Snake in the Garden

Potting bench

I spotted a snake in the garden today.

He was black orange and brown.

No audible rattle but he was so fast, who knows. 

Later I searched online, found some sites with images. This only confused me as I only got a

glimpse of him. Hoping it's a gopher snake...

Calling him Tony, some of you might know why...

Put my cowgirl boots on, an orange bucket, a cardboard lid, gloves

and the pool scoop all ready for battle.

My plan was to capture him and send him on the other side of the

glass wall. However, couldn't find him.

 

Do I have to rip out all my nasturiums, trim under the bushes and

cut back all the herbs?

 

Meanwhile I'm at the office, working on a couple purchase loans

that need to turn in their paperwork. Turn in your taxes and bank

statements or I'll send Tony over to pick them up, lol.

 

Perhaps I can get a short video

of him and post it before I send him off to the beach?

 

 

Curbside appeal

Nice example of hardscape, gorgeous front door, and white impatiens 

Another example of simple elegant curbside appeal. The brick and stucco

low wall are softened by privet hedge and white roses. I love the jealousy

glass in the front door. Wish my photographs were taken on a foggy day.

Who says there is June gloom in Laguna Beach?

 

 

Don't Change These During Mortgage Process

Caroline Gerardo Senior Loan Officer NMLS #324982 Cell 949-637-8190 Office 949-784-9699 eFax 855-883-4303 CarolineGerardo@eaglehm.com www.eaglehomemortgage.com/carolinegerardo Committed to Seeing You Home. Eagle Home Mortgage 8105 Irvine Center Drive Suite #500 Irvine CA 92618 NMLS #849059 CA #813I609 Universal American Mortgage Company of California, dba Eagle Home Mortgage of California. Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act. RMLA #4130383, NMLS #252392. Certain restrictions apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Applicants must qualify.

Mosquito Trap Free

How to make a mosquito trap

How to Make a mosquito Trap without 

spending a dime. I had all these things:

liter soda bottle is best (we don't 

buy soda so I used a thinner water one)

old miss matched black sock (you know those lost extras)

old black tshirt 

used file folders

plastic grocery bags

black plastic pot used

scissors 

duct tape

2 tablespoons brewer's yeast

5 tablespoons white sugar

old smashed nectarine (or substitute)

1/8 cup of any wine

cup of warm water

drops of jasmine oil 

teaspoon boric acid

I had these two black socks without matches I wasn't certain
which one would fit right.

War on mosquitoes.

Organic, cheap, budget, green

First step is to check your yard and neighbor's and

get rid of any standing water or soggy lawn. Kill the

larvae by drying them in direct sunlight or put them 

in a jar and freeze them for a day.

The second step in creating your trap is to make

the syrup bait.

In an old jar put all the wet ingredients 

Stir the sugar, wine, yeast and water and

place in full sun no lid for a day or two

Save the jasmine

Third step:

line up all your pieces.

I cut the old t-shirt into strips that I used for

my tomatoes and had some scraps left over.

Below here you will see the cotton strip.

I decided it was too wide for my wick.

I ripped it in half without scissors.

The strip is double the length of my cut 

bottle as to hang touching the syrup and 

be tucked outside to the sock.

This will make the odors come out

more into the room to tempt the critters

Here is a plastic pot that I'm using to hold up the
mosquito trap and keep my nosy dogs from
knocking it over.
I lined the bottom with paper scraps then
two  plastic bags, just  in case something
or someone knocks it over

Cut your bottle at about 2/3
level. Use a sharp knife to
make a hole, then scissors
around the circumference.
Mine isn't perfect or pretty.
Duct tape the inverted lid
into the larger bottom half.

I cut two collars.
I left the old wire
tab clips on. They
will act as spacers
holding the bottle
upright inside the
plastic pot.
They also add
shade for bugs.
Mosquitoes like
black so I've
covered the exterior
all dark.

Shimmy the sock over the plastic bottle.

See here I ripped the t-shirt into a
thinner strip for my wick.

Place the wick inside.
Add the boric acid and a couple drops
of jasmine oil to the solution before you
pour it into the trap.
Gently pour the solution into the bottle.
Place the bottle centered in the pot.
You could add more plastic bags as
side wall air bags.
Put one collar around an inch up from the base
Second collar half way up.
I made a third one of black paper for the top.

The trap should be placed where there is no
wind. Choose a corner near where people
will be. The trap mimics the odor of human
exhaled breath. Mosquitoes like black, they
like jasmine and they like rotting nectarines.


They should fly in and have a little cocktail.
They won't be able to fly well, and night night

Add drops of jasmine to the wick every
other day.
The solution syrup lasts about 11 days.

Don't forget to check, fountains, old tires,
and leaks. It is summer and they love an
invitation to a party.

Top of the trap
Nothing better than
DIY cheap