Homesteading Archives - Page 3 of 40 - Knowledge Weighs Nothing

12 Homemade Wood Burning Stoves & Heater Tutorials

July 14, 2014

We really want to get a wood burning stove to supplement our heating (to be honest we want one for the atmosphere created by a wood burning stove just as much!) Nothing beats the smell and warmth of a wood burning stove…

The problem is – if you want to purchase a ready made wood burning stove off the shelf, they cost a small fortune. This got me looking online for some DIY options instead. The post below has gathered together some of the best DIY wood burning stove tutorials online. If you are looking down the DIY option it is definitely worth a look.

12 Homemade Wood Burning Stoves & Heater Tutorials

(Image from: Self Sufficiency Magazine)

Homemade Ant Killer Recipes & 13 Ant Bite Remedies

September 9, 2018

Ants attracted to fruit dropped on the floor (prevention is better than using ant killers)

Ants. They bury, build and breed on epic scales and leaving a nest to go about its business for even so much as a week can see them seemingly plotting on taking over your household.

What’s more, the majority of us will have, at some time, been out and about, fishing, hunting or camping, and will have suffered a pretty nasty ant bite.

Here’s how you can take on this tiny but rather powerful little critter and how you can wage war and win through equally as powerful homemade ant killer recipes, remedies and tips.

Ants… All about them and the havoc that they can cause

As a starting point, rather than jumping right in and eradicating ants with these homemade ant killers, it’s advisable that you at least have a little background about your adversary.

Ants live within colonies and they are interested in only two things: food and water. The only exception to this rule is where the weather outside may be cold, and in such an instance they will seek shelter and warmth.

Contrary to popular belief only a small amount of any one colony is made up of workers, accounting for approximately 10%, so if you see a big group of ants heading off outside and coming back in with their spoils then you can rest assured that the total colony is about 10x as large.

Do you really have an ant problem? Or could it be termites?

Before we get started on the ant killer tips, tricks and recipes let’s be sure that you really have an ant problem.

The differences between flying ants and terminates

Waists – Ants always have waists that are split into segments, whereas termites are about the same width all the way along their body, and do not feature a pinched in waist.

Antennas – Both ants and termites have antennas, however ants’ antenna are bent, whereas termites’ antennas are straight.

Wings – Both ants and termites have two sets of wings, however ants have a second set of wings that are of a smaller size, whereas termite’s wings are all of the same size.

Preventing Ant Infestations

Before we move on to my kick ass homemade ant killer recipes, here are a few essentials tips that can help with ant issues, or even forgo the need for going nuclear upon ants in the first place.

Seal any cracks and crevices that may lead into the home where you suspect the ant may be entering from.

However bear in mind that ants are particularly skilled at finding the very smallest of entrances to a home and so you may struggle to close any and all possible entrances.

Clean up possible entry points with detergent.

This will remove the chemical trail that ants leave behind them (which helps them in finding their way back to the colony). You can then finish this off by spraying any of my natural ant killer recipes within this guide around the entry points.

Avoid leaving food scrapes on the floor or on countertops. Ants send out scouts first – once the find food they bring in all their friends!

Some common foods that attract ants are:

Maple syrup
Honey
Fruit juice
Sugar
Peanut Butter
Honey
French Fries
Fruit

Before moving on to the homemade ant killer recipes, I want to point out one thing – ants are one of the world’s great recyclers and they rank as one of the most important species on the planet. They are vital to every ecosystem they exist in. Here’s an interesting soundbite: ants are the biggest consumers or protein on the planet!

When in the wild, away from your home, please leave ants in peace to go about their business. These ant killer recipes and tips are only to be used when ants are invading your home and causing a nuisance. Also, rather than just reaching for an ant killer, remember, prevention is better than the cure! Keep floors and work surfaces clean and avoid leaving any waste or spoilt food laying around.

Borax is extremely effective at killing ants

Homemade Ant killer Recipe: The Overnight Recipe

Ingredients that you’ll need

Warm water
Sugar
Borax

Equipment that you’ll need

Cotton Balls
Mixing bowl

The Overnight Homemade Ant Killer recipe: Step by step

This homemade ant killer recipe is probably the quickest and most effective one to use.

Step One – Measure 1 cup of warm water, then add 1/2 cup of sugar and 2 tablespoons of borax, then mix well.

Step Two – Now soak some cotton balls in the mixture and then place where you have seen ants.

That’s it, it’s cheap, simple and it works! The ants should be all gone within 24 hours.

Homemade Ant killer Recipe: A five minute recipe

Ingredients that you’ll need

6 Tablespoon of Sugar
1 Cup of water
1 Tablespoon of boric acid

Equipment that you’ll need

Cotton balls
Containers with container lids (butter containers will be perfect)

A five minute Ant Killer recipe: Step by step

This homemade ant killer recipe is super quick and is suitable for when you’re not quite sure where the nest may be. Simply set up your container and wait for the win!

