Home remedies to get rid of bed bugs

Tiny creatures like bed bugs can literally wreck havoc in your house. Recently, my bed got infested with bed bugs, and I had a hard time sleeping at night. I had a stinging sensation at the back of my ears and on the feet. Next day, I was feeling itchy and spotty at the back of my ears. I clicked a picture of it with my cell phone camera. I was shocked to see three tiny bite marks. I showed it to my Mom and she instantly figured out what was wrong. 'Oh my God! Those are the bed bugs bite!', she exclaimed with a hint of worry on her face. I couldn't imagine I had bugs in my bed!

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Calling up pest-control services to get rid of bed-bugs was out of question, because I am allergic to fumes and smells of the insect sprays and other chemicals they might use. So Mom suggested we keep the mattress and the pillows in the sun. It was summer then, and the temperature was beyond 40 degrees Celsius. Perfect time to roast bed bugs!

So, we moved the pillows and the mattresses to the eighth floor my apartment building and let it stay out there in the sun for a good 7-8 hours. Thank you God, for the elevators! I also washed my bed-sheet, duvet, pillow covers and put it out in the sun to dry. We did this back to back for two days. And voila! My mattresses, pillows, pillow covers, bed-sheet and duvet were free from bed bug infestation.

I realized that in spite of maintaining highest level of hygiene, our homes get infested with bugs anyways. So, we need to be watchful for signs of their presence. On noticing any bugs, we should take prompt remedial measures.

Here are some home remedies that will surely help you get rid of bed-bugs.

• To begin with, wash the bed-sheet, pillow covers and duvets thoroughly. If possible, use hot water. Also wash mattress cover, if any. Dry it in sun. But, do read the wash instructions on them. Do not wash them in hot water or dry them in hot sun if the instructions say so.

• Apart from putting the mattress and pillows out in the sun, you can also use hot steam. This is perhaps the deadliest way to exterminate bud bugs. Many vapor steamers are available in the market these days that are used to clean floor, bathrooms, tiles walls, etc by the power of hot steam. Alternatively, you can use a steamer that is meant for ironing clothes. Steam the mattress and pillows on both the sides to eliminate the bugs. Steaming is a good option, in case the bed-bugs decide to attack your bed during monsoons and winters.

• Homes with pets like dogs and cats have an increased susceptibility to bed-bug infestation. There is quite a possibility that your pet's bed is infested with bed bugs. If so, do not hesitate to discard the mattress. Examine the surrounding area for bed-bugs and their eggs.

• Beg bugs do not feed  for longer than 8-10 minutes. Neither do they have a firm grasp on hair. If your pet is carrying bed bugs, a session of grooming outside the house shall do the trick.

• You can keep bed bugs at bay by vacuuming the mattress, pillows, carpets and frame of the bed at regular intervals, preferably, 3-4 times a week. Discard or burn the content at a safe place, preferably outside the house.

• Get a cover for your mattress if you haven't been using one. A mattress cover will prevent the bed bugs from penetrating deep into the mattress.

• Change the bed-sheets and pillow cover at regular intervals. Wash the duvets too.Wash them thoroughly everytime using a good detergent.

Beg bugs are pest. They bite and give you nasty bite marks with a stinging sensation. They deprive you of good night sleep. Do not ignore their presence. We have simple home remedies now, to eradicate them. Hygiene and vigilance are the best methods to prevent bed bugs.

Veteran Actor Pran passes away

Veteran Bollywood actor Pran Krishan Sikand (born February 12, 1920) passed away on July 12, 2013,  Friday at Mumbai's Lilawati Hospital after prolong sickness. He was 93 years old.

Pran was of late honored with Dadasaheb Phalke Award- the greatest award in the Indian Cinema, at his residence. He carved a niche for himself during his six decade-long career in the Bollywood, by the way of depicting influential negative and character roles.

Pran commenced in journey in Bollywood as a hero, but he will be commemorated for playing the vindictive baddie in blockbusters like 'Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai', 'Munimji' 'Dil Dia Dard Liya' and many more classic hits.  He took the role of a villain to an all new level. He acted in over 400 movies and won several awards for his charismatic onscreen presence.

