How To – New England

Get Rid of Skunk Odor | Methods to Deskunk Your Dog

The Editors of Yankee Magazine — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Tomato juice isn’t the only (or best) old-time remedy to get rid of skunk odor from a dog. Keep these common household ingredients on hand and never live with the stink of skunk again!

Get Rid of Skunk Odor | Methods to Deskunk Your Dog

How to Get Rid of Skunk Odor

Everyone knows that tomato juice is handy for deskunking a dog, but it’s not the only old-time remedy that works to get rid of skunk odor from your dog. Some other ingredients to keep on hand in quantity in case of emergency include vanilla extract, apple cider vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide. Try dousing a skunked dog with about a cup of vanilla extract mixed in a gallon of water to get rid of skunk odor, says Hazel Christiansen, a longtime professional groomer and former president of the American Grooming Shop Association, in Lewiston, Idaho. Let the dog soak in the solution for about 10 minutes before applying dog shampoo and rinsing. For the vinegar remedy, mix 2 parts water with 1 part apple cider vinegar, and set the solution aside (the total amount you’ll need to mix depends on the size of your dog). Thoroughly wet your smelly dog’s coat with water. Now, work the vinegar solution through the fur. Let the solution sit for about 5 minutes; then rinse thoroughly. Work carefully and be sure the solution doesn’t drip into your dog’s eyes (it would sting). [text_ad] If neither of the concoctions above seems to work, here’s one last skunk-odor removing remedy that’s been passed on from one generation of dog lovers to the next. Mix 1 quart hydrogen peroxide, ¼ cup baking soda, and 1 teaspoon dish-washing liquid. Apply this mixture in the same way you would the vinegar solution. The quantities listed should make enough deskunking solution for a medium-size dog (30 to 50 pounds), so use less or more as needed for the size of your dog. The best way to eliminate skunk odor is to avoid it altogether. Believe it or not, skunks hate strong odors. You can keep them out of your woodshed or other outbuildings by hanging a bar of strong disinfectant or room deodorizer in the space. Excerpt from 1,001 Old-Time Household Hints, written by the editors of Yankee Magazine and brought to you by Skyhorse Publishing. This post was first published in 2015 and has been updated.

See More: How to Keep Squirrels Out of Bird Feeders How to Keep Raccoons Out of Garbage Cans How to Free a Stuck Skunk

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Raccoon Deterrent | 4 Ways to Keep Raccoons Out of Garbage Cans

Earl Proulx — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 10:00:00 +0000

A reader wrote to tell me that raccoons had raided his garbage cans three nights in a row. He wondered whether I had a solution for a raccoon deterrent short of staying up all night with a gun or keeping the garbage cans indoors. My initial advice was to place a small radio near the cans and leave it playing all night.

Raccoon Deterrent | 4 Ways to Keep Raccoons out of Garbage Cans
Photo Credit : Brenda Darroch

I got a letter from him later saying that my recommendation had worked. The raccoons left his garbage alone, but there had been some complications. It seems that the radio had not been well anchored, and the raccoons had walked off with it. “Somehow in the process of transporting the radio, the raccoons turned it up very loud, and the whole woods radiated with music,” he wrote. “The coons placed the radio on the hollow of a high tree, so all we could do was let the batteries wear out — which took two days and two nights. The raccoons seem to like disco music best, but we don’t.” I wrote back to suggest that if he liked country music better, he should try leaving a banjo out by the trash. Still looking for ways to deter raccoons from your garbage? Here are 3 more raccoon deterrent ideas to try.

3 More Raccoon Deterrent Ideas

To keep raccoons out of your garbage, stretch a rubber bungee cord tight from one handle over the top of the lid to the other handle.
Hang a string of blinking Christmas lights around trash cans and leave them on all night to act as a raccoon deterrent.
To keep persistent and clever raccoons out of your trash, sprinkle a little ammonia on each trash bag you put in the can. This will keep dogs out, too.

We love hearing your raccoon deterrent and raccoon trash prevention tips. Be sure to leave them in the comments below! This post was first published in 2012 and has been updated.

