INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Plain mineral oil is a very effective insecticide. Apply 0.75 to 1 milliliter (0.025 to 0.034floz) directly to the corn silk by pouring or spraying, five to seven days after the silk appears. Since this is a fairly laborious process, it is best for home gardeners growing a small amount of corn. Some varieties of bacteria, such as Bacillus thuringiensis, suppress corn earworms. Check with your county extension office to see if these are approved in your area. Steinernematidae and entomopathogenic nematodes can also help reduce corn earworm populations when they are added to the soil your plants grow in. However, these work by killing larvae when they drop to the ground to pupate, which means there will probably still be some damage to your crop. Look for nematodes at a crop supply store. A number of insects will feed on corn earworms, including lacewings, pirate bugs, damsel bugs, ladybirds, and big-eyed bugs. Some of these may naturally be attracted to your crop, while others are available from farm supply stores and can be artificially introduced. Field birds will also feed on the corn earworm larvae, though there are rarely enough of them around to adequately control the pest. Still, consider not driving birds from your fields for a little extra protection against corn earworms.

SUMMARY: Apply mineral oil to the corn silk. Apply bacterial controls. Introduce nematodes to the soil. Encourage natural predators.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Mini orchids have fast-growing roots, and one of the main reasons you need to periodically repot your orchids is to provide the roots with plenty of room. The new pot only needs to be large enough to fit the roots; you do not need to choose a pot that is significantly larger to anticipate further root growth. Media with a base of moss and bark is superior to standard potting soil. For best results, let the drenched media sit for a full 24 hours so that it thoroughly absorbs the water. Snip off green spikes 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) above the top node. Trim yellow or brown spikes 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) above the bottom node. Gently grab the base of the orchid with one hand and the pot with your other. Tip the mini orchid to its side or upside-down, and slowly squeeze or rotate the sides of the pot until the clump of roots comes free. Media breaks down as time passes, and old, decomposed media is more likely to cause your orchid's roots to rot. As a result, you need to remove as much old media as possible. Dead roots with look brown and wilted. Healthy roots, on the other hand, are white or green and relatively firm. You only need a little, since the mini orchid's roots should fill the majority of the container. Hold the orchid up so that the base of the lowest leaf dips below the rim of the pot by 1/2 inch (1.27 centimeters). Press down on the media gently to force it into the bottom and around the sides of the container. Periodically tap the side of the container to help settle it. Continue adding the media until the entire root system is covered, leaving the plant exposed from the bottom leaf up. Lift the plant up by the stem. If the pot starts to slip, you need to add more media to make the orchid more secure. Instead, sit it in a warm location and mist it with a little water each day. The leaves should stay dry at night.

SUMMARY: Choose a slightly larger container than the one your orchid currently sits in. Look for a growing media that has large particles. Allow the growing media to soak in water. Trim the spikes. Carefully remove the mini orchid from its current container. Brush off any planting media stuck to the roots. Snip away dead roots. Scatter a little of the growing media into the bottom of your new container. Fit the mini orchid into its new container. Slowly pour the growing media around the mini orchid's roots. Check the sturdiness of your re-potted mini orchid. Refrain from watering your freshly potted orchid for the first 10 days.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If your toddler's nosebleed was caused by a fall or other injury, make sure there aren't any serious injuries, particularly if he fell on or got hit in the face. If your child fell or was hit in the face, and swelling accompanies the bleeding, you should get medical treatment as soon as possible. His nose could be broken. If at all possible, take your child into a bathroom (or any uncarpeted room blood can stain carpeting). If you are in public, it's best to move your toddler out of public view; she may be upset by people staring, and some people feel sick or faint when they see blood. Your toddler's head needs to be higher than his heart to avoid creating extra pressure in the nose, which could lead to increased bleeding. For the best results, have your child sit in a chair or in your lap. If you place your child in a reclined position, blood can go down the throat, which could cause nausea and vomiting. Sitting up is much better. Using a basin, a napkin, or the sink, help your toddler spit out the blood gently. For most, the taste of blood is unenjoyable, and swallowing a lot of blood may lead to vomiting. Whether your toddler is in a chair or in your lap, he needs to lean forward a bit so that he is less likely to swallow blood. If your toddler is sitting in a chair, place a hand on his back and gently push forward. If your toddler is sitting in your lap, lean forward gently, pushing him forward. Using a handkerchief, towel, or other soft cloth, wipe away any blood that is visible. If your toddler is able to blow her nose, that will help get rid of excess blood. Use your fingers to hold the soft part of your child's nose closed. Be gentle; if you pinch too tightly your child is likely to struggle, and in the case of injury, you may make the situation worse. Resist the temptation to let go of the nose before the ten minutes are up, as this can break any clot that is forming. Be sure you do not cover your child's mouth at the same time. He needs to be able to breathe freely. Distract the toddler. Depending on the age of the toddler, he may need some distraction while you are holding his nose. Something such as a favorite television show or book might work well. After pinching the nose closed for ten minutes, check to see if it is still bleeding. If so, continue to pinch the nose for ten minutes more. If the bleeding continues, place a cold compress on the bridge of your toddler's nose. Doing so narrows the blood vessels and may help reduce the bleeding. Once the bleeding stops, try to get your child to rest. Encourage your toddler not to touch or blow her nose again. Get medical treatment immediately if your child is injured. In addition, call your pediatrician if any of the following situations apply: You have completed all of the previous steps, but the bleeding has not stopped. Your child is experiencing nosebleeds several times a week. Your child is dizzy, weak, or pale. Your child has recently started a new medication. Your child has a known or suspected bleeding problem. Your child has a severe headache. Your child is bleeding anywhere else ears, mouth, or gums, for example or has blood in his stool. Your child has unexplained bruises on his body. Once your child is taken care of, clean up any blood that may have dripped onto the furniture, floor, or countertops. Wipe the area down with disinfectant.

SUMMARY:
Assess the situation. Move to the best available location to deal with the nosebleed. Position your child properly. Have your child spit out any blood in her mouth. Help your child lean forward. Wipe all visible blood away. Encourage your toddler to blow her nose gently. Pinch your toddler's nose closed for a full ten minutes. Check periodically for bleeding. Try using a cold compress. Let your toddler rest. Decide whether you need to see a doctor. Clean up.