix.com."

4. Browse your computer for the ringtone you want to send to the Verizon Wireless number. Once you've found the song, attach it in the email.

5. Send the email to the phone. It should take no more than five to 10 minutes for the phone to receive the message. If the phone does not receive the message in that time, resend the email.

6. Open the message on the phone and select "Options."

7. Scroll down until you see "Save as Ringtone." Select that option, and the ringtone will be saved to your phone. T

Tags: Verizon Wireless, phone number, address with, email account, email address, email address with

Save Money On Electricity

CFL bulbs can help you save big on your electric bill.

One way to get a handle on your expenses is to take a look at your electric bill and find ways to reduce it. In 2009 the average U.S. monthly electric bill was $103, with some states like Hawaii averaging about twice that. With this kind of out-of-pocket expense every month, few people can afford not to be frugal with electricity. One small change won't cut your bill in half, but many small changes can make a significant difference in your bill.

Instructions

1. Change all the light bulbs in your house to compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. These curly bulbs give the same amount of light as regular incandescent light bulbs but cost about 25 percent as much to use. They cost more initially but last much longer, so even the purchase price generally evens out.

2. Turn off every electric item in your house when you aren't using it. Go through your house and look for items using electricity. If they aren't directly benefiting you right now, turn them off. Shut down computers, video game systems, stereos, televisions, lights, fans and any other electric item in a room other than the one you're currently in.

3. Adjust the temperature on your air conditioning unit to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. This is cool enough to get the humidity out of the air in your house and make it comfortable to live and sleep, but not so cold that you're wasting electricity. If you have to put on long pants during the day and use blankets at night, your house is too cold in the summer.

4. Save money by only heating the water you absolutely need. Wrap the water heater tank in a tank blanket. This insulating layer will keep the water hot, reducing the need for it to be reheated. Wash dishes in warm water and clothes in cold water as much as possible. Take shorter showers, give small children communal baths and turn the hot water off in the bathroom unless you're actively using it. Turn the temperature dial on the hot water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have to add cold water to it to make a comfortable shower or bath, the water is too hot.

Tags: your house, electric bill, light bulbs, cold water, degrees Fahrenheit

Diy Mosquito Killer

Mosquitoes are pesky insects that leave raised bumps where they bite.

Mosquitoes are pesky insects that leave raised, itchy bite marks. They can be a problem when trying to host an outside event, so it's important to find a way to control them. Many in-store products can be used to kill mosquitoes, but it's possible to make a mosquito killer at home. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Cut off the top of a 2-liter bottle with an X-acto knife. Make the incision at the top of the plastic label on the bottle. Put the top of the bottle to the side.

2. Wrap black craft paper around the bottle. Secure the ends with tape.

3. Fill a medium container with 2 liters hot water.

4. Stir 1/2 cup brown sugar into the hot water.

5. Fill a large bowl with ice cubes, and then put the medium bowl inside the large bowl.

6. Let the sugar water sit in the ice bath for 10 minutes.

7. Pour the sugar water into the 2-liter plastic bottle.

8. Add 1/4 tsp. yeast to the sugar water.

9. Turn the top of the bottle that was cut off earlier upside down. Place the top of the bottle upside down inside the bottle.

10. Place the bottle outside, and change out the sugar water every two weeks.

Tags: sugar water, insects that, insects that leave, large bowl, leave raised

Keep Fish In Water Troughs

When aquarium space is limited and there's no room for a pond in the yard, homeowners can create a raised pond using an animal watering trough. Sturdy and weather-resistant, water troughs offer a different look than that of the average above ground pond containers. Setting up a water trough to house fish is about the same as assembling an aquarium or in-ground pond.

Instructions

1. Clean the trough with a 50/50 bleach and water solution allowing it to soak for at least 20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of the bleach.

2. Fill a pillowcase halfway with sand and run water through it for several minutes. Swish the sand around so that most of the tiny particles are washed away. This helps to prevent minuscule pieces of sand from clouding the pond water.

