I love living in Florida, but I hate, hate, hate the bugs. As if the mosquitoes aren't bad enough, we've also got untold billions of ants to contend with. All these creepy crawlies can turn a pleasant picnic into an ordeal. Fortunately, there are lots of quick and easy tricks to help keep them at bay this summer. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Go natural. Citronella oil can discourage mosquitoes, of course. But did you know that lemon and garlic (oils or fresh) can be used to repel flies, mosquitoes and ants?

• Wipe the tablecloth down with plain old white vinegar. Flies don't care for the smell, apparently.

It's not too late to add some flair to tomorrow's big July 4th barbecue. For some excellent ideas on the ultimate July 4th party, go visit ShelterPop.

So the boss just handed you an impossible deadline ... what now? According to Lifehackery, the answer is a mix of time management, caffeine and strategy.

Drain cleaners are not only an inefficient way to unclog your bathtub or sink, they're terrible for the environment. There's a better way, and Lifehacker's got it: DIY Drano.

Keep the kids busy times two: Day one, build a kite. Day two, fly it. -- eHow

Forget ants ruining a picnic ... what happens when they're climbing your dining room table? Instructables has easy tips for getting rid of ants for good. -- Instructables

Not only do fresh herbs add flavor to your dinner, they're also an attractive addition to your yard's landscape. Learn how to plant, grow and maintain herbs in your own backyard. -- DIY Network

Want to invest more into your wine collection than your wine fridge? Here are some simple instructions for turning a mini-fridge into a wine refrigerator. -- WikiHow

If you're really on a budget, though, pinch pennies by storing your wine in this Fed-Ex wine holder. -- Craftzine.blog

Now I know what I'm doing this weekend! Check out this stylish but simple craft: Turn a plant stand and lazy susan into a side table. -- Craftynest

Here's a noteworthy story I just spotted on the Reuters website, titled "Man blows up apartment spraying for bugs?" The New York Daily News originally reported the story about a New Jersey man who, while spraying insects in his apartment, somehow let the contents of the spray can ignite. (Spraying near a lit gas burner, perhaps?)

The mishap caused an immense blast that blew the windows out of the unfortunate man's kitchen. The explosion then started a fire that destroyed eighty percent of his apartment. The man, Isias Videl Maceda, was unhurt.

I guess the question mark in the title of the article indicates the incident is still under investigation, but I think it's fairly safe to say that whatever this gentleman was doing, he was doing it all wrong! The episode is a good reminder for all of us that chemicals -- especially those contained in aerosol cans -- must be kept away from heat sources.

[via Reuters.]

If I told you how many essential oils I have in my collection, you probably wouldn't believe me. Suffice it to say, I've got a bunch, and I couldn't live without any of them. Probably you don't need -- or want! -- as many as I have, but having a basic collection can be useful.

There are a few essential oils that every home should have, and one of these is sweet orange oil. I've written in the past about uses for peppermint essential oil; now you'll know what unique things you can do with your sweet orange oil as well.

Pest control
The d-limonene in sweet orange oil repels insects, so it is a good essential oil to spray on your plants to keep away mealybugs and white flies. Science backs this one up!

Picking up my kids from my mom's this afternoon, I found them stooped in the driveway, laughing over an anthill. The pavement ants they were watching were so small we could hardly see them, yet the tiny insects were carrying large helicopter seeds, working diligently to bring them down into their holes with them. It was really a site to see, like if I tried to pick up my house and stuff it into a manhole.

Ants may be curious, industrious creatures and fun for kids to watch, but the minute they enter your house, they're bad news. I once had ants marching across my kitchen counter for days, and every trap I tried they ignored, until, many dollar signs later, I found the right one.

But according to some experts, a simple homemade solution will do the trick just as well. Not only is it cheaper than experimenting with traps, it's safer for pets and children as well. I'll tell you the secret after the break.

My two sons love ants. Like most children, and the lucky adults who still manage to see real wonder in things, they find these tiny insects fascinating. They enjoy learning about the ant colony's structure, talking about their incredible strength, and the perfect efficiencies in their work.

You don't have to stand over that sand hill on your driveway to study ants in their environment. The best way to watch ants in a controlled way is to make your own ant farm. You'll need the following materials:

• 1 quart or larger clear glass jar
• 1 8 – 10 inch pie plate
• 1 2 inch deep pan, larger than the pie pan, to hold water
• Soil
• Pencil
• String
• Water
• Ants

After the break I'll explain some important considerations in creating the ant farm.