Step One – Dissolve the boric acid and sugar in water

Step Two – Soak your cotton balls in the solution

Step Three – Punch holes into the lid of the butter container

Step Four – Place your cotton balls within the container

Step Five – Place your containers wherever you spot an ant

Step Six – Sit back and relax!

These containers will attract ants, with them eventually taking traces of the boric acid back to the colony. After a few days you should notice a drastic reduction in ants.

Dish soap/washing up liquid, mixed with water can be used to destroy an ant mount

Homemade Ant killer Recipe: For the ant mound

This homemade ant killer recipe is ideal for when you know exactly where the ant mound is, and have access to it. This then treats the problem at the source and is probably the quickest method of all.

Ingredients that you’ll need

Soapy water (One gallon of water with around a teaspoon of washing up liquid/dish soap)

Equipment that you’ll need

A water jug to carry your mix

For the ant mound: Step by step

Step One – Mix up your soapy water

Step Two – Pour over the mound!

Step Three – Check back in around 24 hours, if there remains some ants that are still knocking about you should repeat the process

Mint leave can be used to repel ants

Homemade Ant Repellent Recipe: Repel Ants rather than killing them

OK, so most will want to eradicate all trace of their ant infestation by whatever means necessary, however there may be some that would like a kinder option. So here it is, three of the most effective natural ant repellents mixed into one, so that you know that your kindness won’t be your down fall.

Ingredients that you’ll need

Mint plant(s) – you can also use peppermint oil too!
Lemon juice
Cinnamon

How to Repel Ants Naturally: Step by step

Step One – Place your mint plant or leaves where you’ve seen the most ants.

For the larger of properties you’ll likely need a few of these. They act as a natural repellent that ant’s hate.

Step Two – Spray any ant entrances with lemon juice

Step Three – Grind up some cinnamon and place it around the home wherever you’ve seen ants lurking

This final step finishes off your ant itinerary perfectly and after a few days you should notice that you have ant issues no longer!

Homemade Ant Killer Sprays: Quick mixes that can be popped into a spray bottle

The following homemade ant killer mixes are quick recipes that can be mixed up within a matter of minutes and poured into a spray bottle where they’ll be good to go.

Vinegar
Water (this is then a 50/50 mix with the vinegar)
Cider Vinegar & Water (this should also be around a 50/50 mix with water)
One of these essential oils: Peppermint, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree Oil, Witch Hazel Extract (1 tablespoon) plus water–per spray bottle
Liquid Dish Detergent & Water (around 1 good sized tablespoon of detergent, within a full spray bottle of water)

Been bitten? Here are 13 effective ant bite home remedies

So you’ve followed all of the tips and put together so much homemade ant killer that you could go into business. But you’ve still been bitten. Fear not, the following tips will help ease the inflammation and sooth the pain of the ant bite.

Apply ice

Ice will help with swelling from the ant bite and act as a natural anti histamine.

Rub in a little vinegar

Applying a little vinegar to the ant bite helps to prevent the formation of any harmful bacteria at the bite site.

Apply toothpaste

Toothpaste will cool the skin and can numb any itching and prevent any swelling.

Apply alcohol

Rubbing alcohol (which should be of a relatively high alcohol content) into the wound can act as a histamine and reduce any swelling that may have occurred.

Apply or consume aspirin

Aspirin may be used in the more severe of circumstance and can help with any swelling around the ant bite (they’re anti-inflammatory). You can also try crushing an aspirin tablet and mixing it in water, and applying this directly to the bite to be left overnight.

Apply teabags

Teabags are ideal for acting as a cold compress and will reduce any itching.

Apply apple cider

Apple cider vinegar is a natural anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial agent and applying this directly to the affected area can help stop the ant bites from becoming infected (as well as reducing any itching). It’s also particularly useful for skin that may have gotten to a stage of peeling due to scratching.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera has plenty of great qualities and there’s not many bites, stings or rashes that it can’t help with. You can purchase aloe Vera gel, or you can source it yourself directly from the plant by cutting off and squeezing the leaves.

Rub in salt

This point may seem little bizarre, however the old adage of applying salt to the wound doesn’t apply in a negative sense here and can actually help keep infection away. So make up a salt paste with water and apply a thin coat to the affected skin. This will seal the ant bite site and prevent you from scratching and inflaming the area.

Apply a baking soda paste

Making up a baking soda paste can redress the pH balance that gets disrupted when an ant bites. Simply add a ¼ teaspoon of baking soda to a large glass of water and apply thinly.

Rub in tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is ideal for reducing the swelling and irritation around an ant bite, however you need to dilute pure tea tree oil down before applying to the bite site.

Rub in some Calamine lotion

If you happen to have some calamine handy then this can be used to soothe the ant bite and reduce irritation.

Rub in a little Soap

Applying a little soap can help provide a protective coating to the ant bite, however it really needs to be applied as soon as the bite is received.

