| How to Carry a Hedgehog Posted: 28 Mar 2019 05:00 PM PDT Hedgehogs are cute and friendly critters if they are bred and raised correctly. They are the perfect pets for dedicated and patient owners—they aren't smelly, they make almost no noise, and most importantly, they're cute! In spite of all of this, some people are still afraid to handle a hedgehog. Luckily, carrying your hedgehog is a great way to bond with it and when you learn to understand and respond to its subtle methods of communicating, you'll have no problem at all! EditPicking up Your Hedgehog - Clean your hands with a non-fruity smelling anti-bacterial soap. It's important to clean your hands before you handle your hedgehog to get rid of any food smells, which can make it bite you. It's also important to keep them scent-free so they can get used to your natural smell.[1]
- Always use warm water when washing your hands and be sure to clean them after you handle your hedgehog as well!
- Let your hedgehog sniff your hand before picking it up. This is especially important if your hedgehog isn't familiar with you yet. In some cases, it might want to taste you as well—let it, it's not painful!
- Don't be nervous! Hedgehogs are great at sensing fear, and if you're scared and nervous, it will be scared and nervous too.
- Scoop your hedgehog up from underneath with both hands. Avoid its quills and make sure all you feel is its fur. Try to keep your hedgehog's weight evenly distributed over your hands to minimize the pressure of its spines. Think of yourself as a performer walking on nails—instead of walking on one nail at a time, you need to distribute your weight across as many nails as you can.[2]
- Either use your fingers and slip them under your hedgehog's belly or scoop them up with the sides of your hands.
- If you're having trouble picking your hedgehog up, use the side of its cage to roll it into your hands.
- Don't let your fingers meet in the middle of your hedgehog's belly or you'll get pricked if it rolls into a ball.
- Lift up your hedgehog with both hands in a single, quick motion. Think of it like pulling off a Band-Aid or imagine yourself as a nurse giving a needle shot. Be sure to keep your motion steady and confident and remember that it's going to prick a little.[3]
- Grab the hedgehog firmly enough to hold it but light enough to minimize the pain.
- Always use gentle, slow, and non-threatening motions. Don't move jerky and fast or your hedgehog might think you're attacking it.
- Have confidence—the better you are at picking up your hedgehog, the more secure it will be and the less likely it is to prick you.
- Keep calm and give your hedgehog time to relax. After picking up your hedgehog, remain still and let it do what it wants. If it rolls into a ball, don't worry—be patient and wait for it to calm down. After a few minutes, it should unroll and start to sniff you and might even try to explore you![4]
- If your hedgehog continues to be agitated, put it back in its cage and wait a bit.
- Some hedgehogs have been well socialized and bred or have better temperaments—they should unroll pretty quickly. However, some are not so great and require more time.
- Keep your hands flat and let them wake up and get used to everything. Once their quills are down and they're looking around and sniffing, they're comfortable.
- Carry your hedgehog using the palms of your hands. Start walking with your hedgehog and keep your palms underneath it to support them. If your hedgehog is a bit jumpy, hold it in the palm of one hand and place the other palm behind it—facing its head—just in case it tries to get away.[5]
- Be sure to carry your hedgehog by the fur and not its quills!
- Press your hedgehog against your chest with one hand as you carry it. If you want to get a bit cuddlier, hold your hedgehog with its back to your belly with one hand. Just be sure to cover this area of your chest with something soft, such as a small cloth, to avoid getting pricked by its quills![6]
- If it's comfortable enough with you, scratch your hedgehog between its quills with your free hand.
EditSocializing Your Hedgehog - Carry your hedgehog at least 30 minutes daily. The best way to do this is by carrying them 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes at night. If you just received your hedgehog, take note of its behavior when you carry it—if it's stressed, wait 2 days until you start carrying it. Otherwise, you can start carrying it right away and bonding with it![7]
- Signs of stress including hissing and huffing, twitching and shaking its head, and frantically running away.
- Never provoke your hedgehog within its cage. Only pick your hedgehog up from its cage when it's comfortable. If you cause your hedgehog to hiss or huff when you reach into its cage, you're training it to react this way any time a human hand approaches it. Avoid touching its spines and never pet your hedgehog by reaching into its cage.[8]
- If you want to pet your hedgehog, wait until it's in your hands.
- Some people can pet their hedgehog in its cage when it's completely comfortable with them, but it's not recommended.
- Don't pet or pat your hedgehog's quills until they're comfortable with you. In general, hedgehogs don't like to get their quills pet. When you're carrying them, let them move around your hand and sniff you and talk to them as much as possible to get them used to the sound of your voice.[9]
- After your hedgehog gets to know you, it might start to enjoy getting scratched between its quills. However, don't ever rush this process—wait until it's very comfortable with you!
