Safe-Home.com

Question about the Koolatron Cat and Dog Repeller, Battery Powered and the Koolatron Cat and Dog Repeller with AC Adapter

Q: "I have a home in an Atlantic Ocean coastal town near the beach. There is a constant stream of beach traffic including people with dogs. The dog owners pick up the droppings but of course not the urine which is killing my grass in several spots near the sidewalk. I tried the CD-01 without success. Do I have a bad unit?" The batteries last only about 12 days. Thanks Barry

Answer: I discussed this with my Koolatron rep at length. Heavy traffic and salt spray combine, he feels, to make this unit ineffective. He suggested a fence to discourage dogs from squatting. He reminded me that dogs tend to urinate where other dogs do. Also pet owners may be quite unhappy if their dogs cannot walk on the other side of the street.

My own recommendation, if you can do this, would be to install a low voltage above ground electric fence such as the Fi-Shock Economy Pet Deterrent Electric Fence Kit. Perhaps this could be discretely mounted in front of or just above behind a border type fence, preferably a UV stabilized PVC plastic fence.  The Koolatron Cat and Dog Repeller is better suited for backyard or side yard use or for a very deep front yard where it can be mounted to shoot the ultrasound, if activated, across the yard from the side.

These are the reasons not to use the Koolatron unit in your front yard or back yard near the ocean:

• The Koolatron CD-01 or CD-02 will activate every time that a person, animal or vehicle passes. That means the battery life will be short. Battery Life is determined by how many times the motion sensor picks up motion and triggers the ultrasound. Two batteries should last up to 2000 ultrasonic bursts, Of course, we humans won't hear the sound.
• A salt spray environment will cause corrosion of screws and perhaps the inside as well over time.
• The effective distance of the unit pointed toward the street is up to 85 ft in a 70 degree arc so folks across the street may also trip the alarm. Plus dogs across the street will be effected to their owners' chagrin.

If you don't want to put a "flower bed" type PVC fence in place then use the above ground low voltage electric fence alone. This is a single wire strung between PVS fence poles. The Fi-Shock™ economy pet deterrent kit trains pets and or keeps unwanted critters away. This product can be used to break your pets' bad habits and keep them fenced in. The electric fence delivers a mild shock, deterring animals from the area. It plugs into a standard 110 volt outlet and delivers continuous output.

The Fi-Shock electric fence kit includes the charger, 10-23” PVC fence poles, 1-22” ground rod, 100’ of aluminum wire, 50 cotter pins for fastening wire and 1 ground clamp. It is easy to install and has a 1 year limited warranty. Unless the dog/dogs jump over the fence, your yard will be protected from urine damage.

Thank you for your question.

Sincerely,

Barbara

Question about the Echo Valley illuminary garden accents and stakes

Q: "What makes them glow? How long should the glow last if you live in a sunny climate like Arizona? I am looking for a garden accent to put among the shrubs and perennials when blooming is over. Thanks. Mary.

Answer: Patented luminescent crystals within the glass globes absorb light energy from the sun during the day and emit a soft green glow for hours after dusk. Expect at least 4 hours of glow once night falls if exposed to enough sunlight or artificial light during the day. The deep blue glass globe swirled with green tones is about 2.25 inches in diameter.

First, Echo Valley Illuminaries are NOT solar landscape or accent lights. Without batteries, the Illuminaries use only “passive” solar energy, i.e. the sun or incandescent light to charge the crystals.

Second, the length and intensity of the glow is dependent upon where you position or locate your Illuminaries product. Fll sun during the day makes for maximum crystal chargeability. Position away from any potential source(s) of light interference like exterior or interior house lights, street lights, etc. for maximum visual clarity. Moonlight also reduces the amount of glow: put illuminaries where it is completely dark at night for best brightness.

Third, dusk to “dark” varies throughout the year. Summer means more exposure to the sun. The latitude effects the glow as well. In Alaska and Norway, for example, there is a very short day in the winter and a very long day during summer months. So expect less glow in the winter unless your location has more equal amounts of "night" and "day."

Extreme weather conditions like excessive heat, thawing and freezing of winter, high winds and torrential rains can reduce the life expectancy of these products. Do remove them and store them during these types of conditions.

