INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Soda ash works best when it can circulate throughout the pool. To make sure this happens, run the pool filter on its regular circulation setting. If you've turned the filter off to clean the pool, turn it back on. You don't want to throw the soda ash directly into the pool because it won't mix in evenly enough. Instead, dissolve it into water and spread that into the pool. If you don't have a five gallon bucket, any bucket will work. Mix the soda ash into at least one gallon (3.8 L) of water. It's important to fill the bucket first and add the soda ash second. Measure out the soda ash you need based on the amounts described above. Use a basic kitchen measuring cup or a scale to measure out the amount you need. Pour the soda ash into the bucket of water. Remember, don't put the soda ash into the bucket before the water. For in-ground pools, walk around the perimeter, slowly pouring the water from the bucket into the pool. For above ground pools, pour it around the edge of the pool as best you can. If you want, use an old plastic cup to scoop water out of the bucket and toss a cupful at a time into the pool. Give the soda ash time to circulate throughout the pool and alter the pH of the water. After one hour, grab another test strip and dip it into the water. See if the pH is in the range you need it to be. You generally don't want to add more than one pound (454 g) total of soda ash per 10,000 gallons (37854 liters) of water. If you add more than that, the water starts to become cloudy. If the pH isn't where you want it to be, check it in a day or two and add more soda ash in the quantities you already figured.

SUMMARY: Leave the pool filter on while you add the soda ash. Get a five gallon (19 liter) bucket and fill it with water. Measure the soda ash into the bucket of water. Pour the soda ash water around the pool. Check the pH of the water after one hour. Add more soda ash as needed.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Termites are naturally drawn to damp and moist habitats because they need water to survive. So make sure you ratchet up your vigilance about keeping things dry, or else termites will invade. Make sure all leaks and standing water, both inside and outside of your home are secured and dry. Broom away or suction up any unwanted water if possible. Dirty wet gutters are also an ideal home for termites, so keep your gutters free of debris for further prevention, too. Adding 0.1% (approximately 1 tablespoon to a gallon) permethrin to paint or wood polish or wallpaper glue while building or repainting the house will keep termites away permanently. You can even add permethrin to the cement you use to lay flooring or the glue you use to lay wooden flooring. Since permethrin is a safe pesticide approved for human use, there is no added risk of toxicity. Termites obviously feed heavily on wood so keep large amounts of firewood and other loose tree trunks and branches away from your home. If you maintain large amounts of wood on your property, you are only inviting a termite feast. If you must keep wood near your home, cover it completely to keep it dry; this will minimize the attraction for the termites. If you must use wood, treat it with permethrin as above. By simply caulking and sealing the windows, doorways and cracks around your home, you are taking the first and important steps toward making sure that no termites invade and infest your property. Gaps around electrical wiring and pipes to and from your house are another easy way for termites to traffic themselves into your home. Screens on your doors, window and porch are also a necessity if you are wary of a termite infestation. One of the most effective ways to keep your home safe from termite damage is to maintain a protective barrier around the exterior perimeter of your home. Fortunately, this need not be a major expense if you do it yourself with professional quality products like Termidor SC or Taurus SC. Both of these contain the termiticide/insecticide Fipronil at the same concentration and are applied as a liquid around the outside perimeter of your home. Fipronil is very low in toxicity and is highly effective against both termites and ants.

SUMMARY: Maintain a dry home or apartment. Use pest repellent. Keep wood off your property. Seal any cracks in your home. Retreat your house on schedule.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: You can grow just about any low-maintenance plant in a terrarium, but you'll need to choose plants that will grow well together. Get a selection of plants that grow in similar conditions in the wild, such as woodland, desert, or tropical plants. For instance, if you choose a woodland theme, you might grow moss, foam flowers, and hepatica. Many of these plants do best in cool, shady conditions. Desert plants, such as cacti and other succulents, do best with brighter light and low humidity levels. Tropical plants, like Tahitian bridal veil and Venus fly traps, like warm and humid conditions. Plants that grow really wide or tall aren't the best options for terrarium gardens. Instead, stick to small, low-growing plants, or those that can be easily pruned down to a manageable size. For example, starfish plants are ideal for terrariums since they only grow to be about 6 inches (15cm) tall when they're fully mature. Some terrarium plants, like club moss, like to spread horizontally. You may need to trim them back to keep them from taking over the entire terrarium. Others, like the false aralia, need to be pruned to prevent them from getting too tall. You can use just about any kind of glass container for a terrarium, from a fish tank to an old-fashioned glass bottle. However, if you're growing plants that like dry conditions, such as succulents, you'll need a container that doesn't retain too much moisture. Choose an open container with relatively low sides for these kinds of plants. For example, a fish tank or an old punch bowl could make a great terrarium for some haworthia, hens and chicks, and mini-cacti. Avoid growing succulents or cacti in containers with tall or curved walls, since these retain more humidity and don't promote good air flow. Tropical and woodland plants typically enjoy plenty of moisture, so they do best in more closed-off environments. If you have plants that need humidity, try using a container such as a jar, a vase with a broad bottom, or a Wardian case (which looks like a tiny greenhouse). Some plants that do well in more enclosed containers include ferns, begonias, mosses, and ivies. You can even create a fully closed-off environment by growing your plants under a glass cloche or inside a bottle.

SUMMARY:
Select plants with similar needs. Pick plants that stay small. Opt for an open glass container for low-moisture plants. Get a more enclosed glass container if your plants like humidity.