Making the Most of a Bug Zapper
If you have just bought a new bug zapper, you might have some unrealistic expectations. Bug zappers are not a miracle device that will instantly destroy all the little flying pests in your yard. There are, however, several things you can do to make them more effective.
If mosquitoes are your prey of choice, you can greatly increase how many your bug zapper zaps by adding in an extra mosquito attractant to lure more of the little bloodsuckers to your bug zapper. You should also place the bug zapper and mosquito attractant away from your home so that you don't end up bringing more into the house than you end up zapping. You will destroy the most mosquitoes if you place the bug zapper four to six feet off the ground.
Putting larva destroyers in any standing water will reduce the amount of mosquitoes you have to begin with. On top of that, keeping your lawn well tended and cutting the grass often will give the mosquitoes less places to hide and rest so they will have to fly towards your bug zapper. Some mosquitoes can travel quite far so if you have a large property it is important to put up several bug zappers at once or you will simply have bugs from further away come in to fill the void left by all the bugs you've already killed. If you live in a dense suburban area, try and get neighbors to get bug zappers as well.
Keeping Warm While Camping
Even avid campers get uncomfortable when the weather turns unexpectedly chilly or wet, but you don't have to pack it in just because it starts to rain. Here are some ways to keep warm and dry while camping.
Your camping gear can only do so much. If it is cold when you go to sleep, chances are it'll be cold all night and in the morning. Putting a blanket inside your sleeping bag will keep you warmer than if you put the blanket on top of the bag. This piece of camping gear is usually at least a little weather resistant, which will also keep out or in the extra warmth from the blanket. Keeping the blanket inside is like adding another layer of insulation.
Don't sleep in the camping gear and clothes you've worn all day. These probably contain at least a little moisture, which will only make you feel uncomfortably damp and cold all night. This counts doubly for socks. Changing out of the sweaty damp socks you've worn all day and placing some loose fitting dry socks on your feet will work wonders. If your camping gear starts to break down while you are in the woods, a little bit of duct tape can go a long ways towards keeping you dry. Duct tape makes a great temporary patcher for rips in sleeping bags, tents, and even holes in canoes.
Maintaining Outdoor Furniture Hardware
It seems that much furniture hardware is made of wood, while it is nice and natural to look at, it isn't so great at weathering the elements. However, there are some simple things you can do to protect your wooden furniture and lawn ornaments.
Unpainted wood furniture hardware should be coated with an all-weather sealer. This comes in untinted versions, natural wood tones, and every color you can imagine so you can be sure you can find something to match your home or camp. This sealer will not only keep the wood from rotting or splintering it can also keep the wood from warping. Sealer comes in both paint can versions and spray versions, thus it is easy to purchase the right product depending on the size of your furniture hardware project.
Small parts of furniture hardware can also be maintained by wiping it down with linseed oil. This not only protects wooden implements from drying out it and metal furniture hardware from not rusting, it can also keep hinges and moving parts moving smoothly. During the wintertime or the stormy season, it usually pays off to cover your furniture hardware. You can leave it in place and cover it with a tarp or it can be moved to a shed or under a high deck to protect it.
Keeping Costs Down on Lawn and Garden Supply Items
Walking through your local lawn and garden supply store you might be a little overwhelmed by all the choices and certainly the prices! Luckily, there are many alternatives to big box chain lawn and garden supply stores, so you can have a great looking lawn without breaking the bank to do it.
A local hardware store is an affordable option for purchasing lawn and garden supply items. Ultimately, if you are in need of an expensive and new lawn and garden supply item like a tractor or other pricey piece of equipment, perhaps you and a friend could split the cost and share the item. Chances are there will be plenty of weekends you don't need to use it and there will always be another person to help maintenance costs on the item as well.
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