LEARN MORE: Fun Facts about Raccoons & Common Raccoon Diseases How to Keep Squirrels Out of Bird Feeders | Simple Solutions How to Get Rid of Skunk Odor

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How to Preserve Gourds and Display Them, Too

Shelley Wigglesworth — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Ever wondered how to preserve gourds? Displaying colorful gourds that mimic the hues of New England’s fall foliage is a festive way to celebrate the season. By preserving gourds, you can use them in your autumn decor for years to come. Miniature gourds look great displayed clustered in a basket or lined up on a coffee table or mantel. I also like to group a variety of tiny gourds with bittersweet and medium-sized warty and ghost pumpkins on the dining room table as a centerpiece arrangement that will last throughout the fall.

Read on for more ideas on how to display autumn gourds, plus learn how to preserve gourds for future seasonal displays.

How to Preserve Gourds and Display Them, Too!
Photo Credit : Pixabay

How to Preserve Gourds | Instructions

Preserving gourds takes a little patience, but is well worth the wait. To start, harvest miniature gourds when they are mature and not any sooner. If gourds are harvested before they are done growing they are more susceptible to rot. A good indicator that a gourd is ready to pick is when the stem is dry and turning brown.

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Cut the gourds from the vine leaving at least 2” of stem. The stem will aid in wicking the moisture from the gourds.

Gently wash the gourds in a mild soapy dish detergent and rinse thoroughly.

Wipe the gourds dry and spray lightly with a household disinfectant or mist with rubbing alcohol.

Space the prepared gourds on a few layers of newspaper in a dark, warm, dry area (such as an attic) with good ventilation. Replace the damp newspaper every few days, turning the gourds when you do. Heat accelerates drying and darkness will preserve the gourd’s color. You can also place the gourds under a fan to speed up the drying process. Repeat these steps for the next several weeks until the gourds are noticeably lighter and you are able to hear the seeds rattling inside them when you pick them up.

When the gourds are completely dry, use a paste wax or clear shellac to seal and protect.

How to Display Gourds

Create a gourd birdhouse.

Follow the drying instructions above. Puncture a hole in the dry gourd and use a pumpkin cutter to saw out an opening about the size of a golf ball. Twist the wire around the stem to hang. A wooden dowel may also be inserted under the hole as a perch. Simply puncture a hole directly underneath the cut opening and work the dowel in gently.

A gourd that has been hollowed out and decorated makes a great bird house.
Photo Credit : Shelley Wigglesworth

Display flowers in gourds and pumpkins.

Mums and Kale look great when placed inside a pumpkin that has been hollowed out to fit the dimensions of the plant pot.

Create Thanksgiving place settings.

Follow the gourd drying and preserving directions above. Slice a small slit in the top of the gourd and slide a handmade cardboard place setting in the opening.

Do you have any new or creative ideas for how to preserve gourds? Let us know!

This post was first published in 2012 and has been updated.

SEE MORE:
Make a Pumpkin Planter | Pumpkin Crafts
Best Fall Porch Plants
5 Winter Squash Winners | How to Identify, Prepare, Store, and Serve Winter Squash
Fall Decorating Ideas | 10 Simple Ways to Add Garden Style

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How to Make Perfect Scrambled Eggs

Amy Traverso — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 06:00:00 +0000

The first thing I ever learned to cook, around age eight, was scrambled eggs, and I learned it the way most people do: Crack a few eggs in a bowl, add milk, salt, and pepper, and cook over medium heat in a buttered skillet until they start to set, then rake them up to form curds. This is a perfectly respectable method, but it’s not how to make perfect scrambled eggs. And once you make them properly, you’ll find that humble scrambled eggs can become pretty sublime.

How to Make Perfect Scrambled Eggs.

[text_ad] First tip: Use a saucepan, not a skillet. Cooking the eggs in a narrower vessel makes them cook more slowly, which gives you insurance against overcooking.

How to Make Perfect Scrambled Eggs

Crack three eggs into your pan and add a knob of butter—anywhere from half a tablespoon to a tablespoon, depending on how rich you feel. Do not add milk! Milk does nothing good for scrambled eggs—it merely stretches them to feed more people. If you can afford the three eggs, skip the milk. And don’t season the eggs until they’re finished cooking, because the salt can draw water out of the whites and make them watery.

The “how to make perfect scrambled eggs” setup.

Set the pot over high heat. Using a fork, quickly whisk the eggs, which will form an emulsion with the butter. They will start to look creamy.

The earliest cooking stage.

Looking good…

Take the pan off the heat, still whisking. The eggs will still cook, and begin to transform from a liquid to a solid. You might find it easier to use a spatula at this point. Continue stirring. Repeat this process, going on and off the heat, until the eggs are almost done to your liking.

