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Page 22, RURAL-URBAN RECORD, May 24, 2021

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cies and seeking estimates, take note of how easy or difficult
it is to speak with an agent at each company. Is the quotes Protect your parks: 4 ways to keep facilities clean
process entirely automated, or is an agent walking you
through the estimate and carefully explaining each compo-
nent of the policy? Rating agencies rank companies based Parks have long been pet dogs produce more than attracts flies and vermin. It’s bottles must be used, be
on customer service offerings, and those ratings should not popular places to congre- eight billion pounds of feces important for park visitors to sure to place them in recy-
be overlooked. gate. Facilities vary, but each year, which equates to pick up after their compan- cling containers around the
· Seek recommendations. Word-of-mouth can go a long many parks offer various three-quarters of a pound ion animals. park.
way toward finding the right insurance provider. Ask friends amenities - from walking per dog every day. Dog 3. Reduce waste 4. Volunteer
or relatives which companies hold their policies and how or biking trails to dog runs waste can contain bacteria It can take roughly 450 Individuals can volunteer
easy or difficult it’s been for them to file claims in the past. to fitness areas. And while and even cryptosporidium, years for a plastic water to pick up trash at their local
Google reviews and other online review boards also can be thousands of individuals a parasite that infects hu- bottle to biodegrade. Even parks. Various conservation
great resources to see how existing or past policy holders and families visit parks each mans. if they finally break down, groups and organizations or-
feel about a given provider. Pay attention to how quickly year, when the COVID-19 Even though animal bottles made from polyeth- ganize trash pick-up events
claims are settled and paid out, as policy holders, in most pandemic was declared in waste is organic, leaving it ylene terephalate (PET) can each year.
instances, should not have to wait months or years to be early 2020, parks provided alone instead of picking it up leave toxins in the soil and Increased usage of parks
reimbursed for costs covered by their policies. an escape for those who can lead to environmental threaten fresh water. Use a means the potential for more
· Avoid being fixated on cost. Cost is a significant con- were unable to gather at in- issues, including negative reusable bottle instead of a trash and damage. Everyone
sideration when shopping for insurance policies, especial- door recreational facilities. effects on local water sup- single-use alternative when can do his or her part to keep
ly costly policies like homeowners and auto insurance. But Even though parks of- plies. It also smells bad and visiting the park. If plastic parks clean and enjoyable.
cost should not be the deciding factor. A company that offers fered safe places to have
especially low rates may only do so because it offers very fun outdoors when other op-
limited coverage, while a more expensive policy may provide tions were limited, the pan-
more extensive coverage that helps policy holders make it demic affected the way the
through accidents or injuries with their savings intact. Care- parks were managed due
fully read estimates to determine how much coverage you to budget cuts and reduced
will be getting with each policy. staff. This, coupled with a
Adults need insurance and have many options at their dis- surge in visitors that contin-
posal. Finding the right fit requires careful consideration of a ues today, only underscores
host of factors. the importance of all outdoor
enthusiasts doing what they
Plants that can keep bugs can to keep parks clean.
The following are four effec-
away from outdoor living tive strategies for individuals
to keep parks clean.
1. Leave no trace
spaces According to Nation-
al Geographic, Leave No
Outdoor living spaces have become increasingly popu- Trace is a set of environ-
lar among homeowners in recent years, and that popular- mental ethics for interacting
ity grew even more over the last year. As social distancing with the great outdoors. It
guidelines issued in response to the COVID-19 pandemic follows guidelines for using
encouraged people to stay home as much as possible, a parks in thoughtful, sustain-
desire for accessible, enjoyable outdoor spaces grew. A able ways. In addition to
2020 study of Google trends data from the home decor carry in/carry out policies for
retailer Living Spaces found that searches for items such belongings and trash, Leave
as patio daybeds and small-space outdoor furniture grew No Trace components in-
by more than 200 percent between the early part of 2020 volve making an effort not to
and the middle of the year. disturb and plants and ani-
If outdoor living spaces are in demand, so, too, are mals, hiking in appropriate
ways to make those spaces as comfortable as possible. areas, and using care when
There’s much homeowners can do to make the most of camping. More information
their outdoor spaces, but they might feel helpless against about the Leave No Trace
some unwanted, often relentless guests: insects. Insects movement is available at
can turn relaxing days on the patio into wars of attrition https://lnt.org.
with hungry bugs like mosquitoes. Thankfully, there are 2. Manage pet waste
ways to fight back against insects while simultaneous- The Environmental Pro-
ly adding a little aesthetic appeal to the backyard. The tection Agency estimates
Farmer’s Almanac notes that planting these insect-repel- that, in the United States,
ling plants around the patio or backyard can help home-
owners successfully repel unwanted insects, including
mosquitoes.
· Lavender: Lavender is a fragrant plant that adds a pop
of purple and has been known to repel mosquitoes, fleas,
flies, and moths.
· Basil: Basil can provide the best of both worlds, as it’s
been found to repel flies and moths and also makes for a
tasty addition to pasta sauces and other dishes.
· Thyme: Also a valuable ingredient to keep in the kitch-
en, thyme can help keep hungry mosquitoes at bay.
· Mint: The Farmer’s Almanac warns that it’s easy to
overplant mint, so homeowners should only plant with
care and make a concerted effort to prevent overgrowth.
Also great in the kitchen, mint has long been considered
an effective mosquito repellant.
· Alliums: Like lavender, alliums can add a burst of
purple to your patio. And though they aren’t believed to
repel mosquitoes, alliums have been found to be helpful
against cabbage worms, aphids, carrot flies, and slugs.
· Chrysanthemums: If ants are drawing homeowners’
ire, chrysanthemums may do the trick. These eye-catch-
ing flowers also are believed to repel fleas and roaches,
among other insects.
· Marigolds: The scent of this awe-inspiring plant is
known to repel mosquitoes and other pests. Marigolds
also attract insects like ladybugs that are known to con-
sume aphids, which are minute bugs that reproduce rap-
idly and feed by sucking sap from plants.

Marigolds www.jmcarpentryltd.com • Fredericksburg, Ohio 44627