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Insulate right

Do you have enough?

Knowing how much insulation your house should have is a good step toward energy efficiency. Recommended insulation levels vary with climate and different parts of a house need different amounts. To learn what’s recommended for your climate, visit www.energystar.gov. Enter the words “Recommended Levels of Insulation” in the search space to reach a link with an easy-to-understand map and chart. Keep in mind that it is not always possible to reach recommended insulation levels in an existing home, but it is wise to come as close as possible.

GARDEN

Catch bugs before they get inside

Examine houseplants for pests before bringing them indoors, where the bugs could multiply and harm the plants. Small but conspicuous whiteflies are obvious culprits. Other insects are harder to spot: Mealybugs have a white cottony covering and hide in buds and leaf joints. Brown scale insects cling to leaves and stems. Use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to kill insects individually, or spray the plants with an organic insecticide labeled for target pests.

A book for backyard birders

A wealth of bird-watching experience went into Best-Ever Backyard Birding Tips: Hundreds of Easy Ways to Attract the Birds You Love to Watch.

The book, by Deborah L. Martin and the editors of Rodale Garden Books, offers ideas for just about everyone from novices to more-experienced birders. Its offerings include the basics of attracting birds as well as such helpful tips as instructions for inexpensive homemade feeders, pointers on water features and ideas for discouraging pests.

Readers can learn more about some of their backyard visitors, familiarize themselves with bird behavior and find out which types of food and other amenities will draw their favorite birds to their yards.

Best-Ever Backyard Birding Tips is published by Rodale Books and sells for $19.95 in softcover.