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Much like rubbing alcohol, the hand sanitizer will preserve the insect’s body and keep it from breaking or decaying. However, unlike alcohol, the thick consistency of hand sanitizer will suspend the dead insect, making for a more attractive display and facilitating easier viewing. Use a jar that is large enough to contain the suspended insect, but that will not require a wasteful amount of hand sanitizer to fill. Avoid handling the insect directly; use a pair of forceps or tweezers to pick the body up. Gently press the insect’s body down into the hand sanitizer, until it is suspended in the gel.  If you’re suspending a delicate insect, such as a bee or wasp, take care not to break the wings or body when pressing it into the gel. Larger hard-bodied insects—such as butterflies—may be difficult to preserve in hand sanitizer, since the gel may snap off part of the body. While it’s OK to preserve other hard-bodied insects in hand sanitizer, look for ones that do not have delicate protruding wings or antennae. To remove the unsightly air bubbles from the hand sanitizer, fill a sauce pan with 1–2 inches (2.5–5 centimeters) of water. Boil the water, and place the jars (still 2/3 full of hand sanitizer, with the insect on top) into the boiling water and simmer for 15 minutes. Remember to leave the lid off of the jar, or it will explode.  Avoid getting water into the jars, as it could weaken or dissolve the hand sanitizer. Many will consider the air bubbles aesthetically unpleasant and a distraction from observing the preserved insect. If you are not bothered by the air bubbles in the hand sanitizer, you can skip this step. Once you have removed the jar from the boiling water and let it cool to room-temperature, pour or pump the hand sanitizer gel over the insect’s body until the jar is full. Once the jar is full, you can reach into the jar with tweezers or forceps to reposition the insect’s body until it’s displayed in the desired pose. Place a label on the outside of the jar, screw on the lid, and the preservation is complete. These jars can be handled by children (with adult supervision) and are excellent for museums or outreach events.

summary: Fill a jar 2/3 full with hand sanitizer. Place your dead insect in the hand sanitizer. Boil the jars to remove air bubbles. Fill the jar completely full with hand sanitizer.


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Wait until the soil is dry before you water lavender. When you do water, water for several minutes to make sure the roots get completely soaked. If you live in an area where it rains frequently during the summer, skip waterings when the ground is wet. Lavender doesn't need to be fertilized more than once a year. In early spring, work some bone meal mixed with compost into the surface of the soil around the lavender, then give it a deep watering. Over fertilizing lavender will cause the plant to grow poorly, rather than having the effect you want. All year round, check the plant for dead or dying shoots and remove them promptly with a pair of sanitized pruning shears. Prune the entire plant back by 1/3 in early spring, before the new growth emerges, to tidy the shape of the plant. Pruning encourages healthy new growth to emerge. The lavender shrub will get bigger and thicker as it ages, producing more flowers every season. The first season may not yield more than a bunch or two. By year three, you should have several bunches per season. When the lavender flowers just begin to open, usually in early summer, gather the lavender into a bunch (one bunch is about a handful of stems) and cut the stems. The plant will produce another flush of flowers before the end of the growing season.  When you harvest flowers, avoid cutting into the woody part from which the shoots emerge. Cutting this part will damage the plant. Lavender stems may be kept in a vase filled with fresh water. To dry lavender, cut stalks before the flowers open, as soon as the buds turn purple. Tie a bunch using a rubber band and hang it upside down in a dark, dry place for about a week. The lavender flowers may be used in baking and savory recipes, for crafts, or to  make essential oil.

summary: Water lavender deeply but infrequently. Fertilize lavender in early spring. Prune lavender. Harvest the flowers.


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You can play Scavenger Hunt indoors or outdoors. Pick a spot without any sharp or pointy objects to prevent injury. If you can, choose a place with a lot of small hiding spaces or nooks and crannies where you can hide items easily.  Great places for Scavenger Hunts include your backyard or a local state park, for instance. If you are planning Scavenger Hunt for children, ensure there is adult supervision throughout the area. Choosing a theme is a great idea if you are playing Scavenger Hunt at a birthday party, for instance. You can use any theme you’d like, such as a Pirate treasure hunt or an Easter-themed egg hunt. Choose items to find that fit your theme, and pick a prize that is related to the motif as well. For instance, if you are throwing a Pirate birthday party, you can hide clues like plastic gold coins, a ship in a bottle, a stuffed parrot toy, or a small treasure box. You can also write clues as if you are a pirate and say “Arg!” Pick 5-15 or so objects you want the players to find throughout the scavenger hunt. These can be any household items, like a spoon, action figure, or markers, for example. Write down all of the items to keep track of the items players find and what items are still missing. Pick what order you want the players to find the items in and what kind of hint you want to provide. Complete 2 notecards for each clue, 1 for each team. Tailor your clues to the age of your players, and vary the types of clues used. You can write a brief riddle, draw a diagram, or suggest what the item is used for. For example, if you are hiding a fake gold coin, write something like, “Fill your treasure box with me to bask in the riches of the sea!” You can also draw a piggy bank or detail the area where you hid the item. Once you write out the clues, place the item in a hidden spot throughout your Scavenger Hunt area. Be sure to include the clue to the next item while hiding the treasure. It is fun to hide some items in easy-to-find spots and others in more difficult or secluded hiding places.  For some easy hiding spots, try placing the item at the bottom of a bushy shrub, behind a lawn decoration, or under a doormat. For more difficult hiding places, place the item high in a tree branch, inside of a dog house, or on top of a bird feeder. To attach the clue securely, you can place the index card underneath a heavy item, or use a rock to hold it down. If you are hiding an item with an opening such as a pocket or folder, put the clue inside. You can fold it up if it is helpful. You can use anything you’d like as the prize, and it’s helpful to consider the age of the players when you make your decision. Some helpful ideas include candy, cash, or gift certificates. If using a theme with the Scavenger Hunt, you can pick a prize to reflect the motif of the game.  For example, if you are playing Scavenger Hunt with a group of 1st graders, offer a small toy or sweet treat as the price. If you are playing with teenagers, consider offering movie tickets for the group as the prize. A great idea if playing with adults includes a basket of goodies or a gift certificate to a local restaurant.
summary: Pick a safe location with lots of hiding spots to have the scavenger hunt. Pick a theme for your scavenger hunt to add a personal touch. Make a list of the items to find during your scavenger hunt. Write each clue on index cards to use throughout the game. Hide your items with their clue in a variety of places. Pick out a prize for the winning team before you play.