Constant stirring produces smaller curds.

Almost done.

When the eggs are almost ready, whisk in a bit more butter for flavor. You want the eggs wet, but not runny.

Off the heat and done.

And that’s how to make perfect scrambled eggs! They may not look like the eggs you grew up eating or what you typically see on your diner breakfast plate, but give them a try. We think you’ll like them. Garnish them with fresh herbs (chives, mint, parsley) if you’d like. Enjoy! Do you have any tips for how to make perfect scrambled eggs? Let us know! This post was first published in 2014 and has been updated.

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Moose-Watching Advice | How, When & Where to Spot a Moose in New England

Yankee Magazine — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Moose are more than mere players in New England’s ecosystem; in terms of tourism, they’re a star attraction. Where do moose live? What’s the best way to see a moose? Here’s some moose-watching advice from regional experts on how to spot one of these iconic animals for yourself.

Learn More: Don’t miss the March/April 2018 Yankee feature, “Ghosts of the Northern Forest.” From the heart of moose country, it tells a story about who wins and who loses in our rapidly changing climate.

New England Moose-Watching Advice The Animal That People Want to See the Most

Moose-watching is best done by car—just don’t stop too close to them or get out of the vehicle. Remember: These are wild animals and always should be treated with respect and caution.
The best time for moose-watching is in mid-May through July, when they move into open wetlands to feed. Like most members of the deer family, moose are crepuscular, meaning they’re most active at dawn and twilight.
Keep your eyes peeled for bogs and wetlands, where moose tend to hang out. They’re also drawn to salt licks, which is why many prime moose-spotting routes have areas where road salt runoff has built up.
If you’re hoping to spot a moose in New Hampshire, try looking along Route 16 north of Milan; Route 26 east of Dixville Notch; Route 112 east from Lincoln to Bear Notch Road; and Route 110 north of Berlin to Route 110A.
For moose in Vermont, you may have luck on Route 114 in Canaan and East Burke; Route 105 from Island Pond to Canaan; and the viewing platform at Route 105 and Notch Pond Road in North Brunswick.
How about where to see moose in Maine? The moose population in Maine is among the biggest in the U.S., which means this state has entire regions worth checking out: Western Lakes and Mountains, Kennebec Valley, Maine Highlands, and Aroostook County.
And of course you can always rely on professional tour guides, such as Gorham Moose Tours in Gorham, NH (gorhammoosetours.org), and Northwoods Outfitters in Greenville, ME (maineoutfitter.com).

Research by Heather Tourgee. Sources: Wendy Bolduc, Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife; Susan Warner, Vermont Fish and Wildlife; Katelyn White, NH Grand

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How to Keep Squirrels Out of Bird Feeders | Simple Solutions

Earl Proulx — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Squirrels are notorious pests when it comes to stealing food that’s been put out for the birds. Here are some helpful ways to keep squirrels out of bird feeders.

How to Keep Squirrels Out of Bird Feeders

1. Slip the feeder onto a long wire and hang it between two trees, but away from any low branches. Also, string empty thread spools on the wire to act as a further deterrent.

2. If your bird feeder sits on a pole and you’re pestered by squirrels stealing the seeds, go to the pet store and buy a squirrel baffle. This is a plastic dome that you attach under the feeder. It curves downward and away from the feeder, providing a barrier against upwardly mobile squirrels. Make sure the baffle is high enough that the squirrels can’t jump past it.

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3. If you’re truly desperate to keep squirrels out of bird feeders, set up a small squirrel feeding area on the ground a good distance away from your feeders. Though you will have to sacrifice some bird seed occasionally, it should keep the pests occupied and let the birds feed in peace.

Stop Rocking Chairs from Sliding | Rocking Chair Repair Tips

Earl Proulx — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 06:00:00 +0000

You may have noticed that some rocking chairs will move forward or from side-to-side when you rock in them. This phenomenon, known as “walking,” is a common problem. It happens when one of the chair’s rockers is smaller or more worn down than the other, or when there’s not enough friction between the chair and floor. Fortunately, there are several ways to stop rocking chairs from walking.