(Images from: Zainichi Gaikokujin, Sunnysingh22 & Onderwijsgek)

Free Firewood: Heat Your Home 100% For Free! (UPDATED)

October 30, 2014

With the cost of living skyrocketing in areas all throughout the country, many consumers are seeking out cheap, or preferably free, ways to curve their utility bills. When it comes to heating your home throughout the winter months, a wood-burning stove effectively warms your living spaces without burning through your bank account. To further deepen your monthly energy costs, stop buying your firewood and turn to these completely free, and completely legal, ways of gathering perfectly good free firewood.

Ask Tree Surgeons/Arborists For Free Firewood

Update: We use this method every year now. It is the only method here that we need to use, to get all the firewood we need (for FREE). We simply get the green, unprocessed wood delivered in the spring and early summer. I then saw, chop it, and store it for use the following winter.

Most tree surgeons (Arborists) are clever enough to realize that logging, seasoning and selling their hardwood waste is a no-brainer. However, there’s only really any value in hardwood logs, as this is what most people want to burn. This leaves a lot of fresh softwood being wasted or chipped for biomass (that usually just gets taken off their hands in bulk for little or no money). If you are willing to burn softwood (and if it is free then you should be willing!), it’s not too difficult to find a local tree surgeon/arborist who will be happy to dump loads of cords/tree rings on your driveway for free. This literally is an untapped resource for free firewood! All you need to do is cut it up and season it. Contact some of your local companies and ask. Some will ignore you or say no. Some may offer to deliver loads for $20 etc, but some will also be happy to help you out for free, as it helps them out.

We do this and get all the firewood to heat our home for free. As we have built relationships with a few local companies, they also sometimes deliver hardwood loads as well. If they are cutting several trees close to us, it is easier for them to quickly dump loads with us, rather than travel further to their depot each time during the day.

At the beginning of this year, we had several large loads of tree rings and branches delivered. None of it was perfect firewood, there was some very wet (but not rotten) oak that had been laying on the ground for sometime and some green sycamore and pine. This was all sawn, chopped and stored to season throughout the summer. We now have more than enough free firewood to get us through the winter, without spending a penny on heating. If you want free firewood, get in touch with local arborists!

A note on burning softwood: providing it is well dried and seasoned (which takes half the time of hardwoods!), and you get your chimney/flue cleaned once or twice a year, there is absolutely no problem with burning pines and other softwoods. Sure softwood burns through a bit quicker, but it is not an issue when it is free!

Free Firewood From Construction Tree Debris

As construction crews clear the land for new developments etc, there may be a significant amount of heavy brush or tree branches left in their wake. While some construction companies sell wood to firewood merchants or lumber yards, smaller branches and brush are often available free of charge as long as you receive permission from the construction manager. It is always worth asking when you see new developments in your area.

Find Free Firewood On eBay, Gumtree & FreeCycle

Every day, there are people in your area giving away waste wood (pallets etc) and wood from trees and bushes they have cut down on their properties. People without wood-burning stoves and fireplaces are only too happy to give their wood away for free, rather than having to dispose of it themselves. All you have to do is go around and pick up the wood. Check eBay, Gumtree and Freecycle and other similar websites, and search in your areas for free firewood and logs etc. Some people will charge a small amount, but most are only too happy to have someone to come over and take it away for them.

Gather Dead Tree Branches

Often times, dead tree branches are found scattered throughout residential or commercial properties. If you notice dead or even dying, trees lining a property, ask the owner if you can gather some of these branches. In many cases, property owners don’t have the need for the wood, or the financial resources to have the trees removed. Therefore, by gathering these potentially hazardous tree branches you’re not only stockpiling your free firewood supply but also helping out a neighbor.

Post Storm Tree Debris

After a major thunderstorm, tree branches tend to accumulate along the side of the road or in yards of commercial and residential properties. While most property owners simply throw away storm debris, ask the property owner if you can help collect and remove the debris with the premise of keeping some, or all, of the wood. If you live in an area that frequently sees windstorms, this could be the sole source of your free firewood supply.

Wooden Pallets Make Excellent Free Kindling

Commercial retail stores and warehouses use wooden pallets for a myriad of reasons. While many businesses reuse pallets, once damaged, or once their stock of pallets becomes too large, many are open to donating to local residents for firewood purposes. The size, shape, and portability of wooden pallets make them a perfect source for firewood, especially kindling. Just be sure to check they are pressure treated, rather than chemically treated. Most are these days, but it is better to check. A quick Google of the stamps on the pallets will tell you.

Ask Sawmills For Free Waste/Off Cuts

Many sawmills actively search for ways to reduce their overhead, which includes disposal costs associated with end cut removal. Contact your local saw mill and ask about pick up times for scrap lumber. While you’re there, don’t forget to pick up a bag or two of sawdust, which may be used as kindling. The sawmill got rid of some waste and you got some free firewood!

