Our Handy Tips

Non-Toxic Pest Control

Get rid of ants overnight - Make a batch of ant bait with Borax (boric acid), which is 100% natural. Mix 1 cup warm water, 1/2 cup sugar and 2 tablespoons of Boras. Soak the mixture into cotton balls. Place the cotton balls near any ant trails in your house.

Kill wasps with soapy water. A combination of hot water and dish soap can kill wasps instantly when sprayed directly on them. Add 2 to 4 tablespoons of liquid dish soap to 2 cups (500 ml) of water in a spray bottle. Spray directly on wasps and on developing nests. The soap clings to the wasps and dehydrates them.

Kill roaches - Combine 1 part Borax, 1 part cornmeal, 1 part sugar and put spoonfuls in bottle caps or similar objects. Put the filled objects where you see them. The cornmeal and sugar attracts them and the Borax bloats them.

Quick Fixes

Temporary Fix For Dripping Water - If you are having difficulty with a copper joint due to a trickle of water that won't stop, push a ball of bread up the pipe to stop the stream of water.

Fix Rotting Fence Posts - If you have a fence post that is rotted out and the concrete the post is set in is not broken, you can simply pull the wood out, pound a new post in it's place and trim the top flush with the other posts.

Silent Screen Door - If your door slams shut with a bang, you can place a couple of short beads of clear silicone caulk along the jamb at a few of the contact points. This will soften the blow. Be sure to prop the door open for a couple of hours after application, to let the bead of silicone dry completely.

DIY Help

Hammer a Nail, Not your Hand - To keep from bashing your fingertips while driving a nail into a harder material that requires some force, set the nail in place and hold the rod with pliers as you hammer away.

Find a Stud Without a Stud Finder - An electric razor can be a just as effective as an electronic stud finder. Turn it on and drag it along the drywall, you will notice a change in the vibration as you cross a stud with it.