Stop Rocking Chairs from Sliding | Rocking Chair Repair Tips

The best and most permanent way to stop rocking chairs from moving across the floor is to fix the chair’s defective rocker. Turn the chair over and plane the bottom of the larger rocker to match the size of the smaller one. This way, the rockers will be even and should therefore stay in place. A more temporary fix for the walking problem is to fasten one screw eye to the back of the chair’s bottom rung and another to the baseboard directly behind the rocker. Then tie a piece of stout cord between the screws to hold the chair in place and keep it from moving forward. If you lack the tools necessary to do the above, another simple solution is to glue a strip of material such as rug padding or felt onto the bottoms of the rockers. This should stop rocking chairs from sliding around on smooth surfaces, as it creates more friction between the rockers and the floor. Make sure the material you use is evenly spread out over each rocker and that there are no bubbles, otherwise your rocking chair might give you a bumpy ride. Following these rocking chair repair tips should help to stop rocking chairs from walking and instead let them rock on. Do you have any rocking chair repair tips? Let us know in the comments! This post was first published in 2012 and has been updated.

SEE MORE: Get Scratches Out of Wood | DIY Reupholster a Dining Room Chair | DIY Fix Sticky Drawers | DIY How to Repair Torn Upholstery | DIY

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Poison Ivy and Oak Treatment

The Editors of Yankee Magazine — Wed, 22 Jun 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Poison ivy and oak are members of a plant family that includes poison wood (an itch-causing plant found in Florida) and poison sumac, according to W. Hardy Eshbaugh, Ph.D., a retired botanist in Oxford, Ohio. “Some other members of the same plant family can cause a rash in some people,” Dr. Eshbaugh says. “The skin of a mango can be irritating to sensitive skin. And Chinese lacquerware boxes can cause a poison-ivy-like rash.” When the itchy rash sets in, you want to know how to treat poison ivy and oak fast. But it’s also important to understand the cause and how to prevent it. “You can get the same kind of dermatitis from the shells of raw cashews,” notes Kathryn A. Zug, M.D., a dermatologist at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire. The culprit in all these plants is a potent chemical called urushiol. Seven out of 10 people are allergic to it, you can get a rash from just one-billionth gram of the stuff, and it remains potent on garden tools and other surfaces for up to five years. No wonder urushiol is the champion of all allergens — the cause of more allergies than any other known substance. You needn’t stay out of the fields and woods, though. Here are some remedies to help you cure poison ivy and oak.

POISON OAK & POISON IVY TREATMENT TIPS

Get the Poison Off Fast

“The best treatment for poison ivy or oak is to wash with soap in the shower within 5 to 15 minutes of exposure to the plant,” Dr. Zug says. In other words, you need to wash off the urushiol long before you see a rash. This is possible, of course, only if you realize your mistake while you’re in the woods. Rubbing alcohol also might work. “Rubbing alcohol is a solvent that, in order to be effective, must be applied and washed off with a washcloth soon after contact with the plant,” Dr. Zug says.

Put Yourself in the Pink

One long-preferred poison ivy treatment is Calamine lotion. “Calamine lotion is still one of the best treatments for moderate cases of a poison ivy rash,” says Robert Averill, M.D., a dermatologist in western Massachusetts and northern New Hampshire. “It’s the classic treatment for poison ivy,” Dr. Zug agrees. “Calamine dries up blisters, it is soothing and cooling, and it relieves the itch.”

Vinegar Works, Too

Wondering about a poison ivy treatment using common household items? A vinegar compress is good for drying the poison ivy rash and soothing the itching, says Robert Sommer, M.D., a dermatologist in Portland, Maine. “Use half a cup of white vinegar. Pour it into a pint container and add water up to the pint mark. Put it in the refrigerator; it works best cold.” Dampen a cloth or gauze with the cold vinegar solution and apply it to the poison ivy rash, Dr. Sommer says. [text_ad]

Use Milk to Shake the Itch

Dr. Sommer also recommends a cold milk compress, especially if you have a poison ivy rash on your face, which can be irritated by vinegar. “You take a clean rag and soak it in whole milk. You need whole milk for the fat,” he says. “Place the damp rag — damp, not runny — on the rash. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes. The cold stops the itch, while the fat lubricates the skin.” Dr. Sommer says to rinse off the milk with warm water.

Listen to the Camp Nurse

The camp nurse if often the first call for getting tips on poison ivy treatment. “When the kids get poison ivy rashes, I make a mixture of Domeboro and water and apply it to the rash with gauze pads,” reports Tricia Barr, R.N., a nurse at Camp Walt Whitman in Pike, New Hampshire. Domeboro is an over-the-counter astringent that comes in tablet or powder form. “It’s a good drying agent,” Barr says.

