4 Completely Natural Ways to Rid Your Property of Mice

4 Completely Natural Ways to Rid Your Property of Mice

  Mice can be the bane of the homestead pantry, and feed shed, and garden, and…well, you get the idea. One thing that is important to understand is you will never have only one.  You may see only one, but there where there is one there is the potential for dozens more.  With a very short breeding cycle, mice can overrun a food source in a matter of weeks if left to their own devices. For many of us, the first reaction to the idea of mice is to go out and buy some chemical bait that will get rid […]

Read more »
7 Interesting Ways to Use Excess Cucumbers

7 Interesting Ways to Use Excess Cucumbers

Congratulations on producing a successful homesteading garden this year! Now all you need to do is find ways to use your excess cucumbers. You’ve come to the right place. There is nothing as refreshing and crispy as a cucumber straight out of the garden. Even better are cucumbers in a salad or other yummy cold recipe made just for hot summer days and nights. We can suggest seven ways to use those lovely crunchy cucumbers. There are three recipes and four are for non-food uses that will surprise you.   Food Uses   1. Cucumber Tomato Salad This salad could […]

Read more »
Simple and Natural Homemade Pest Control Tips

Simple and Natural Homemade Pest Control Tips

Most homesteaders have gardens. In fact, they have large gardens and they rely on the food they grow to feed their family throughout the year. If that sounds like you, then you know just how problematic it can be when you have pests that try to take hold and destroy your crops. Fortunately, there are some natural methods you can use to combat those pests. Here are some of the ways to get control of your garden once more so you do not have to worry about bugs and slugs ruining your harvest. Slugs can be a real pain, and […]

Read more »
20 Ways to Control Your Pests Without Spraying Anything (Video)

20 Ways to Control Your Pests Without Spraying Anything (Video)

One of the principal reasons to go organic when it comes to your garden is to avoid toxic chemicals. However, there’s a reason cheap pesticides are appealing to so many farmers: pests are a real pain, and can destroy your whole crop, even your whole garden. So, you’ll need to find some natural alternatives to pesticides, and fortunately, there’s many very effective, 100% safe solutions for pest problems in the garden. This video, from an excellent organic gardening YouTube channel, has 20 suggestions for how to keep your garden pest-free. You don’t have to sacrifice pest control for the sake of […]

Read more »
How to Permanently Get Rid of Ants

How to Permanently Get Rid of Ants

Ants are a real drag to have in your home. And if you’re a homesteader, there’s a good chance you’re bringing lots of dirt inside from your garden or pasture, and with that comes ant eggs. Or perhaps you have lots of little nooks and crannies for ants to sneak in. Either way, if you’re battling ants constantly, year after year, you’re probably ready to be done with them. Ants are not only a big bother, they can actually pose a serious health risk if not addressed. It’s not common knowledge, but some ant species can actually transfer harmful pathogens […]

Read more »
Why Are My Plants Turning Yellow?

Why Are My Plants Turning Yellow?

Yellow leaves are never a happy sight to see on plants you’ve been caring for and watch grow. And they’re not a good sign. Yellow leaves on plants or entirely yellow plants can be indicative of a number of different issues. Here are some of them: Pests One possible cause of yellow leaves is pests that are living on the plant and leaves and taxing the plant’s energy and resources. To determine if this is the cause, inspect the plant carefully to see if you can find any pests. To treat this, you’ll need to eliminate the pests themselves. Neem […]

Read more »
3 Ways to Get Rid of Moles Without Killing Them   

3 Ways to Get Rid of Moles Without Killing Them  

  Moles can be a destructive force in your garden.  They burrow through the root zone of plants, and eat earthworms you depend on for healthy soil.  But they are cute little things too, so if you can keep them out of your garden without having to kill them, it’s worth a shot.  Here are 3 ways to get rid of moles that don’t involve killing them.   Vibrations Moles are incredibly sensitive to the vibrations made by insects and worms in the ground.  This is how they find their food.  This sensitivity can be used against them.  There are […]

Read more »
DIY Scrap Mouse Trap

DIY Scrap Mouse Trap

Mice can be a real problem, this time of year they aren’t satisfied with staying outside.  This means that they will bring all of their diseases with them, if you let them.  Exterminators can be expensive, and traps can too.  My favorite store bought trap is the igloo-like electric trap, and that can cost as much as $50 depending on where you get it.  Poisons can be dangerous to children and pets, and might leave a dead animal trapped in your walls rotting.  Like always, it’s better if you can just do it yourself.  Here is a video demonstrating and […]

Read more »
Getting Rid of Mice

Getting Rid of Mice

Some people are horrified of mice. Some people think they are cute. When you are a homesteader, they are a problem that you need to solve quickly. If you are unable to get rid of the mice, they can destroy or contaminate your food supply faster than you might think. They breed quickly, and when you see just one or two of these rodents, you can be sure the problem runs a lot deeper. First, you will want to determine just how you want to get rid of the mice – humanely or with lethal traps. It depends on how […]

Read more »
Natural Tips for Aphid Control

Natural Tips for Aphid Control

Aphids are a nightmare for anybody who has a garden, and if you have a garden, there is a very good chance that you have or will have aphids at some point. What you need to do is learn how to get rid of them so they do not destroy your supply. Fortunately, there are some good ways that you can get rid of these nasty little pests. First, you might want to consider adding some plants to your garden that help to repel aphids. Fortunately, some of these plants are going to be very useful and will likely be […]

Read more »
Tips for Repelling Ticks

Tips for Repelling Ticks

If you have to live in the woods, you’re probably very familiar with ticks. They are not a fun creature deal with, and they can cause Lyme disease. Whether you’re trying to protect yourself, your children, or pets, you need to have some tips for making sure you can keep ticks at bay. Garlic is said to work quite well at repelling ticks. However, you probably don’t want rub garlic all over yourself. Eating garlic or garlic pills can provide the same results though. Something to remember is that garlic is not good for pets such as dogs and cats. […]

Read more »
Super-Simple DIY Pest Repellent for the Garden

Super-Simple DIY Pest Repellent for the Garden

As you probably know, most commercially available pest-repellants are full of harmful chemicals that you wouldn’t want anywhere near your house, children, or pets, let alone near the garden that you’re growing your food in. Even if you don’t spray chemicals right on the leaves of your plants, spraying them around the perimeter, either to kill grass, weeds or bugs, will trickle into the soil and can easily be absorbed through the roots of your plants, and you don’t want that. But there is a very easy, at-home solution for keeping pests out of your garden, and it’s safe enough […]

Read more »
The Simplest, Safest Pesticide On Earth

The Simplest, Safest Pesticide On Earth

Long before war profiteering corporations began flooding the civilian market with their chemical products, people had been killing insects without blanketing their homes and gardens with carcinogenic and costly poisons.  You don’t have to be a chemist to prepare the age-old insecticide either, and you most likely already have what you need in your home.  It’s so simple that if you haven’t tried it already you probably won’t believe it until you do. It’s soap and water. That’s it, soap and water.  It kills nearly every insect, and even spiders and centipedes.  Some take a little more than others, but […]

Read more »
How to Make a DIY Gnat Trap

How to Make a DIY Gnat Trap

Gnats and fruit flies can be a real pain, especially when you keep fresh fruits and vegetables from your garden around the house. If you have a gnat infestation, and you’re looking for a way to get rid of them but you don’t want to spray chemicals everywhere, try one of these DIY gnat traps. The Vinegar Trap To make your trap, you’ll just need a few household items, including: A mason jar A lid Apple cider vinegar First, take your lid and poke several holes in it. You may want to use a punch or a sharp knife. Whatever […]

Read more »