3. Add a 2-inch layer of clay to the bottom of the trough. Top the clay off with 2 to 3 inches of the washed sand. Cover the clay completely with sand.

4. Fill the pots halfway with a handful of compost mixed with equal parts of sand and clay. Place each species of rooted plants in their own pots and arrange them throughout the trough. Leave plenty of room for the fish to swim.

5. Use aquarium sealant to create caves from flat pieces of rocks. Allow them to dry and cure fully before adding them to the water. Place them firmly in the substrate (sand/clay) so they do not topple over when bumped by active fish.

6. Fill the trough with water. Add enough floating vegetation (duckweed/azolla) to cover 1/3 of the water's surface. The plants will help prevent algae blooms, shade the water and provide protective cover so fish feel safer.

7. Add fish slowly to the trough. It can take several weeks to fully stock the water trough with fish. Adding too many animals at one time will cause a deadly ammonia spike that can kill fish and invertebrates.

Tags: trough with, halfway with, sand clay, water trough, with sand

Homeopathic Malaria Prevention

Plasmodium falciparum ring-forms and gametocytes in human blood.

Malaria comes from parasites that are typically transmitted by mosquitoes. It is found generally in subtropical areas like South America and Africa. Each year, malaria strikes around 400 million people worldwide, killing around 3 million of them. Nearly all the deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa because of the poor medical care for the patients. People in high-risk areas are always searching for a way to prevent infection. One controversial way to do so is through homeopathy.

Malaria Symptoms & Treatment

Once the parasites are within the bloodstream, they multiply and cause anemia, fever, chills, nausea, and in some cases, a coma. Preventative drugs can be taken constantly in high-risk areas to prevent infection. Controlling mosquitoes will help control the chances of getting malaria, but there is no vaccine that provides protection. However, some people believe homeopathy can prevent malaria.

What is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy is an alternative medicine that treats patients with a small amount of what--in larger doses--would cause the symptoms of a patient's disease. In homeopathy, this is called "The Law of Similars," and it is the backbone of homeopathy. Homeopathic remedies are prepared from natural substances that are potentized in the process of dilution.

Homeopathic Remedies for Malaria

The homeopathic remedies for malaria recommended by British homeopaths for travelers to Africa, according to an article in the Daily Mail, are malaria nosode, said to be made from African swamp water containing mosquito skin, larvae and eggs; China Off (made from Cinchona bark which contains quinine); China Sulph (made from quinine) and Natrum Muriaticum (made from salt). Homeopathic remedies are so diluted that often there is none of the original source material in the tiny pills. This is why the remedies are considered controversial. Homeopaths maintain that the efficacy of a remedy is in an energetic imprint of the original substance.

Cautions About Homeopathy

Investigation in the UK found that some homeopaths were promising tourists homeopathic preventions for malaria. This was not in line with what the homeopaths' code of ethics said homeopaths should be saying. Tourists who took the remedies were found by this study to be just as likely to return with malaria as those who took no medicine. If you are considering using homeopathy for prevention of malaria, you should discuss the treatment with both your doctor and your homeopath. You may want to rely on traditional medications, although with these there may be side effects.

Tags: made from, around million, high-risk areas, prevent infection

Remove Ticks With Crazy Glue

Ticks of any kind can pose serious health threats to their hosts. They carry diseases that can infect animals and humans. Because the tick burrows its head into the flesh of its host, removal is challenging. If you pull the body out, the head may remain inside the skin, which can cause infection. Encourage the tick to back out of the flesh on its own with the help of some common household items, including crazy glue (trade name Instant Krazy Glue).

Instructions

1. Rub a small amount of petroleum jelly on the skin around where the tick is burrowed. This will protect your skin from coming into contact with the glue.

2. Apply a generous amount of the glue to a cotton ball, and press the cotton ball against the tick for 20 seconds. Because ticks breathe through their backside, inhibiting their breathing function will usually cause them to back out of the flesh on their own, thus removing the head from your skin.