Poison Ivy and Oak Treatment Tips

This Weed Is a Jewel

Ever wonder about an herbal poison ivy treatment? Corinne Martin, a certified clinical herbalist in Bridgton, Maine, likes to use jewelweed to soothe a poison ivy rash. A common plant found throughout the Northeast, jewelweed has a watery stem that contains juice good for stopping the itch. You can collect it in meadows during late summer. “Just crush the stems in your hands and rub the juice right on the rash,”Martin says. She notes that Euell Gibbons, the famous natural food and remedy author, would process jewelweed stems and water in a blender and freeze the mixture in ice cube trays. “Jewelweed ice cubes are great against an itch because of the combination of the jewelweed and the cold,” Martin says.

Use the Ocean as a Lotion

How about how a salt water poison ivy treatment? Peter Brassard,M.D., a family doctor on Block Island, Rhode Island, says that a good sea bath can work. “Just the act of wading in the ocean will wash your sores,” he says. “And the salt water will help dry them out.”

Make Your Own Salty Sea

“Epsom salts dry things out,” Dr. Zug says. “They are especially good for poison ivy rashes and other oozy dermatitis. Just follow the directions on the box and sprinkle some into a lukewarm bath.” You can get Epsom salts at your pharmacy or supermarket.

Feel Your Oats

“If you have itchy skin, try taking an oatmeal bath,” says Donald Dickson, R.Ph., the owner of Dickson’s Pharmacy in Colebrook, New Hampshire. Colloidal oatmeal, such as Aveeno, is made for bathing. You can buy Aveeno over the counter.

A Plant Man Picks Tecnu

As a botanist, Dr. Eshbaugh has spent years getting up close and personal with itch-causing plants and knows a thing or two about poison ivy treatment. His favorite remedy for how to treat poison ivy and poison oak? Tecnu Oak-n-Ivy, available over the counter at drugstores. “Tecnu works on anything in the Anacardiaceae family — the family poison ivy and oak belong to,” Dr. Eshbaugh says. “You can wash with Tecnu immediately after contact with poison ivy, or you can put it on before you go out into the field. You can even use it after you have already broken out with a rash. Each way seems to work.”

Pump Up with Steroids

If other home remedies for poison ivy treatment fail, a good fallback is a steroid such as over-the-counter 1 percent hydrocortisone cream, Dr. Brassard says. Excerpt from Home Remedies from a Country Doctor, brought to you by Skyhorse Publishing. Do you have tips for poison oak and poison ivy treatment? Let us know below! This post was first published in 2013 and has been updated.

SEE MORE: How to Get Rid of Poison Ivy | Ask the Expert Treat Bee Stings and Other Bug Bites How to Get Rid of Fleas on Dogs & Cats | Natural Remedies Hive Cures | What Causes Hives, Hives Treatment & More

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How to Get Rid of Bats in the Attic

Joe Bills — Thu, 16 Jun 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Kept at a proper distance, bats can be excellent neighbors — the sorts that emerge from their slumber each evening to act as a natural mosquito repellent, even. But there’s a difference between having bats near your house and having bats in your house. Over time, a colony of bats in the attic will produce droppings that can cause structural damage and smell bad, and may lead to the growth of a fungus that causes respiratory problems.

How to Get Rid of Bats in the Attic
Photo Credit : Pixabay

Getting bats out of your attic isn’t easy work, especially for beginners. If you need bats removed, hiring a professional like Bob Noviello of Windham, New Hampshire, might be a good idea. Noviello runs Suburban Wildlife Control and has specialized in animal removal for decades. Learn how to get rid of bats using a few of his tips, then decide if getting bats out of your home is a job you want to tackle yourself or hand off to a pro.

How to Get Rid of Bats in the Attic

Know Your Neighbors

There are hundreds of types of bats in the world, but if you live in New England and you’ve got bats in your attic, they are almost certainly brown bats. Little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) have a wingspan of approximately 8 inches and weigh less than half an ounce. Big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) can grow to be twice the size of little brown bats. Males typically roost individually, but female brown bats of both sizes form colonies in attics or barns when they are preparing to give birth (typically in June). Once the young have been born, little brown bats leave the buildings behind, preferring to hibernate in caves during the winter. Big brown bats, however, often hibernate right in homes — so if you’ve got winter houseguests, they’re probably of the big brown variety.

