4 Ways to Keep Your Attic Rodent Free

Buy at Amazon

If you find yourself hearing noises in your attic, you may have some unwanted guests. Don’t ignore the signs. Hearing thumping or scratching noises especially at night is a surefire sign that you have animals or even squirrels in your attic.

Also, if you keep finding your trash can overturned and waste in your yard, this can be an indication that something is thinking about or currently taking up residence in your home. Acting early is important.

Animals like raccoons and squirrels living in your attic can quickly cause severe damage. They are notorious for destroying wiring, pipes and air ducts. You will need to seek the help of a professional to rid your house of these rodents and animals and seek the help of a professional cleaning crew. These types of animals carry diseases that are harmful both to humans and their pets. Here are some ways you can keep your attic rodent free.

Secure your Chimney

This is one of the easiest ways for rodents to get into your house and make there way into your walls or attic. Before taking any steps to block this entrance, you must first make sure there are no animals currently taking up residence in your chimney.

You can check it out yourself or ask for the help of a professional. You can use a chimney cap or vent, to make this inaccessible to animals. The cap will allow smoke to escape your chimney still but will block any unwanted guests.

Check your Roof

Check for any holes or damage to your roof. Missing shingles, gaps around vents or damage to flashing can be an indication that something is trying to get in or is already in. If you have any holes or damage, you must fix them as soon as possible.

Pay particular attention to pipe vents because they can dig around those and squeeze their way into your attic. The professional you have come out can advise you of potential work that needs to be done and additional preventative measures such as vent covers and reinforcements.

Trees and Bushes

Step back and check if you are making it easy for rodents and other animals to gain access to your roof. Do the trees in your yard have branches that touch your roof or are close? If so, these should be trimmed back, so they don’t provide a walkway to your house. Remember, a squirrel can jump pretty far, up to 20 feet in some cases. Keep this in mind when you are planting and pruning around your yard.

Yard

Keep your yard clean an uninviting to rodents and critters. Make sure when you take your trash out it is secure. Never leave bags loose on the sidewalk for pickup, this will attract animals and they will think this is an excellent area to source food and then begin to look for and make a shelter. You can also have a huge mess on your hands.

Make sure your trash cans lids are nice and secure and can’t be easily tipped over. You will also need to watch leaving pet food for dogs, cats or birds out all night. Raccoons especially hunt for this type of easy food at night.

If you are worried that you are at risk for having a rodent or animal problem in your attic or home, you can always call out a pest control specialist.

Most companies will send out an expert that can walk your property with you and inspect your roof and attic to look for weak areas. They are trained to look for spots that we usually wouldn’t see that can easily be covered or plugged.

Conclusions

The bottom line is, it is more cost effective to act now. If you wait until you hear noises in your attic or see other signs, there may already be severe damage that can be expensive to fix. If you do find yourself in this situation, call your homeowners insurance and let them know right away.

They can begin a claims process with you to help alleviate the costs of repairs. Most insurance companies will cover any damages to your roof or home, along with costs to repair or plug holes. While they won’t take care of personal items that are damaged in your attic, they will cover the costs to fix any electrical or plumbing work you may encounter. Taking preventive measures before this happens is the most straightforward path to take.

Tree House Project: Make Your Kids Wishes Come True

Click to View More

Tree houses were all about a quick assembly of a simple little house where the kid could play with a bunch of friends and lead imaginary life. Today, tree houses are more of a complex building that includes certain luxuries unknown to the previous generations. Even so, this type of tree house building has a lot of benefits for the kids – a mutual work between the parents and the kids will bring out a lot of fun and educational experience.

The benefits of building a tree house

Building a modern tree house with your kids will take a couple of days, maybe more, but every step of the process will bring a teachable moment for the kids.

Physical activity – kids won’t even notice how hard they work while they are helping you build the tree house. This helps them be highly physically active, strengthening them and making them fit. It is an easier form of getting them active than forcing them to do regular exercises or a sport they don’t enjoy. Obesity is a frequent issue with kids of newer generations, and an outdoor project is what will entertain them and help them fight it.

Teamwork and problem-solving – the motto here is: the more, the merrier. Including the whole family will create team spirit and strengthen the bond between you. You will have a mutual goal you are aspiring to. And let’s not forget the problem-solving skills your kids will improve. Starting from calculating the size of the walls, the exterior look, the materials that have to be used and even the budget you need to stick to – your kids can be included in every step of the process, making their contribution, realizing what the limits are and how to overcome certain challenges. And all of that being done with close members of the family, figuring out the problems together.

Connecting with nature – spending too much time indoors separates children with natural processes around them, like changing seasons, leaves falling off, blooming of the flowers and lives of small animals around them. Building a tree house will expose your kids to the natural environment, and every day they spend outside working on the tree house (and later on, in the tree house that’s been completed) will show them what happens in the world around them, creating a strong connection with the living things in their backyard.

