Safe-Home.com

Question about Critter Ridder Animal Repellent

Answer:

Havahart® Critter Ridder® animal repellent contains the scent and taste deterrent ingredients of oil of black pepper, piperine and capsaicin. These active ingredients irritate animals when they touch or taste the product. This patented, effective animal repellent is both OMRI (Organic Material Review Institute )listed and compliant for use in organic gardening. Effectively repels skunks, groundhogs, dogs, cats, squirrels and raccoons from treated areas for up to 30 days. The competition requires more frequent application.

The Critter Ridder® animal repellent granular shaker canister is perfect for perimeter protection. Sprinkle your lawn, garden path and flower bed or spot-treat ground around other problem areas such as garbage bags, ornamental plants, trees or shrubs. It can also be used indoors – ideal for use in potted plants and non-living areas such as basements, cellars, storage areas, sheds and barns.

CritterRidder Sizes:

• CritterRidder 2.2 lb. ShakerProtects about 100 square feet.
• Critter Ridder 1.25 lb. Granular FormulaProtects against animal intruders for up to about 75 square feet.
• Havahart CritterRidder 8 ounce Concentrate Lets you spray a perimeter barrier. Dilutes to cover up to 640 square feet.
• Critter Ridder Granules for protection of up to 200 square feet

As noted above, this is also for indoor use to keep animals out of potted plants, repel animals from barns and sheds or to keep raccoons and squirrels out of attics!

Thanks for your question.

Sincerely, Barbara

Question about the Organic Biotech Pristine Natural Pond Cleaner 32 oz and Organica Clear Blue Pond Clear Water Formula 32 oz.

Answer: The products are identical in composition. The difference is that the second one has a safe blue organic dye. Both formulas of pond water cleaner contain a broad spectrum of beneficial bacteria and microbial nutrients. The water cleaner removes excess nutrients such as phosphates, nitrates and ammonia from water, breaks down sediment, colors water an aesthetically pleasing shade of blue, improves water clarity and water quality. Both are safe for all aquatic life including fish, plants, and invertebrates. You need to measure your pond and determine approximately how many gallons of water are in it.  Unfortunately, I do not currently have this in our Iowa warehouse. The best information I can find is to put in 4 Gallons Per Acre Foot (325,000 Gal) As A Shock Dose, 2 Gallons Per Acre Foot (325,000 Gal).

Fountain Protector by Care Free Enzymes 4 oz. treats up to 5 gallons of water in small fountains with just one capful. Made in the USA, the directions say to use weekly. This is a non-toxic, biodegradable, natural enzyme product that uses food grade enzymes and is free of bacteria. It prevents stains, sludge, mineral deposits and organic contaminants for naturally clear water. It is safe for birds, pets, wildlife and humans. The only caution has to do with drinking the product undiluted and keeping it out of one's eyes.

Fountain Clear for Bird Bath and Pond 16 Oz. is another preventative option for cleaner bird baths and ponds. This formula prevents organic contaminates from forming (ie: crusty white scale deposits, iron, copper, hard water stains) using two unique technologies: one helps prevent the buildup of stains, and mineral deposits on the birdbath surface; the second uses bio-enzymatic activity to keep water clear and free from the organic debris that can make the water cloudy. For larger water fountains and indoor/outdoor waterfalls, Fountain Clear is also a great choice. One capful treats 1 gallon of water. No need to dilute. Just pour in. 16 ounce bottle of fountain clear treats 6400 gallons of water. Safe for fish, birds, animals, even safe for humans! From Ecological Laboratories.

Clear Water Jumbo Bale Barley Straw for Ponds, 5000 GAL contains natural enzymes that keep pond water clean, too. One gallon treats 5000 gallons of pond water.  Just float this on your pond. Choose the correct size of barley straw according to the size of your pond. There are several sizes to choose from including Clear Water Mini Bales Barley Straw 500 Gal. 2/PK  with each bale treating 500 gallons of water and the Clear Water Super Mini Bales Barley Straw 1000 GL 2/PK with each of the bales treating 1000 gallons of water. The barley straw bales need to be replaced every 6 months. Since it takes about a month for the action to occur, the recommendation is to add sufficient barley straw bales every 5 months. Then water stays clear.

I hope this answers your question.

