INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Many pest control companies make special adhesive pads that trap larger invading species, like lizards, so you can get them out of your home without having to hunt for them. Place a few of these traps around the front and back doors, basement windows, ceiling light fixtures, and the perimeter of the garage. Check the traps a couple times a day to see whether they’ve caught anything.  Sticky traps use powerful glues that form a strong bond on contact. As a result, it won’t be possible to humanely release the gecko once it wanders onto the pad.  If you have small children or pets, be careful not to let them get near the traps you've set. If you’re quick enough, try catching geckos that have found their way into your home. Run them into a corner, then position a jar or shoebox in front of them and wait for them to dart in before you close the lid. Once you’ve got them contained, take them outside and release them into the wild where they’ll no longer be a nuisance.  The occasional lizard sighting doesn’t constitute an infestation, and is usually nothing to worry about. Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after handling any type of reptile. When you find uninvited guests on your patio or near the front door, use your broom to push them toward the exit. The bristles can also barricade them and keep them from escaping. Sweep with gentle strokes to avoid harming the gecko. Brooms are useful for shooing geckos out of cracks, crevices, and other tight spots where they tend to hide. Fill up a spray bottle and leave it in the refrigerator until the next time you spot a gecko in your living space. Geckos and other lizards are cold-blooded animals, which means they seek out warm surroundings. A few quick spritzes will usually be enough to send them scurrying.  If you’re swarmed with geckos while gardening or working in your yard, a blast from the water hose will have the same effect. It’s important that the water be room temperature or colder—any warmer and it might not be unpleasant enough to be an effective repellent. If you have reason to believe that your home may be infested, you may have no choice but to have it treated professionally. An exterminator will lay sticky traps, set and bait manual traps, probe likely hiding places, or employ a combination of these methods. In extreme cases, they may be forced to fumigate the entire house, which will require you to find temporary lodging for a few days. Keep an eye out for signs that there may be geckos living and reproducing around your home, like shed skins and small, leathery egg casings.

SUMMARY: Set out sticky traps. Remove geckos by hand. Sweep them out with a broom. Squirt them with cold water. Call an exterminator.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Remove the knobby ends on the beans by cutting them off with the knife. Trimming off the ends will make the beans more appetizing when you add them to dishes or meals. You can also trim off the tapered ends on the beans if you’d like, though this will not affect the taste or flavor of the beans. If you plan to add the green beans to soups and casseroles, cut them up before you store them. This will make it easier for you to put them in dishes as you cook. Make sure all the beans are cut to around the same size and length. If you are planning to serve the beans whole in a steamed green bean dish, do not cut them before you store them. You may cut a portion of the beans and leave the other portion whole so you have some variety.

SUMMARY: Use a sharp chef’s knife to trim the ends off. Cut the beans into 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) pieces. Leave the beans whole for green bean dishes.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: An improperly fitting pair of shin guards can impede athletic performance. It can also be dangerous- shin guards that are too small won't fully cover your leg and leave you open to physical impact; shin guards that are too big can trip you and cause an injury. Therefore picking the right size is essential for good performance and safety. Measure from two inches below the knee to just above the bend of your ankle. This is the area that your shin guard should cover. The length of this measurement determines the ideal size for your shin guard. There are two primary styles of shin guard. Each offers unique levels of protection and flexibility.  Slip-in Shin Guards. These are usually a protective plate inside a compression sleeve. They slip over the shin like a large sock. This style offers a wider range of motion but less protection. It is usually recommended for more advanced players. Ankle shin guards. This style consists of a protective plate that straps around the shin attached to padding that wraps around the ankle. These are usually recommended for younger or less experienced players because they offer more protection. Stores like Modell's, Dicks, and Sports Authority are general sporting goods stores that have equipment for numerous sports. If you're an advanced player looking for a very specific type of shin guard, you may want to try a store that specializes in the sport you play. Using the measurement you took of your leg, find the right size and style shin guard. Shin guards can vary greatly in price. A general rule is that more expensive shin guards will offer better protection, but this isn't always true. Beginner players usually don't need the most expensive equipment, just adequate protection. A store employee should be able to talk you through your options and find the best pair of shin guards for the right price. They can offer you tips and advice on the best pair of shin guards for you.

SUMMARY: Measure your leg. Choose the right style. Visit a sporting goods store and find the size and style you want. Ask a store employee if you have any problems.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Even if you made a huge mistake, remember that everything is temporary. You might feel terrible right now, but this feeling will not last forever. Try to keep reminding yourself that the way you feel is only temporary and that should help you start to move forward. Almost everyone has had the experience of messing up something important. In fact, someone you know may have messed up something even worse, and this might put your own problem into perspective. Even if their experiences are different from yours, it will help just to talk, vent, and get things off your chest. If you are having trouble getting friends and family to listen, or if you’re unhappy with their responses to your problem, consider talking with a counsellor or therapist. In some situations, making a mistake may affect others, so you may need to apologize and it is best to make your apology right away. Think about whether your mistake was something that might have hurt someone else. If so, then prepare to apologize to that person. Try saying something like, “I am sorry for what I did. I realize that my actions affected you as well and I feel really bad about that. Can you forgive me?” Holding resentment against yourself will not make it easy to move forward either, so you will need to forgive yourself for what happened. You may find it hard to forgive yourself, but it should become easier with time.  Try writing yourself a letter that expresses understanding about what happened. Imagine that you are writing to yourself as a friend and be kind to yourself in the letter. Repeat “I forgive myself” as you go through your day. The more you say it, the easier it may be to believe it. You may have messed up option X, but keep in mind that you still have other options. Now you can explore those other options, and this process can be exciting. Make a list of new possibilities and courses of action. Allow yourself to dream about how rewarding the entries on your list might be. Planning for the future is a constructive way of moving on and it may help you to feel more in control of the situation.

SUMMARY:
Put things into perspective. Reach out to your friends and family for support. Apologize if necessary. Forgive yourself. Make a new plan.