Pran would be deeply missed and fondly remembered as one of the most cherished personalities Bollywood has ever had. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Top things to have in your handbag at all times

Whether you are just taking your carryall for a weekend out or going on a month-long vacation with tonnes of luggage, there are a few essentials that you must carry while you step out of your home. Usually guys find the idea of girls carrying a big handbag revolting. However, they often end up needing something that happens to be there in that bag. “Do you have a face-wipe in there?” “Do you have some water to drink?” Apart from the usual stuff like cell phone and make-up, there are several little things that will always come handy.

Cash

It is necessary that you carry a reasonable amount of hard-cash with you. Why?? Because the cab driver would not accept a debit card, would he? You will need cash to pay for a cab or a train fare. You must have enough money to grab a bite to eat. It is wise to carry plastic money from the viewpoint of safety. But carrying cash is equally important.

Keep some cash in a separate compartment of your handbag. Just in case a thief gets his hands on your wallet. Carry coins for using a payphone. Your cell phone battery may not last forever on some days!

Water

Always carry a bottle of water. Frequent sips of water will keep you hydrated when you are on the go.

Face-wipes and deodorant

These are one of the amazing versatile creations of man! A cool and fragrant face-wipe not only helps clean the dirt off your skin but also makes you feel fresh within a couple of minutes. A face-wipe can come handy just in case you accidentally spill little something on your clothes at lunch. A quick spray of deodorant will help conceal body odor until you get home and get fresh. It will also save the people around you from nasal-torment.

Hair accessories
You should carry a comb, a couple of hair rubber bands and hair clutchers. Hair often get messy during travelling. You can put your messy hair back in order if you have these basic things at hand.

Mint candy
For me, mint candy is a must have. I usually consume salad containing raw onion and food rich in garlic. So mint candies help keep bad breath at bay. These are very useful for occasions like an interview or a date.

A notepad and a pen

We do live in a digital era, but we still depend on our memory for some things. You might think of stuff you need to buy later from the store on your way home. Or you meet an important person and forget your business card or they do not have theirs. At such times, a notepad and a pen will serve the purpose.

A pack of tampons

I guess I do not need to explain this one.

Painkillers and band-aids

I am often asked for Aspirin. Carrying a strip of painkillers is a good idea when you or someone around you has a headache. Even a tiny bruise seems irritating. An exposed wound, no matter how small, will gather dirt and make way for an infection. Band-aids will come handy to take care of small cuts and bruises and help you take your mind off it.

Hand-sanitizer
Keep a small bottle of hand-sanitizer in your carryall. You can use it when you wish to grab a bite and don't have water and hand-wash around to cleanse your hands; or after using public transport or a public restroom.

Personal information and emergency contacts

Carry a small diary mentioning your personal information and emergency contact details of your family and friends or may be colleagues, because you cannot predict when life will throw a curve ball at you. Wouldn’t it be awful if you fall unconscious somewhere and no one knows whom to contact for you?

Camera

This is a great thing to carry when you are out on a vacation. Fun begins the moment you get started from your home. Whether it is a point-&-shoot camera or a DSLR, you should carry one. Personally, I love carrying my camera. I never know what may catch my attention.

A novel or a magazine

Carrying a novel or a magazine is a good idea. You can read it when you are travelling in a bus or a train. This will keep boredom at bay.

Snacks

Carry a pack of cookies or chips or any snack you like. You may even carry an apple or a chocolate. It is quite possible for you to feel hungry in the middle of nowhere, and there is no place around to eat at.

Pepper spray

A very useful thing just in case a rowdy subway rat decides to bother you.

A pair of sunglasses
Carry a nice pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from harsh sunlight. You definitely do not want to have a burning sensation in your eyes throughout the day.

So now you know what it takes to be geared up. Keep these little things your handbag and step out of your home with a peace of mind.

Walking in the rain

Monsoon has set its foot in India. I love this season for all the lushness and greenery it brings along. Yesterday when I was walking home from by best friend's after a study session, it began to rain. Thank God she suggested I take her umbrella. After a few minutes it slowed down to a drizzle. Everything around looked beautiful and fresh. Here is a picture I quickly took from my cell phone as I was nearing my apartment.

