There are few ways to make a memorable moment in the summer than to disturb a yellow jacket nest. The little bugs are well known for not being welcoming to strangers bothering their home. Once a nest has been identified it can be render useless to the yellow jackets by pouring soapy water into the hole. Do this at night while the bees are less active. Pour and run. Many will recommend the use of gasoline, which does work, but the soapy water seems to work just as well and is less dangerous. Commercial products such as insect killing sprays are available as well. Note that there are different types of Yellow Jackets. In my area the predominant Yellow Jacket builds in the ground, others will build in a nest above ground like wasps. In fact yellow jackets are part of the wasp family. For more information than you probably want to know on yellow jackets visit http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-1134/.
Once you have dealt with the problem of the current yellow jackets it is time to keep the insects away from your home and yard. The first step to stop attracting yellow jackets is to clean the place up! Keep pet food inside as it will often attract yellow jackets. Keep your trash cans sealed and clean as well. Sweet food containers such as soda pop bottles, jelly jars, and similar items need to be discarded with their lids placed on tightly. Things that don't seal like soda pop cans and rotted fruit are big draws for bugs and it is especially important for these things to go into a sealed trash can. Don't throw food waste away in the yard near your home. Keeping the outside of your home clean will also reduce the number of other insects that the yellow jacket feeds on.
Hummingbird feeders are another major culprit in attracting yellow jackets. Keep your feeder clean and fix or replace any hummingbird feeder that leaks. Look for specially made hummingbird feeders that require the bird's long beak to reach the food. Yellow jackets and other bees are not able to reach through the small openings to get to the nectar and will not be drawn to the feeder.
One last thing to consider is are the yellow jackets actually hurting anything. Yellow jackets feed on other insects including bugs that you don't want in your garden. If the yellow jacket nest is away from entrances to your home, no one in the home is extremely allergic, and you don't have little kids perhaps you should just leave them alone.
Saturday, August 16, 2014
How to Remove Stains from DuPont's White Corian
White Corian is a popular countertop material in kitchens across America and the world. Made by DuPont, Corian is a durable material that is known for its ability to repel stains. However, from time to time Corian will end up with stains and other surface problems. This article will look at ways to remove these stains from white Corian as well as other colors.
DuPont Corian comes with a warranty against manufacturer defects. Check with DuPont or your retailer for more information on this warranty. Uses of some cleaning methods will void your warranty so check everything out with the manufacturer before beginning.
DuPont recommends that Corian, whether white Corian or another color, to be wiped clean and to be dried after any spills or other use. Substances drying on Corian or other surfaces will result in residue that will cause the surface to be dulled. Simple soapy water is recommended by DuPont for cleaning white Corian of most substances. Commercially available products will also work to clean the surface of Corian.
One problem that many people face is hard water stains. Hard water is simply water with a high mineral content. The evaporation of hard water on Corian and other surfaces leaves behind mineral deposits that can be difficult to remove. When cleaning hard water stains from Corian, DuPont recommends the use of CLR or Lime-A-Way. Both CLR and Lime-A-Way are available at numerous retailers including grocery stores, hardware stores, and others.
For other stains, DuPont recommends the use of Deep Cleaner for DuPont Corian from Stone Care International. Stone Care International's website (stonecare.com) states that the use of Deep Cleaner for DuPont Corian does not require the use of abrasive cleaning materials as the Deep Cleaner penetrates stains to loosen and remove them. Deep Cleaner is available direct from Stone Care or at Home Depot and other retailers.
DuPont lists ways to repair Corian that has been damaged physically on their website. Scratches from knives and other minor damage can be fixed per these instructions. For more information on maintenance, cleaning, and other information go direct to DuPont's website (http://www2.dupont.com/Surfaces/en_US/products/corian/corian_care.html).
While the internet is filled with homemade cleaning recipes for Corian, the use of these may well damage the Corian more than clean it. Follow the manufacturer's instruction for cleaning large and expensive items such as Corian and other products, especially those that are still under a warranty. If you are unsatisfied with the performance of your Corian contact the retailer and manufacturer before taking matters into your own hands that may only make the problem worse.
