Some exterminators specialize in using natural pest control methods. Search for one near you by doing an online keyword search for "organic insect and pest control" or "natural insect and pest extermination."  This kind of pest control is often poorly regulated. Some pest services are only "organic" or "natural" in name, but not in fact. Call exterminators and inquire directly about services, saying something like, "Could you tell me how your methods are all natural?" Fire ants rarely enter the home, but if they do, get help immediately. They're aggressive, and their stings are painful and can sometimes trigger an allergic reaction. If the ants must be sprayed, insist on the use of a bait that has an insect growth regulator, like abamectin, in it. Exterminators are professionals who have been trained not only in pest removal but also prevention. If you've had difficulty with any of the techniques mentioned here, ask the exterminator for their advice. For example, you may have looked high and low but were unable to find the ants' entrance into your home. An exterminator could help pinpoint this for you. Although you're not a professional, using this professional technique can have professional results. Sneak up on an ant nest on a cool day. Then pour several gallons/liters of boiling water into the nest entrance.  If you want to make the water more deadly, add vinegar, insecticidal soaps, citrus oil, pyrethrum insecticide, or ammonia.  Repeat this process every day or so until it seems that the ants have given up and moved. This may take several days to take effect.

Summary: Verify the exterminator uses natural pesticides. Call a professional to deal with fire ants. Follow all advice given by exterminators. Attack the nest directly on your own.


Writing a devotional is an inherently spiritual process, so don't just reduce it to word counts and catchy anecdotes. Before you write—and throughout the process—pray earnestly that God will guide you so you can share His truth in a way that glorifies Him. It may help to write your devotional after you've done your own morning prayers and Scripture reading. When you're choosing the topic for your devotional, try not to let it become overly complicated. It's easy to take a deep dive into theology, but devotionals are meant to inspire the reader to meditate on some aspect of their own life.  If you narrow your focus, it will also be easier to meet word count limits. For instance, if you're writing about John 15:13, which says, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends," you wouldn't write about all of the different types of love people have for each other. Instead, you might write about the deep love shown when someone sacrifices themselves. The most effective devotionals are able to strike a balance between being very personal and universal. To ensure you're able to craft a message that will really hit home with your reader, think about who you're writing for, and use stories, examples, and language that will apply to them. For instance, if you're writing about forgiveness and you're submitting to a market geared toward married Christian couples, you might write about forgiving your spouse. However, if the market is geared toward teens, you might write about forgiving your friends, parents, or siblings instead. Even if your devotionals are calling out a specific sin described in the Bible, it's important that you avoid having a judgmental tone or seeming like you're talking down to the reader. Instead, try to write in a way that's relatable and encouraging, and that always emphasizes God's love, goodness, and forgiveness. For instance, you wouldn't want to say, "You've probably told a lie, right? That's a sin, and everyone who sins is going to hell." Instead, you might share a story about a time you told a lie to be polite, then got caught. Sometimes, theology can be a landmine full of differing opinions and interpretations of Scripture. With that in mind, try to steer away from complex, emotionally-charged topics that are frequently a source of division. Instead, try to focus on truths that anyone could apply to their own life, regardless of their stance on morally ambiguous issues.  For instance, it's best to avoid writing about politics, sexuality, free will vs. predetermination, or whether Scripture is meant to be interpreted literally or as a metaphor. You may need to take the publication's denominational affiliation into account when you're deciding whether a topic is controversial. For instance, many Southern Baptists frown on drinking any alcohol at all, so it would be best to avoid writing about drinking in moderation if you were writing for a Baptist devotional magazine. If you do feel led to write about topics that are controversial within the church, consider publishing them as blogs, articles on Christian websites, or even in book form. Devotionals might not be the best fit for these subjects, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't write about them at all.

Summary: Pray before you write. Try to focus on one aspect of the passage. Consider the market's target audience when you're writing. Write with a positive, uplifting tone. Avoid controversial topics.


The direct cause of sunstroke is exposure to extreme heat and sunlight. The first step to preventing sunstroke is to stay out of direct sunlight. This is especially true on hot days. Make sure you keep your bare skin away from direct sunlight as much as possible. If you have to be out in the sun, wear a hat or walk with a light umbrella. Trips to the beach and other outdoor locations are common in the summer. In these situations, try to give yourself a break from the sun as much as you can. Sit down under a beach umbrella or take a walk into a nearby store with air conditioning to ease some of the stress from the heat on your body. The most dangerous time of day is the time midday to the afternoon when it is the hottest. Try to go out in the early or later parts of the day if you want to enjoy the outdoors or have to work outside. Also avoid exercising outside during this time of day as well. Exercise causes your body temperature to rise, which will make the likelihood of sunstroke even worse, especially if you are in the direct sun. The sun is strongest between the hours of 9 am to 4 pm. If you can, go out in the early morning or later in the afternoon, when the sun's rays are not as intense. If you want to spend a lot of time outside in the heat, or if you have to work outside in the heat, get yourself acclimated to the weather first. Start out with small shifts in the heat, building up your resistance to the elevated temperature that you are not used to. As you get used to it, you can start spending more and more time outside, but always remember to take breaks from the heat to give your body a break.  It can take several weeks for your body to fully adjust to hot weather, so be patient and take it slow.  You can also acclimate yourself a little at a time as well. Turn off the air conditioner in your house when you know you are going outside later in the day. This will slowly raise your body temperature and help you get accustomed to the heat before you even step outside. Another way to get sunstroke is being in an enclosed space with no air flow. This can be a house without air conditioning or fans, a car without the windows open, or any other small, enclosed room that has no cool air movement. If you live in an area without air conditioning, buy fans to help circulate air. This will help cool down the temperature and lower your body temperature. You should also open the windows in the room, which will help you circulate more air as well.  Never leave yourself, a child, a loved one, or an animal in a locked car, even if you have the windows down. This can cause major problems because the air in the car will heat up to extremely hot temperatures on a warm day. The temperature in a car can go up by 20° F (6.7 °C) in just 10 minutes.  Many cities also have public cooling spaces during heat waves -- check online to see if there is one near you. If you don't have or can't afford air conditioning, try to spend time in public spaces that have it, such as shopping malls, movie theatres, museums, etc.
Summary: Stay out of direct sunlight. Avoid going out at the hottest part of the day. Get acclimated. Avoid enclosed spaces.