Do this by cleaning floors well, fixing any leaky faucets that might dampen wood, and removing any clutter that creates shelter for them. Use caulk to seal your foundation and cracks around doors, windows, and any other areas where ants could get into your home. Install screens on your windows and doors. Cut tree limbs back so they aren't hanging directly over your house. Clean up weeds, leaves, wood piles, and other natural debris that's close to your house and could be harboring an ant population. Ants need sugar, protein and water sources to survive. Keeping these basic needs away from them is the best way to prevent them from infesting your home. Keep the floors and counters free of crumbs and clean up spills, especially sugary spills. Fix faucet leaks and make sure there's no accessible water in the area.

Summary: Clean up your house to make it a bad breeding ground for carpenter ants. Seal your house. Remove natural debris from around the home. Clean up crumbs and water leaks.

Give your hands a soak in hot (not boiling) water or take a long bath. This will help to soften the cuticles and any loose skin. If you like, you can add a teaspoon of freshly-squeezed lemon juice or vinegar to the water. This will help to exfoliate any dead skin. Once your cuticles have been softened, it should be easy to push them back using an orange stick. An orange stick is a small wooden or metal stick used to push back cuticles and clean under the nails. They can be purchased cheaply at the drug store, beauty supply store, or online. Use the flat end of the orange stick to push back the cuticle. Try to do this very gently - if you push too hard you might hurt yourself and make your cuticles worse! Push the cuticles back until you can see the white half-moon shape (called the lunula) at the bottom of each fingernail. Don't do this more than once or twice a month, as the cuticles are quite sensitive. Metal or plastic orange sticks need to be sterilized after each use, while wooden orange sticks should be thrown away. Your cuticles are important - they protect your nail's growth matrix (the part the nails grow from) by preventing any dirt or bacteria from entering. As a result, you should refrain from cutting your cuticles and switch to pushing them back instead. Cutting your cuticles removes this protective layer and exposes your nails to infection. It also makes the skin of the cuticles harder and more prone to splitting and peeling. Don't worry about your cuticles growing back faster once you stop cutting them - this is a myth. Their rate of growth will remain the same even if you stop cutting. Regularly moisturizing your cuticles is one of the most important steps in stopping your cuticles from peeling. You should moisturize them at least twice a day - once in the morning and once at night. Don't forget that your cuticles are made out of skin (despite their thicker texture), and all skin needs to be moisturized in order to stay hydrated and prevent peeling and flaking. During the day you can use a moisturizing hand lotion which soaks in quickly and doesn't leave your hands feeling greasy. At night, however, you might opt for a thicker cream or cuticle ointment for more intense hydration. After you moisturize your hands and cuticles at night, it is a good idea to wear a pair of cotton or wool gloves to bed. This prevents the cream or ointment from rubbing off on the bed sheets, while the extra heat will help your skin to really absorb the moisturizer. You will wake up in the morning with really soft hands and cuticles! If the skin around your fingernails feels cracked and irritated, you may have a small infection. If this is the case, you will need to clear up the infection before your cuticles can start to heal. You can do this by applying a generous layer of topical antibacterial ointment (such as Neosporin) to the cuticles. Once you have applied the antibacterial ointment (which is more effective than the cream version), you should wrap a band-aid around each affected nail. Leave the band-aid on overnight and in the morning you will find your cuticles looking and feeling a lot better! If your cuticles are painful, have pus or swelling, or develop red spots, you may have an infection called paronychia. If you suspect this could be the case, see your doctor as soon as possible as you may require a course of antibiotics to clear the infection.

Summary: Soak your fingertips in hot water. Push back your cuticles with an orange stick. Never cut your cuticles. Regularly moisturize your cuticles. If your cuticles are cracked and painful, use a topical antibacterial ointment. Know when to consult a doctor.

Although doctors used to recommend a firm mattress for bad backs, research suggests that medium-firm mattresses are best. If your mattress is too soft, place a sheet of plywood between your mattress and box spring or place your mattress directly on the floor. Medium-firm mattresses are especially beneficial if your hips are wider than your waist. However, opt for a firmer mattress if your hips and waist are equal in width. A foam mattress topper can add support to your back and keep your spine aligned. If you have a foam topper hanging around, place it on top of your bed so your back can remain in a neutral position. Although sleeping on your back may seem counterintuitive, it is the best way to reduce pain. Sleeping on your back keeps your head, neck, and spine in a neutral position. Try this position first to relieve pressure on your back. Sleeping on your back may induce snoring because it can constrict the airways. Resting on your back can also induce sleep apneaif you've struggled with apnea in the past, you may want to choose a different position. Lying on your side, with your torso and legs approximately aligned, can ward off back and neck pain simultaneously while elongating your spine. Because it keeps your airways open, it can also prevent snoring. Choose this position if your sore neck does not find relief from sleeping on your back. Side-sleeping is also useful for relieving hip pain. Avoid curving your back as much as possible to prevent additional pain. If you sleep on your back, place one pillow at the base of your back and one underneath your knees. For side sleepers, place a pillow between your knees to keep your hips aligned. This will help your body maintain your spine's natural curve, preventing muscle or tissue aggravation. Sleeping in the fetal position, with your torso hunched and knees bent, is the most common sleeping position. It can, however, cause a sore back if you have arthritis or sore joints. If you usually sleep in the fetal position, place a pillow in between your knees and straighten your back as much as possible. Sleeping on your stomach can exacerbate neck and back pain because it interferes with the natural curve of your spine. It can also put more pressure on your joints and muscles, which may lead to pain or paresthesia (pins and needles). If you're sleeping while upright, letting your head drop to one side can cause neck and spine soreness. Horseshoe-shaped pillows are ideal for sleeping with back pain in a car, plane, train, or reclining chair. Pillows made of memory foam can contour to your body and are best at alleviating back pain. Feather pillows can also conform to your head and neck, though they can lose support and collapse over time.
Summary: Use a medium-firm mattress to reduce pressure on your back. Try a mattress topper to keep your back in a neutral position. Sleep on your back to alleviate strain on your spine. Sleep on your side if lying on your back doesn't work. Keep your head, neck, spine, and hips aligned. Use pillows as support if you sleep in the fetal position. Avoid sleeping on your stomach. Use a horseshoe-shaped pillow while sleeping upright.