Monday, June 08, 2009

Kid and Pet-Friendly Pest Control [DIY] . There are a myriad of off-the-shelf pest control solutions you can use to get rid of everything from ants to wasps, but very few are kid and pet friendly. This homemade solution is. Photo by jpcatlbot. You wouldn't want your dog to eat, or your kid to play with, most ant traps, fly strips, and other commercial pest control tools. You don't have to sacrifice effectiveness for safety, thanks to a handy list of DIY solutions put together by the Make-Stuff site. Take fly strips, for instance. Commercial fly strips are usually a mixture of glue and insecticides, but the DIY version contains only paper and sugar. Save for the yuck factor, your dog could eat the whole thing with no ill effect. From their pest control guide: 1/4 cup maple syrup 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1 tablespoon granulated sugar Mix ingredients together in a small bowl. Pour over strips of brown paper and let soak overnight. To hang, poke a hole in one end of a strip and tie a string to it. For more traps and repellents, check out the full list at the link below. If you have your own pest banishing trick, share it in the comments. Insect Repellent Formulas [via Curbly] [Lifehacker] 11:38:42 AM     Gander Mountain and DNR Offer "First Time Campers' Program. Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas Urban Outreach Team is excited to announce the "First Time Campers" program. This program, sponsored by Gander Mountain, is a unique one-time experience for people who are new to camping. The goal is to provide an opportunity for "newbie campers" to experience both camping and the outdoors. Equipment, instructions, gear and information guides are all provided for a two night stay at a very reasonable rate ($20). To help "First Time Campers" be prepared for the adventure, each group will receive a "welcome kit" filled with details on what to pack, what to expect, and what to wear. After check-in, DNR staff will walk "First Time Campers" through the process of setting up camp and settling in for a great Michigan adventure. This will include information on putting up a tent, starting a campfire, and cooking on a camp stove. While the campers won't get to keep the gear they use, Gander Mountain will be offering great discounts on everything they will be trying. Gear provided by Gander Mountain for each participating location: 1 tent 1 tarp 2 camp chairs 1 flashlight 1 lantern 1 stove 4 hot dog/marshmallow cookers 2 fishing poles Choose the Campground To be a "First Time Camper", contact the participating park or recreation area directly. Baraga State Park Park Supervisor - Dan Dowdy, 906-353-6882 Bay City Recreation Area Park Supervisor - Mike Evanoff, 989-684-9141 Bewabic State Park Park Supervisor - Robert Strittmatter, 906-875-3324 Cheboygan State Park Park Supervisor - Paul Koszegi, 231-627-2811 Hayes State Park Park Supervisor - Tim Bauer, 517-467-7401 Hoffmaster State Park Park Supervisor - Charles Ehrlich, 231-798-3711 Holly Recreation Area Park Supervisor - Shawn Speaker, 248-634-8811 Muskegon State Park Park Supervisor - Kevin Klco, 231-744-3480 Pinckney Recreation Area Park Supervisor - Jon LaBossiere, 734-426-4913 Pontiac Lake Recreation Area Park Supervisor - Karis Floyd, 248-666-1020 Port Crescent State Park Park Supervisor - Betsy Kish, 989-738-8663 Sleeper State Park Park Supervisor - George Lauinger, 989-856-4411 Traverse City State Park Park Supervisor - Tim Schreiner, 231-922-5270 Wells State Park Park Supervisor - Hector Valdez, 906-863-9747 Young State Park Park Supervisor - Sue Rose, 231-582-7523 Search for other state park and recreation areas [Red Tape Blog] 11:38:10 AM

© Copyright 2009 Jocelyn Shaw. Last update: 7/1/2009; 10:01:23 AM. Photo curtesy of Marjorie O'Brien