Natural Ant Control

 Natural ant control around the home and garden.

Ants in the garden are good guys!

Natural ant control presupposed the ants are in the house. Ants in the garden are doing their job and while they may be unsightly, they are part of nature’s design. They’re actually like little vacuum cleaners, sucking up bits of fungas and garden detritus that would otherwise act as a food source for bad guys.

If you have ants in the lawn, 

Simply mow the grass higher. you won’t see the ant hills and both you and the ants will be happier. They’ll keep cleaning up the fungus and other problems that you’ll never see-so you won’t have a need for natural ant control.

Natural ant control in the house is another matter. Here are some suggestions that have been known to work.

Ants follow “trails” left by other ants so that’s why you’ll see them in a line. If you put the food on the trail, they’ll find it. Others will go around it but soon you’ll have a line straight for your food source.

Apparently baby power or talcum power is not appreciated. I’m told if you dust the ants and the trail,they’ll stop coming.

I have used vinegar to destroy their trails and if you can get it close to the source, they’ll get confused and not come in for a while. I used it at full strength but some folks have diluted it with water. The other benefit to this of course is that it cleans the counters as you wipe out the ant trail.

Cinnamon-from the spice rack is increasingly being used in garden insect control. You might find it of use to dust the outdoor nest. As an indoor natural ant control you might want to use it as a barrier to stop them from coming indoors.

Black pepper has the same effect as above.

Bay leaves have been used for centuries for ant control. Put a leaf or two behind canisters on the counter, in your silver drawer,food shelves,anywhere ants have congregated.

Peppermint spayed around the edges of your home and at ant entry points will deter ants as will growing peppermint and other types of mints in your garden.

If you have cats, I have found a great way to keep ants away from their food dish. If you feed your cats from a bowl you can put a bread dish filled to the center rim with water and a squirt of dish soap. Mix the soap and water with your finger and place the cats bowl on top. I tried this recently and  have had no ant problems this  far. You can also get a feeding dish that has this same concept for around $20.00 at www.theantser.com

Read more: http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/natural-ant-control.html#ixzz0Ki18l9Te&C

Read more: http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/natural-ant-control.html#ixzz0Ki0PIMf2&C

Natural ant control presupposed the ants are in the house.  Ants in the garden are doing their job and while they may be unsightly, they are part of nature’s design.  They’re actually like little vacuum cleaners, sucking up bits of fungus and garden detritus that would otherwise act as a food source for bad guys. 

Read more: http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/natural-ant-control.html#ixzz0Khz6uUQM&C

 

Natural ant control presupposed the ants are in the house.  Ants in the garden are doing their job and while they may be unsightly, they are part of nature’s design.  They’re actually like little vacuum cleaners, sucking up bits of fungus and garden detritus that would otherwise act as a food source for bad guys. 

Read more: http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/natural-ant-control.html#ixzz0Khz6uUQM&C

 

Natural ant control presupposed the ants are in the house.  Ants in the garden are doing their job and while they may be unsightly, they are part of nature’s design.  They’re actually like little vacuum cleaners, sucking up bits of fungus and garden detritus that would otherwise act as a food source for bad guys. 

Read more: http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/natural-ant-control.html#ixzz0KhywDQQM&C

Summer Maintenance Tips For Your Home

Summer tips

• Check all recreational equipment and review outdoor safety tips
• Check your wood deck or concrete patio for possible deterioration
• Make sure there are working nightlights at the top and bottom of all stairs
• Check exterior siding
• Check all window and door locks for proper operation
• Have your roof inspected for potential leaks once every few years
• Inspect and clean dust from the covers of your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
• Check your home for water leaks
• Check the water hoses on the clothes washer, refrigerator icemaker and dishwasher for cracks and bubbles
• Check your water heater
• Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct, damper and space under the dryer
• Socialize your dog to help reduce potential dog bites