Learn What Bats Like

Bats commonly are drawn to attics and chimneys. Like raccoons, squirrels, and other potential home invaders, bats have the ability to detect minute changes in air pressure to find entryways to your home. Once inside, they will find their way into the walls or other confined spaces. They prefer high temperatures, which means the heat of an attic is pretty ideal. Bats sleep in roosts during the day, and emerge at dusk. [text_ad]

Ignore the Quick Fixes

There are no effective bat repellents on the market, although there are plenty of companies willing to sell you one. Sprays, animal urines, noisemakers, and lights sometimes work as temporary deterrents, but there are no easy fixes when it comes to bat removal.

Is Anyone Home?

First, you must determine how and where the bats are entering and exiting your house. Since this is likely happening in the upper areas of your home, you’ll probably need a ladder. Bats can gain entry to your home through surprisingly small holes. You may see them entering and exiting — but you don’t necessarily have to see them to know that they are there. You may hear squeaks or the sounds of movement in the walls, or you may see urine stains or droppings on the exterior wall of your house (most likely below one of those little holes). If droppings have accumulated above, you may find a foul-smelling stain has formed on the ceiling. Since bats leave their roost about 15 minutes after sunset, you should watch the outside of your house from 30 minutes before to 30 minutes after sunset. If possible, position yourself so that you can see the silhouettes of flying bats against an open view of the sky.

Learn how to get rid of bats like this Little Brown Bat, common throughout New England.
Photo Credit : Wikimedia Commons

The ABCs of Bat Removal

Bat removal is simple in principle but can be challenging to execute. The goal is to get the bats out and not allow them back in. Botched attempts can result in dead bats in the walls or attic, or live bats invading the living spaces of a home. Therefore, timing is important. March, April, and May are generally the best months for bat removal. To gradually exclude bats from your home, start by closing off every entry point you have found, except for what seems to be the primary entrance. Entry points can be sealed off with caulk, screens, or other sealants. Then install an excluder, or a one-way door, over the remaining hole. This door will allow bats to leave, but not to get back in. Watch for bats leaving your home each evening. If the alternative entry points have all been closed and the one-way door is effective, all of the bats should be out in three or four nights. If traffic continues beyond that point, you probably missed an entry point somewhere. Seal that entry and repeat the process.

Keep Bats Out

When you no longer see bats exiting the house, seal up the last hole. Working to keep your house weathertight and energy efficient is the best way to prevent bat problems. Cracks, separations, rotted eaves, rusted ventilation screens, and other openings should be repaired as soon as they are noticed. Chimneys are another common avenue of entrance. Bats and many other animals, including flying squirrels, gray squirrels, starlings, screech owls, wood ducks, and raccoons, frequently enter houses through the chimney. This can be prevented by covering the chimney top with a commercially available chimney cap. If you strive for a weathertight home by using insulation in the attic and caulking all cracks and holes, your house will probably be both energy efficient and bat-proof. Do you know how to get rid of bats using other methods? Let us know in the comments! This post was first published in 2017 and has been updated.

SEE MORE: How to Get Squirrels Out of Your Attic | Ask the Expert Raccoon Deterrent | 4 Ways to Keep Raccoons out of Garbage Cans How to Get Rid of Ants in the House

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Keep Deer Out of the Garden | 5 Non-Toxic Gardening Tips

Shelley Wigglesworth — Fri, 10 Jun 2022 06:00:00 +0000

It can be very disappointing to find that a plant or plants you have nurtured from seed and lovingly tended to for weeks, has been damaged or destroyed due to opportunist deer who love to munch on tender green shoots just as much as we do.

Keep Deer out of the Garden | 5 Non-Toxic Gardening Tips
Photo Credit : Dreamstime

If you live in an area where deer herds are large and abundant, a physical barrier such as fencing is probably the best bet to keep deer out of the garden. If you are only pestered by deer occasionally, there are a few techniques, tips, and natural remedies that may just do the trick to keep these gentle herbivores away from the garden without using chemicals and or spending a lot of money.

