Five DIY Home Remedies for Summer Insect Bites

Summer 2018 is here!  Spending a lot of time swimming in the community pool, attending barbecues, and enjoying the outdoors?  If so, it is easy to experience an unpleasant aspect of the summer season: bugs.  There is often an uptick in the amount of bug bites people receive in the summer.  

Trying to avoid excess chemicals this summer in an attempt to live a greener life?  If so, instead of purchasing ointment or medicine from a store, try to use these eco friendly bug bite remedies.  These supplies are natural and are commonly found in pantries and cabinets at home:

1) Oatmeal: Oatmeal is often used to soothe the skin.  Oatmeal is an anti irritant and is very healthy for the skin.  For relief with one or two bug bites, mix oatmeal with some cold water until the mixture has the consistency of paste and apply the mixture to the bite with a washcloth.  For numerous bites, try mixing oatmeal in with a bath.  It is important to note that it is better to use cold water because cold temperatures reduce inflammation.  

2) Ice: As stated above, cold temperatures help to reduce inflammation.  For itch relief from mosquito bites, use an ice pack and apply on the skin for several minutes.  For a longer application, wrap ice cubes in a cloth or paper towel.

3) Aloe: Not just for sunburns, aloe is great for the skin.  Apply directly to bug bites for itch relief.  Aloe also can help small cuts and abrasions heal.

Three Important Facts About National Pollinators Week

National Pollinators Week is Coming June 18 - June 24

What is National Pollinators Week?

National Pollinators Week celebrates the insects and animals that help pollinate plants that, in turn, allow fruits, seeds, and flowers to grow.  This week long celebration will take place from June 18 - June 24, 2018.

What is pollination and why is this process important?

Pollination is the process in which pollen moves from one flower to another.  The pollen fertilizes the flower which is a necessary component in the creation of fruits and seeds.  Occasionally, this pollen is transferred from plant to plant due to wind and other environmental factors.  According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website, "over 75% of all flowering plants are pollinated by animals."  Butterflies, bats, birds, and other creatures transfer pollen from flower to flower unintentionally because the pollen sticks to their bodies. Bees, however, intentionally gather and deposit pollen.

What are ways to celebrate National Pollinators Week?

Access resources such as Podcasts and Webcasts, activity guides, and more, on the "Pollinators" page of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website.

This information was found on the "Pollinators" page of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website.  Visit the page here: https://www.fws.gov/pollinators/.

Grady's GreenLiving Tips was created in 2014 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.

Plastic and the Ocean: A Summertime GreenLiving Blog

This Type of Debris is Typically Found in the Ocean

Summer 2018 begins in only a few weeks!  Trying to visit the beach this summer?  Remember, the beach is an ecosystem that is home to numerous plants and animals.  Unfortunately, the beach and ocean can become littered with rubbish and debris that people leave behind on vacation.  

What type of debris is often most often recovered from the ocean?

Plastic materials are most often recovered from the ocean.  The plastic materials found in the ocean most often include: plastic cigarette butts, food wrappers, plastic bottles, and straws.  

Three Ways Bicycling Reduces Pollution

Green Reasons to Participate in Upcoming Bike to Work Day #BTWD

Bike to Work Day is taking place this Friday, May 18.  This annual event promotes biking as an efficient and reliable way to get around.  People are encouraged to forego the car, train, or bus for one day and ride a bike to and from work.

Biking is an easy way to practice greenliving.  In fact, riding the bike does not produce any pollution or harmful emissions cars produce that can damage the environment.  Consider these green benefits to biking:

1) Biking does not utilize gas or fuel: This may seem like common sense, but one benefit of bicycling is that it is a method of transportation that does not require fuel.  Gas can leak and contaminate waterways and foliage which can harm the flowers, plants, and wildlife living in their natural habitat.  Cutting out a need to re-fuel can help save local eco-systems.

2) Driving cars and trucks can cause air pollution: Cars, trucks, and similar automobiles cause "transportation emissions."  These emissions can contribute to Greenhouse Gasses and the Green House effect, which warms the planet over a period of time.  Biking, however, does not contribute to transportation emissions.

3) Riding bicycles also reduces noise pollution: Traffic noise is a big contributor to noise pollution: loud noises that impacts cities and surrounding areas.  While it may not seem like it, noise pollution can negatively impact animal life by disrupting animal habitats.  Bike riding is much quieter than driving and, therefore, reduces harmful noise pollution.

Learn how you can participate in Bike to Work Day online.

Many of these facts are presented on the website Bay Area Bike to Work Day on the "Environmental Benefits" page.  Read the article here: https://youcanbikethere.com/.

Grady's GreenLiving Tips was created in 2014 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.