Katie Francis
School
Rowan University, Neumann University
Expertise
DIY Home Projects, Home Gardening, Pet Care
- Katie uses her creativity to paint and repurpose old pieces of furniture throughout her home.
- Growing up in a house full of animals, Katie loves inviting different species of birds into her backyard by creating unique, DIY bird feeders with recycled household materials.
- She has a knack for gardening and loves growing different vegetables in her garden every spring and summer.
Experience
Since graduating in 2021, Katie has found herself working for three different publications ranging from print magazines to online sports writing. Now, she offers her talents as a freelance writer. While Katie specializes in pieces regarding gardening tips and tricks, she also loves informing House Digest readers on the latest in do-it-yourself home hacks!
Education
Katie graduated Summa Cum Laude from Rowan University with a bachelor's degree in journalism and a minor in sports communication and media. During her time there, she was the head of the news department at Rowan University's FCC-licensed radio station.
House Digest uses a knowledgeable team of editors, writers, and experts to create all our content. We dive deep into the always-evolving conversations surrounding design and home trends, striving to deliver the most current and helpful tips, strengthened by expert takes and tutorials from our talented team.
As we cover many fields of expertise, we make it a priority to ensure every beat remains fresh and comprehensive. Additional information on our editorial process available here.
Stories By Katie Francis
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Perennial flowers are incredibly popular for their low maintenance nature, but with this spring perennial, an added bonus is that it attracts pollinators.
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If you have outdoor extension cords, you might be wondering how best to protect them from the elements. Here's why plastic food storage containers are useful.
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Worried that your home has a wolf spider problem? Here are the most likely places that these eight-legged critters will be hiding, and how to remove them.
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Rosemary is a lovely shrub that has many benefits for your garden and keeps pests at bay. Find out when you should plant it for the best results.
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Fortunately, there is a cheap and easy homemade bird feeder that is sure to bring gorgeously saturated blue jays to your yard.
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Correctly maintaining and storing your tools will ensure their longevity. Check out the natural substance that will help keep your garden tools from rusting.
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If you've come across brown recluse spiders in your home, you might be worried about how to get them out. There's one cleaning tip that works wonders.
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Bird feeders are a great addition to any yard or garden to attract these whimsical feathered animals, and it's important to keep them safe during storms.
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If you want to enjoy your outdoor space all year long, you can use clear shower curtains to temporarily winterize your patio on a budget with this DIY idea.
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There are many myths about household items having multiple purposes but you might want to look into whether Coca-Cola can combat the smell from a skunk spray.
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While we all enjoy spending time outdoors, we don't enjoy the bugs. Here's how to keep ticks from following you into the house with this popular essential oil.
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Any proud homeowner doesn't want to see their gardening labor go for nothing. We find out if peppermint oil can really repel birds from unwanted areas.
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Nobody likes to see creepy crawlies running around their home. If you have an issue with silverfish, use this strong scent to drive them out of your house.
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If your garden is full of hungry caterpillars who have taken to snacking on your precious plants, here's an easy and humane way to keep them at bay.
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Bird feeders tend to attract squirrels just as much as they do birds, but this hack can make sure your feeder is feeding only the creatures you want it to.
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Bird feeders are a great way to attract birds to your yard, and you can make one yourself using a few craft supplies and coconut shells. Here's how.
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If your kitchen, refrigerator, or garbage can has developed a maggot infestation, this is the household cleaner you'll want to use to get rid of them for good.
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While spiders are often an unwelcome sight for many, there is a particular garden spider that can offer important benefits to your vegetable garden.
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Are you looking for a safe, cost-effective, and natural way to repel mice from your home? Head to your kitchen cabinet and grab this cozy fall spice.
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If your yard and garden have become havens for raccoons, there's a simple and humane way to keep those pesky critters out for good by using a cotton ball.
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While frogs can sometimes be a helpful addition to your yard and garden, they can potentially cause some problems. Here's a safe and simple way to deter them.
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Carpet beetles can quickly wreak havoc on your rugs, upholstery, and clothes. While there are many ways to get rid of these pests, is salt one of them?
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Realizing you have cockroaches infesting your home may cause panic, but fortunately, there's a popular herb you can use that will get rid of them for good.
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If you notice rust stains on an article of clothing, remove it with ease with a household staple you probably already have stored in your garage.
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After planting young seedlings in the garden, they can get eaten or removed by birds. Learn how to protect them with old window screens and another material.
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Depending on your location, you will face various challenges in the garden. Here are the most common garden pests you'll find living in the Midwest.
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Spider mites can wreak havoc on your plants, but fortunately, you can rid yourself of these pests with a product you may already have in your medicine cabinet.