The Dragon Fly Stake is a set of 4 stakes, each about 29.5 inches long. Most customers buy a minimum of 4 stakes, either the same or mixed. These also make great gifts for gardeners.

Choices include the Fairy Stake, the Saturn Stake the Mushroom stake and others. Our selection changes during the year depending upon our inventory.

The Solar Kissing Fairies uses battery power rather than crystals. This is one of our most popular Echo Valley products other than the Illuminaries.

Thank you for your question.

Sincerely, Barbara

Question about controlling mosquitoes with mosquito traps.

Q: "How does a propane mosquito trap work? When should I install one? What are the advantages of one trap over another? Thanks. Jim"

Answer: Propane mosquito traps all work basically the same. The heat and moisture generated by the trap mimics the attractants of a perspiring human body i.e. carbon dioxide (CO2), moisture and body temperature (thermal imaging. The color, shape and airflow through the trap plus an additional attractant, octenol in the case of the Koolatron units also draws mosquitoes to the trap. Octenol can be hung from the other units as well. The best time to start a trap is when the first mosquito eggs are hatching. The goal is to capture the females before they reproduce again. Draining water from ponds or low lying areas or adding mosquito preventatives helps as female mosquitoes return to lay their eggs. The women wants the blood, not the males!

There are three kinds of larger traps sold by Safe Home Products. The all electric trap, the propane and electric which requires electricity to run the fan and the all propane.

Woodstream propane mosquito traps use no electrical power other than batteries, replaceable or rechargeable. Koolatron traps include all three types.

The propane only traps have the advantage that you can move them downwind from your outdoor play areas. All that we sell protect up to about 1 acre except the electric one which is about 1/2 acre.

The Mosquito Magnet Executive Mosquito Trap by Woodstream has a patented Counterflow™ Technology that lures, captures and controls mosquitoes. This is a sophisticated unit with Smart Technology: 5 different user-friendly setting options plus 4 fuel savings modes to reduce propane use. The Mosquito Magnet® Executive can automatically start-up/power-down by itself using a rechargeable battery when the temperature reading is above or below 50° degrees. And you'll know when the battery is low, the propane is out or even when the propane nozzle is clogged. The self-contained mosquito net is rigid for better performance of the mosquito trap.

The Mosquito Magnet Independence Mosquito Trap by Woodstream also uses the Mosquito Magnet® patented Counterflow™ Technology and uses 4 C cells. Silent, odorless. Dual-tone color design is proven to attract more mosquitoes.

The Koolatron Mosquito Trap Guardian PRO-Summer Bonus Kit is offered only through June 17, 2010. Then the price increases significantly. Until then, the propane tank cover and extra octenol attractant are also included. This propane only trap, like the Woodstream traps, has a one year warranty. It uses no batteries, only propane.This is a more basic trap: change the propane tank about every 4 weeks, check at 3 weeks.

The Lentek Mosquito Trap Guardian MK12FE requires electricity to run the fan plus propane. This is the least expensive of the propane type units and works quite well although placement is limited by available electricity.

The 20 lb. propane tank and gas for all tanks must be purchased separately. Too hazardous to ship!

Thanks for your question. If you have questions about which one might best meet your needs, please email sales@safehomeproducts.com.

Sincerely, Barbara

Question about the Duncraft Cardinal Feeder and the Duncraft - Super Songbird One Way Mirror Window Bird Feeder.

Q: "My dad wants a window type bird feeder as a birthday gift. Which unit do you suggest? How does it mount? What do you feed cardinals? Thanks. Jill"

Answer: The Duncraft feeders mount with suction cups. Both units have mirror film installed so you can see the cardinals or other birds and they won't be scared by seeing you! These are currently the most popular holiday birdfeeders that we sell. The first unit is 12 inches long by 4 inches high by 5 inches deep and holds about 2 pounds of mixed seed. There is a one way mirror film that lets you birdwatch as they feed. Two heavy duty suction cups attach the bird feeder to window glass. Easily filled and cleaned, too.  The second unit is 8.5”H x 11.5”W x 3.5” L and has two seed containers and a larger mirrored viewing area. There is a special cardinal bird seed mix. We recommend sunflower seeds as the most popular and less messy seed to use.

Thanks for your question.