3. Pull the cotton ball away from the skin. The tick should be clinging to the cotton.

4. Cleanse the skin with an antibacterial wipe.

5. Release the tick into the wild or destroy it by burning it with a cigarette lighter.

Tags: cotton ball, back flesh, your skin

Rid Your Garden Of Pests Organically

No pests disturb this organic garden

Any gardener knows that pests are a problem in every garden. Keeping your fruits and vegetables bug-free using only natural elements can be hard. Organic gardeners and farmers have experimented for years in an effort to solve this dilemma. Here are just a few of the possibilities that might assist you in your home garden. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Before attempting to rid your garden of pests, consider whether there are natural alternatives. Most pests that will infect your plants have natural predators. The pest shows up and soon after the predator will come, and the circle of life continues. If after a few days, there is no noticeable decline in the pest population, you can move on to other considerations.

2. Row covers are a good resource for pest control. Made of lightweight material that allows sun and rain to go through, they are draped over the garden in spring. The spun material resembles a tule, and needs to be anchored to the ground in some way.

3. Use diatomaceous earth, a powdery natural substance that contains microscopic razor sharp edges. Able to be spread, sprayed, dusted or "poofed" (I use an old turkey baster to shoot a puff of earth onto plants), the sharp edges cut into the insect's body, causing it to dry out. Great against ants, aphids and beetles, it will not harm birds, earthworms or other animals.

4. Companion planting is a great way to cause the plants you grow to protect each other. The "3 sisters" planting is one example, where a gardener to plant corn, squash and pole beans all in the same area. The corn grows tall, providing support for the beans and shade for the squash, while the beans provide extra nitrogen and the squash protects the ground from excess water evaporation. The same theory can be applied to overcoming garden pests. Plant onion sets and sage among your tomato plants to prevent beetles, bugs and tomato hornworm. Spearmint planted in the paths of your garden, not only gives off an incredible fragrance when walked on, but prevents ants from attacking.

5. Adding flowers to your garden not only adds beauty, fragrance and tends to attract the good insects needed, but also can assist in preventing the bad. Sweet alyssum, for example, is a low-growing annual that has a honey sweet scent that attracts bees and hoverflies. Hoverflies are a beneficial insect, who's larvae feed on aphids. Planting marigolds, specifically the tall French Golden Marigold, among your squash plants prevents squash bugs, root nematodes, white flies and mosquitoes.

6. Even herbs have their place as garden pest protectors. Spearmint, basil, garlic, mint, cloves, and sage all have insects that flee before them. From ants to Japanese beetles, planting herbs throughout your garden will not only provide you with fresh seasonings for your table, but fragrant effects in the garden.

7. When all else fails, there are common household items that can be used to treat for pests in the garden. Two tablespoons of cayenne pepper mixed with a few drops of Ivory soap and a quart of water then allowed to sit overnight creates a fine spray treatment for mites and other insects. (Be sure to shake frequently during application) Mixing one tablespoon of cooking oil, two tablespoons of baking soda and a few drops of Ivory soap into a quart of water also works well. Dried German Chamomile flowers, available from most health food stores, can be added to water and boiled down, making a natural insecticide that can be sprayed directly onto any plant in your garden.

Tags: your garden, among your, drops Ivory, drops Ivory soap, garden only, Ivory soap, quart water

Chloroquine Treatment

Chemistry Lab

Chloroquine, produced in the U.S. by the pharmaceutical company Aralen, is a drug most often prescribed to treat and prevent malaria. Malaria, a protozoa parasitic infection spread by the Anopheles mosquito, lives in tropical regions. While the chance of catching malaria in the United States is nearly impossible, chloroquine can also treat severe autoimmune disease like multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

History of Chloroquine

According to the CDC website, the first antimalarial medication was discovered during the 17th century. Spanish invaders learned of a medicinal bark used by Peru's indigenous people to treat malaria, called quinine. Another antimalarial medicine, artemisinin, produced by the plant sweet wormwood, was another. It wasn't until 1934, when a German scientist created the related chemical, chloroquine, in the lab.