BONUS Section: How To MAKE Free And Virtually Unlimited Fuel To Heat Your Home

FREE fuel and unlimited fuel to heat your home – that’s quite a promise! It doesn’t actually promise to be a solution to provide ALL of the fuel to heat your home, but depending on the size of your home it probably could do just that… If you have a small house or cabin heated by a wood stove you could probably heat your house using just this method. For larger homes with a wood fire or stove, this would be an excellent addition to firewood which could possibly save you 50%, maybe more on your fuel costs.

You are obviously not going to be able to generate enough junk mail, cardboard and magazines etc to save a fortune (although still worth doing!), but if you ask friends, neighbors and family to save all their paper waste you’ll start to generate a significant amount of fuel material. You could also ask around local businesses for their waste paper too!

(Image from Tiny House Listings)

(Image from: Wikipedia)

Top 3 Home Remedies for Mosquito Bites & How to Make Each One

September 29, 2014

You’re enjoying a lovely evening with your friends or family, when the familiar ‘buzz’ begins to form around you. Within a matter of minutes, you’re reduced to nothing more than a big ball of itch thanks to the wonders of the common mosquito. While your reaction to a mosquito bite may vary, the resulting itch, redness and swelling is due to an anticoagulant compound injected into your skin. This compound inhibits your blood from clotting, which results in itching and red, swollen bumps.

Mosquito bite home remedies run the gambit, but the following three remedies are tried-and-true for their effectiveness and simplicity. Stop covering yourself in synthetic chemicals for mosquito bite relief. Rather, turn to these three natural remedies for near-instant relief and comfort.

Update: be sure to check out our post on witch hazel, as witch hazel is great soothing mosquito bites.

Rather the treat the mosquito bites, why not prevent them in the first place by planting some mosquito repellent plants in your garden. One of the plants can even be rubbed on skin and clothing to act as a topical mosquito repellent.

Bubble the Itch Away With Hydrogen Peroxide

Used as a common disinfectant, hydrogen peroxide has a myriad of uses, eliminating a mosquito bite itch is one of them. Available in 3% concentration from any pharmacy or drug store, when applied immediately after noticing a mosquito bite, hydrogen peroxide is known to eliminate itch and swelling.

How to Use lt

Soak a cotton ball in 3% Hydrogen Peroxide
Apply directly on the mosquito bite.
Secure with a bandage for 10 to 15 minutes
Remove and enjoy an itch-free afternoon

Apple Cider Vinegar and Aloe for Lasting Relief

Separately, apple cider vinegar and aloe have been used to treat the itch and swelling of mosquito bites; however, when combined, you have a powerhouse treatment. Both ingredients actively work to reduce inflammation and provide itch relief. Due to the acidic nature of ACV, be careful if you have sensitive skin.

How to Use

Pour 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar into a small bowl
Add 2 teaspoons of pure aloe into the bowl
Mix with a spoon until both ingredients are thoroughly combined
With your fingers, apply directly to the mosquito bites
Re-apply throughout the day until the itch and swelling have diminished

Soothing Salt Paste

Much like the aforementioned mosquito bite remedies, salt paste works to eliminate symptoms of mosquito bites by reducing inflammation and drying out mosquito saliva, which causes swelling and itching. This remedy is ideal for those with sensitive skin, as it doesn’t use harsh oils or acidic compounds. While table salt works fine, pure Himalayan salt is recommended by holistic practitioners for its ability to promote vascular health.

How to Use

Pour 2 teaspoons of table salt into a small container
Place 3 to 5 drops of water into the salt to create a paste
Mix into a paste by stirring the salt and water mixture with a toothpick. Stir in a circular motion until the paste is smooth and free from salt bumps.
Liberally apply the paste directly onto the bite.
Cover with a band aid and allow the paste to fully dry
Wash the paste off and re-apply, if necessary

(Image from: Wikipedia)

How to Build an Earthbag Dome

September 25, 2018

This multi-purpose dome can serve as a storage shed, cool pantry, or as a root cellar. No building permit is typically needed, because it is below the minimum size required by building codes, is not inhabited and is not attached to a residence ( I would still check with your local office).

We have posted about earth bag building before, even earth bag houses, but this simple earth bag dome is by far the quickest and easiest to build. Check out: How To Build An Earthbag Roundhouse

How to Build an Earthbag Dome

(Picture Credit:Owen Geiger)

Natural Tick Repellent Recipes & Tick Bite Prevention Tips

July 7, 2015

Before we discuss natural tick repellent recipes and tick bite prevention, let’s take a moment to learn a little more about ticks and their dangers.

Ticks. They’re rightly considered to be one of the most unpleasant pests of the insect world. However for those who love nature, or those who are even outside for any longer than a little while, the likelihood of getting a tick bite can be pretty high. Also, whilst the internet is full of blogs, guides and articles, it seems that many seem to conflict with one another as to how to avoid tick bites.

So let’s take a look everything you need to know about ticks, from the symptoms of a tick bite, right through to the natural tick repellents that actually work, and along the way, we’ll try to debunk the most common tick myths and misunderstandings.