Sincerely,

Barbara

 

 

Question about suet cakes, suet feeders and seed feeders.

Q: "I have several seed feeders in my backyard. My neighbor also feeds birds suet. What would adding suet feeders add to my backyard birdwatching? Would the squirrels get into the suet? Thanks'. Paul

Answer: Paul, views have changed about feeding birds suet. Adding suet means adding more of the clinging type birds for your pleasure. Yes, squirrels can get into suet. There are squirrel resistant suet feeders, too.

Now many bird lovers offer suet all year around. Nesting birds need more energy in the spring. Suet provides it.  For insect eating birds in summer, suet can substitute for insects especially in years when insects are in short supply.  Suet helps birds store fat needed for energy to migrate or to prepare for the cold winter weather and to survive winter in colder climates.

Most suet is made from meat fat, Some regard beef fat from kidneys as the best suet. Suet can also be made from vegetable fat. Suet can be flavored, mixed with seeds, peanuts, peanut butter, berries, etc. or just plain. Suet comes in many forms, netted bells to hang directly from trees, blocks, plugs, pellets which birds can carry back to their nests to eat,etc. There are suet feeders available that are made from coated wire to which birds can cling or perch. Most suet loving birds are cling feeders like woodpeckers. If you plan to feed suet, be well-supplied as once birds discover it, it is eaten quickly.

The birds most seen eating suet are chickadees, woodpeckers, warblers, titmice, kinglets, nuthatches, jays, and wrens. Starlings can be a real pest in some areas: you may want to use a starling resistant suet feeder. that is suited primarily for birds that hang upside down to feed. Likewise, pest squirrels can be better kept away by a squirrel resistant suet feeder.

I recommend that if you buy suet on-line, that you buy a minimum of 6 to 12 blocks, bells, etc. Otherwise your shipping costs will void out any savings or convenience as shipping 6 to 10 pounds cost very little more than shipping 2 pounds.

The choices are too numerous for me to add to this blog. I suggest you search for suet and you'll see the choices we offer.

Thanks for your questions and enjoy your backyard birds.

Sincerely, Barbara

 

 

 

I have the following questions regarding your hats:

 

1) If I want max sun protection, which one is better:  sunday afternoon adventure hat(GCSDWAHMCS) or sport hat (GCSDWSHLCS)?:

2) What are the materials for the hat? cotton, nylon,..

3) can I machine-wash w/ cold water?  . will the hat shrink if I tumble dry in dryer? 

4) How thick are material above top of head:  1 layer? 

5) Is there styrofoam insert inside hat if it suddenly rains?

6) Do you have picture of back of hat?

Thanks. Howard"

Question about Koolatron Mosquito Trap, the Guardian Mosquito Trap MK12

Q: "How difficult is it to install and maintain the MK12 Koolatron mosquito trap?" Thanks.

Answer: I recommend this unit because it is relatively inexpensive, easy to set up and maintain and should give you years of mosquito control.

It takes me about 5 minutes to set up the MK12 propane mosquito trap. That includes moving the unit from storage on my back porch, installing the propane tank and turning on the gas (screw on after setting it on the unit's base), plugging in the cord to an outside outlet, hanging the octenol attractant and lighting the flame. The only maintenance is changing out the propane tank few months or so and replacing the octenol every 3 weeks. I suggest you weigh the full tank and an empty tank so you have an idea when a tank is really empty. Here in Iowa you get charged for a fill whether that is 5 lbs or 20 lbs. And shaking out the capture container at the end of the season or more often if your mosquito population is out of control. (The mosquitoes dry up and disintegrate into almost dust like particles).   More...

Question about using Geraniol bucket candles mosquito repelling candles.

Q: "What is the best way to use mosquito repeller candles?" Thanks. Mac

Answer: We recommend that you light geraniol candles at least 30 minutes to an hour prior to your outdoor gathering. Space the candles about 8 feet apart around the perimeter of the area where you plan to entertain. Make sure the Geraniol pillar candles or bucket candle is on a flat, heat resistant surface where it is unlikely to be knocked over. For the best protection, we recommend that you place mosquito traps down wind from your party and keep them running continuously during the mosquito/biting insect season. The best unit is the all propane mosquito trap since you can place it anywhere you choose without an electrical outlet nearby.