During World War II, international trade became difficult, and the supply of quinine dwindled. As a result, chloroquine, proven effective against malaria, was widely distributed to allied soldiers. However, since chloroquine resistance has spread around the world, alternatives like old-fashioned artemisinin are now in use.

How Chloroquine Works

Chloroquine, like its natural cousins quinine and artemisinin, binds iron molecule in blood cells. Protozoa parasites, like malaria and intestinal worms, feed on human blood. When blood cells become damaged by these tiny invaders, chloroquine binds to the iron in blood cells of host and parasite. As these chloroquine bonded cells travel through the blood stream, they destroy the parasite. Because of this action, chloroquine and similar medications have shown promise in the battle against blood hogging tumors.

Chloroquine as Autoimmune Treatment

Chloroquine treats severe autoimmune diseases because it prevents the action of the immune system's T cells. Autoimmune diseases result when the body's immune system attacks its own organs or a systems. For example, rheumatoid arthritis results when the body's T cells attack the connective tissue between joints, causing pain, deterioration and swelling. According to the Blood Journal, chloroquine inactivates the cell's alarm signals that seem to trigger T cell responses.

Chloroquine, while enjoying long time use, is not without side effects. Blurred vision, ringing in the ears, chronic nausea, vivid dreams, head aches, dizziness, and muscle weakness can result from long term use.

Tags: blood cells, binds iron, immune system, rheumatoid arthritis, severe autoimmune, when body

Most Effective Natural Roach Repellent

Cockroaches are a difficult to kill insect that can infect your home and your food. While cockroaches aren't incredibly destructive or aggressive, they are incredibly intelligent, for insects. Their sheer numbers are what makes these insects so frustrating. They also potentially carry diseases. Luckily, there are many natural ways to repel cockroaches. Does this Spark an idea?

Catnip

This infamous weed is a joy for cats but its strong odor serves as a strong insect repellent. Grinding up catnip and mixing it with water makes a powerful repellent. Spray areas you see cockroaches, suspect cockroaches or want cockroaches to avoid. Spraying this water on surfaces will help keep the cockroaches away. You may also wish to take small catnip toys or bags filled with catnip and place them around the cockroaches' high traffic areas. This will make them seek alternate routes, which may make them more visible in your house. Avoid using this remedy if you have cats. It may drive them crazy.

Beer

Beer is another substance pleasant to some creatures but offensive to cockroaches. Soak a few pieces of bread in beer. Place these pieces of bread in an empty coffee can. Several of these cans spread around your kitchen or other suspected cockroach areas will help repel them. If the cockroaches do investigate the beer soaked bread and consume any, they will quickly find themselves getting a little drunk and disoriented. It is possible that the beer soaked bread will even kill them. Avoid this remedy if you have pets as they may investigate the bread and find themselves stumbling around the house.

Garlic

Garlic has been found to be an incredibly effective repellent for cockroaches. Despite their reputation for living in dirty places, cockroaches actually take great care to keep themselves clean. Cockroaches also dislike extremely strong smells and tastes, which is why garlic is so effective. Few substances in the kitchen have as potent a smell as garlic. You can make a garlic water mixture to spray around suspected roach areas or simply place gloves of garlic around the house where you have seen cockroaches. The only problem with this remedy is the smell. Garlic is potent and will disturb humans and pets as well. Only use this repellent if little else is working.

Tags: this remedy, around house, beer soaked, beer soaked bread, find themselves, make them, pieces bread

Kill Ticks On Dogs With Garlic

Prevention is the best method to keep your dog flea and tick free. However, even with preventive measures, the occasional tick may latch on to your dog. Ticks can cause serious health risks in your dog, including canine Lyme disease. Many pet owners are not keen on applying pesticides to their pets, so they seek alternative, non-chemical methods to battle ticks.

Instructions

1. Obtain pure liquid garlic extract. You can usually find this in the spices section at your local grocery store. If you are concerned about the quality and purity of the garlic extract, you may want to purchase it from an organic or health food store.

2. Apply five to ten drops of liquid garlic extract to the affected area. Make sure you apply it directly to the tick, as the garlic will repel and kill the tick.

