Posted: 04 Sep 2018 05:00 PM PDT

Although usually harmless, spiders are invasive and can cause damage to your car's interior. Whether you're preventing or controlling a spider infestation, you can use one of several techniques to keep spiders away from your car. Cleaning your car, using natural spider repellents, and changing the way you park or use the lights can all help get rid of spiders in your car. With time and diligence, your car will be clean and spider-free again!

EditSteps

EditPreventing Spider Infestations

Remove clutter and unnecessary items from the car. Spiders hide in any dark, secluded space they can find, so do your best to eliminate hiding spots in your vehicle. Throw away any garbage in your car and place all items you don't need in a plastic or reusable bag. Place the bag in the trunk and, when you have time, take it out of the car and drop it off at your home.^[1]
Clean and vacuum your car thoroughly. Spiders like to hide in dark, dirty areas. Taking the time to clean out your car can prevent spiders from finding places to live within it. Vacuum your car's floors, paying special attention to corners or any crumbs, and wipe down the interior.^[2]
- Try to clean out your car at least once a week to prevent infestations.
Ensure your car doors seal tightly. Run your fingers along the rubber seals along each door and check for damage. If you notice any cracks or broken areas, hire a mechanic to repair or replace your rubber seals.^[3]
- Because spiders can enter your car through small holes, rubber seals are essential for keeping spiders out.
- If you notice dirt or debris clogging the rubber seals, clean them with a wet washcloth to improve their efficiency.
Do not leave your car idling for long periods of time. The vibrations that idling cars make disturb spiders and, while trying to escape the vibrations, may cause them to hide in your car. If possible, avoid turning your car on before you need it, particularly if your car is prone to spider infestations.^[4]
- Spiders move towards, not away from, idling cars because they expect to find a "ground zero" in the car where the vibrations can't hurt them. It's comparable to seeking shelter in the eye of a hurricane.
- The larger your car is, the more likely that it will attract spiders while idling.

EditUsing Spider Repellents

Mix an essential oil spray to ward off spiders naturally. Because of their strong scent and taste, several essential oils repel spiders and other insects. Mix 5-7 drops of an essential oil with of water in a spray bottle and spritz it around your car. The following essential oils work particularly well for repelling spiders:^[5]
- Citrus
- Rosemary
- Garlic
- Peppermint
- Lavender
Spread eucalyptus leaves around your car as a non-toxic repellant. Eucalyptus leaves are a natural spider repellent with a botanical smell. Place fresh eucalyptus leaves in your car's storage compartments (like the trunk and glove box) to ward off spiders from a specific area.^[6]
- You can buy eucalyptus leaves online or from some plant nurseries.
Spray a non-toxic spider repellant in your car to get rid of spiders quickly. Look for spider repellents at outdoor, garden, or home improvement stores. Choose a spider repellent labeled "non-toxic" to prevent poisoning or skin irritation.^[7] Spray it on the vents, door mirrors, tires, and under the hood, as these are the 4 most likely places for spiders to hide out in your car. Reapply the spider repellent once a week to ward off future infestations.^[8]
- Because you and other people will be sitting in your car, don't use toxic spider repellents.
- If you notice spiders in other areas of your car, feel free to spray the repellant there as well. But, avoid spraying any electronics like the radio or car charging port.
- Use a cotton bud to apply the repellent around the rubber door seals as well.