Sensitivity to risk – while building a tree house, there are certain things that can go wrong and endanger your kids’ safety, so it’s highly important to teach the kids about the necessity of taking precautions to avoid any injuries. Children learn from what they see, so make sure you are the role model demonstrating a cautious approach to work in order to protect yourself and others. It will prepare your kids for the potential risks in the future – they will learn to think in advance about possible dangers and they will know how to protect themselves.

Necessary tools for the construction

You don’t need a workshop to build a tree house, but here’s a list of the necessary equipment that will ensure quicker work, too.

Firstly, it’s important to note that angles and measurements stay accurate, so this is the part where your kids can help – but always double-check everything before you actually start cutting. A circular saw will save you a lot of time and effort here.

Next, as you will have to cut beams, studs and joists at a precise 90° so that they are connected firmly, a speed square is another useful tool for the precision.

A cordless and a corded drill are the next necessity, depending on the size of the hole you will need to drill.

Folding sawhorses are very stable even though they are really light. You can use them for cutting beams or to support a table with tools and smaller parts.

The safety gear you will need includes safety glasses to protect eyes from the dust and debris, cut-resistant gloves with a good grip. Earplugs to prevent hearing loss from loud noises, those power tools are sometimes just too noisy. And of course a pair of Australian work boots that provide protection and stability when doing any kind of handiwork around your house.

The most important parts

Supports is what you need to first decide on, and they include:

Posts – as they are inserted into the ground, they damage the tree the least.

Bolts – even though this is the traditional method, beams and platforms being inserted into the tree, this is very damaging to the tree.

Suspension – chains and ropes are what you use to suspend the house from bigger branches, but it isn’t appropriate for heavier constructions.

The platform and deck are the parts that need to be leveled and built as close to the trunk as possible, which could mean you will have to cut some holes if some branches get in the way. The deck should include railing so that no one falls off.

The access to the tree house – if the tree house is lower to the ground, it will be enough to put a rope ladder or the wooden one. But if the structure is high in the tree, a long wooden ladder with a handrail would be a better choice. If your kids enjoy adventures, you could even consider building a spiral ladder around the trunk.

Final words

Once you know the basic elements you need to have and to plan, they only thing left to do is to get on to work together, enjoy the learning process and everything that comes after it.

3 Common HVAC Leaks to Look Out For

Buy at Amazon

Did you know most HVAC service calls are related to some type of leak? A leak in your heating and cooling system can reduce the efficiency of your system, increase your energy costs, cause premature wear and tear to the HVAC system, and even damage your home.

We’ve compiled here information on three common leaks you should watch for to keep your system in good working order.

1. HVAC System Leaking Water

Do you notice water pooling inside your air conditioner? Do you have water leaking out of the system when it’s turned on? Leaks are common with central AC systems and they may be caused by many problems. If ignored, these leaks can cause serious damage to your home. If you have an air handler above your ceiling, for example, the water can drip and damage the structural integrity of your home.

There are 3 primary reasons for an air conditioner to leak:

  • Clogged air filter. Your air filter should be changed every 1-2 months. When the air filter looks dirty, replace it right away. A dirty air filter can make ice buildup on the AC’s evaporator coils. When this ice melts, it will leak water.
  • Crack in the overflow pan. You can tell if this is the problem by inspecting your overflow pan for problems with a flashlight. This pan is designed to catch condensation from your air conditioner, but it can develop small cracks and tiny holes, especially along the edges and corners.
  • Clogged drain lines. Drain lines divert condensate away from the air conditioner, but these lines are prone to clogging. When this happens, the water backs up and begins to flood the pan. You can use a hand pump or a wet/dry vacuum to suck clogs out of the line. Your drain line should also be cleaned regularly, before you develop clogs, to prevent a build-up of mildew, algae, and sludge.

2. Air Duct Leaks

Not all leaks involve liquids; leaks in your home’s ductwork can cause you to lose heated or conditioned air. Ducts are responsible for transporting cooled and heated air from your HVAC system to other areas of your home. If there’s a hole or gap in the duct work, it allows the air to escape.

Leaky ductwork can result in up to 30% in energy losses. Because the heated or conditioned air is escaping through leaks, your HVAC system has to run longer to reach your thermostat setting.

Leaking ductwork can also cause unnecessary wear and tear on your air conditioner or furnace. When your system runs longer than necessary, it can strain components and accelerate wear. This can lead to more frequent HVAC repairs. Air duct leaks can even reduce your indoor air quality by allowing the ducts to pull in dirt, dust, and other contaminants in the crawl space and attic.

The good news is air duct leaks are easy to address. Sealing your air ducts with metal tape and insulating ducts that can be accessed can dramatically reduce energy loss and save you a significant amount on your heating and cooling costs.