Sincerely,

Barbara

Question about the vibrating metal mole chaser stake or the Original P3 green PVC mole chaser stakes

Answer: D cells batteries that power the P3 International Mole Stakes last 4 to 6 months. If you use the Supersonic Mole Stakes, there is a power saver feature once the moles are gone that increases battery life. We recommend only alkaline batteries. For the solar mole stakes, listen for the almost silent vibrating sound. If there is none, the reasons may be either that the unit is not getting enough sunlight or that the solar battery needs replaced. We sell D cells but not the solar batteries.

We recommend you test or listen to your units every spring if you are in the northern part of the USA or at least ever 4 to 6 months in warmer regions. One year I did not. One warm January day, I saw mole runs from the woods behind my 1/3 acre right to the front sidewalk. A rude awakening of "spring." In fact what motivated this article today was that I thought the same thing, It is warm in Iowa even though it is only April 9 and it is time to go and listen.

With the P3 battery units, you just pull out the battery tube, slip in new batteries and then put the cap on. I learned with my solar outdoor lights that local stores, at least in Iowa, don't carry the solar batteries in the winter! So take out a battery if you have the Smart Solar Mole Stakes or the P3 International Solar Mole Stakes and check them out now. The Smart Solar takes a battery pack so match the numbers against internet numbers. The P3 takes a AAA NiMH 600 mAh.

Thanks for the question and the reminder.

Sincerely,

Barbara

Question about the Contech Yellow Jacket and Wasp Trap

Answer:  Yes, we recommend that you place the Contech yellow jacket trap in the corners of your yard to draw them away from your deck. The wasp trap has no poison chemicals. Yellow jackets looks like bees but live underground and are aggressive. If you know where the yellow jackets are nesting, put these bait trap close and lure these insects into the trap unless those nests are near your deck.

Among the traps Safe Home currently sells:

•  Original Waspinator Wasp and Yellow Jacket Repeller This trap fools the wasps and yellow jackets into believing the yard has already been invaded! Puffed out, it looks like a wasp nest. So there are no traps at all, just a safe, repellent! There is another style of trap that is decorative and works quite well.
•  Beehive Style Wasp Trap. The Beehive trap uses a mixture of sugar and water.
• Oak Stump Slim Jar Yellow Jacket Trap which lures wasps and yellow jackets into it but allows some to leave to lure their friends and relatives to the sweet treat inside.
• Gadjit - Wasp Trap Black which converts a soda bottle into a trap.
• Spring Star Yellow Jacket Lures can be used to re-bait many kinds of yellow jacket and wasp traps including the Oak Stump brand.

• Eliminates wasps and yellow jackets without harmful chemicals - 100% pesticide free.
• Easy to use and re-use.
• Catches up to 75% more wasps than comparable traps.
• Uses proven attractant technology developed by a leading supplier of pest management products for the US Forest Service and US Department of Agriculture.
• Not designed for the catching or removal of paper wasps.
• Includes one bait and one lure (lasts for two weeks - wasp trap refills available.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 3.5" diameter.

Thank you for your question.

Sincerely, Barbara

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

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

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.

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 Nite-Guard Animal Control Light.

Answer: The Nite-Guard Solar is a new addition to animal control products. Solar powered, each Nite-Guard light flashes a red light on and off from dusk to dawn. Scientific research shows that night animals flee when they see the red flashing light as they fear they have been discovered or are being watched. This completely weatherproof animal pest repeller works best if used in multiples of at least 4 units. Otherwise the animal most likely will enter your yard or property from a direction away from the flashing red.  Each light mounts to flash in only one direction with an approximate 30 degree angle of sight as one moves right or left away from it. This is why multiple units are needed and spacing between lights is needed as well.

If mounted high, the light can be seen for a long distance, depending on the lay of the land. A flat, open area with four Nite Guards placed at 10’ for owls will protect an area 1/2 mile in each direction. Even at 3 feet off the ground a range of several hundred yards' protection is common. A night predator stops the instant he sees the flash. So mount lights according to what you want to keep away. Deer will respond to higher lights than bobcats, raccoons, etc.

For small predators, these are the manufacturer's installation instructions:

For predators like raccoon, opossum and skunk; put lights approximately 25 feet apart, around your entire perimeter (all four sides of the area) and place them eye level to the predators approximately 10-12 inches off the ground. If the area has sides longer than 50 feet, more lights should be used on each side. Face lights outward from protected area.

