From Ammonia and Vinegar to Cinnamon Oil

From Ammonia and Vinegar to Cinnamon Oil

Snakes often alarm homeowners, even though they help control rodents and insects. When they appear near houses, many people look for natural, non-lethal deterrents. Because snakes rely on “chemical sensing through a specialized organ,” strong smells are often suggested to make areas less inviting. Ammonia is frequently mentioned for its “sharp, irritating odor,” which can…

Slugs: The Surprisingly Important Creatures

Slugs: The Surprisingly Important Creatures

For many people, seeing a slug prompts “a grimace.” Slimy and slow, they rarely earn admiration. Yet behind that image, slugs play an essential role, “quietly shaping ecosystems and even influencing human innovation.” In nature, slugs “act as recyclers,” feeding on decaying plants and fungi and returning nutrients to the soil. They are also “a…

Savannah Guthrie’s sister and brother-in

Savannah Guthrie’s sister and brother-in

The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie thrust her family into a public nightmare. Savannah Guthrie went off the air as “her 84-year-old mother [was] missing,” and her Arizona home was sealed after investigators found “blood inside, a trail outside,” and a ransom note. What had been a private crisis quickly became national news. Annie Guthrie and…