3. Air Conditioner Refrigerant Leaks

Refrigerant is what your AC system uses inside its coils to remove heat from the air. The correct amount of refrigerant is added when an HVAC system is installed and the refrigerant is never used up. As long as the system remains sealed, the refrigerant will stay in the coils.

Older systems are prone to developing refrigerant leaks, however. When your coils develop cracks or hole, the refrigerant can escape. This forces your air conditioner to work harder and become less efficient. You may have a refrigerant leak if your AC is not cooling your home very well even though air flow and the fans seem to be working normally. Over time, this problem will get worse.

Never ignore a refrigerant leak. Along with preventing your AC system from cooling your home, it can also damage your air conditioner. When refrigerant levels get low, your AC will compensate by running longer. This increases pressure in the system and may damage components like the compressor.

The longer your AC runs, the more energy it will use. A 10% drop in your refrigerant level can force your AC system to use up to 20% more energy.

Conclusion

If you’re like many people, you don’t think of your HVAC first when you consider water damage and leaks in your home. It may be time to change your thinking. A leaking HVAC system can end up costing you thousands when it comes to water damage, higher energy costs, and HVAC repairs. Preventive maintenance is the best way to keep these costs at bay.

Buying Guide: Best Scope Mounts

Buy at Amazon

It is very important that you ensure that rifles work as intended.  Owning am expensive rifle does not guaranty accurate shots. Proper quality firearm accessories play a massive role into ensuring that you weapon can give its 100% every time, there are few accessories more vital and essential to a gun than a scope mount.

Today I am posting a guest article to introduce you to the best scope mounts in the opinion of the guest author.

Benefits to using a scope mount:

Let’s start with the most primary benefit which is to actually lock and hold scope in place. A scope doesn’t come in design that lets it attach to the gun itself. So, you obviously need a mount to do that.

With a mount, the scope is securely locked inside the rings of the mount. This keeps the device put in one place no matter how to move and maneuver.

Buying Guide: best scope mounts!

1. Type of scope mount

There are many different types of scope mounts out there in use today. And the most popular choices are either a weaver style mount or a picatinny style mount.

A weaver style mount is the new craze. It has flat rails that have vertical slots and are used with Weaver style rings. These rails run under the rings and click into the crosswise slots in the bases. This is what prevents movement from recoil. A picatinny style mount is pretty identical to weaver style, except is has wider slots.

2. Material

Most scope mounts today are made out of aluminum. But steel mounts are also still in use. For a learner or beginner, we recommend aluminum mounts which is far more lightweight and inexpensive.

Best scope mounts reviews

Modkin High Profile Scope Mount

Buy at Amazon

The first mount to make it to our list of the best scope mounts is dedicated to everyone out there who is looking for a good quality mount without having to burn a hole through their wallet: the High Profile Scope Mount from Modkin.

The Modkin High Profile Scope Mount is made for scopes with a 1-inch tube diameter on a for picatinny or weaver rail that is of 20mm in size. What’s nice about this scope mount is that it features a hollowed out design between the sbest cope ring and the bottom of the base. This makes releasing super easy and yet, makes for a very tight attachment.

Speaking of which, this mount has just 1 rail clamp screw and 1 scope clamp screw on each side. All you have to do detach it is twist off the nut and you are good! And to ensure that the scope does not scratch or slide due to the impact for the shot fired from the weapon, the Modkin High Profile Scope Mount has a built-in tape in the scope ring. This keeps the scope nice and put even during hard recoil. A great plus for shooters who have 0 seconds to play around with adjusting the scope after a shot. One other thing we really like is that the scope is just 2.1 inch from the rail of your weapon. This makes re-targeting so much easier and quicker. Apart from these, it weighs less than 1.5 ounces and is made from decent quality aluminum alloy. Pretty neat for price.

Speaking of which, who doesn’t love a good deal? The Modkin High Profile Scope Mount comes in a set of 2. That’s twice the value!

Pros:

  • Easy to attach and detach
  • Built-in tape; prevents scratching and sliding
  • Close to the rail
  • Set of 2
  • Includes wrench

Cons:

  • Loosens after a few shots; single screw

Lirisy Dovetail Scope Mount Rings

Buy at Amazon

If you liked the value-packed nature of our first pick for the best scope mount, but are still looking for something a little more reliable, then look no further than the Lirisy Dovetail Scope Mount Rings.

The Lirisy Dovetail Scope Mount Rings, like the Modkin High Profile Scope Mount, come in a set of 2. Woohoo! This ring however is hands down a little more robust than the former.

The Lirisy Dovetail Scope Mount Ring is made for 11mmdovetail rails for a 1-inch diameter scope. Made out of high quality aluminum, has a 14mm profile and features a tape inside the ring to prevent scratches on your scope as well as hold it tight.

Speaking of which, unlike many mounts which have 1 screw on each side, this scope mount goes on to over 4 screws!