3. Keep your dog still for 20 to 30 minutes. This is how long it takes for the tick to die. If your dog is running around, you may lose the tick.

4. Remove the dead tick with a pair of tweezers. The tick should unclench its grasp on your dog's skin upon death, but you may need to pull it out with a pair of tweezers. If the tick is still alive when you try to remove it, it could panic and vomit into your pet's blood stream. It is this vomit that causes illness.

5. Treat the tick site after removal with an antibiotic cream to fight infection. If the wound is in a place your dog can reach, you may need cover it with a bandage to discourage your pet from licking the wound and ingesting the antibiotic.

Tags: garlic extract, liquid garlic, liquid garlic extract, pair tweezers, pair tweezers tick, tweezers tick

Prevent Mosquito Growth

Everyone's least favorite backyard guest.

Malaria is no longer a concern in the United States, but mosquitoes still spread the West Nile virus and other illnesses. While various government agencies take the lead in overall mosquito control, homeowners can take some actions themselves to limit their exposure to these flying ruffians. Among the most important things you can do is remove sources of standing water that serve as breeding nurseries for mosquitoes. Some mosquitoes can go from egg to adult in less than a week. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Eliminate potential breeding areas by removing items that can collect standing water such as old tires, buckets, cans, plastic swimming pools and wheel barrows. Turn them over when not in use, if you can.

2. Clean out gutters and remove any standing water. Do not permit standing water to collect for more than two days in flower pots, pet dishes or on the seats of backyard chairs or similar places.

3. Remove standing water from roofs and other structures and repair any leaks around faucets or air conditioners to prevent the formation of puddles. Eliminate seepage from septic tanks and cisterns and fill any puddles or ditches in which standing water accumulates. Fill tree holes and stumps.

4. Change the water in wading pools and birdbaths once a week. Stock ornamental ponds with small, mosquito-eating fish. Treat the pond with commercially available treatments to inhibit the growth of mosquitoes. You can also aerate the pond, as mosquitoes prefer still water for breeding.

5. Remove water that has collected in tarps used to cover lawn furniture, boats and the like.

6. Kill adult mosquitoes outdoors with mosquito traps and bug zappers. Outdoor foggers can provide a temporary reprieve. Make sure you follow the directions on the implement and the insecticide used with it.

7. Prevent mosquitoes from getting in your house by putting 16- to 18-mesh screening over windows. Indoors, use aerosol insecticides containing synergized pyrethrum or synthetic pyrethroids.

8. Trim the lawn regularly and remove weeds and other excess vegetation near your house that offers mosquitoes a place to rest. If applying insecticides among vegetation outdoors, pay particular attention to shady areas.

Tags: standing water, mosquitoes from, water that, your house

Blood Diseases In Dogs

Dogs of any age, gender and breed can have blood disorders.

Blood diseases in dogs can be scary, frightening and quite dangerous. Most blood diseases can affect any dog, regardless of its breed, gender or age. Fortunately, most are manageable. If you suspect your dog is suffering from a disease of the blood, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Thrombocytopenia

According to Terrific Pets, thrombocytopenia occurs when a dog has a low number of platelets in its blood. This lack of platelets prevents the blood from clotting, which can become a potentially fatal problem if the dog is cut or suffers an internal injury. In addition, if the platelet count gets too low, the dog can begin to bleed internally spontaneously. Thrombocytopenia can be genetic, or it can be caused by disease or illness. Thrombocytopenia is treated with antibiotics and corticosteriods to prevent the immune system from breaking down the existing platelets. While any dog can develop this condition, American cocker spaniels, poodles and Old English sheepdogs are the most commonly afflicted.

Hemolytic Anemia

Hemolytic anemia is a disease in which a dog's immune system destroys its own red blood cells. Symptoms include pale gums, bloody urine and feces, increased heart rate and jaundice. According to Dog Diseases Symptoms, treatment for hemolytic anemia includes suppressing the immune system by taking steroids and performing blood transfusions.