Check all recreational equipment and review outdoor safety tips

Swimming Pool Safety

• Pool equipment should be checked frequently.
• Consider removing diving boards. At a minimum, check them periodically to make sure bolts are tightened, the base is secured to the concrete and surfaces are slip-resistant.
• Pool slides can be particularly dangerous. Never go down the slide headfirst. Make sure bolts are tightened and secured.
• Provide handrails where narrow or steep steps are present and cover steps with a nonskid material. Check routinely to make sure they are secure and have no sharp edges and replace all broken treads.
• Make sure there is secure fencing around any pool to keep children and unauthorized individuals from the pool area. All gates should be self-closing and lockable.
• Completely remove pool covers when anyone is in the pool. Extreme care should be taken to prevent children from climbing on top of the cover or getting caught underneath. Check the cover often and remove water that accumulates on top; make sure the cover is properly anchored and tied down.
• Make sure there is rescue equipment around the pool.
• Depth markings should be completely visible to all swimmers.
• Secure all grates and drains so they cannot be removed without the use of tools. Instruct all swimmers on the dangers of entrapment and drowning that can occur when fingers, toes or the body come too close to these items. Anyone with long hair should also be cautioned not to get his or her hair near a pool outlet because the suction can be strong enough to hold even an adult under water.
• Follow manufacturer directions for proper storage of all pool chemicals in a clean, well-ventilated area that can be secured.
• Make sure all electrical appliances are kept away from the pool and use ground-fault-circuit-interrupter (GFCI) outlets at outside receptacles.

Trampoline Safety

• Trampolines should be used only with adult supervision, including spotters.
• Beginners should wear elbow and knee pads over their clothing.
• No jewelry, belts with buckles or other dangling items should be worn.
• Place the trampoline away from obstructions and use ground mats to soften a fall. (The surface surrounding the trampoline should be soft.)
• There should be only one person on a trampoline at a time; horseplay should not be permitted.
• No one should use the trampoline when tired, on medication or under the influence of alcohol.
• Consider using safety devices, such as a harness-like belt that attaches to the sides of the trampoline to keep the jumper centered.
• Somersaults are the leading cause of quadriplegic injuries. They should never be allowed.

Check your wood deck or concrete patio for possible deterioration

• If you find any exposed wood surfaces, they should be stained or painted.

Make sure there are working nightlights at the top and bottom of all stairs

Other safety ideas for stairs:

• Tile and painted wood or concrete stairs can be slippery when wet or when a person’s shoes are wet. Resurface the treads with slip-resistant strips near the stair nosing.
• All stairs of at least three risers should have a handrail.
• Do not store items on the stairs.

Check exterior siding

Brick veneer

• Check for any open cracks that are wider than 1/16 inch. Seal these with a clear silicone sealant or have them tuck-pointed. Fill only the crack to prevent excessive water from getting inside the wall.
• Check for soft mortar joints, which crumble. If the mortar joints are still flush, they should be watched. If they have washed out beyond 1/4 inch from the face, the mortar joints in this area should be tuck-pointed. Mortar joints are usually most susceptible to deterioration. The mortar should be firm and extend to the corner of the brick. Contact a qualified professional to complete these repairs.
• If the mortar is soft and crumbly or has holes, exposing the brick edges, the mortar joints need to be tuck-pointed. This involves removing the existing mortar back at least 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch and replacing with new mortar. Contact a qualified professional to complete these repairs.

Synthetic Stucco (EIFS siding)

• For additional information on EIFS, go to the Institute for Business and Home Safety at http://www.disastersafety.org/

Vinyl and Aluminum Siding

• Check for cracks or damaged siding; replace or repair. The biggest threat to siding is the wind. Wind can catch seams and corners and tear lightweight vinyl or aluminum siding off the walls. This then allows water into the wall cavity, causing water damage.

Wood Siding

• Check for any peeling paint. Scrape and repaint these areas.
• Remove vines growing on the house, siding, brick or mortar. They can compromise the integrity of the siding.
• Trim or cut back tree branches away from your home to reduce damage in the event of a wind or ice storm.