- Keep the same smell as much as possible. Hedgehogs don't have good eyesight, so they use their sense of smell to recognize you. Avoid changing perfumes, shampoos, and soaps, as this can confuse your hedgehog and make it feel like it has to get to know you again.[10]
- Avoid using gloves when handling your hedgehog as it will mask your smell.
- If you're having a hard time not getting pricked, try using some bedding as cushioning. Go for the fluffiest kind you can for the best results!
- Hedgehogs respond to positive reinforcement and punishment should never be implemented for any reason. Hedgehogs are timid creatures by nature and need loving support to learn good behaviors. Be patient—some hedgehogs are easier to train than others!
- Hissing is a normal reaction to being picked up for the first time. However, clicking and popping are aggressive acts that mean "get away from me." If your hedgehog does this when first being picked up, it means it has been poorly socialized and bred and it will need intensive socialization to come around. If it does this when you try to pet them while handling them, it means it is either not awake and calm enough yet or it simply doesn't like being pet.
- Never punish your hedgehog.
- Do not associate feeding with handling—this can lead to biting problems with some hedgehogs. It is best to feed your hedgehog with treats by hand when they are fully awake and not in your hands, on you, or with tweezers.
- If your hedgehog bites you, remain calm. They do this out of fear, because you smell like food, or you have associated food with handling—they will eventually let go. Do not pull your finger/hand away and do not strike the hedgehog.
EditRelated wikiHows EditReferences EditQuick Summary
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
| How to Determine the Best Time to Exercise Posted: 28 Mar 2019 09:00 AM PDT Any time of the day you can commit to exercising is a good time for getting active. The best time for exercise is different for each person. Consider your lifestyle and exercise goals to help find the right time for you. EditConsidering Lifestyle Factors - Determine when you have the most energy. Do you struggle to get out of the bed in the morning or do you wake up energized and ready to go? Are you a night owl and never get to bed before midnight?[1] Once you establish what your sleep tendencies are, you will have a better idea of when your body is most inclined to exercise.
- If you are not a morning person, do not schedule an early morning workout. You are more likely to hit the snooze button instead of getting a workout in.
- Sacrificing sleep to get a workout in can result in poorer performance and make it difficult to develop a consistent routine.
- Consider your daily schedule. When are you the busiest? When do you tend to schedule your most important tasks? Try to fit in your exercise before or at least around these events if possible. Some people would prefer to get it out of the way first thing, while others prefer to put it off until the end of the day when they are all caught up.
- If you tend to have a lot of activities after work, you may want to exercise in the morning.
- If your mornings are hectic and you have trouble making it out of the door on time, an evening workout may be best.
- An afternoon workout may be good if you have time on your lunch break and do not want to sacrifice your evening or morning time.
- Determine your exercise goals. Are you trying to lose weight? Are you trying to improve your performance? Are trying to develop a consistent exercise routine? [2]
- If you are trying to develop a routine, you may want to exercise in the morning. People who exercise in the morning are more consistent. You may not feel like exercising after a long day of work, errands, or being out on the town.[3]
- If you are trying to improve your performance, afternoon or evening exercise may be best. You may experience less fatigue, quicker reaction times, and more strength and flexibility in the evening.[4][5]
- If you are trying to lose weight, you may want to exercise in the morning before you have eaten. When you exercise in a fasted state, your body is more likely to use fat instead of carbohydrates for energy.[6]
- Factor in the location of your exercise routine. Your house provides the most flexible time options if you own fitness equipment, but if you have a gym down the street or along the route home from work, that will make it more convenient to squeeze in a workout.
- If you have an onsite gym at your job or school, afternoon and evening workouts may be most convenient for you.
- Fitness DVDs and videos are other convenient at-home options.
- Experiment with both morning and evening workouts. Start by working out at different times of the day to see how you feel and find the time that works best with your schedule. Keep an exercise log to help you evaluate each time. Ask yourself some questions such as:.
- How did I feel?
- Did I have trouble falling asleep?
- Am I tired throughout the day?
- Do I perform better in the morning or at night?
- Do I feel more energized? Am I sluggish?
EditExercising in the Morning - Weigh the pros and cons. Morning workouts are associated with lower blood pressure, better quality sleep,[7] higher energy levels throughout the day, and increased mental alertness; however, you will have to wake up earlier than usual and may have low energy if you do not eat before you work out.[8]
- If you plan to exercise at a gym, there will be fewer people in the gym if you go in the morning.[9]
- People who exercise in the morning also tend to follow the workout with a healthy breakfast and plenty of water. This could set you up for a great start to the day.[10]
- Sleep in your exercise clothes. Workout clothes are usually comfortable. Sleeping in them can motivate you to exercise as soon as you wake up. If you do not want to sleep in your clothes, have your outfit laid out so you can roll out of bed and get dressed.
