Canaries need a varied diet of seeds, pellets, fresh fruit, and leafy vegetables. You can usually find a special canary mix of seeds and pellets at pet stores. Give them one teaspoon of this mix a day.  Some good vegetables and fruits for the canary include kale, apples, broccoli, grapes, dandelion, oranges, bananas, peas, and melons. Attach both a cuttlefish bone and an avian mineral block to the side of the cage. Your canary will slowly eat away at these for calcium and minerals. Never feed your canary avocado as it is toxic to birds. Canaries need constant access to fresh water. Once a day, take the bowl out of the cage. Empty it out, and wash it with warm water and soap. Rinse it well and dry it with a towel before refilling with fresh water. The cage needs a full cleaning once a week. Put the canary in a bird carrier. Empty out the liner before scrubbing the entire cage with hot water and soap. Wash all of the dishes and perches too. Let everything dry before putting them back in the cage. The cage liner and dishes should be washed every day. Canaries are sensitive to the sun. They may stay awake if there is any light coming into their cage. To prevent this, place a blanket or a cover over the cage after the sun goes down. Canaries have delicate lungs, and they can be prone to mites or other parasites. Take your canary to a specialized avian veterinarian if they show any signs of sickness.  Common signs of sickness include fluffed, ruffled, or thinning feathers, inactivity, discolored feces,  discharge around the eyes or beak, or squinting. To find a local avian vet, you can use the database at the Association of Avian Vets.

Summary: Feed your canary a varied diet. Replace their water daily. Clean their cage once a week. Cover the cage at night. Watch for signs of sickness.


If there is a chance that you might run into a snake, take care to be very observant. If you are going on a hike or camping, you should be conscious of your surroundings. Be aware of where snakes are most likely to appear.  When you are hiking, stay on the trail as much as possible. You might still encounter a snake, but it is less likely than if you wander off of the trail. Avoid tall grass. These areas are very appealing to many types of snakes. Snakes like to hide under rocks and logs. Be careful when walking near these areas. Keep your eyes open and be on the lookout for snakes. You should also use caution when rock climbing. Snakes like to hide in nooks and crannies. Look before placing your hand somewhere on the rock. Ideally, being mindful of your environment will help you to stay away from snakes. However, that is not always possible. If you do encounter a snake, there are several things you can do to remain safe.  Try not to panic. Staying calm can help you make the right decisions and help you to stay safe. Don't make any sudden movements in the direction of the snake. Just remain calm, and try not to startle the animal. Remember that the snake was not out looking for you. It likely was just trying to find a place to get warm. One of the most effective ways to survive an encounter with a snake is to not engage. If you come across a snake in your path, walk away. If you can't turn and go the other direction, make sure to give the snake a wide berth as you circle around it.  Remember that most snakes have no desire to be around people. That is why you rarely see them. If you see a snake in your yard or garden, just stay away from it. It is likely that the snake will flee when it sees you. Sometimes you might encounter an aggressive snake or one that is cornered. The same advice applies. Do not try to capture the snake. Just head the other direction. Loud sounds can help you to drive a snake from your path. Snakes don't have ears, but they are very sensitive to vibrations. Loud sounds are likely to make a snake flee to a more quiet place.  Raise your voice. Try shouting, "Go away, snake!" or simply just yelling. Stomp your feet loudly. You can also try banging some sticks together. If you have a snake visiting your yard or garden, noise should help you get rid of him. Turn on the lawn mower nearby as a way to make some noise.

Summary: Be mindful of your environment. Stay calm. Walk away. Make loud noises.


If the moisture in your wall is coming primarily from the humidity in the air, try turning on your house's central air-conditioning system. Warm air retains more moisture than cool air, so chilling your room will lower the humidity significantly and make it easier to dry out the wall. If you don't have a central A/C system, try purchasing a portable or window unit. To help replace your house's old, moist air with fresh, dry air, try opening up any doors and windows located near the moisture damaged area. This will increase air circulation around the damp wall, speeding up the drying process.  Do not open your windows and doors if you're using a dehumidifier. For the best results, use this method during the day while the sun is out. This method may not work if you live in an extremely humid area. Wallpaper, wall fabric, and similar wall coverings will prevent air from reaching the wall itself, slowing down the drying process. In addition, soaked wall coverings can harbor dangerous mold and mildew, making them unsafe. Along with standard wall coverings, remove any other objects placed on your wall such as posters and floating shelves. If your damp wall houses any cabinets or similar furniture items, open up their doors and slide out their drawers. Not only will this help the cabinet dry faster, but it will speed up the overall drying process by increasing air circulation in the area.
Summary: Turn on your house's A/C to reduce the humidity in the air. Open up your house to increase air circulation. Remove any wall coverings to increase your wall's ventilation. Open up wall mounted cabinets to help them dry faster.