Ticks – A little about our not-so-friendly critters

As far as insects go, it’s safe to say that ticks are very unpleasant. They’re ugly, difficult to spot, painful and their feeding habits are pretty disgusting.

What’s more, as they latch on and don’t let go until they’re filled with blood, you can be stuck with a tick for anything from a matter of days through to a number of weeks. And once full, they can reach the size of a marble, turning a green blue colour, before falling off.

Oh, and did we mention that when they fall off after they’ve been a right pain, they quite simply roll over and die. Pretty pointless, right?

And what happens if you do pull them off?

Well, without wanting to put anyone off their dinner, if you pull off a tick that is in full latch mode, you’ll likely end up with just the body, with the head remaining firmly underneath your skin. This can then lead to both a painful and potentially dangerous abscess that has the potential to turn sceptic.

The serious side of tick bites

Whilst we can laugh at the irony of the fate of the tick after they’ve had their meal from us, the serious side to tick bites is not quite as funny. Particularly as these little fellas can be responsible for spreading:

Lyme disease
Ehrlichiosis
Anaplasmosi
Tularemia
Babesiosis

Symptoms of a tick bite

Not sure whether you’ve been bitten by a tick? Well the following symptoms can all appear within a matter of the minutes after the bite.

A red, inflamed sport or a circular rash around the bite, that’s also know as the ‘halo’
Stiff neck and shoulders
Headaches, nausea or a ‘foggy’ head
Sudden weakness
Aching muscles, joint pain and overall wellness
Fever, a fluctuating temperature or chills
Swollen, painful lymph nodes

The truth behind the blood type myth

There’s been many a myth circulated in the past concerning whether ticks are attracted, or repelled, by certain blood types. But we can clear this up once and for all by assuring you that it is absolute nonsense. Ticks are creatures of opportunity and, if they see a nice bit of flesh that’s within reaching distance, they’ll latch on. It’s as simple as that.

So what about the unlucky ones who seem to get bitten ALL of the time?

Well it would seem that this is simply down to bad luck (as well as perhaps a poor choice of clothing and repellent). However, with all of the helpful tips and tricks that are stored within this blog article for you, your luck, when it comes to ticks, is about to get whole lot better.

Homemade Natural Tick Repellent Recipes

Neem leaves have great natural tick repellent properties

Natural Tick Repellent For Your Clothes

Ingredients that you’ll need

5 Cloves of Garlic (around one bulb)
2 Tablespoons of crushed Neem Leaves
1 and half Lemons (skin and all)
2 Cups of Water

Equipment that you’ll need

Stove
Sauce Pan
Strainer
Funnel
Spray Bottle
Measuring Cup
Measuring Spoons
Knife
Cutting Board

Natural tick repellent for your clothes: Step by Step

Step One – Heat up your water.

Step Two – Whilst the water is heating up dice up your lemon and garlic.

You needn’t be too careful with getting your chopping precise, or too finely cut, just cut them roughly.

Step Three – Measure out two tablespoons of dried neem leaves.

Step Four – Once your water is boiling you can add in your ingredients.

Step Five – Cover you sauce pan over and leave it to simmer on a low heat for between fifteen to twenty minutes.

Step Six – Remove the mixture and set aside, leaving it to cool down.

Step Seven – Place your funnel into the spray bottle that you have a carefully positioned over the top. You should then take care to slowly pour through your mixture through the strainer. The strainer will then catch all of the solids, with the liquid filling up the spray bottle below.

Step Eight – Screw the spray bottle top back on and that’s it… you’re all done and ready to go.

Step Nine – If you do end up with any leftover repellent then it can be stored; to keep it at its most effective however, you’ll need to get it refrigerated.

Tips for applying the natural tick repellent

Perhaps the most efficient way to use any repellent is to apply it to your skin, however given the garlic ingredient within this recipe it may be wise to avoid this if you don’t want to repel humans as well as ticks! Beyond misting your skin directly you can also use this mist to apply to clothes (just do so at a reasonable distance); it’s also suitable for pets too.

Natural Tick Repellent For Your Skin

ACV has natural tick repellent properties

If you want to go all out and mix up some natural tick repellent for your skin as well as your clothes then the following recipe is perfect.

Ingredients that you’ll need

2 oz of apple cider vinegar, witch hazel or vodka (each is relatively as effective as the next, so feel free to choose freely between these)
2 oz Water
20-40 Drops of geranium bourbon oil

One squirt of Castile soap to help distribute the oil better (this works out to be around a quarter of a tea spoon, however this is also an optional ingredient)

Equipment that you’ll need

A glass or PET plastic spray bottle
A sauce pan

Natural tick repellent for your skin: Step by step

Step One – Add your geranium oil to the apple cider vinegar, witch hazel or vodka.

Step Two – Mix the castile soap into the mixture if you’ve chosen to include castile soap.

Step Three – Wait for the mixture to sit for a few minutes, before you go on to mix further.