Hemophilia

Hemophilia prevents a dog's blood from clotting. Hemophilia A is inherited and seen mostly in male dogs. The blood of dogs with hemophilia A does release platelets, but they do not adhere together to form clots. Hemophilia B is rather rare, more serious and is caused by the lack of the plasma thromboplastin component in the blood-clotting sequence. According to Terrific Pets, this disorder is typically diagnosed when a doctor performs surgery and notices that the dog bleeds more than normal. Dogs with hemophilia can have pale gums, excessive bleeding during teething and nosebleeds. Unfortunately, there is no treatment for hemophilia, states the Canine Inherited Disorders Database. Dogs with severe cases of hemophilia may need to undergo periodic blood transfusions to replace the diminished coagulation factor activity. Doberman pinschers, Scottish terriers and German shepherds are the most susceptible to developing this condition.

Tags: immune system, According Terrific, According Terrific Pets, blood from, blood from clotting, blood transfusions, Dogs with

Make Your Own Sheer Mosquito Netting Canopy

Mosquito netting is both decorative and useful for protecting yourself from unwelcome insects.

Sleeping in an environment where you might come in contact with mosquitoes or other bugs can be harmful to your health. Mosquitoes can carry harmful diseases such as the West Nile virus. A mosquito net is very helpful to protect yourself while you sleep and reduce your exposure to harmful bugs. Use cotton sheeting and mosquito tulle to make a hanging mosquito net. Once the net is sewn, install hooks into the ceiling above your bed to hang the net. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Measure the mattress of your bed to determine how large you will need to make the mosquito netting. Add 3 to 4 inches to each side of the measurements to account for shrinkage at the top of the netting.

2. Trim the selvages off the cotton fabric and cut them into smaller strips. Use the selvages to form about 14 loops, each about 2 inches. The loops will later be attached to the top of the net to hold the mosquito tulle in place.

3. Cut the cotton and sew it until it forms one sheet. Use the measurements you took in Step 1 to make the sheet the appropriate size. Pin one of the loops in each of the four corners and then pin the other loops so they are spaced out evenly on all sides of the cotton sheet.

4. Cut strips of cotton that are 6 inches wide. Cut enough strips to go around the perimeter of the cotton sheet plus 3 more inches. Sew the strips together to form one long piece.

5. Pin the long strip all the way around the large cotton piece and sew all the way around. The loops should stick up through the seam so they are accessible from above the seam. When you reach the loops, double over with your sewing machine to make sure they are secured in place. You should now have a cap for your mosquito net, with loops at the top to hang the net from the ceiling.

6. Select an opening for the mosquito netting and pin it in place on the wrong side of the cotton cap piece. Pin the netting along the perimeter of the cap and sew the netting in place. When you get all the way back to the start, cut off the excess netting and leave a gap to serve as the door.

7. Cut a 1-inch strip of fabric and sew it along the bottom edge of the netting to finish it off. Leave a space so that the netting can open.

Tags: cotton piece, cotton sheet, loops each, mosquito tulle, netting place

Homemade Fog Machine

Need A Lot Of Fog?

No Halloween party or extreme stage show is complete without a lot of fog. Fog machines are increasingly becoming easier to rent, but what if you can't find one in your part of town? Here are a few simple steps that will have you churning out a San Francisco-sized fog bank in no time. Does this Spark an idea?

How It Works

This fog machine works by blowing compressed air through a bath of mineral oil, so first get an air compressor, the kind used in pneumatic tools.

The Machine aka The Bucket

Obtain a five-gallon bucket, the kind used for home brewing. This will be your fog creation chamber. In the bucket lid, drill two holes, one 3/8 of an inch in diameter, the other 1 1/4 inch.

The Tubing

Get about two feet of 3/8-inch copper tubing. Clamp off one end. Near that end, drill four 1/16-inch holes. Coil the pipe in the bottom of the bucket so that the clamped end with the holes curls around. Run the other end of the copper out of the small hole in the top of the bucket. Through the larger hole, run an elbow or T-connection of 1 1/2-inch PVC pipe. This is where the fog exits.

