"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Rodents, like rats and mice, aren’t just a nuisance — they can be downright destructive, chewing through ...

Now is a good time to protect any tender plants from winter damage as well as from rodent feeding. If you have rhododendrons or azaleas in the landscape that tend to get “winter burn,” prevent this by ...

Properly pruning trees and shrubs during the growing season can help reduce winter storm damage. Rock salt used for deicing can harm plants, so consider alternatives like sand or less corrosive ...

See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. More than one in 10 homes (13 percent) in the United States are ...