Step Four – Add in the water to the mixture

Step Five – Your mixture is now all done, so fill up your spray bottle.

Ideally your spray bottle should be made from either glass or a PET plastic, as oils can otherwise leach the chemicals from certain plastics, which essentially contaminates the repellent.

Tips for applying this tick repellent

This simple recipe is easy to use, and all you need to remember is to shake the mixture well before each use. Simply spray it on exposed skin. This repellent is also suitable for your clothes.

Geranium bourbon essential oil acts as a natural tick repellent

Homemade Tick Repellent Lotion For Your Skin

As another form of the recipe above you can choose to make this natural repellent in lotion form. This arguably may be a more effective natural tick repellent as the lotion will be naturally absorbed into the skin.

Ingredients that you’ll need

2 oz of your choice of natural lotion (you can either make your own, or use any shop brought lotion)
Between 20 and 40 drops of geranium bourbon essential oil

Equipment that you’ll need

A glass or PET plastic spray bottle
A container in which to mix your ingredients

Homemade tick repellent for your skin (lotion): Step by step

Step One – Mix your oil and essentials oils into a container

Step Two – Add the mixture to your spray bottle

Tips for storing your repellent

This lotion based tick repellent should be stored in a cool, dark place. If stored as such this is a repellent that should easily last for between two to three months.

Tick Bite Prevention Tips And Advice

So you are now armed with some natural tick repellent sprays and lotions, let’s natural tick repelling education with a few well-placed tips.

Wear clothes that are light in colour

This will give you a much better chance of spotting a tick before it has time to sink its teeth into your skin.

Wear long pants along with protective footwear such as solid sneakers or hiking boots.

You can also increase your protection by tucking your shirt or top into your pants and, in particularly tick abundant areas, by wrapping some duct tape around your ankles and over your socks. This may give you a rather odd style, but it’ll certain ensure that you avoid being bitten!

Remain on well-trodden trails

If possible, you should try to stay on well-trodden tracks where over hanging vegetation and planting is minimalized. Overgrown meadows are also to be avoided if at all possible, and what’s more, this tip not only helps you avoid ticks, but additionally allows you to leave a lesser impact upon the outdoor spaces that you love.

Remember to do a daily tick check

This tip is particularly important if you’re staying out for a number of days where the chances of a tick reaching you or your clothing is heighted. You should also get a friend to help you out and check the places where you can’t, such as your back.

Once you’re home remember to check the kids and the pets

Before you set even so much as one foot over your threshold, you should check over your children and pets, and if just two or three make it in you could find yourself with a fresh littler of ticks to contend with!

When coming home after a trip to potentially tick infested zones, you should bathe or shower as soon as is possible

Ideally this should be within two hours, as ticks can tend to hide away from even the most extensive of overall body checks.

Be sure to examine not only each other and your clothes

But also your equipment, including coats, tents and day packs.

Always tumble dry your clothes that has gone on the trip with you.

If ticks have happened to latch on or hide away within these then they will be killed off when the dryer is set to a high heat setting (it’s worth noting that more recent research seems to suggest that even shorter drying times may be effective, particularly when the clothing inside isn’t wet to begin with).

If you choose to use shop brought, chemically based repellents then you should opt for those that continue between 20% and 30% DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluidine), as this is most effective.

Bare in mind however that when choosing such repellents it’s particularly important that you avoid the hands, eyes and mouths (especially when applying to a child’s skin).

Always be prepared for being bitten, including within your packing finely pointed tweezers and bite lotion.

(Images from: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen & Phongnguyen1410)

Simple PVC Tube Homemade Squirrel Trap

October 10, 2018

This PVC tube homemade squirrel trap is useful for getting rid of pest squirrels and also for trapping wild squirrels for food. This trap is humane, in that it doesn’t kill or harm the squirrel once caught (providing you check it regularly). It’s up to you, if it is a pest squirrel, you can either re-home it somewhere else, or you can kill it. Obviously if you are using the trap for hunting, you’re going to kill it.

All you need for this trap is around a five foot length of 6 inch PVC tube. You also need an end-cap or something to securely plug one end of the tube.

Once you have your length of PVC tube with the end capped off, it’s time for bait. I think it is a given that peanut butter works best; smear a little around the open end of the tube and then keep adding a little more down to around an arm’s length down the tube. I also got a slice of bread (which I covered in peanut butter) and dropped it down to the bottom of the tube.

Ok, so now we have the baited squirrel trap, it’s time to set it. Set the trap where you know there is squirrel activity. You want to set the plugged end on the ground and rest the open end against a branch etc. You don’t want the tube to be fully vertical, as the squirrel won’t go down the tube. You want to set it at around 60-70 degrees. This way the squirrel will go down after the food, but cannot escape due to the slippery surface of the inner tube.