Why do bullies bully?

Perhaps one of the toughest questions to answer when it comes to being bullied is “Why me?” In most of the cases, people who are on the receiving end of the daunting actions are innocent and have done nothing to beckon it. In that case, why does someone speak or commit the most offensive things without any apparent reason? It definitely is tad of a mystery and sadly, just a single straightforward answer to it doesn't exist.

Why do bullies bully?

Sometimes, a person gets involved in harrying behavior because they have witnessed other people behaving in the same manner. It is a sad reality that some children don’t have happy and healthy environment at home. Such children find themselves or other members of their family being subjected to hurtful behavior. We as humans are incredibly impressionable to influence. This is true especially in case of younger people. We tend to take on the behaviors of those around us. So, if we regularly see someone intimidating, pestering, mortifying and causing a nuisance to others, odds are that we may end up being someone like them.

Nevertheless, this explanation might hold good for some bullies, it is not  the only one. Sometimes children who have been brought up in a happy and co-operative environment can make the most atrocious bullies. There has to be something else happening that turns children with good upbringing into heartless bullies.

There lies an idea of supremacy and influence at the very core of this matter. If we glance at what bullies do, they threaten, beleaguer, isolate and belittle their victims. These actions have similar impact. It makes the victim weak and small making the bully feel influential and impressive. The idea of influence falls into place when you realize that it’s the people who mind their own business draw the attention of bullies. The important thing to be kept in mind is that the victim of bully is not the one to blame. If it wasn't him, then someone else would have been the victim.

There is a fact associated with the idea of influence that bullies want to be leaders. Bullies have a desire to be perceived as mighty and powerful and be liked by people, which is why they are usually accompanied by a bunch of cronies who play a part in the crime and adhere to their leader. The bully exercises his power and manipulations while his cronies follow the suit. Simply put, the bully tries to say “Look at me, here I am!” It is very obvious that not everyone will look up to them and admire them. And such people would be targeted and victimized by the bullies.

Sadly, there isn't always a clarification behind why every bully does what they have been doing. Humans are exceptionally intricate beings with propensities to act both with immense compassion and great vindictiveness. Although these ideas might elucidate why bullies involve in malignant behavior, they certainly do not rationalize it.

Simple ways to lose pregnancy weight

This one is for all the new moms out there! I know how delighted you are at the arrival of the new baby. But now you have plenty of things on hand; feed the baby, clean the baby and lose some pregnancy weight. It’s obvious for many of you to be tired of listening to how quickly celeb moms slim down after having a baby, as if it was a piece of cake for them.

But the truth is that these celebs are backed up with specialized services or doctors, private trainers, nutritionists as well as personal chefs. And if it still doesn’t work out, there are Photoshop specialists who make them appear at their best post-pregnancy. But what should an ordinary mom do?

A woman has numerous ways to lose pregnancy weight in a viable manner. Following are important suggestions that will prove to be useful.

Have a support system in place

‘Me time’ is a rare thing to get for new moms. You have to take some time out of your hectic agenda in order to work on yourself. And here your family members and friends can come to your rescue.

You won’t be able to perform all the tasks by yourself, so don’t try doing so. Put your husband on grocery duty and request grandma to babysit the baby. Some health centers and gymnasiums provide babysitting facility, while you work your way to slim down and get fit. Utilize the resources on hand in the best possible manner.

Taking care of your body

Your taste-buds may get attract towards junk food, but this isn’t the right time to give up on your temptations. Pregnancy gives a hard time to your body. However it’s in your hands that you can accelerate the recovery process. You can have several smaller and wholesome meals throughout the day. Green vegetables, dairy products, whole grains, lean proteins, and fruits that are rich in fiber should form major components of your diet.

It is a natural thing that if you’re breastfeeding the baby, you may need to consume more calories than the usual, so that you and your baby stay fit. Drink lots of water. Nursing moms need to consume more water, at least 64-128 ounces every day.