For deer, these are the installation instructions:

1. Four Nite Guard lights placed on a single stake 4 feet high, each light facing a different direction. Moving the Nite Guard lights and stake every 7 to 10 days is absolutely critical as it breaks the pattern that deer may get used to. You do not have to move them far, 20 or 30 feet is fine, more is better. If you do not move the post with the lights around the deer will begin to “pattern” them in the exact position night after night, thusly losing fear of the flash.

NOTE: Deer are perhaps the most destructive nocturnal animal in modern times, they are also the most intelligent. Deer are very hard to deter from an area and, with the exception of the Nite Guard, will ignore most attempts to stop them from getting at the food that they want. The also act differently than a predator type animal and so we need to approach the placement of the lights differently.

2. You could also use a perimeter type placement against deer, placing lights 100 feet apart and approx. 4 feet high. Again, you will need to move the lights around every 3-10 days to break the pattern. Suggestion: Use the Nite Guard in conjunction with some of the other “weapons” they may already have in their “arsenal” against deer. Most people with deer problems are very well away of the deer’s intelligence and know that they get used to things easily. Use the Nite Guard lights along with some type of “repellant spray”. The deer then will not only “see” the predator (the flash of the light), but they will also “smell” the predator. This can be a very powerful deterrent for those deer that seem impossible to repel. You will be able to outsmart deer and protect your gardens and crops with the Nite Guards!

Some suggestions about deer deterent sprays or granules are: Deer Scram , a granular repellent; Deer Away spray for deer and squirrels by Havahart and Deer Off Deer and Rabbit Spray by Havahart. All three use natural scent repellents.

This is a solar powered unit that is completely weatherproof. Daylight as well as direct sunlight can power the battery. Best results are when the solar panel is mounted to capture the most light.

Thank you for your questions.

Sincerely,

Barbara

Question about the Victor Black Box Gopher Traps.

Answer: Getting rid of well-established gophers can take time. That's why eradication needs to begin when the first tunnels are seen. Our customers typically use both the Black Box Gopher Traps which are inserted directly into the tunnels to trap and kill the gophers and the P3 International supersonic mole and gophers stakes inserted directly into the ground (not tunnels) to repel gophers from digging new tunnels. Once gophers are established, the maze of underground tunnels can be so extensive that getting rid of them can take months and months. Momma gophers, like all moms, are unlikely to leave their young: spring and fall are the best trapping times in northern climates.

The Victor Black Box Gopher Traps are best used in pairs. Each trap resembles a small tunnel blocked at the end except for an air hole. The springs are on top of each unit and are set with your thumbs to avoid catching hands in the spring. This is a closed loop snare trap.

Black Box Gopher Trap Specifications:
• Outside dimensions: 5.5 inches long by 3.5 inches wide
• Interior dimensions: 5 5/8 inches long by 2.75 inches wide
• Choker Loop: approximately 2 inches wide by 1 1/4 inches high,
• Spring assembly (on top on the box), approximately 3 inches from curl of spring to catch and 3 inches between the two spring units.
• Vent hole in rear of trap: approximately 3/4 inch in diameter.

Gopher trapping can be done at any time of year, but generally is easiest and most effective during Spring & Fall. Once gopher activity is detected it is important to move quickly as pregnant females can be caught before giving birth to her family. Traps are most effective when properly placed in the gopher tunnel to snare the unsuspecting gopher in the spring-triggered loop. The hole should be covered up with dirt so that it appears as if the trap is part of the runway. When used correctly, traps produce a catch within 48 hours. It is best to move the trap to another location in the runway if you do not catch a gopher in this time frame.

To install, choose a fresh tunnel, peel back the grass (if in your lawn), remove any soil on top of the tunnel, set two traps (easy instructions are on the boxes) and insert back to back so there are two open ends for gophers to explore. The traps sit on the floor of the tunnel. Repack dirt on top and wait. Check daily. I suggest you wear garden gloves and use a large plastic bag to extract the gopher. Use a garden hose to wash trap off after you empty out the gopher/s. If 3 consecutive days pass and you've caught no gophers, move the traps to another tunnel. If the gopher/s fill the traps with dirt, push a carrot through the holes at the back of the traps, reset and replace the traps.

These trapping tips are from our website where we also have the complete instruction manual: If gopher/s pack trap with dirt. Place carrots in vent holes and reset traps Trap evening and early morning for best results. Wash traps with water after use. After trap has "fired", remove dead gopher from trap and reset in same hole until you've had three consecutive days of no catches.  

Thank you for your question.

Good luck.

Sincerely, Barbara

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

• 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