bugs Archives

Tiny fixes for big annoyances

Sometimes, you just need to take a few deep breaths. Other times, you need a piece of plastic called the Bug Bite Thing.

Magnetic shower curtain weights ($14) keep the plastic off your legs. The ones sewn into the bottom are never heavy enough!
Suction the bug saliva out of your bites to stop the itch. Sounds fake, but it works and it’s only $10.
A sturdy plastic scraper (11% off) for decal removal. Scrape off a sticker, use them to clean the counters, whatever.
Peanut butter stirrer for when you buy the “naturally separated” stuff. Free option: Store the unopened jar upside down for a while.
Tube squeezer for eeking out that last bit of toothpaste.

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📈 Turn your text into visuals: Napkin.ai turns words into flowcharts, infographics and diagrams. Just paste your text and click the lightning icon to generate a few options. Pick one you like, make tweaks and hit Export. FYI, all their plans are free while it’s in beta, but you may have to deal with some bugs. Triple-check numbers if you’re using this for work.

Update your Apple gear ASAP: Apple dropped important security updates that patch a serious bug in Safari for Macs, iPhones and iPads. Google’s Threat Analysis Group believes a foreign government is behind the attack. On a Mac, click the Apple icon > System Settings. Look for “Software Update Available.” The latest version is Sequoia 15.1.1. Update your iPhone to iOS 18.1.1 under Settings > General > Software Update.

4 colors

Mosquitoes love most: Red, orange, black and cyan (a bright green-blue). Researchers found the pesky bugs are most likely to ignore green, purple, blue and white. Summer color scheme: Check! ✅

Get it together

I always get bit by the organization bug toward the end of summer. You, too? Let’s do this.

Clear bins for the fridge are a game-changer.
A genius holder for all your Tupperware lids.
Stop knocking over the shampoo! Nice shelves that stick better than the suction cup kind.
A water bottle rack that can hold wine, too.
Useful, stackable storage racks that can go anywhere.

You never know what you have … till you clean your house.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Start fresh: You can reset your browser’s settings to wipe out bugs and improve its performance. In Chrome, go to Settings > Reset settings. Look for a similar option in your browser of choice.

Windows users, take note: Mike in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, wrote in to ask if it’s safe to upgrade to Windows 11 version 24H2, which rolled out in October. I’m glad you held off, Mike, because there were a lot of bugs. The major kinks have been worked out now, so you’re good to go.

Feature or bug? Criminals’ iPhones are rebooting on their own when seized by the cops, and it’s all tied to a recent iOS 18 security update. Law enforcement is calling it a nightmare when it comes to retrieving evidence. Here’s the issue: When the phone reboots, it defaults to a “Before First Unlock” state. Even if police use third-party tools to try to access the data, they can only get limited information. No word yet on a fix.

This is awful: The Washington Post found Google Trends offers an unsettling peek into what people are trying to kill. Top targets? Bugs like ants, fleas and flies. Grass, mold and weeds are also on the hit list. It gets darker. Cats and dogs are among the most searched-for “how to kill” animals. The most popular search, though, is “How to kill yourself.” If you ever think that, call or text 988, please.

Ram recall: Over 1.4 million Ram 1500 pickups from 2019 and 2021 to 2024 have a bug in the antilock brake system that could lead to crashes. Major red flag: Warning lights for your ABS, ESC, adaptive cruise control and forward collision systems. Call your dealership ASAP for a software update.

Bet you didn’t know this: You can reset your browser’s settings to wipe out bugs and improve its performance. In Chrome, go to Settings > Reset settings. Look for a similar option in your browser of choice.

🦟 Bug off, bloodsucker!