DuPont Corian comes with a warranty against manufacturer defects. Check with DuPont or your retailer for more information on this warranty. Uses of some cleaning methods will void your warranty so check everything out with the manufacturer before beginning.
DuPont recommends that Corian, whether white Corian or another color, to be wiped clean and to be dried after any spills or other use. Substances drying on Corian or other surfaces will result in residue that will cause the surface to be dulled. Simple soapy water is recommended by DuPont for cleaning white Corian of most substances. Commercially available products will also work to clean the surface of Corian.
One problem that many people face is hard water stains. Hard water is simply water with a high mineral content. The evaporation of hard water on Corian and other surfaces leaves behind mineral deposits that can be difficult to remove. When cleaning hard water stains from Corian, DuPont recommends the use of CLR or Lime-A-Way. Both CLR and Lime-A-Way are available at numerous retailers including grocery stores, hardware stores, and others.
For other stains, DuPont recommends the use of Deep Cleaner for DuPont Corian from Stone Care International. Stone Care International's website (stonecare.com) states that the use of Deep Cleaner for DuPont Corian does not require the use of abrasive cleaning materials as the Deep Cleaner penetrates stains to loosen and remove them. Deep Cleaner is available direct from Stone Care or at Home Depot and other retailers.
DuPont lists ways to repair Corian that has been damaged physically on their website. Scratches from knives and other minor damage can be fixed per these instructions. For more information on maintenance, cleaning, and other information go direct to DuPont's website (http://www2.dupont.com/Surfaces/en_US/products/corian/corian_care.html).
While the internet is filled with homemade cleaning recipes for Corian, the use of these may well damage the Corian more than clean it. Follow the manufacturer's instruction for cleaning large and expensive items such as Corian and other products, especially those that are still under a warranty. If you are unsatisfied with the performance of your Corian contact the retailer and manufacturer before taking matters into your own hands that may only make the problem worse.
How to Keep Groundhogs Out of a Garden
Here is easy to follow advice on how to keep groundhogs out of a garden. While the burrowing groundhog is one of the cuter mammals, they can be destructive in a vegetable or flower garden. The groundhog can eat a surprisingly large amount of vegetables, flowers, and other plants and can quickly devastate a garden.
Keeping groundhogs out of a garden entirely is quite difficult. The use of a woven wire fence that is buried into the ground and extends above it a few feet is a pretty foolproof way of keeping groundhogs out of a garden. Another way is by using electric fence with at least two wires one almost on the ground and another at about 8 inches above the ground. Obviously there are problems with both of these methods from cost to convenience. However, by making your garden less attractive to groundhogs they may simply choose to eat elsewhere where there is less hassle.
The best way to harass groundhogs away from your garden is through the use of predators, in particular a dog. While tying a dog up in a garden is not a good option, providing the impression that there is a dog nearby will help. The simplest way to do this is by placing fresh dog hair around the garden on a regular basis. Groundhogs will smell the dog scent and assume that a predator is nearby.
If you have a dog(s), brush the dog at least once a week and place its hair around the garden. If you don't have a dog, get some hair from friends, neighbors, or possibly even a pet groomer. Allowing a dog to marks its territory near the garden will also provide scent that may help to repel groundhogs.
Coyote and other predator urine is available from sporting goods stores and will work as a repellant to groundhogs as well. Commercially made repellants (make sure they are safe to apply to food producing plants) are another option as well as homemade potions. The application of pepper or hot sauce to the plants is a common way to discourage groundhogs from dining in your garden.
Scarecrows, particularly those with parts that move in the wind, are another option for repelling groundhogs and other critters from your garden.
By using a few of these methods a home gardener should be able to repel groundhogs from their garden.
Keeping groundhogs out of a garden entirely is quite difficult. The use of a woven wire fence that is buried into the ground and extends above it a few feet is a pretty foolproof way of keeping groundhogs out of a garden. Another way is by using electric fence with at least two wires one almost on the ground and another at about 8 inches above the ground. Obviously there are problems with both of these methods from cost to convenience. However, by making your garden less attractive to groundhogs they may simply choose to eat elsewhere where there is less hassle.