EditControlling Car Infestations

Catch and get rid of any existing spiders in your car. Remove any spiders that you see while cleaning to prevent them from laying eggs in your car. Trap the spider with a cup or with your hands and exterminate it or release it far away from your car.^[9]
- If you can't or would prefer not to touch the spiders, set up spider sticky traps around the car where you've seen spiders before.
Vacuum your entire car. Using a vacuum with a tube attachment, look for and suck away any spider egg sacks, webs, or additional spiders that you see. Pay special attention to the corners or areas under mats and chairs. Suck up any dirt, crumbs, or other debris you see as well—it could be attracting the spiders.^[10]
- After vacuuming the car, remove the vacuum bag and discard it far away from your car to prevent any spiders from escaping.
- Spider egg sacks are usually small, oval-shaped grey bundles with a silky consistency.
Turn off your interior car lights while using your car. Spiders are attracted to bright lights, so keep your inside car lights turned off at all times if you've noticed an infestation. At night when you need your exterior lights on, turn them off immediately after parking.^[11]
- If someone uses electronics in your car, ask them to turn the screen to a low brightness setting.
Fix any cracks or holes in your car so spiders can't get in it. Spiders are most likely to slip through any cracks, gaps, or holes in your car's exterior. Inspect your car for damage, particularly any holes leading to your car interior, and fix them yourself or take your car to a certified mechanic for repairs. Eliminating open spaces will make it more difficult for spiders to enter your car.^[12]
- This only applies to cracks, gaps, or holes made by damage. Never try to seal your car's doors, vents, windows, or pipes.
- If you have a broken or cracked windshield, for example, repair it yourself or hire a mechanic to fix it as soon as possible.

EditTips

Diesel cars are most likely to attract spiders because of their size and tendency to vibrate while idling. Don't use or purchase diesel cars if you're strongly concerned about spider infestations.^[13]
If getting rid of spiders on your own doesn't seem to work, hire an exterminator to evaluate and treat the problem.^[14]

EditSources and Citations

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How to Buy Fresh Oysters

Posted: 04 Sep 2018 09:00 AM PDT

Eating fresh oysters can be a healthy, sustainable option for any seafood lover, adding a hint of sophistication and pageantry to your dining experience. However, sourcing, buying and storing oysters can be an intimidating experience. With some basic insight into what to look for when purchasing fresh oysters, you will ensure your full enjoyment of this culinary treat.

EditSteps

EditLocating Fresh Oysters

Visit your local fishmonger. Ask your fishmonger when they receive their oyster delivery and try to buy on, or as close to that day as possible.^[1] This ensures you will get the freshest oysters.
Go to the local farmers market. A lot of oyster farmers sell directly at farmers markets, so the oysters wouldn't have traveled far, and will be nice and fresh. This is a great opportunity to get to know your farmers, who have an indispensable wealth of knowledge when it comes to their oysters.^[2]
Go to your local supermarket. The fish counter at your local supermarket should stock fresh oysters. Supermarket shellfish can be sourced from various locations, so ask the person at the fish counter where their oysters are from, and when they were delivered.
Look into buying your oysters online. Some fishmongers offer overnight delivery within 24 hours, straight to your door. ^[3] Do an internet search of your local area to see if there are any available services near to you. This may be a benefit to you if you live in a landlocked area.

EditBuying Your Oysters

Look at how the oysters are displayed. Oysters on display should be kept cool by lying on a bed of ice. The cup-like part of the shell should be resting on the ice, with the flat top facing up. If they are not, more than likely the brine of the oyster will have drained, and the oyster may be dead. ^[4]
- Avoid oysters displayed in tanks. Oysters are able to live happily in a tank of water, but it is considered unsanitary, and will also drastically reduce their quality. They will continuously filter the water, which eventually flushes out all the flavours of its natural liquor.
Avoid oysters that don't respond to being tapped. Fresh oysters are live creatures and should close their shells when tapped. If one is open and doesn't close fully when disturbed, they are most likely dead and should not be purchased. ^[5]
Taste one of the oysters. Sampling is a good indicator of how fresh the oysters are. They should taste like the sea, salty and briny with a hint of sweetness. If it is at all bitter, spit it out, and do not eat it. The meat should be plump and surrounded by clear or slightly milky liquid known as the brine or liquor.^[6]
Sniff the oysters. Oysters should smell sea fresh, with a mild, salty scent. Avoid them if they have a strong, or rancid odour. ^[7]
Feel the weight of the oysters. Oysters that have plenty of meat should feel weighty in your hand. If they feel too light they may have been drained of their brine or dead.
Ask to see the oyster tag identification. Every fishmonger will have a tag that shows when and where the oysters were harvested, this will give you a good idea on the oysters' freshness. The tag is a legal requirement and should be produced when asked.^[8]
Buy your oysters last. To avoid your oysters from going bad whilst you're out shopping, buy them last. ^[9]

