A heavy downpour can provide enough water to keep your harden soil moist for a week or longer. Once the puddles disappear, you may notice new blossoms, and plants may appear greener than before.

Boxelder bugs are a common fall pest that often enter homes in large groups seeking warmth. You can get rid of boxelder bugs by vacuuming them indoors or spraying them with soapy water outdoors.

If you're seeing swarms of red and black bugs in and around your house, they might be boxelder bugs, sometimes known as maple bugs. The good news is that they're not dangerous to people. The bad news ...