Category Archives: Insect Control

Tips for Storing Seasoned Firewood

Firewood Rack

Storing your seasoned firewood properly is an important consideration, and there are any number of options available. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when deciding how and where to store your seasoned firewood.

Convenience and Insect Deterrence

Seasoned firewood that you plan to use for the upcoming winter should be easy to access, but storing logs against an outside wall of your home is not recommended. Firewood can attract insects, and if logs are stored next to the house, pests can enter your home or cause damage to your home’s exterior. Some of the best, most convenient places to keep seasoned firewood are next to a fence or next to the shed or other outdoor storage building. If you suspect that your firewood may be crawling with critters, do not give into the temptation to spray the firewood with pesticides because burning these logs will create harmful toxic vapors.

Protection From Moisture

So that your firewood burns efficiently, it should stay dry while outdoors. If there is enough room available inside your outdoor shed or storage building, then firewood can be stored easily there. Alternatively, a simple tarp can be used to cover your firewood to prevent it from taking in moisture from rain or snow. Tarps are inexpensive and can be tied down easily to prevent them from blowing away. If your stack of firewood is stored in a place on your property that is not visible to passersby, then choosing to cover the stack with a tarp will not negatively affect your home’s “curb appeal.”

Elevation and Air Circulation

If stored directly on the ground, firewood can soak up moisture and attract insects. Storing your firewood in a sturdy Firewood Rack will keep your logs elevated, promote air circulation, and deter pests and wood rot. A Firewood Rack can be hand made from wood, but a rugged tubular steel-framed Firewood Rack is rot-proof and rust-proof, easy to assemble, and comes in multiple sizes, so you should be able to find one that fits the space in which you plan to store your firewood.

Properly storing your seasoned firewood will ensure that you have easy access to it when it’s needed without also sending an invitation to pests to invade your home. Proper storage will also keep your firewood dry while at the same time encouraging air circulation. By following these simple tips, you will be sure to enjoy long-burning, low emission fires throughout the winter season.

A Mosquito Eliminator That’s Different from the Rest

Mosquito Eliminator

I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting products that can safely reduce mosquito populations in my backyard.  With pets and kids running around, I’m wary of using foggers or other chemicals to kill the pesky blood suckers.  But, because I have pets and kids, eliminating mosquitoes takes on a higher priority.  Enter the Mosquito Eliminator.

This nifty gadget doesn’t look, smell, or work like most existing mosquito devices, which is why I was so intrigued by it.Mosquito Cartridge  It looks like an attractive piece of outdoor decor, doesn’t emit any noxious odors, and traps mosquitoes using a unique method of attraction.  Using ultraviolet black light technology and specially formulated attractants, the Mosquito Eliminator lures mosquitoes and other flying insects into the unit where they are captured on the patented auto advancing cartridge trapping system.  The Mosquito Eliminator provides a coverage area of 1,000 square feet, and it can hold about 6,000 mosquitoes before the cartridge needs replacing.

It’s refreshing to be able to enjoy the backyard without first dousing our bodies in chemical sprays or lighting up an ineffective candle.  Thanks to the Mosquito Eliminator, the pets can romp, the kids can play, and we can all have a relaxing, bug-free summer outside.

April is National Lawn and Garden Month

Lawn and Garden
April is National Lawn and Garden month! This gives you a wonderful reason to get outside and get your backyard and garden ready. Whether you are starting from scratch or are an experienced pro, here are several tips that you can use to celebrate Lawn and Garden month in style!

  • Consider Backyard Composting – Composting is nature’s process of recycling decomposed organic materials into a rich soil known as compost. Backyard composting is an acceleration of the process that occurs in nature. It is recycling at its finest! Use kitchen waste (such as food or paper towels), lawn clippings, and wood chips to provide rich and powerful soil for your garden and lawn. Anything that was once living will decompose, giving you endless options for composting. Composting is good for your plants and for you! Adding organic materials to the soil improves moisture retention. It provides a balanced, slow–release source of nutrients that helps the soil hold nutrients long enough for plants to use them. Healthier plants means a healthier you! It will also save you money because you will no longer have to buy fertilizer. Add a compost bin to your garden and start today!

