Homes & Gardens

The Most Common December Pests and How to Stop Them?

When temperatures drop and winter sets in, many pests begin searching for warm places to hide. Unfortunately, that often means moving into homes, garages and workplaces. December might feel too cold for insects and rodents to be active, but it’s one of the busiest times of the year for pest control callouts. Understanding which pests are most common at this time of year, and knowing how to deal with them, can help protect your home and stop infestations before they become serious. This guide explains the top December pests, why they appear, and the steps you can take to prevent them....

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Tickled pink: Exeter families to move into colourful new homes

Six new brightly coloured council homes set to providing sustainable and low energy housing for some of Exeter’s most vulnerable families.

New eco-friendly homes at Reed Walk, Newport Road will house six local families who have been waiting for a suitable place to live on Exeter’s Housing Register. The new three-bedroom homes, including one fully wheelchair accessible property, were completed in September.

The houses are noticeable due to their bright colouring, which were carefully developed to reflect typical natural building materials of the Exeter area like Devon...

Can a Stylish Outdoor Space Add Value to Your Home?

Most people recognise the benefit of installing a new kitchen or bathroom in order to add value and make a property more sellable, but not everyone recognises the advantages of creating an attractive outdoor space. Landscaping a front garden adds instant kerb appeal, but when the majority of your outdoor space is at the back of the property and therefore out of sight, it might seem like a waste of money doing it up. However, it is always a good idea to put some effort into improving your garden if you are planning on selling the property, and if you are able to create a stylish outdoor...

Does your oil tank leak?

It is also the time of year when the Environment Agency urges people to check their oil tanks to protect the environment and reduce the risk of potentially large financial losses.

Leaked oil can end up in drains, many of which lead directly to rivers, streams, lakes and even garden ponds, having the same effect as pouring it directly into the watercourse.

Oil is poisonous to fish and other wildlife and smothers plants and just 2 litres of oil could seriously pollute the volume of fresh water needed to fill an olympic-size swimming pool.

Senior Environment Officer...

5 proven ways to add value to your home

Part of the joy of owning your own home is that you are free to improve upon it and style it to suit your personality.

Obviously this takes money and if it is your first home you might not have the available funds, but if you are renovating a property with a view to selling it at some point, it is worth considering how any work you do impacts on the resale price.

Some home improvements are more costly than others, but whatever tasks you elect to do, think about whether they will add value, or not.

This isn’t such an issue if you are planning on staying put for...

Planning a Loft Conversion? Here's What You Need to Do

Depending on the structure of your roof and whether or not you have any constraints regarding planning, carrying out a loft conversion is one of the most straightforward ways to add extra room and space to your home. With a bit of basic planning, almost any home can benefit from this extension. If you’re thinking of ways to add more room to your home whether you’re planning to sell or simply want to upgrade your home so that it’s bigger, a loft conversion is a great way to do so. We’ve put together a list of everything that you’ll need to consider when planning to convert your loft. Make...

How to choose the right home heating

The summer is officially fading, and it is now time to start thinking about how to make your home nice and warm for the colder period of the year.

Central heating is a really good choice because it warms your whole home, and can ensure you don't feel the cold even in the wintry months. However, radiators can be kind of ugly looking, so it is important to choose the right central heating and not end up with your home décor ruined by ugly radiators!

Modern Radiator Styles Look Great!

One of the first things to consider when you really want the warmth central heating...

SW house prices continue to rise

Acceleration in house price growth in the South West continues with 63% more respondents seeing a rise in prices over the last three months, according to the latest RICS UK Residential Market Survey. This is the highest level since April 2002.

The South West region, along with Yorkshire, is also the most confident of price rises in the near term, with 52% more respondents expecting to see a rise in prices over the next three months. Across the UK, the RICS price indicator reached a 16 month high in August, with a net balance of 53% more respondents reporting price rises and firm...

Is your chimney ready for winter?

With summer drawing to a close, and the evenings starting to get noticeably cooler you might be tempted to light a fire, rather than put the central heating on.

Are you be sure your chimney is clean and ready to light?

From 7-13 September, Chimney Fire Safety Week takes place providing a timely reminder to make sure that your chimney is ready for the winter months ahead. Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service are supporting this Fire Kills campaign by encouraging householders to ensure their chimney is safe and swept by a registered chimney sweep.

Marc House...

Helmores announce Name a Street winner

Being able to name a street is usually reserved for VIPs but one lady from Devon has been lucky enough to do just that.

Following a competition launched by Crediton based estate agents, Helmores, Wendy Jelier from Chagford has had her name chosen for a development of five brand new homes in Lapford.

Announced by BBC Radio Devon’s Simon Bates live on Monday morning Wendy found out that her name, Canterbury Drive, will now be immortalised on the map of Lapford.

Lapford's church, St Thomas of Canterbury, dates back to the 12th century and is believed to have been built...

UK set to be besieged by swarms of wasps

Britain is ‘under attack’ from swarms of winged creatures.

Large numbers of airborne common black garden ants have been spotted everywhere this summer and now; thousands of wasps are also set to come out in record numbers for the next few weeks.

Following a huge uplift in sales of insect repellents, Wyevale Garden Centres is forecasting September to be an insect battleground for UK gardens. Britain’s summer of insect invasion has paved the way for a 300 per cent year on year rise in sales of Ant control products. Plus, wasp control products peaked last week with an increase...

Homes & Gardens

The Most Common December Pests and How to Stop Them?

Tickled pink: Exeter families to move into colourful new homes

Can a Stylish Outdoor Space Add Value to Your Home?

Does your oil tank leak?

5 proven ways to add value to your home

Planning a Loft Conversion? Here's What You Need to Do

How to choose the right home heating

SW house prices continue to rise

Is your chimney ready for winter?

Helmores announce Name a Street winner

UK set to be besieged by swarms of wasps

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