5 Ways to Keep Deer Out of the Garden

The next time you get your hair trimmed, bring the hair clippings home and spread the hair around the perimeter of your garden. The human scent is said to ward off deer.
Gardeners with pet dogs or neighbors with dogs are less likely to have deer intruders as the scent of the dog and the dog’s marking of the territory is something deer tend to avoid.
Animal urine. The urine of deer predators may be purchased at hunting retail and supply stores. It’s important that the urine purchased is from a predator that is native to your area. Sprinkle a few drops consistently over various areas of your property. Repeat this application every two weeks or as needed to keep deer out of your garden.
Grow ornamental plants that deer do not like to eat as companion plants near the plants that they do eat. TIP: Deer usually do not eat plants with rough, fuzzy, or prickly foliage. Or choose plants, flowers, and herbs that emit a strong odor — such as garlic, onion, sage, and marigolds. These options are all unappealing to deer. Place several of these plants or a combination of the plants in areas where deer are likely to access your garden.
Lastly, some folks swear that installing or using a small blinking LED light-such as those used on bicycles or on pet collars for night travel will keep the deer away.

Do you have a method to keep deer out of the garden that was not mentioned here? If you do, please share it with us.

See More:

When to Prune Shrubs | Gardening Advice

How to Use Fallen Leaves As Fertilizer

New England Fall Planting Guide | What to Plant Before the First Frost

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How to Get Rid of Chipmunks

R. Wayne Mezitt — Tue, 07 Jun 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Beautiful flowerbeds can quickly become an eyesore if they’re suddenly home to multiple chipmunk tunnels. From what chipmunks eat to how to keep them out of your flowerbeds, learn how to get rid of chipmunks from R. Wayne Mezzitt, chairman of Weston Nurseries, which has locations in Hopkinton, Chelmsford, and Hingham, Massachusetts.

How to Get Rid of Chipmunks

Chipmunks are making their home in my flowerbeds. Can you suggest plants that they’ll avoid? — M.B., Nashua, NH

What Do Chipmunks Eat?

Chipmunks eat seeds, fruits, nuts, and insects; except for certain bulbs, they generally don’t prefer the flowering plants we typically grow in our gardens, unless no other food is available. But they certainly do dig tunnels, and your plant loss is probably from disruption of the soil.

How to Deter Chipmunks

To get rid of chipmunks, removing water, shelter, and potential food sources (including leaky hoses, brush piles, and pet-food and bird-feed spills) will reduce these critters’ desire to hang around your yard. They may be repelled by hot-pepper extract, predator urine (available at your local garden center), and other strong scents. Cats and dogs may be helpful in getting rid of chipmunks (if they’re so inclined). If installed properly, physical barriers like wire screening may deter digging and climbing.

Chipmunk Predators

As with all pests, natural controls will ultimately moderate the problem. Snakes, hawks, and other wild predators will move in once the chipmunk population level is sufficient, if you have the patience to wait. This content first appeared in Yankee Magazine and was published online in 2011.

See More: How to Keep Squirrels Away From Fall Bulbs 4 Ways to Keep Raccoons out of Garbage Cans How to Make a Wood Pallet Garden

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How to Protect Yourself from Ticks & Lyme Disease

Yankee Magazine — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Protecting yourself from ticks is the first step in Lyme disease prevention. Follow these tips to help prevent a tick bite, and learn what to do if you are.

Deer ticks can carry Lyme Disease.
Photo Credit : Dreamstime

How to Protect Yourself from Ticks & Lyme Disease

1. Wear light-colored long pants and a long-sleeved shirt when walking through woods, tall grass, ground cover, or beach areas. For even better protection, tuck your pants into your socks and your shirt into your pants.

2. Consider using an all-natural (like Maine-made Flick the Tick) or EPA-approved tick repellent. Wash it off at home after your outing. Special outdoor clothing lines pretreated with permethrin are now available.

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3. Check your skin (even covered areas) for ticks after an outing.

4. Promptly remove any ticks you find. Wear gloves and use a tick puller (such as the tool made by Ticked Off or fine-point precision tweezers. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, pull it straight out (don’t crush it or puncture it), and dispose of it in a vial of rubbing alcohol. Swab the bite and your tool with antiseptic.

5. Consult your physician immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms: bull’s-eye or expanding solid rash, swollen or painful joints, swollen glands, headache, fever, chills, sore throat, stiff neck, numbness or tingling in arms or legs, abnormal vision, abnormal pulse, facial paralysis, or severe fatigue.