The best way to harass groundhogs away from your garden is through the use of predators, in particular a dog. While tying a dog up in a garden is not a good option, providing the impression that there is a dog nearby will help. The simplest way to do this is by placing fresh dog hair around the garden on a regular basis. Groundhogs will smell the dog scent and assume that a predator is nearby.
If you have a dog(s), brush the dog at least once a week and place its hair around the garden. If you don't have a dog, get some hair from friends, neighbors, or possibly even a pet groomer. Allowing a dog to marks its territory near the garden will also provide scent that may help to repel groundhogs.
Coyote and other predator urine is available from sporting goods stores and will work as a repellant to groundhogs as well. Commercially made repellants (make sure they are safe to apply to food producing plants) are another option as well as homemade potions. The application of pepper or hot sauce to the plants is a common way to discourage groundhogs from dining in your garden.
Scarecrows, particularly those with parts that move in the wind, are another option for repelling groundhogs and other critters from your garden.
By using a few of these methods a home gardener should be able to repel groundhogs from their garden.
How to Keep Raccoons Out of Your Garden
Raccoons are one of nature's coolest animals. The little masked bandit is also one of the most cunning thieves to ever prey upon humans and their gardens. Though quite cute to observe, a raccoon can wreck havoc on vegetable gardens especially when corn is present. Waking up to find broken stalks, shredded husks, and chewed on ears is a good sign that a raccoon or two has visited your garden. Here are some things that you can do to keep raccoons out of your garden.
Raccoons are primarily a nocturnal animal. Though not a certain sign, a raccoon that shows up in your yard or garden during the day might be rabid. This is especially true if the raccoon looks or acts badly. Matted fur, a 'drunken' walk, or aggressive behavior are all good signs that you need to get the heck away from the raccoon. If possible and legal shoot the raccoon and / or call your local authorities. Remember that raccoons, like all other animals, will become aggressive when cornered which is perfectly normal behavior. Since raccoons are normally nocturnal, providing light in the garden at night is a good deterrent. This may be difficult and expensive as well as causing problems with your neighbors if they live close.
Perhaps the best deterrent against raccoons in the garden is a dog. Dogs will themselves tear up a garden, but a woven wire fence around the garden will keep the dog out. The dog can then patrol the fence to keep out the raccoons (that would climb the fence if the dog was not present).
If a dog is not practical, then pretend that there is a do nearby. Placing dog hair, used dog beds, and other sources of dog scent around a garden will deter raccoons. Applying scent from coyotes (available from sporting goods stores and some garden centers) can work in a similar manner.
Some gardeners use various methods to cover the ears of the corn. Gardeners can place paper bags over the ears and attach the bagged ear to the stalk to keep raccoons from pulling them over easily. Other methods include taping the husk to the ear to keep raccoons from opening the ear. I find these methods to be too time consuming, but they do appear to work.
Nothing short of a dog sleeping in your garden all night or an electric fence will keep the raccoons from hitting your vegetable garden. Reducing the amount of damage that a raccoon is probably the best that you can hope to do. Use repellents in your garden and hope that the raccoons find it easier to raid your neighbor's garden!
Raccoons are primarily a nocturnal animal. Though not a certain sign, a raccoon that shows up in your yard or garden during the day might be rabid. This is especially true if the raccoon looks or acts badly. Matted fur, a 'drunken' walk, or aggressive behavior are all good signs that you need to get the heck away from the raccoon. If possible and legal shoot the raccoon and / or call your local authorities. Remember that raccoons, like all other animals, will become aggressive when cornered which is perfectly normal behavior. Since raccoons are normally nocturnal, providing light in the garden at night is a good deterrent. This may be difficult and expensive as well as causing problems with your neighbors if they live close.
Perhaps the best deterrent against raccoons in the garden is a dog. Dogs will themselves tear up a garden, but a woven wire fence around the garden will keep the dog out. The dog can then patrol the fence to keep out the raccoons (that would climb the fence if the dog was not present).
If a dog is not practical, then pretend that there is a do nearby. Placing dog hair, used dog beds, and other sources of dog scent around a garden will deter raccoons. Applying scent from coyotes (available from sporting goods stores and some garden centers) can work in a similar manner.