EditStoring Your Fresh Oysters

Do not shuck your oysters straight away. Avoid shucking your oysters until you are ready to eat them as they are best served freshly opened. Storing them in their closed shells rather than open, keeps them in their brine, locking in their flavor, and reduces the risk of them going bad.
Place them in an open container. Store them as soon as possible either on a rimmed tray, metal bowl or open container. The ideal container is one that is open, and self-draining.^[10] Gently place the oysters in the container with the cup part of the shell on the bottom, and the flat part facing upwards. This ensures you don't drain their liquor.
- Avoid placing your oysters directly on ice or storing them in an airtight container, as this can potentially kill them. If you do keep them on ice, only do so for an hour. ^[11]
Cover them with a damp tea towel or cloth. Soak a clean, thin tea towel or cloth in clean water. Ring it out thoroughly, and gently place it over the oysters in their container.
Refrigerate your oysters. Place your oysters on a top shelf, towards the back of your fridge where it is coolest and away from open food. Ideally the fridge's temperature should be between 4 °C and 10 °C. ^[12]
Check your oysters regularly. Drain any excess water at the bottom of the container.^[13] If the cloth has dried out, dampen it again and gently cover the oysters. It is normal to lose an oyster or two, but check that they are all still alive. If one is slightly open and doesn't close again when tapped, don't eat it, and throw it away.
Store them for up to 2 days. Oysters are considered highly perishable, and so should be eaten sooner rather than later. Try to eat them within 24 hours of purchase, as this ensures that they are fresh and flavorsome, and will eliminate any potential of your oysters going bad.^[14].
- If you were given a use by date when buying your oysters, use that as a reference.

EditTips

If you don't feel confident in purchasing your oysters, ask your fishmonger for advice. It is better to make an informed decision.
Try to buy oysters from cold water regions. Cooler regions such as off the coasts of Canada, the Pacific Northwest, New Zealand and around the southern hemisphere tend to produce the better quality oysters. ^[15]
The best months for sourcing oysters are from September to January, when they are well fed, and less active after spawning season.

EditWarnings

Oysters are generally eaten raw and have been known to be a health risk if they are not sourced or stored properly. It's recommended that you check your oysters for any defects, such as cracked shells, bad odors, or if the shell is open and doesn't close when tapped.
As with all raw and live shellfish there is the risk of them carrying a common type of bacteria called Vibrio parahaemolyticus or Vibriosis, which causes food poisoning. If you get ill after eating raw oysters seek medical attention.

EditSources and Citations

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How to Breed Koi Fish

Posted: 04 Sep 2018 01:00 AM PDT

Breeding koi can be a lot of fun but is a time-consuming process. To breed koi for a profit, it is important to choose koi that show the physical attributes you are looking for in offspring. Keep the pond clean and free from predators to increase the percentage of koi eggs that will hatch and survive their early weeks of life.

EditSteps

EditChoosing Koi to Breed

Choose koi that are at least 3 years old. Koi don't sexually mature until they are about 3 years old. Wait until they are 3 years old to increase their likelihood of breeding and producing quality offspring.^[1]
- Koi are about long when they are 3 years old.^[2]
Identify at least 1 male and 1 female to stay in the mating pond. Male and female koi generally look quite similar. However, during mating season, the males have small white growths on their pectoral fins and heads. Remove any koi from the pond that you don't want to breed; otherwise you will end up with unwanted baby koi.
- It is easy to spot males once they start breeding as they will chase the females around the pond.^[3]
- It is safe to have multiple male koi in the same pond.
Select koi that have attributes you want to replicate. Consider the attributes that you want for your koi offspring. If you want a certain fin shape, choose koi that demonstrate that characteristic. Regardless of what physical characteristics you want, try to choose koi that have healthy looking scales and are at least long.
- If you are looking for a certain color, choose koi parents that demonstrate that coloring.
- Avoid using a child's pet koi for breeding as the koi can suffer torn fins, bruises, cuts and occasionally death, during the breeding process. Take your koi to a vet if you are worried about their injuries.^[4]