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How To – New England

Get Rid of Skunk Odor | Methods to Deskunk Your Dog

How to Get Rid of Skunk Odor

See More: How to Keep Squirrels Out of Bird Feeders How to Keep Raccoons Out of Garbage Cans How to Free a Stuck Skunk

Raccoon Deterrent | 4 Ways to Keep Raccoons Out of Garbage Cans

3 More Raccoon Deterrent Ideas

LEARN MORE: Fun Facts about Raccoons & Common Raccoon Diseases How to Keep Squirrels Out of Bird Feeders | Simple Solutions How to Get Rid of Skunk Odor

How to Preserve Gourds and Display Them, Too

How to Preserve Gourds | Instructions

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How to Display Gourds

Create a gourd birdhouse.

Display flowers in gourds and pumpkins.

Create Thanksgiving place settings.

SEE MORE:Make a Pumpkin Planter | Pumpkin CraftsBest Fall Porch Plants5 Winter Squash Winners | How to Identify, Prepare, Store, and Serve Winter SquashFall Decorating Ideas | 10 Simple Ways to Add Garden Style

How to Make Perfect Scrambled Eggs

How to Make Perfect Scrambled Eggs

Moose-Watching Advice | How, When & Where to Spot a Moose in New England

New England Moose-Watching Advice The Animal That People Want to See the Most

How to Keep Squirrels Out of Bird Feeders | Simple Solutions

How to Keep Squirrels Out of Bird Feeders

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More Squirrel Solutions

Learn More:How to Keep Squirrels Away From Fall BulbsHow to Get Squirrels Out of Your Attic | Ask the ExpertHow to Get Rid of Skunk OdorRaccoon Deterrent | 4 Ways to Keep Raccoons out of Garbage Cans

Stop Rocking Chairs from Sliding | Rocking Chair Repair Tips

Stop Rocking Chairs from Sliding | Rocking Chair Repair Tips

SEE MORE: Get Scratches Out of Wood | DIY Reupholster a Dining Room Chair | DIY Fix Sticky Drawers | DIY How to Repair Torn Upholstery | DIY

Poison Ivy and Oak Treatment

POISON OAK & POISON IVY TREATMENT TIPS

Get the Poison Off Fast

Put Yourself in the Pink

Vinegar Works, Too

Use Milk to Shake the Itch

Listen to the Camp Nurse

This Weed Is a Jewel

Use the Ocean as a Lotion

Make Your Own Salty Sea

Feel Your Oats

A Plant Man Picks Tecnu

Pump Up with Steroids

SEE MORE: How to Get Rid of Poison Ivy | Ask the Expert Treat Bee Stings and Other Bug Bites How to Get Rid of Fleas on Dogs & Cats | Natural Remedies Hive Cures | What Causes Hives, Hives Treatment & More

How to Get Rid of Bats in the Attic

How to Get Rid of Bats in the Attic

Know Your Neighbors

Learn What Bats Like

Ignore the Quick Fixes

Is Anyone Home?

The ABCs of Bat Removal

Keep Bats Out

SEE MORE: How to Get Squirrels Out of Your Attic | Ask the Expert Raccoon Deterrent | 4 Ways to Keep Raccoons out of Garbage Cans How to Get Rid of Ants in the House

Keep Deer Out of the Garden | 5 Non-Toxic Gardening Tips

5 Ways to Keep Deer Out of the Garden

See More:

When to Prune Shrubs | Gardening Advice

How to Use Fallen Leaves As Fertilizer

New England Fall Planting Guide | What to Plant Before the First Frost

How to Get Rid of Chipmunks

How to Get Rid of Chipmunks

Chipmunks are making their home in my flowerbeds. Can you suggest plants that they’ll avoid? — M.B., Nashua, NH

What Do Chipmunks Eat?

How to Deter Chipmunks

Chipmunk Predators

See More: How to Keep Squirrels Away From Fall Bulbs 4 Ways to Keep Raccoons out of Garbage Cans How to Make a Wood Pallet Garden

How to Protect Yourself from Ticks & Lyme Disease

How to Protect Yourself from Ticks & Lyme Disease

Get Our FREE Yankee Best New England Vacations Guide!

SEE MORE:
Make a Pumpkin Planter | Pumpkin Crafts
Best Fall Porch Plants
5 Winter Squash Winners | How to Identify, Prepare, Store, and Serve Winter Squash
Fall Decorating Ideas | 10 Simple Ways to Add Garden Style

Learn More:
How to Keep Squirrels Away From Fall Bulbs
How to Get Squirrels Out of Your Attic | Ask the Expert
How to Get Rid of Skunk Odor
Raccoon Deterrent | 4 Ways to Keep Raccoons out of Garbage Cans