The Front Porch Swing

[RachaelS]

Bee,

I remember a while back Jake had fleas and you had a tough time getting rid of them. What finally worked? I have not had fleas since we moved out of town 9 years ago and now all the sudden they are popping up. DH said he has had 3 land on him. Thanks for any suggestions.

PS If anyone else has advice I would love to hear it

 

[LindaB220]

I like! What if you do that in a chicken coop...?

I found this this year and was attempting to make a hugelkultur bed. I had a lot of sticks and limbs and started putting leaves, coffee grounds, dog hair, paper, some dirt and layering it piece by piece. I'm too unsteady to jump on it and stomp down the sticks so I just kept adding and adding. I don't have one of those sprayers to I made it up in a 1/2 gall container and just poured some over the whole bed. It one week it had sunk about 5 inches. I'm going to add a lot of dirt and compost and start planting this year. Not sure about the coop. It might kill all the worms and bugs. Don't know.

 

[Triple Willow]

I found this this year and was attempting to make a hugelkultur bed.   I had a lot of sticks and limbs and started putting leaves, coffee grounds, dog hair, paper, some dirt and layering it piece by piece.  I'm too unsteady to jump on it and stomp down the sticks  so I just kept adding and adding.  I don't have one of those sprayers to I made it up in a 1/2 gall container and just poured some over the whole bed.  It one week it had sunk about 5 inches.  I'm going to add a lot of dirt and compost and start planting this year.    Not sure about the coop.  It might kill all the worms and bugs.  Don't know. 

Interesting! I really need to start doing something like that. I have lots of dead leaves, grass clippings, sticks and limbs, etc.

 

[Ms Jellybean]

A different view of my First Favorite Tree.




And a close up of the blossoms.

That is such a beautiful tree!!

PS If anyone else has advice I would love to hear it

When I bought my house a year and a half ago my dog and cats got fleas for the first time ever. I've never had an issue with fleas since I got my first dog in the 1980's. I was very upset and started researching everything I could. Dawn dish soap will kill them. The recipes for it say to mix it with vinegar but you don't have to. I just used it strait out of the bottle. Be sure to let the suds sit on the pet for 5 minutes before rinsing. It kills the fleas, but not the eggs. Don't wash them too frequently as the Dawn strips the natural oils.
I started using Advantix and haven't had any trouble since. I was treating both the dog and the cats, but now I just treat the dog.
I also vacuumed the house really well and washed everything the pets had been on in hot water. I sprinkled baking soda on the carpet and let it sit for several minutes before vacuuming it up. Empty the vacuum bag after each use. It took a couple of months but I don't have a flea problem anymore. It's been over a year now too.

 

[RachaelS]

Thanks Jellybean!

 

[Ms Jellybean]

Just watched the drunken compost video. Very interesting.

I don't think I have enough stuff to compost around here. I only catch my grass in the fall to get rid of the bulk of the leaves I have and I dump them straight into my garden to compost over the winter. I may need to find a place to compost them this fall though since I want to try winter gardening. I am thinking about the pallet type though since it is nicely contained.

 

[Triple Willow]

It's spring and I have bugs (BSF) on my mind...

 

[Ms Jellybean]

Isn't this a neat idea? I think it looks a little on the small side though for anything bigger than bantams.

 

[LindaB220]

Interesting! I really need to start doing something like that. I have lots of dead leaves, grass clippings, sticks and limbs, etc.

I look at Reaganite71's next update on the pile and it was loaded with worms so I guess it could be used in the coop.

 

[TexasLisa]

I want my frosted butterfly back!

Awwwww Blooie, cantcha tell when I am yankin' your chain? Here is my peace offering. (Blue like your name)

@Bee... well that's a start, he's not a chicken killer. Thank goodness. Who knows, he may turn out good. Or you might find him a home with chickens and a fence to keep him in.

TW, I got dibs on him if Bee doesn't want him!!

Lisa sorry for
Quote:
You have to understand I am married to a mechanical engineer. If it doesn't involve a motor, it is a quick job. You take some chicken wire and some stakes. Make a BIG circle, stake the chicken wire and WALLA, a compost bin!

Lisa