EditMaking the Right Conditions for Breeding

Breed koi in late-spring or early-summer. Koi tend to breed when the weather is warm and the water temperature has risen. It is important to be prepared as koi can produce up to 1 million eggs.^[5]
- If you don't have the right conditions or enough capacity for baby koi, consider removing the males from the pond during this season. You will need a pond that is deep and by foot wide to house 5 koi. For more koi, you will need a larger pond.
Use a filtration system to keep the water clean. A clean pond is important for the health of the koi and their spawn. Use a specialized koi pond filtration system to keep the water clean during the breeding season. These can be expensive but are necessary for breeding.
- Pond filtration systems can be purchased from pet stores or specialty fish shops for between US$200-US$2000.
- If your pond is particularly dirty or filled with algae, you may need to completely clean it out.
Use a skimmer net to remove any debris or predators from the water. Predators (such as other fish) and debris should be removed from the pond to protect the spawn. Use a skimmer net, or a similar scoop tool, to remove anything that might harm the koi.^[6]
- Skimmer nets can be purchased from DIY stores.
- If cats or birds are approaching your pond, cover the pond with netting to protect the koi. Use a piece of netting that is large enough to cover the pond and secure it down with heavy rocks.
Feed your koi 4 times per day while you are trying to breed them. Increase your chances of the koi breeding by keeping them well fed for the month before you breed them. Feed the koi as much as they can finish in 5 minutes. Wholemeal bread, oranges and whole lettuces are nutritional food options.^[7]
- Increase the amount of protein you feed your koi, as this helps support their bodies for breeding. Protein supplements can be purchased from a pet store. Follow the feeding instructions on the back of the packet.^[8]
Place a fry mat in the pond. This is a flat and sticky mat that gives the koi a place to lay their eggs. If koi can't find a place to lay their eggs, they won't always mate. Place the mat in an obvious place at the bottom of the pond.^[9]
- Purchase a fry mat from a pet store or a specialty fish shop.
Prepare a separate tank for the adult koi. If you want to breed a large number of koi it is important to remove the adult koi as they will eat many of the eggs. Make sure that the koi tank is clean and has a filter system.^[10]
- If you are wanting to breed a small number of koi, leave the adults in the pond.
- Purchase a koi tank from a pet shop. For 2 koi, you will need an aquarium that is at least 100 gallons (380 L).^[11]
Leave the koi to mate. This process can happen immediately or can take a few weeks. Don't worry if the koi don't look interested in each other initially. A storm, full moon or change in air temperature can help encourage the koi to mate, so be patient and let nature take its course.^[12]
- Once the koi have mated, you will see a froth appear on the top of the water and their eggs will be visible on the fry mat.

EditCaring for Young Koi

Look for froth or scum appearing on the top of the water. This indicates that the spawn has been released. The spawn is immediately fertilized by the male koi and eggs are formed.^[13]
- The eggs will hatch after about 4 days.
- If you are breeding the koi for profit, remove the parents out of the pond as soon as you notice the eggs or the presence of froth on the water.
Feed the baby koi powdered koi pellets after 10 days. Crush up koi pellets using a blender or mortar and pestle until they are in a fine powder. Sprinkle the powder over the pond. Pour in enough powder to last the fish about 5 minutes. Feed the koi 4 times per day.^[14]
- Continue to feed the baby koi powdered food until they are 4 weeks.
- Over time, you will learn how much food the baby koi will eat during each 5-minute feeding session.
- It can take a few days for the koi to get used to eating the powdered food.
- Feed the fish 10 days after you notice the eggs.
Increase the size of the food once the koi are 1 month old. Start to introduce crumb size pellet pieces once the koi are 4 weeks old. You will still need to crush the pellets but they no longer need to be in a fine powder.^[15]
Cull any weak fish if you are breeding for profit. If you have a small pond and want to breed the koi for profit, you will need to cull some of the fish. Identify the koi that are very small, have physical disabilities or aren't the color patterns you are looking for.^[16]
- Make sure that the koi are culled humanely.
- You don't necessarily need to dispose of the koi. Consider giving them away to friends or family members if they are healthy.
- Koi can be culled at any age, although, it is best to wait until their patterns emerge so that you can choose to keep the koi with your favorite colorings.
Reintroduce parent koi once the baby koi are long. Once the baby koi start to get bigger, the parent koi become friendly with their offspring. If you have removed the parents from the pond, this is a safe time to reintroduce them.^[17]
- Baby koi take approximately 3 months to reach .