1. On the Air - Congratulations to Our Weekly Winner
2. Ask Tom & Leslie - Overrun by Ladybugs
3. Short Cuts -Boost Your Home's Value
4. Fun Fact - D-I-Y is H-O-T!
5. Dot Common Sense - Fluidmaster Tip of the Month
6. On the Wire - Container Gardening

This week's question comes to us from Christina Walker in High Springs, Florida. She says, "We have a 2-story, cedar-sided home. Every year around this time, we begin noticing ladybugs in the upstairs bathroom and bedroom windows on the south side of the house. They are harmless, but seem to remain just in those areas (occasionally one might fly off to another room). I have caulked the windows from the inside and do not see where that they are entering, or what would cause them year after year to do this. The live for only a few weeks and then they stop appearing. Any ideas?"

Christina, we turned to the experts at The National Pest Management Association for this one. Money Pit regular and Director of Technical Services Greg Baumann tells us that this time of the year, homeowners are finding ladybugs near windows on the warm sunny sides of the house. The good news is that these pests don't cause any damage and do not carry any disease. In fall, ladybugs seek places to spend the winter. Commonly they work their way under exterior siding, through eave vents, and windows into attics in structures. In the early spring, they emerge to start their life cycle again and commonly work their way into the living area of the home. This is why you aren't able to find the entrance point. The easiest way to address the problem is to vacuum up the ladybugs and discard the vacuum cleaner bag. Most of these insects will congregate near windows upon emergence. Avoid stepping on or crushing the bugs because they will leave an orange stain. In the summer, you can try to seal as many entrance points as possible to prevent next fall's visits by the ladybugs, but that's not always practical so a vacuum cleaner may be the best way to go.

GOT A QUESTION ABOUT YOUR MONEY PIT?

1. The toll-free studio hot line is 1-888-MONEY PIT. Find out when we broadcast in your area by checking out our website at www.MoneyPit.com. Each week we take dozens of calls, give great advice and offer callers a chance to win a terrific prize awarded to one random caller to every show.
2. Call when it's convenient for you, 24 hours a day, same number: 1-888-MONEY PIT. A live person takes your call 24/7! So -- WHENEVER you have a home improvement question -- phone it in. Simply tell our phone screener your first name, and where you're calling from...and ask your question. We’ll get back to you with the answer – or even call you back during the show!
3. Click here to email your question to us. We may read your email on the air and we also respond personally to many of the email questions we get.

Here are some tips to keep your home in tip-top shape AND boost its value: Stay ahead of moisture problems by cutting back shrubs that touch the house. They can trap moisture and attract bugs. For large trees, consider hiring a certified arborist. Cutting back willy-nilly could weaken trees and increase the chances of limbs falling on your house in a storm. Check for leaks in the obvious places, like the attic and basement, during a heavy rain and address the problem, by either grading soil away from your foundation, or plugging leaks. Finally, every few years have your home inspected by a certified home inspector to keep ahead of major repairs. Check out www.ASHI.com (The American Society of Home Inspectors) to find a qualified inspector in your area. Have the inspector specifically look for problems in the roof, basement and foundation. Also make sure he checks for termites as well as the HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems. Stop problems before they occur, and you could save thousands of dollars.

FUN FACT

According to the Robert Bosch Tool Company and Forbes magazine, do-it-yourselfers are thriving in America. Despite a robust professional remodeling market, two out of three complex projects, like additions and decks, are still done by do-it-yourselfers. The prime DIY age is 35 to 54. There are now 45 million U.S. households in this range, and the number is projected to grow by another 1.6 million in two years. More than half of Americans -- 54-percent - say they enjoy doing-it-themselves.

DOT COMMON SENSE

Toilet installation can be a messy, bothersome chore. But there is a bright spot -- a new style of bowl-to-floor gasket instead of the old-fashioned wax ring. The Wax-Free™ Bowl Gasket by Fluidmaster is a widely available example of this new type of gasket. It neatly provides a dependable fit on any type of drainpipe or bathroom flooring. It won't seep into slate or stone like wax rings. No matter what the temperature- installation is clean and easy. The Wax-Free™ Bowl Gasket can also be readjusted during installation. Plus, it completely cancels the need for using multiple wax rings on new, raised flooring work. For a closer look at the Wax-Free™ Gasket visit Professor Flush at www.fluidmaster.com.

ON THE WIRE

More gardens dot the U.S. landscape than ever before, however, the size of gardens continues to shrink. Fifty years ago, people planted gardens up to an acre in size to feed not only their own family but also neighbors and friends. Today, more consumers are utilizing smaller spaces such as balconies, patios, and windowsills to grow vegetable plants and herbs. Consumers are growing these mini-gardens for lots of reasons, including healthier eating habits, stress reduction or even economic reasons. The folks at Bonnie Plant Farm, the nation's largest grower of container vegetable plants, provide the following tips:

• First, find adequate space that gets enough sunlight. You will also want to transplant your vegetable plant or herb to a larger container with good drainage. Pre-mixed soil and vegetable specific fertilize, found at home improvement retailers or garden centers, will ensure healthy and productive plants.
• New products, such as peat containers are simplifying efforts for gardeners, especially novice gardeners. Peat containers are biodegradable; therefore, the entire plant and its container can be planted together. The plant will eventually take root. This type of container reduces transplant shock, one of the leading causes of non-productive plants. Peat containers will provide a plant longer shelf life, and the plant will not become root bound.
• Many vegetables and herbs can be planted in small spaces. Vegetable plants with strong, hearty stalks are recommended. If space is available, some climbing or vine vegetables can also be a good choice. Tomatoes, peppers and herbs are great examples for beginning container gardeners.

For more information, gardening tips, and vegetable or herb varieties that best suite your gardening needs, visit www.bonnieplants.com.

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Copyright 2005 Squeaky Door Productions, Inc.