- If you are exercising at a gym and plan to get dressed there, pack your gym bag the night before so you can just grab your bag and head out the door.
- Adjust your sleep schedule. Try waking up 30 to 60 minutes earlier than usual to fit in a workout. You may need to go to sleep a little earlier to accommodate your new wake up time. If you are exercising at a gym, consider your travel time to your gym as well.
- Allow an extra five or 10 minutes for your warm up.[11] Your body temperature is lower in the morning. If you do not warm up your body, you are more likely to get injured.[12]
- If you typically do not eat in the morning, add in some extra time for breakfast. Your body needs food to recover from exercise.
EditExercising in the Evening - Understand the pros and cons. If you are focusing on increasing muscle strength and muscle size, an evening workout may be best.[13][14] You have eaten throughout the day so your body has plenty of fuel and your muscles are warm.[15] On the other hand, evening workouts can be easy to brush off. If you have a lot of evening commitments or are usually fatigued at the end of the day, it will be hard to find time the time or energy to exercise.[16]
- You are less likely to get injured during evening exercise because your muscles and joints have been working all day.[17]
- If you plan to exercise at a gym or outside, know what time your gym closes and how much daylight you will have in the evening.
- Pay attention to how well you sleep. Evening exercise helps some people fall asleep while it gives others an energy boost. Evening strength training in particular may help you fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night.[18] On the other hand, high-intensity training may cause you to be more alert and have trouble falling asleep.
- If you find that you have trouble going to sleep at night, yoga or stretching exercises can help you relax.[19]
- You may save your evening workouts for low-intensity exercises (i.e. walking, yoga, stretching) and do more high-intensity workouts (i.e. running, cycling, interval training) in the morning.
- Adjust your meal time. It takes your body two to three hours to digest a meal and absorb nutrients. Eat a snack before your workout and have dinner when you are finished. If you want to eat dinner first, eat earlier than you typically would.[20]
- Foods such as white rice, pasta, bread, and potatoes encourage sleep. Eat them at least one hour before you plan to go to bed. If you plan to go to bed at 11:00 pm, you need to eat before 10:00 pm. [21]
- Eating turkey and/or pumpkin seeds can also help you sleep.
- Do not sacrifice sleep. Try to finish your workout about two hours before it is time for you to go to bed. This will give your body time for you to wind down. For example, if you plan to go to bed at 11:00 pm, be finished working out by 9:00 pm.
- Your melatonin (i.e. hormone that makes you sleepy) levels peak around 10:00 pm. Your workout performance and form may suffer if you are tired and exercising this late.[22][23]
- Sleep is just as important as exercise and helps your body recover after exercise.[24]
- Do not attempt to make any major changes to your fitness routine without first consulting your doctor.
EditRelated wikiHows EditReferences
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
| How to Get Rid of Ladybugs Posted: 28 Mar 2019 01:00 AM PDT Ladybugs are wonderful garden insects for aphid-control! However, these creatures quickly become less cute and more annoying if an infestation forms. Remove ladybugs from your home with a vacuum cleaner, a vinegar trap, or with an indoor insecticide. You can also prevent ladybugs from getting in with citronella and citrus scents, or by winterizing your home. Eradicate garden ladybugs with diatomaceous earth or by planting mums. EditEradicating Ladybugs in the Home - Vacuum up individual ladybugs if there are just a few. You don't need anything more drastic than a vacuum cleaner for just a few pesky ladybugs! Simply vacuum up each ladybug you spot and discard the contents of the vacuum cleaner into a sealed plastic bag. Place the bag in the trash to avoid the ladybugs finding their way back into your home.[1]
- Spray vinegar where you spot ladybugs to remove the pheromone trail. Pour white vinegar into an empty spray bottle. Look around your home and generously spray all of the surfaces where you see ladybugs moving. The white vinegar kills the ladybugs on contact and also removes the pheromones that they release.[2]
- Ladybugs release pheromones that attract other ladybugs. By removing the pheromones, this reduces the number of ladybugs that are drawn into your home.
- Prepare a bowl of dish soap and water to trap ladybugs. Fill a small bowl with water and a drop of dish soap. Place the bowl in a light area, such as next to a window or a bright lamp. The ladybugs will land in the water as they are drawn to the light.[3]
- The dish soap removes the tension in the water, which means that the ladybugs can't escape.
- Set up a light trap to remove ladybugs from dark areas. If you notice that a dark area like a cupboard or the attic has a ladybug infestation, then a light trap is your best bet! Purchase an insect light trap from a gardening center and simply place it in the area you are targeting. When there are plenty of ladybugs trapped inside, take the device outdoors and release them.[4]
- Ladybugs are attracted to light. They will try to fly into the light and will instead fall into the collection container. They can't get back out until you release them.
- Light traps are great if you want to remove the ladybugs from your home without harming them.