A few tips –

You can spray or smear some cooking oil around the inside of the tube, around an arm’s length down. This will make it doubly difficult for the squirrel to escape.
If you are planning to dispatch the squirrel, the easiest way to do this is to hold a hessian/burlap bag over the open end of the tube and simply tip the squirrel out into the bag. A heavy whack with a piece of wood etc should kill the squirrel quickly and humanely.
If you are hunting squirrel for food, make several of these homemade squirrel traps and set them in several locations.

There you go, a low cost (free if you have some PVC tube laying around), zero skill way to trap squirrels. Happy hunting!

(Photo from: Airwolfhound)

10 Foods To Store That Practically Keep Forever

March 5, 2014

Firstly – nothing will keep forever if it is not stored correctly in the right environment. Many of these foods need to remain dry and be kept in their original unopened packaging or airtight containers.

Sugar

All kinds of sugar, whether white, brown or powdered etc, will last forever if kept dry in an airtight container. Sugar will never spoil as bacteria simply cannot grow on sugar.

Dried Beans

Dried beans were tested by Brigham Young University. They tested the long-term storage of pinto beans, and their conclusion was that pinto beans were safe to eat 32 years after they were stored in an airtight container at an ambient temperature.

Rice

White, wild, arborio and basmati rice all keep for 25+ when kept in their sealed packaging, or when stored in an airtight container. Brown rice does not store so well due to its high oil content.

Corn Starch

Kept dry in its original box with the lid on, corn starch has an indefinite shelf life. Great for thickening soups and sauces post zombie apocalypse!

Powdered Milk

When stored unopened in its original packaging, powdered milk has an indefinite shelf life. Quick tip to determine if powdered milk has spoilt – if it has started to turn yellow, it’s time to bin it.

Honey

Due to its high sugar content and antibiotic properties, honey can remain edible for 1000s of years, even when opened! Edible honey has been found in Egyptian tombs.

Hard Liquor

All distilled spirits such as vodka, rum, whisky, gin and tequila, keep forever, even in opened bottles. Their color and taste may change over time, but they are still fine to drink.

Sea Salt

Salt will never go bad if stored in a dry container and environment. It has the added benefit of being able to be used to preserve other fresh foods too.

Vinegar

Both apple cider vinegar and basic white vinegar will keep indefinitely when stored in a cool/dark cupboard. Vinegar also has countless cleaning, DIY and medical uses (see here)

Ramen Noodles

Yeah those little bricks of noodles with the flavor packets, that cost 20 cents! They have been shown to last 10+ years, kept in their original packaging. Given the price or ramen noodles, stocking up on them is a no-brainer.

500+ FREE Canning Recipes (Fruit, Veg, Jams, Jellies, Sauces & More!)

October 15, 2018

If you have an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables, canning is one of the best ways to preserve food so that they can be eaten down the line when fresh foods are more expensive or not available. Canning is also one of the most popular ways for preppers to preserve food for storage in case the SHTF one day… I have just stumbled across the canning section on food.com, I am shocked to say that I did not know that this amazing free canning resource existed…

There are 100s and 100s of canning recipes covering fruit, vegetables, jams, jellies and preserves. There are even recipes for water baths and also recipes for freezing. This is by far the biggest and best free canning resource I am aware of and I highly recommend you check it out.

500+ FREE Canning Recipes (Fruit, Veg, Jams, Jellies, Sauces & More!)

(Photo from: neil alejandro)

How To Stay Warm: 25 Frugal Tips For Keeping Warm (UPDATED)

October 27, 2018

In the quest of saving money without sacrificing your comfort, many homeowners and renters alike are searching for ways to stay warm this winter without turning on, or turning up the heating at home. If you’ve been searching for how to keep warm on a tight budget, save on your energy bills this winter whilst remaining warm and cozy with these 25 effective ways of staying warm sans your heating unit.

If you heat your home via a wood fire or wood burning stove, be sure to check out our post: How to get totally free firewood to heat your home. I can honestly say that we have more than enough firewood to get us all the way through the winter, and it didn’t cost a penny. Combine free firewood with the ways to stay warm below, and you’ll be warm and cozy in even the worst weather.

How To Stay Warm This Winter: 25 Tips And Tricks

1.) Wear Multiple Layers of Clothes – now is not the time to strut around in a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. Dress in multiple layers to keep your core temperature comfortably warm.

2.) Don’t Forget Your Socks – according to the University of San Diego, if you have cold feet, you’re going to be cold. Keep warm by wearing thick wool socks

3.) Keep Your Oven Door Open – after baking, keep your oven door open to let its heat circulate throughout your kitchen. The smaller your home, the better this technique works.

4.) Eat Hot Soups – raise your core temperature by consuming hot soup on cold winter days.

5.) Don’t Skip the Coffee or Tea – along with the caffeine boost, hot coffee or tea keeps you warm from the inside. Want to avoid stimulants? Drink decaffeinated coffee or tea.

6.) Open Your Window Curtains or Blinds – during the day, open curtains or blinds to let warm sunlight naturally heat your home.