Fog Juice

Fill the bottom of the bucket with mineral oil, enough to cover the copper tubing. Secure the top of the lid to the bucket. Attach the end of your air compressor to the copper tubing sticking out of the lid. Turn on the air compressor and - BOO!!! - you've got fog.

Keeping It Cool

Chilling the fog as it exits the machine makes it cling low to the ground, like in the movies. You can achieve this effect by attaching a length of plastic tubing to the exit pipe and running it through a cooler filled with ice.

Tags: copper tubing, bottom bucket, kind used

Fish By Water Control Valves In Rivers Or Streams

Areas below dams or other water controls make great fishing areas.

One of the best locations to fish in streams or rivers is where water control valves are positioned in the stream. These can vary from simple stop log structures or where culverts funnel water in small streams to giant locks and dams in major flows built to facilitate commercial shipping. The turbulence, deep holes, ready food supply, oxygenated water and upstream migration blockage all team up to make these areas fishing hot spots. Fishing them properly is simply a method of getting the bait down to where the fish are holding.

Instructions

Three-Way Rig

1. Tie a three-way swivel onto the main line of your rod and reel.

2. Tie a leader of the same strength as your main line to one of the lines tied on the three-way swivel.

3. Tie a fish hook to the end of the leader line, making the leader approximately a foot long.

4. Tie a short piece of line, half the strength as the main line, to the remaining tie-loop on the three-way swivel. The sinker will get hung up on the bottom frequently so using a light line will allow you to break it off, losing the sinker but salvaging the rest of the rig.

5. Tie an appropriately sized sinker to the light line, adjusting the length of this line so there's about 8 inches between the swivel and the sinker. The size of the sinker depends on the power of the current and water depth. Slow current and water only 10 feet deep or so can be fished with a 1-oz. sinker, while you may need to tie on a 4- or 6-oz. weight to fish deeper or in a strong current.

Test the Waters

6. Motor into the current created where the water is shunted through the control valve while you are watching the depth finder on your boat.

7. Cut the motor and let the boat drift downstream with the current, again while monitoring your depth finder.

8. Repeat this motoring up and drifting back several times, each time trying to take a slightly different paths.

9. Look for sharp drop-offs, underwater humps and channels under the surface, and monitor how your boat drifts in the main current or along the edges of the current. You are making a mental map of where the best locations or drifts to make as well as places to avoid to keep from getting hung up or endangering your boat or yourself.

Lowering the Bait

10. Put your bait on the hook and set your rod and reel where it's close at hand.

11. Power the boat up through the current, cut the motor, then quickly lower the bait straight down over the side of the boat, letting out line until the sinker hits the bottom.

12. Allow the boat to drift downstream while you raise and lower your rod, bouncing the sinker on the bottom. The fish below the control valves always stick close to the stream's bottom; being able to feel the sinker hitting the bottom ensures your bait is down where the fish live.

13. Set the hook when you feel the strike of a fish and allow the boat to float on downstream while you do battle.

14. Make repeated drifts, adjusting the location of each until you determine the path that results in the best success.

Tags: main line, three-way swivel, your boat, bait down, bait down where

Buy 5 Gallon Water Jugs

Locating five-gallon water jugs to buy takes a bit of effort, but plastic water jugs can be found in most communities for very little money. Once purchased, the jugs can be reused as needed or used to store water for emergency situations. For camping or other recreational activities, you may want to purchase more durable sportsman's water jugs. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

Buying Water Jugs

1. Check your local grocery store. If they have bottled water available, chances are they sell it in five-gallon jugs. You will have to pay an additional deposit on the jug in addition to the price of the water.

2. Look in local sporting goods stores. There are various manufacturers who make five-gallon water jugs for camping, fishing or other outdoor activities. These will cost more than what's available at a grocery store, but will also be more durable.

3. Request catalogs from Cabela's, L.L. Bean and other suppliers of outdoor equipment. Be sure to figure in the cost of shipping to the overall cost of the jugs when pricing.