  • Add a fountain – Outdoor fountains offer an easy and affordable way to add style to your lawn or garden. The soothing sound of running water will help to create a tranquil and relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Transform your garden into your own personal paradise!

  • Consider adding variety – If you are fond of flower gardening, venture into edible vegetables! You will be thrilled with the sense of accomplishment you feel when you feed your family fresh, healthy produce that you loving grew on your own. Beans, squash, cucumbers, lettuce/greens, tomatoes, peppers, beets, and garlic are all great vegetables to start with. They are relatively easy to maintain and will offer beautiful variety. If you are already growing your own vegetables, consider planting an eye catching flower garden (try marigold, lupine, daisy, or wildflower mix seeds). Fruits are also a great option. Apples, figs, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries are great for beginners. Variety is the spice of life!

  • Go high-tech – Modern technology impacts our daily life. Why not let it impact your backyard? There are several innovations in outdoor living that you will wonder how you ever lived without. The Robomower will make mowing your lawn virtually effortless. No more back-breaking work and labor intensive afternoons spent cutting grass. You simply install special sensors around the perimeter of your yard and push a button. It doesn’t get much easier than that! Another product worth trying is the Mosquito Eliminator. Gone are the days of tacky bug zappers and pesky insects at parties. It is so beautiful that your guests will never guess that it is fighting mosquitoes and other pests. The Eliminator uses high-tech black light technology to cover up to 1,000 feet and capture up to 6,000 mosquitoes with one cartridge. Other garden technology to be on the look for: gardening apps for smartphones (such as iVeggieGarden, which allows you to view over 500 varieties of vegetables and offers tips and ideas), time lapsed garden cameras (which take pictures at various intervals and produce videos or slideshows showing growth progress), and electronic soil testers.

Insect Control Keeps Pesky Bugs Away!

Mosquito Eliminator

If you do lots of outdoor entertaining on your porch, patio, or backyard during the spring and summer months, you know that there are many factors you must consider to keep your guests comfortable. Providing temperature control and shaded areas are usually taken care of, but do you ever consider pest control? Mosquitoes, flies, and other insects can really put a damper on your party atmosphere. Here are two choices to rid your yard of these pesky party poopers.

The Mosquito Eliminator is a useful solution that will also add beauty to your backyard. No eyesore bug zappers for you! The Mosquito Eliminator uses ultraviolet black light technology combined with specially formulated attractants to cover an area of up to 1,000 square feet. Each cartridge holds up to 6,000 insects and will last for thirty days. They are perfect for patios and decks, outdoor eating areas, gardens, and even horse barns. Best of all, there are no harmful chemical pesticides and it meets environmentally friendly guidelines.Fly Patrol

If you are looking for something slightly smaller, the Fly Patrol Insect Catcher is perfect for you. Covering 300-400 square feet, it is a great fit for your porch or patio area! It looks like a decorative wall scone, but uses the same ultraviolet black light and attractant technology as the larger Mosquito Eliminator. It will trap up to 1,000 flies per cartridge to ensure that your guests are comfortable.

Your next warm weather, outdoor party will be a definite hit with good food, great friends, and outstanding insect control.

Gift Idea for Four-Legged Family

Coolaroo Dog Bed
If you are like me, your pets are members of your family. We have had our dog, Sadie, for 8 years, and she is very special to us. During the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I am careful not to forget to pick out a special gift for my four-legged family member so that she knows how special she is! This year, my dog is getting a Coolaroo dog bed! The beds are made of material that is resistant to flea and insect infestation, as well as to mold and mildew. The material is breathable and will keep your dog comfortable throughout the year, indoors or out. It is super easy to clean. You can even order replacement covers, making it last through many years of companionship. The beds are low to the ground, so they are perfect for older dogs or dogs with joint problems. They are also perfect for cats! There is a foldable version for portability, and both varieties come in three sizes (sure to fit your animal comfortably).They are affordable and durable, making them perfect for the favorite pet on your list. I know that my sweet Sadie will appreciate hers.