7.) Treat Windows to Capture and Safeguard Heat – install special window treatments to capture and retain heat within your home. Improperly treated windows can let a vast amount of heat escape into the cold winter nights.

8.) Close Window Curtains and Blinds at Night – prevent Father Winter from stealing your heat by closing window blinds and curtains at night when temperatures drop. Making some thermal curtains from an old comforter is one of the best low-cost ways to keep warm and stop heat from escaping from doors and windows.

Sure it’s a very simple solution, but often the simple things are worth talking about and focusing on. Sometimes things like making some DIY thermal curtains are so simple they are often overlooked, but if you have a cold, draughty house, some thick thermal curtains will make a huge difference if you hang some over your doors and windows. This is a good project to get working on now before it starts to get really cold.

Making your own DIY thermal curtains doesn’t really get much easier than this – an old comforter, a bit of sewing and a few hooks and you are all but done. You can pick up old comforters from Craigslist and thrift stores etc, you can probably even get them for free if you ask around… Check out a tutorial here: Cheap DIY Energy-Saving Thermal Curtains

9.) Stay Active – clean your home or exercise whenever you feel the sting of coldness. By staying active, you’ll naturally increase your core temperature.

10.) Increase Humidity in Your Home – humidity increases the temperature within your home. Therefore, skip your space heater and turn on an energy-efficient humidifier

11.) Reverse Ceiling Fan Circulation – instead of keeping your ceiling fan turned off, reverse its circulation to push warm air down into your living space. This is effective after you’ve run your heater for a little while.

12.) Buffer Hard Floors With Blankets – while rugs are best if your budget doesn’t allow for this purchase, place blankets on bare floors to keep them warm.

13.) Keep Bathroom Doors Open When Showering – let the warm, humid air seep out into the rest of your home while showering by keeping your bathroom door open.

14.) Don’t Run Bathroom Ventilation Fans – while ventilation fans draw out unpleasant smells after using the bathroom, it also sucks out warm air. Light a candle to eliminate smells to keep your bathroom warm throughout winter months.

15.) Use Towels to Block Chilly Air – roll up a towel and place along the bottom of a door to stop drafts and heat leaks. Alternativelly, you could make some homemade door snakes/draft stoppers.

Here is an excellent tutorial showing how to make your own door snakes/draft stoppers. These door snakes are an excellent way to reduce the draft and cold which can come in through the gap at the bottom of your doors. These draft stoppers are cheap and easy to make, so now’s a great time to get making and sort out those drafty doors.

Full tutorial here: How To Make A DIY Door Snake (Draft Stopper)

(Photo from: 17 Apart)

16.) Keep the Fireplace Flue Shut – prevent winter drafts by keeping your fireplace flue tightly shut.

17.) Enhance Your Bedding – change out your sheets for flannel and use a down comforter to stay warm during frosty winter nights.

18.) Warm a Bag of Beans – heat up a bag of beans in the microwave and place in your bed or against you while lounging on the couch. This is one of my favorite ways to keep warm and snug on a cold evening.

Another similar old school alternative is to use a soapstone to warm things up

Soapstone is an incredibly dense stone that is great for absorbing, storing and radiating heat back. It can be warmed up in the fire/oven and unlike a hot water bottle etc, it will radiate heat back and keep you warm for most of the night.

Unlike many rocks that hold moisture that can be dangerous to heat up, soap is so dense that it doesn’t absorb water, so it is perfectly safe to heat up, as demonstrated in the video above. If you don’t have heating, or your are lucky enough to have a cabin somewhere remote, this is a great way to warm your bed up and keep warm. Get some soapstone and give it a try!

(Image from: engineer775 Practical Preppers)

19.) Cover Your Head – much like your feet, heat escapes through your head. Wear a wool hat or beanie to keep your body toasty. It might seem strange to wear a hat indoors, but so much of your heat is lost through your head, so wearing a hat indoors is an excellent way to keep warm and retain your body temperature.

20.) Keep Door Shut – keep all the doors in your home shut. The smaller the space, the easier it is to keep warm.

21.) Stay Away From Windows – move furniture away from large windows to keep warm. Even treated windows emit cooler temperatures during the peak of winter.

21.) Stay Cozy – when lounging on your couch, cover with a warm blanket or sleeping bag.

22.) Wear Slippers – in addition to wearing wool socks, keep your feet extra toasty when doing chores by wearing slippers.

23.) Install Clear Shower Curtains Over Windows – allow your home to absorb heat, and keep it in, by installing clear shower curtains over windows that receive direct sunlight.

24.) Add Insulation in Your Attic – keep heat from leaking out of your home by adding insulation to your attic or crawl space. Your house loses heat through the attic in a similar way in a similar way to how people lose heat through their head. If you can afford it, insulating your attic is one of the best investments with regards to staying warm this winter, you can make.

25.) Light by Candles – along with saving on energy costs by keeping your light off, candles also produce a decent amount of heat. While not as warm as a fireplace, these small heaters can keep your immediate area warm. Candles can be especially good for warming hands.