white Archives - Loreeebee

Many people are discovering that grubs, the larvae of some beetles, can destroy your lawn if not detected early and treated.

Although the most common destructive grub in Canada was originally from the native June bug, recent introductions of the Japanese beetle and the European chafer within the Niagara region have resulted in their migration further east and north in Ontario, causing havoc to lawns in eastern Ontario.

Adult June bugs are a shiny red-brown color, reaching up to 1 inch in length. The Japanese beetle is much smaller, less than 1/2 inch long, with a metallic bronze and green color. An adult European chafer is similar in size to the Japanese beetle, but tan or light brown in color.

All of these grubs have c-shaped bodies and six legs, however, the June bug larvae are white, while the larvae of the Japanese beetle and European chafer are a beige color. Upon hatching the grubs are tiny but reach a mature size of up to 1.5 inches.

Another major difference between the types of grubs is that the June bugs take 3 years to mature while the Japanese beetle and European chafer only take one year. As a result, infestations of white grubs (June bugs larvae) happen every third year, while infestations of the other two types can happen annually.

Hopefully, you will not experience the damage these grubs can do! If you do, I hope these tips help get rid of them quickly.

Is it one of your New Year’s resolutions to whiten your teeth for a brighter smile? Try doing it naturally and inexpensively before you sign up for the alternative methods. A little extra oral hygiene can work wonders.

Foods That Stain Your Teeth

Many common food and drinks that we consume daily stain our teeth. These culprits include red wine, coffee, tea, beets, and red juices like cranberry, grape, and cherry. When you eat or drink these stain causers, try these tips to reduce the damage:

eat cheese before you sip on red wine. The cheese will coat your teeth making them less susceptible to stains
eat more leafy greens like spinach and kale as the minerals they contain protect our teeth from stains
rinse your mouth and teeth with water for 3o seconds after consuming staining foods or drinks
do NOT brush your teeth immediately after eating or drinking teeth stainers as brushing can push the stain and acids into the enamel of your teeth. Instead, rinse as indicated above, then brush after 30 minutes.
dilute the staining power of coffee and tea with milk or other whiteners
avoid soda as the acid wears out the enamel on your teeth making them more susceptible to stains

Remove Stains, Plaque and Bacteria

If you notice your teeth are yellow, try these tricks to remove stains, plaque, and even lingering bacteria. Removing or discouraging bacterial growth will also freshen your breath:

chew (sugarless) gum as the saliva that gum creates can remove plaque and bacteria
increase your intake of nuts and seeds as they scrape plaque from your teeth and massage your gums
eat more crunchy vegetables like celery as it also removes plaque from teeth
rubbing teeth with the white side of orange peel can remove tartar
dip your brush in baking soda before brushing, once per week
rub a mint leaf over your teeth to remove plaque and protect from future stains

Brushing and Flossing to Whiten Your Teeth

Poor brushing habits can result in tooth loss and even heart problems. Use these guidelines to avoid these troublesome issues:

use a soft toothbrush with rounded bristles
brush your teeth a minimum of twice a day
brush your teeth before breakfast
change your toothbrush every 3 months or sooner if it is frayed
floss your teeth daily to remove food and bacteria from the hard to reach areas between your teeth. Bacteria left in these tight spaces will lead to inflammation which causes the health issues above.
avoid mouthwash that contains alcohol. Studies have shown it to cause oral cancer

Start the new year off right with a brighter, whiter smile!