4. Check online retailers. Websites such as Amazon and Walmart.com carry the jugs at reasonable prices. Wal-Mart will take orders online and send the jugs to your nearest store for no shipping charge.

5. Check with retailers such as U.S. Plastics if you plan to purchase a number of jugs. Buying jugs by the case or in greater numbers can give you significant savings over purchasing one at a time.

Tags: water jugs, five-gallon water, five-gallon water jugs, grocery store, more durable

Ashrae Co2 Guidelines

The guidelines for carbon dioxide levels within a building introduced by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers are voluntary standards, according to the Aerias website, unless they are adopted by state government agencies as legislation for indoor air quality. Does this Spark an idea?

ASHRAE

ASHRAE was established in 1894 to provide technical and educational information on air-conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration techniques. ASHRAE is accredited to the American National Standards Institute for the development of minimum standards or acceptable performance.

CO2

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is measured under ASHRAE guidelines to evaluate the amount of ventilation of outdoor air entering a building, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Carbon dioxide is exhaled in human breathing and can build up in buildings, with levels over 1,000 parts per million (ppm) being a sign of inadequate ventilation.

Levels

The Illinois Department of Public Health reports that outdoor levels of CO2 are 300 to 400 ppm, while ASHRAE guidelines report a healthy average CO2 indoor level to be 800 ppm. CO2 levels show whether a building has ventilation levels of the ASHRAE-recommended 15 to 20 cubic feet of outdoor ventilated air entering a building for each occupant.

Tags: ASHRAE guidelines, Carbon dioxide, Department Public, Department Public Health, entering building, Illinois Department, Illinois Department Public

Life Cycle Of Bryophyte

Life Cycle of Bryophyte

Bryophytes are a group of land inhabiting plants which are simple and primitive in nature. They are generally restricted to moist and shady places such as in bogs, on damp rocks and trees, by the side of pools and streams, and in deep humid wood. Although, the members of bryophytes have adapted to land conditions, they still require external water supply for completing their life cycle. Hence, they are also called 'amphibious plants.' In the life cycle of a Bryophyte, there is a definite alternation of a gametophytic and a sporophytic generation.

Protonema

The life of a bryophyte begins from a spore which germinates and produces a protonema. Protonema is either filamentous or thalloid. It looks like a slim green felt. Apical cells undergo differentiation and produce the foliose shoots at different places of the Protonema. This is a transitory stage in the life cycle of a bryophyte because protonema soon develops into the gametophore.

Gametophore

An apical cell produces stems or branches which lead to the development of sex organs of the bryophyte. The stems produce leaves and branches spirally arranged. The leaves are simple, unlobed and attached directly by the base, not having an intervening stalk. Other outgrowths to the stem include auxiliary hairs, multi-cellular rhizoids, paraphyllia, and many other asexual propagules.

Gametangia

The female organs are termed as archegonia and surrounded by a series of modified leaves celled 'perichaetum' (plural, perichaeta). The archegonia has a sterile jacket and usually differentiated into bulbs celled 'venter'. The male organs are termed as antheridia and are also protected by a group of modified leaves similar to the archegonia.

Seta

The sporophyte body is comprised of a long stalk, known as 'seta', a haustorial foot, and a capsule protected by a cap called apical sporangium. The foot is engrafted within the top of a stem or branch. The seta is either short or elongated containing an internal conducive system that links between the foot and the apical sporangium at both sides.

Sporangium

A single, multi-cellular sporangium or capsule develops at some distance from an undifferentiated sporophyte. The sporangium opens up by longitudinal splits of apical pores. The outer layer contains stomata, particularly in the neck, and the underlying exothecium layer is made up of parenchymatose cells.

Peristome

At the final stage of life cycle of bryophyte, the apex of the capsule dislodges after metamorphosis and forms a structure, known as peristome. There are two basic types of peristomes that are seen in bryophyte: nematodontous and arthrodontous.

Tags: life cycle, apical sporangium, Cycle Bryophyte, modified leaves, organs termed