Move your body

On some days you may not feel like getting out of bed. But its time you get moving. Cardio exercise makes you strong and helps lose weight in lesser time. You don’t necessarily need to join a gyn. You can exercise in your garden as the baby rests in a cool and shady place. You can also take long walk with your baby as he rests in a pram.

It is advisable that you do cardio for at least half an hour and 5 days in a week. You will notice a boost in your energy levels, as your weight goes down. Yoga is beneficial for releasing all the stress and making your mind calm, as well as losing weight. Do the stretches and aasanas (poses) early in the morning to have a rejuvenating experience. Before going to sleep, do the breathing exercises. Also meditate for a while, to get a sound sleep.

Stay invigorated

It is definitely not easy with a baby for you to get ample quality sleep every night. But sleep is important for your body and mind. The best way to get adequate rest is to sleep when the baby also goes to sleep. This way you won’t be disturbed.

Sleep deprivation can weaken the immune system. A person is unable to stay focused. Also the natural healing process of the body becomes sluggish. Sadly there are many people who don’t get enough sleep- new moms being one of them!

You can take care of your dear ones only when you’re fit. With appropriate nutrition, work out and adequate sleep you will be slim and slender again in no time!

Toothache- Everything you need to know

Ouch! My tooth! It hurts! Ow!

Toothache reminds me of this scene-
Alfalfa (Bug Hall) faking a toothache in  the movie 'The Little Rascals', 1994

You definitely know how a toothache feels like. Everyone of us has experienced a toothache at some point of time in our lives. A toothache may sound like a trivial affair but it truly has the audacity to wreck your daily routine. It won’t let you concentrate on your work or let you get some good night sleep. Tooth decay is usually the chief cause of toothache. However, it is imperative that you undergo a complete dental check-up in order to rule out any possibilities of severe health problems. By the time you get an appointment with your dentist, you can try out these top 10 home remedies to temporarily alleviate your agony.

Let us understand why we get aching teeth.

According to Deltadentalins, there are several reasons behind toothache; some of the major ones are listed below:

• Dental cavity

• Exposed roots- It gives a shrill pain when you eat anything hot or cold, often known as sensitivity

• Cracked teeth/ dental trauma

• Infection in the gum tissues

• Bruxism

• Eruption of milk teeth in case of babies

• Eruption of permanent teeth in case of young children

• Eruption of wisdom teeth in adults

• Certain ailments pertaining to heart such as the angina, can cause tenderness around the jaws and teeth

• Infection of the sinuses or the ear causes toothache. It is normally coupled with headache

What symptoms are exhibited with a toothache?

It would be really wise that you schedule an appointment with your dentist right away if you notice any of the following symptoms.

• If you notice abscess or pus around the painful area, there are high chances that it is a severe gum infection that can possibly infect your jaw bone. Your mouth could have a foul taste from the abscess.

• Inflammation of gum tissues

• Bleeding gums

• You could feel pain when you bite your food

• Chronic pain in the jaw, gums or teeth

What does a dentist do to help you?

Usually, dentist does a comprehensive oral examination and take x-rays if needed, to identify the underlying cause of your toothache. The course of treatment will depend upon the diagnosis of your condition. He may prescribe dental gels, painkillers and antibiotics to cure the ailment. In severe cases, extraction of infected tooth and root canal may be advised.

Prevention is better than cure

The best way to fight against toothache is not getting one! Here are some simple tips to prevent bad teeth.

• Brush, brush and brush! It is the simplest way to avoid tooth ailments. Brush twice a day with a good toothbrush, so that the most difficult areas are cleansed properly. Use good quality toothpaste. Replace your toothbrush at appropriate regular intervals, preferably every month. Use a good mouthwash too.

• Use dental floss to remove minutest food particles stuck between the teeth. You may floss once daily.

• Rinse your mouth properly with water after every meal.

• Visit your dentist are regular intervals for dental check-up and cleaning.

So now that you are aware of the basic whats, whys and hows of the toothache, I hope you found this post useful. Please do take a look at the home remedies link at the beginning of this post, to know how simple ingredients like cloves, garlic, onion, ice cubes, salt and pepper etc can help temporarily treat toothache.


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