Some gardeners use various methods to cover the ears of the corn. Gardeners can place paper bags over the ears and attach the bagged ear to the stalk to keep raccoons from pulling them over easily. Other methods include taping the husk to the ear to keep raccoons from opening the ear. I find these methods to be too time consuming, but they do appear to work.
Nothing short of a dog sleeping in your garden all night or an electric fence will keep the raccoons from hitting your vegetable garden. Reducing the amount of damage that a raccoon is probably the best that you can hope to do. Use repellents in your garden and hope that the raccoons find it easier to raid your neighbor's garden!
How to Quiet Pounding Water Pipes
Ever turned on a faucet and heard a loud pounding noise? This noise can be very loud and annoying and worst of all can lead to a busted water pipe and an expensive repair requiring a plumber. Fortunately the solution is very simple for the do-it-yourselfer and is very inexpensive.
The loud banging sounds are generally made when water is turned off and on. The increase and decrease of water pressure causes the pipe to jump or shake. This may cause the pipe to bang into wall studs, floor joists, and a host of other objects. If this is left alone this banging and constant stress can lead to a busted pipe or joint. Needless to say a busted pipe can quickly cause thousands of dollars of damage to a home.
The solution to this problem starts by identifying where the pipes are banging. Get someone to assist you be turning the water off and on or flushing the toilet, whatever causes the banging, and find the source of the noise. If you don't have anyone to help, take an educated guess as to the likely location of the noise and look for pipes that wiggle in that area. Once the location of the noise is found, you will need to brace the pipes to a nearby object. Hardware stores and home improvement stores sell many product designed to attach to wood studs. Some are simple wire hangers that support the pipe and nail into the wood. Other hangers are more sturdy hangers that surround the pipe and screw into the wood. The true do it yourself technique is to surround the pipe with a cloth and wire it to a nearby stud or other object. Simple flexible hangers can be made by cutting up old bicycle inner tubes.
Other noises can be caused by different problems. Small ticking sounds are sometimes caused by water pipes heating up. Insulating the pipes with inexpensive pipe insulation bought from any hardware or home improvement store. Other noises caused by only certain actions can be traced to faucets and other devices. Defective valve seating inside a faucet can also cause rattling noise similar to pipe pounding. Replacing defective valves in faucets is relatively simple.
Insulating pipes is always a good idea regardless of noise. Pipe Insulation is inexpensive and easy to install. Insulation will be hot water hotter and can save you a lot of money. Insulated pipes are also much more unlikely to freeze during cold weather.
The loud banging sounds are generally made when water is turned off and on. The increase and decrease of water pressure causes the pipe to jump or shake. This may cause the pipe to bang into wall studs, floor joists, and a host of other objects. If this is left alone this banging and constant stress can lead to a busted pipe or joint. Needless to say a busted pipe can quickly cause thousands of dollars of damage to a home.
The solution to this problem starts by identifying where the pipes are banging. Get someone to assist you be turning the water off and on or flushing the toilet, whatever causes the banging, and find the source of the noise. If you don't have anyone to help, take an educated guess as to the likely location of the noise and look for pipes that wiggle in that area. Once the location of the noise is found, you will need to brace the pipes to a nearby object. Hardware stores and home improvement stores sell many product designed to attach to wood studs. Some are simple wire hangers that support the pipe and nail into the wood. Other hangers are more sturdy hangers that surround the pipe and screw into the wood. The true do it yourself technique is to surround the pipe with a cloth and wire it to a nearby stud or other object. Simple flexible hangers can be made by cutting up old bicycle inner tubes.
Other noises can be caused by different problems. Small ticking sounds are sometimes caused by water pipes heating up. Insulating the pipes with inexpensive pipe insulation bought from any hardware or home improvement store. Other noises caused by only certain actions can be traced to faucets and other devices. Defective valve seating inside a faucet can also cause rattling noise similar to pipe pounding. Replacing defective valves in faucets is relatively simple.
Insulating pipes is always a good idea regardless of noise. Pipe Insulation is inexpensive and easy to install. Insulation will be hot water hotter and can save you a lot of money. Insulated pipes are also much more unlikely to freeze during cold weather.
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