This obviously makes for a more securely held scope with minimal shifting or sliding after shots.

Pros:

  • Very secured and put; 4 screws
  • Built-in tape; prevents scratching and sliding
  • Close to the rail
  • Set of 2
  • Includes wrench

Cons:

  • Poorly designed threads
  • Takes a while to attach and detach

Final words

And that was everything you need to about picking out the best scope mounts! We have put together everything from a comprehensive buying guide to FAQs. But most importantly, we introduced you to detailed review of 5 of the best scope mounts so that you get a better understanding and insight of what goes into making a winner product.
With that, it’s wrap! We hope you found everything you were looking for. Thank you for staying with us. Adios!

Recovering A Liver Shot Deer

Buy at Amazon

In the event that you’ve shot a deer previously while hunting, you’re most likely comfortable with the general grouping of occasions. Going from shooting the liver to the recovery of the liver can take negligible hours, depending on several points. It’s dependably a probability that we could lose a sight of the injured liver, which will lead to many sleepless nights. This guide will help you in recovering a liver shot deer so you can increase your reputation by becoming a better hunter.

Tracking Stages

Ideally, for your sake, you are going through this article before you make the shot. Guaranteeing that you know and take after each step of the blood trail tracking is critical. All things considered, this post will make you step by step of the deer blood trail tracking strategy from straightforwardly after the shot, to the point where you recover your deer.

Back Off Right Away

A liver shot is regularly the after-effect of a shot that was off its check and back of the vitals. In many cases our aim is off, we tackled a deer in motion, or we were tricked by the deer’s front foot position. At the point when a broadside deer’s front leg is back in its position, the front part of the vitals is secured. This leaves a little part of lungs uncovered and a shot that took a gander at the season of effect really may have hit back of the lungs and hit the liver. Whenever possible, sit tight for a deer to advance forward with their front foot, uncovering the vitals, before taking your shot.

The liver shot is a deadly shot yet requires an any longer wait time than a lung or heart shot. Blood trailing deer after a liver shot is likely the trickiest of all things considered. Numerous deer are pushed because of untimely recovery tries with a liver shot deer.

A liver shot deer may take off at any pace, with its tail up or down, yet will, for the most part, go to sleep after a short separation. If not disturbed, the deer will typically pass on at this area. The blood from a liver shot is to a greater extent a darker red/maroon and has a watery consistency. We recommend holding up 5-6 hours, if the climate allows, before blood trailing a liver shot deer.

My Experience: My experience was an exemplary instance of a liver hit—due to where I saw the arrow hit on affect, the deer’s response, and the dull red blood I found on the ground and arrow. In the wake of giving the deer a half hour, I wrongly went after it. I kicked him up around 100 yards from where I shot him. It was by then I chose to withdraw the forested areas for the night and return the following day. If at any time in question, give the animal time.

Search for Evidence

Subsequent to replaying these details in your brain or checking the hunting cameras, move down and explore to the point of interest where you trust you shot the deer. This is the place numerous seekers turn out badly with tracking deer. Numerous seekers mistakenly simply take up the trail instantly. Regardless of whether there is clear blood, this activity can destroy your recovery effort rapidly in the wrong circumstance. You’ll clearly be searching for blood, yet additionally focus on hair, irritated leaves, and broken branches. Loads of white hair implies either your shot was low on the stomach or it left the deer low.

Another Important Point is to look at the arrow. Chasing arrows can reveal to you a ton as well. Inspect the blood on it and give it a sniff. You may even have a marker area or white wrap that can obviously demonstrate the blood. We’ll take a gander at the blood classifications beneath for various shots, however in the event that it smells spoiled, it’s imaginable you influenced a paunch to hit.

Stay Hydrated And Get Some Rest

Try not to punish your rest and how you feel previously and between the duration of the track. Bring water and bites. This was particularly valid for me since it was September temperatures. In the event that you end up exhausted, your engine aptitudes and faculties endure, and you may surrender the trail too early. Additionally, you have to keep up high resolve, and that begins with feeling refreshed and supported.

Blood Trailing Deer

While a liver shot is constantly deadly, it will take more time for a deer to die. In the event that you locate the thicker, dull red blood, hold up no less than four hours if conceivable before you begin tracking. Liver shot deer will more often than not make camp inside 200 yards to rest. On the off chance that unpressured, they will more often than not seep out and terminate in these first beds. In any case, if you surge in, you may jump the slept with deer. Since they may just deliver droplets for a blood trail, each further inch you push them influences your tracking work significantly harder.

 Author BIO:

Sayfullah Khan

Sayfullah Khan is the founder of Beasts Insider, a multi-niche blog dedicated to provide honest product and blog reviews and information. He started this blog to provide unbiased product reviews (mostly in the form of Top 10). Check out his latest article on deer hunting for beginners.