I found some deals to keep skeeters and ticks at bay:

This self-sealing magnetic screen door is on sale for $26.99. Great for keeping out bugs (and allowing pets in and out).
A two-pack of this lemon eucalyptus oil spray prevents deer ticks, Lone Star ticks and brown dog ticks without DEET, and it’s under $20.
Hate being sticky from a spray? This portable device diffuses repellent to keep the biters back up to 20 feet (25% off).
These cute foldable table fans will keep the black flies away from your burgers. Get a two-pack for 20% off.
Trap gnats and other annoying flying insects with a plug-in blue-light flytrap. It’s satisfying (but a little gross) and only $12.99 right now.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Life’s little problems, solved

Don’t hold your phone the whole flight. This $13.97 mount clamps onto the airplane tray table for hands-free viewing. Works on desks or your luggage, too.
Not a fan of in-ear earbuds? These open-ear headphones are for you, and they’re on sale for $24.99.
A little scanner to make sure your Airbnb or hotel room is free of hidden cameras or bugs. And it’s 40% off!
Rechargeable LED lights that stay on for three to four hours when the power is out. A set of two is on sale for $17.99.
Buh-bye, cord mess. A retractable pair of cords, plus ports for two more, make it a snap to charge four devices at once. It’s 28% off now.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Be a beta tester: Get early access to new operating system upgrades, if you’re willing to deal with potential bugs and glitches. Here’s the link for iPhone beta, and you can also become a Windows Insider.

Outdoor living upgrades

These deals are all under $10 and an easy way to level up your summer life outside. With deals like this, the steaks aren’t too high for your patio paradise.

Bug out: A magnetic screen door will keep the bugs at bay as you move between indoors and outdoors. It’s a steal at $8.99 (44% off).
Under pressure: Clean the driveway or patio with a high-pressure garden hose nozzle. Get a pack of two brass nozzles for half off ($9.99).
Backyard upgrade: These solar-powered rope lights make any outdoor setup party-ready. Snag ‘em for just $9.99.
Dining deterrents: Don’t let flies ruin dinner. Place a couple of these fly fans (23% off, $9.99) on the table. They really work!
Grill me: This multiuse silicone mat holds your tools for easy cleanup after grilling. It’s an easy upgrade for only $8.99.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Shoo fly, don’t bother me

Flies are so annoying. You need these on hand at all times:

This telescopic flyswatter with a stainless-steel handle lets you find your nemesis without getting out the step stool. Get two for $6.99.
A six-pack of flyswatters (15% off, $10.16) means you can keep one in every room. They also come with adhesive hooks for hanging.
Keep flies out of your food with the holographic blades on these battery-operated fly fans. A four-pack is 36% off ($28.99). Putting this on my outdoor table, like, now.
Flying bugs indoors? This bestselling indoor powered trap is $15 (17% off) and will get rid of flies, gnats, moths and more.
For the outdoors, pick up this $10.49 Terro fly magnet that attracts, traps and kills a variety of flies, including house flies, barn flies and bottle flies.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Bug repellers

It’s patio season, which, unfortunately, also means bug season. Dun-dun-dun. I rounded up three great products to keep bugs at bay.

Coils: Place these citronella coils ($10.75 for 24) strategically around you. Lemme tell you, they work.
Racket: A little sadistic, sure, but catching the mosquito that keeps buzzing your ear is so satisfying. Grab a mini one (33% off) and go for the kill shot.
E-diffuser: Make your patio a mosquito-free zone with a portable electronic diffuser ($26.50). The cartridges are scent- and smoke‑free.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

✈️ Mind your drone business: Michelle Reyes captured a video showing a “flying cylinder” whizzing by after she took off from LaGuardia Airport near New York City. UFO experts aren’t sure what it is, and some folks are saying it’s a bug. Looks like a drone to me. But having a drone that close to an aircraft is very scary.

35M locations compromised through the popular iShare app

Bugs meant anyone could see the precise location of any other user — creepy. The company fixed the vulnerability only after the researcher who discovered it reached out to TechCrunch.

Key-ping up: YubiKey is a USB-based key used by the ultra-security-conscious who don’t trust 2FA or authenticator apps. Turns out, there’s a major bug that lets someone gain administrator access to all your usernames and passwords. If you use a YubiKey, get the latest update now.