Take care when using any burning candle to make sure that it’s on a flat, heat-resistant surface to prevent the candle from tipping over or spilling wax, and never leaving a burning candle unattended.

Among the pleasant smelling geraniol options are:

• Geraniol wristbands that use geraniol imbedded in plastic bracelets you can loop around wrist, ankle or bell or place out of reach of a baby on a stroller
• Geraniol bucket candles. Each weighs just over a pound, is in a silver colored and burns for about 50 hours.
  
• Geraniol pillar candles. Each 3 inch by 3 inch pillar candle weighs about 11 ounces and burns for about 36 hours.
• Geraniol and citronella ceramic candles: Each ceramic pot can be refilled with a 3 inch pillar candle.
• Colored Bucket Candles: Refill with pillar.

Remember if you have a pond or other standing water you may need to take more action. Mosquito Dunks are made with natural BTI (Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis), Mosquito Dunks represent a major breakthrough for people and the environment compared with the traditional toxic chemical approach to mosquito control. BTI is a live bacteria that's deadly to mosquito larvae, Once a month float a Dunk in the water garden and every place water accumulates around the home. Each Dunk will effectively treat up to 100 square feet off surface water regardless of depth. Dunks may be broken to treat small areas. Mosquito Dunks are an effective biological mosquito larvicid. EPA registered in all 50 states. Unused and dried out Dunks retain their potency indefinitely

Thank you for your question. Enjoy your parties.
Sincerely, Barbara

Question about protecting blueberry bushes from birds.

Q: "How do I keep birds from eating my blueberries? This is the second year for the bushes which are covered with green berries. Would a Bird-X bird repeller do the job? I don't want to deal with bird netting if I don't have to."Thanks. Jack

Answer: Your best choice is not the bird repeller unless you install multiple units of the smaller units, the Bird-X Peller 1 and the Bird-X Peller 2. Each unit has only one speaker. You would have to have at least two units or install the Super Bird-X Peller with four speakers. These are noisy, you would have to have AC power and your neighbors might be unhappy.

I recommend that you either drape the plants with standard 3/4 inch mesh bird netting or build what is called a walk-in blueberry cage. Essentially that is a frame over which you drape the netting. That way you can secure the bird net so birds cannot get underneath. After harvest, which usually takes a few weeks per variety, you can remove the netting. The netting should last for years since it is UV treated.

Remember that rabbits and other rodents enjoy the young branches of blueberry plants. To keep them out in the wintertime, surround the bushes with tall chicken wire fencing

Blueberry bushes require little care, if you are in the right climate zones, keep the soil acidic and provide enough water. In 1964, I gave my dad a half dozen small bushes. Four of them survive to this day in western Pennsylvania and continue to produce huge numbers of berries 45 years later. Each spring the bushes are covered with bird netting that is anchored along the edges with bricks. Rarely a bird will get underneath and need to be rescued.

Thanks for your question. Enjoy those pies!
Sincerely, Barbara

Question about the bluebird houses and how to attract bluebirds to my yard.

Q: "My family enjoys bird watching in our backyard. How do we attract bluebirds? We know they are beautiful to watch and we understand they eat a lot of insects, too." thanks. Dave

Answer: Attract and keep bluebirds in your backyard by providing them with houses in which to nest and the foods they love to eat. Bluebirds love insects, especially larva.

Some suggested boxes:

• Song Bird Essentials Bluebird Birdhouse with Plexiglass Viewing Top.
• Songbird Essentials Flat Top Bluebird House
• Woodlink Audubon - Coppertop Bluebird House

Some suggested bluebird feeders:

• Song Essentials Bluebird Feeder. Bluebirds soon learn to reach inside this feeder for the meal worms & treats you provide. Designed for easy three step training. 1) Leave the lid open, held by the cable and remove one plexiglas side. 2) Insert plexiglass side. 3) Close the lid so only bluebirds can use the feeder.
• Protected Bluebird Jail FeederThis feeder is made to discourage larger birds from feasting on meal worms and blue bird food.

Suggested food:

• Bulk Dried Mealworms average count 176,000
• Unipeck - Value Tub Dried Mealworms average count 10,000

Thank you for your question. Enjoy your bird-watching.
Sincerely, Barbara