I was compensated for this article as part of the Mom It Forward Blogger Network. All opinions are my own.

There are many things I love about summer—sunny days, lots of fresh produce, and fun at the beach. While this is generally a relaxing time, there is one issue that truly concerns me: Zika-infected mosquitos! I hate bugs and bug bites, of course, but what used to be a minor annoyance could now be a life changing nightmare.

Ever since I first heard the scary stats and warnings coming out of South America, I have been scared to death that it will spread north. Since mosquitos are everywhere and we’re all at risk for being bitten, it’s especially important to focus on prevention (for the whole family, not just women of childbearing age)!

There is a lot of panic surrounding Zika and like most threats, a lot of misinformation has been circulating. One reliable source is RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment). They’ve created Debug the Myths, a website designed to answer common questions about pesticides and the role pesticides play in protecting families, homes, and communities from harmful and damaging pests.

How can we prevent Zika? Here are 4 easy things RISE suggests:

1. Put up personal barriers

The #1 thing we should be doing is regularly using EPA-approved repellent on exposed skin. Wearing light-colored clothing and repellent-treated clothing can help, as can covering up with long sleeves/pants. While many mosquitoes are particularly active during dawn and dusk hours, Aedes mosquitoes that can transmit the Zika virus, bite all day long, and can bite up to 12 people during that time so we must always be aware.

2. Reinforce your home

Make sure the screens on your windows and doors are in good repair and don’t have any holes. Using the A/C during warm weather is preferable to outside exposure, but if you must open a window, make sure it has a screen.

3. Eliminate standing water

Think a tiny bit can’t hurt? Guess again! Aedes mosquitoes can breed in a capful of water. Just imagine what a larger source can lead to! Survey your home for possible areas of water collection—tire swings, buckets, clogged rain gutters, birdbaths, pet bowls, toys, flowerpots, etc. Consider covering or draining swimming pools during the off season.

4. Clean the Yard

Make sure your yard is regularly mowed and maintained. If you’ll be out of town for extended periods of time, make sure someone else can keep up with the lawn.  Not only is tall, wet grass unsightly, overgrowth provides mosquitoes an ideal spot to breed and live.

Another way that RISE suggests keeping communities safe is to make sure that neighborhood leaders have measures in place to help prevent mosquitoes. An integrated management plan should include larvae treatments which are applied directly to water sources to stop larvae from becoming adult mosquitoes and/or utilizing localized treatments to reduce the flying mosquito population.

My fear about Zika will probably never go away, but being able to take preventative measures helps me to feel less powerless. Want to learn more about this important topic? Visit Debug the Myths and join us for the #AtoZika Twitter party on Tuesday, June 28 at 9:00PM EST.

This is supposed to be a very hot week here in New England, with temperatures close to 90 degrees. We don’t get a lot of days that warm, but when we do, it really bothers me. (I know my readers from the Southwest and Israel must be laughing!) Intense heat makes me feel very lethargic/grouchy and keeping up with simple household chores is a challenge! I find that preparing ahead of time makes everything seem a lot smoother.

1. Laundry

Using the washer and dryer, especially first thing in the morning, heats up the entire house unbearably. On Saturday night, I did 4 loads. Now, I’m all caught up and we won’t have to do any more until the heat breaks—hopefully…

2. Dishes

Same as the laundry, I did extra loads, making sure the sink and counters are completely clear of messes. I also picked up some paper plates/paper napkins, just in case. (Nothing worse than needing and not having, y’know?)

3. Food

The oven/stove will not be used, period! We’ll either grill or use the crockpot for entrees and snacks will be cold stuff like hard boiled eggs (I made 2 dozen yesterday), veggie sticks, nuts, and/or fresh fruit.

4. Drinks

We have 4 cases of bottled water, pitchers of infused water and Crystal Light in the fridge, and I’ll probably make smoothies.

5. Cooling

Central A/C is rare in my part of the country. Most people have window units (we have 3 total in our home). While I don’t run them all day, I definitely do use them when it’s uncomfortable, especially at night for sleeping in the second story. We also have fans, but I think they’re pretty useless. Another thing I love are energy saving curtains. When it’s super hot outside, I keep them closed at all times.

6. Limit Activity Hours

Anything optional that needs to be done is scheduled for early morning (before 10AM) or evening (after 8PM). If I have no choice and must be outside during the afternoon, I always leave early, take water with me, and try to make it short.

7. Pets

Normally, the pups love to ride in the car, but they’re staying home for now, with lots of cool water and shade. (We all hear horror stories about pets accidently left in cars or outside who die from exposure. Please be careful!)

8. Treats

Last, but definitely not least, are treats. What would summer be without ice cream and popsicles? I don’t go overboard with sugar, but a little something special, particularly if it’s cold and sweet, can make a world of difference.

How hot is it in your area?

Making a pinecone bird feeder may qualify as the quickest craft project ever. As I’ve said before, I find many crafts challenging, but this one was super simple. We did it on a “boring” rainy day and the kids loved it. (Mine are obsessed with animals and art projects, so it was perfect.)

Things you’ll need:

• pinecone (at least medium sized & clean)
• 2 TBS. peanut butter
• paper plate
• 1/2 cup birdseed
• heavy duty string (approximately 1-2 feet long)

Tie the string around the entire pine cone, gathering at the top. Fasten into a long loop for a handle. Pour bird seed onto a paper plate. Cover the cone with peanut butter, then roll in the seed. Freeze for at least 1 hour until firm. Once firm, it’s ready to be hung outside from a tree branch, fence, or pole.

See, I told you that wasn’t hard…

Have you made any quick crafts lately? I’d love to try them!

Fashion may be my first love, but my second favorite thing about Memorial Day is gardening. When I was growing up, my dad loved to plant vegetables in the backyard (never flowers or fruit, just veggies. Gosh, that man was practical). Some years he was more ambitious than others, but there was always a little something growing. Over the winter, when it was super-cold and everyone was a bit cabin-crazed from snow, he’d thumb through the Burpee’s catalog and discuss what seeds we should buy. The order would usually show up by Passover and some time during Memorial Day weekend, he’d grab the rototiller and start the soil, following the guidelines for a Zone 5.

I still live in that zone and stick to those guidelines, but my sister, who lives in South Florida, can plant in February! She grows amazing mangoes, pineapples, shrimp flowers, and all kinds of exotic things that don’t work here in New England. I stick to basics like tomatoes, strawberries, lettuce, peas, and peppers. I don’t grow potatoes, watermelon, or corn due to a lack of space.

Anyone else who’s dealing with a small space should try container gardening. After experimenting with both traditional and container, I truly prefer containers—no digging into hard, rocky soil; the ability to plant upwards, and it’s much easier on the back, too.

Like any hobby, it’s best to start small. Half a dozen containers is plenty. If properly tended, they will produce a surprising amount of food, saving money on groceries, especially if you plant organics (I do).

After my dad, my biggest gardening inspiration is Eliot Coleman. His Four Season Farm, located in Harborside, Maine, is known worldwide. I was lucky enough to have toured it in person a while back, and anyone who’s ever in that area, should definitely go. It is incredible!

What’s growing in your garden?