- Use an aerosol insecticide to kill large indoor infestations quickly. Purchase an indoor aerosol insecticide from your local grocery or home improvement store. Read the label and manufacturer's directions carefully before you begin using the product. Aim the nozzle at the ladybugs and hold down the spray trigger. The insecticide kills the ladybugs on contact.[5]
- Check that the product is designed for ladybugs and indoor environments before you buy it.
- Always follow all of the safety directions on the label such as wearing gloves and not inhaling the fumes.
- Vacuum up the dead ladybugs.
- Hire a pest control professional if the infestation is too difficult to manage. While severe ladybug infestations are rare, it's best to contact a professional in these instances to save time and to prevent the infestation growing. If you can't remove all of the ladybugs yourself or if the infestation keeps returning despite preventative measures, contact a local pest control service for professional help.[6]
EditPreventing Ladybugs from Getting Inside - Use citronella candles and citrus oils to deter ladybugs using scent. Ladybugs don't like the smell of citronella or citrus! Use citronella or citrus-scented candles around the entrances to your home when you want to leave the doors open. You can also place a drop of citrus oil into a spray bottle of water and spritz each entrance daily.[7]
- Lemon, lime, orange, or mandarin are ideal scents to use.
- Place a bag of cloves or bay leaves around entrances to your home. Focus mainly on the entrances that come from the garden or heavily-planted areas, as these are where ladybugs are the most likely. Get a small plastic bag and fill it with cloves, bay leaves, or a combination of both. Leave this on the ground to deter any ladybugs that come close.[8]
- Ladybugs don't like the smell of cloves and bay leaves.
- Place weatherstripping along entrance seals to minimize openings. Ladybugs tend to come inside during winter to hibernate until spring. Purchase a peel-and-stick roll of weatherstripping and cut strips of it that are the same size as each door or window seal. Remove the backing and stick the adhesive side onto each interior seal.[9]
- Weatherstripping is also great for keeping water and cold air out of your home.
- If you are finding ladybugs in your home but you already have weatherstripping, it may need to be replaced as it can wear out over time.
- Install window screens to keep insects outdoors. Measure the size of the windows and purchase pre-made window screens from your local home improvement store. Install each screen on the inside of your home and simply slide it into place, starting from the top of the window. Make sure that the pressure clips lock to keep it secure.[10]
- Alternatively, you can get window screens made-to-measure and professionally fitted.
- Caulk small openings around the exterior to block insect entrances. Sometimes ladybugs get inside through tiny entrances that are difficult to find! Look around utility pipes, the foundation, frames, and exterior walls for small cracks or holes. Fit the caulk tube into the application gun and apply the caulk into each opening. Seal all of the openings well to prevent ladybugs and other insects from making their way inside.[11]
EditGetting Rid of Ladybugs in Your Yard or Garden - Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the yard or garden perimeter. Diatomaceous earth is an effective way to kill ladybugs before they can enter your garden. Wear goggles and a face mask, and generously spread the diatomaceous earth around each garden bed. You can also sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the outside of your house to prevent ladybugs getting inside.[12]
- Diatomaceous earth is safe for pets and children. However, it will kill other beneficial insects like honeybees.
- The goggles and face mask are only to prevent the powder being inhaled as it settles. Once it has settled, you can remove your safety gear.
- Plant mums around your yard or garden to repel ladybugs. Deterring ladybugs from getting into your plants and home may be as simple as doing some gardening! Include plenty of mums in your garden, as these plants repel ladybugs. These protect neighboring plants and also deter ladybugs from entering your home through any doors or windows that are close by. Either plant the mums in the ground or in gardening pots and water them regularly to help them thrive.[13]
- Use an outdoor insecticide if the infestation is difficult to control. If the ladybugs in the garden are unmanageable, then an outdoor insecticide is an effective solution. Find an outdoor insecticide at your local gardening center and follow the manufacturer's directions closely to apply it. Check the label before you begin to make sure that it's safe for any specific plants you may have, pets, and children.[14]
- Outdoor insecticides are commonly sold as either dusts, powders, or sprays.
- Always use gloves, a face mask, and goggles when applying outdoor insecticides.
EditThings You'll Need EditEradicating Ladybugs in the Home - Vacuum cleaner
- White vinegar
- Spray bottle
- Small bowl
- Dish soap
- Light trap
- Indoor aerosol insecticide
EditPreventing Ladybugs from Getting Inside - Citronella candles
- Citrus oils
- Cloves
- Bay leaves
- Small plastic bag
- Weatherstripping
- Window screens
- Caulk
- Caulk applicator gun
EditGetting Rid of Ladybugs in Your Yard or Garden - Diatomaceous earth
- Goggles
- Face mask
- Mums
- Outdoor insecticide
EditReferences EditQuick Summary
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
No comments:
Post a Comment