Check all window and door locks for proper operation.

• Windows that can be opened by breaking the glass and unlocking the lock are less effective deterrents to criminals. Check with your local hardware store for window lock alternatives.
• All exterior doors, including doors from your attached garage, should have deadbolt locks.

Have your roof inspected for potential leaks once every few years.

Inspect and clean dust from the covers of your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

Check your home for water leaks

• Read more about Preventing water damage in your home.

Check the water hoses on the clothes washer, refrigerator icemaker and dishwasher for cracks and bubbles

• Replace hoses that show signs of leaking. If needed, hire a qualified plumber.

Check your water heater

• If you have a gas-fired water heater, make sure it is venting properly. Light a match next to the vent and wave it out (don’t blow it out). See if the smoke is pulled up into the vent. If it isn’t, have a professional inspect and repair it. Otherwise, carbon monoxide and other byproducts of incomplete combustion can build up in the home.
• Check around the base of your water heater for evidence of leaks. If your water heater is over 5 years old, it should be checked monthly for any leakage or rusting at the bottom. If water leakage or rust is found, the water heater should be replaced.

Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct, damper, and space under the dryer

• Poor maintenance allows lint to build up in the exhaust duct and cause fire.

Kids Room Storage Solution

The Elfa Wall Mounted Shelf/Storage System from the Container Store.

Here is a great way to organize your child’s bedroom in a reasonably priced way. The Elfa wall mounted shelving system from The Container Store simply mounts to your wall and provides ample storage for all you childs toys and books. The possibilties are endless and so are the sizes of the system you can create. The Elfa system shown here includes a desk area that sets the stage for your child to create, color, or draw. The Elfa shelf system is adjustable so you can arrange the shelves so the space can easily become a space-efficient workstation for a teenager. You can see the entire series of Elfa wall mounted storage possibilities here http://www.containerstore.com/search/searchresults.jhtml?search=elfa+wall+mounted+storage

      Organize for cleanliness and convenience

Small as they are, children need a lot of stuff

Infant nurseries need space for clothes, toys, blankets, and diapers and changing supplies. As your child reaches toddler age they’ll acquire more of everything: more toys, more books, bigger clothes, as well as videos, games, and puzzles. Toy collections grow as your child ages and by the time they’ve reached school age they’ve added countless supplies for hobbies and school to their long list of possessions. In short, you have a lot to store and finding ways to do it efficiently and conveniently is key.

Frequently used kids room storage items

Things that your child uses on a daily basis should be stored out in the open where they can be retrieved and put away easily. Shelves, hooks, desk and dresser tops, and colored storage bins are great for keeping frequently used items close at hand.

Remember that bookshelves don’t have to be only for books. Games, puzzles, dolls, stuffed animals, and toy cars can all be stored and displayed on shelves. For smaller items, colored plastic bins or square wicker baskets make great containers and give shelves an interesting look.

A high shelf on one wall or all the way around the room makes the perfect place to display sports trophies, school art projects, or other collections. Store seasonal clothes inside color coordinated bins or baskets on these high shelves.

Utilize the closet

Essentially a big box, the closet is convenient and useful for many types of storage. Be sure that everything your child uses often is stored where they can reach it. You can add shelves, drawers, and cubbyholes to increase functionality of children’s closets.

If closets aren’t big enough to be useful, you can add storage space to children’s rooms with furniture. Armoires provide hanging space as well as shelves and drawers for smaller items and the classic toy chest offers storage for toys of all shapes and sizes.

Out of sight

Slim boxes are handy for keeping seasonal clothes or sports equipment such as ice skates or swimming gear close at hand but out of the way under the bed. Toys that have been outgrown or baby clothes you can’t bear to part with should be stored in a basement, attic, or garage. Be sure to use containers that seal tightly to protect the contents from dust, moths, and moisture.

By providing plenty of usable storage for your child’s books, toys, and clothes, you will help to keep their room neat and organized.