Otis in the Suburbs (2 Viewers)

[Otis]

Oat- you actually have a septic tank? Not a cesspool, right??

Correct.

 

[Britney Spears]

There is a fine line between manly and stupid. Pretty sure I crossed that line a couple weeks ago.

That being said I completed PART 1 of my project. The tools pictured were the only ones used, minus my 2 guns...

Take your chainsaw and stick it pretty boys, this is how you cut down a tree and then remove the stump!!!

God did it take way longer and was harder than I thought compared to others. The tree was only about 20 feet tall and stump grinder was not an option since it's "top of the yard".

Worst thing ever, my 2011 seemed like a good idea at the time.....

A hatchet?Even I think this was a bad idea.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Can anyone remind me of the coupon route to take for home depot and lowes

 

[Rohn Jambo]

Can anyone remind me of the coupon route to take for home depot and lowes

According to my photographic memory, someone said the moving kit from the Post Office has the coupons.

 

[Rohn Jambo]

Oat- you actually have a septic tank? Not a cesspool, right??

Correct.

There have been a number of missing person cases involving septic tanks. Have you stopped hitchhiking?

 

[squidrope]

SEPTIC TANK QUESTIONIs there a reason a person would want to dig up the pipe that leads to our septic tank?About a week ago we had a plumbing company in to pump out the septic tank. Given the prior owners I figured it hadn't been done in years, and sure enough they had a record of their company being here about three years ago for the last service. In any event, when the guy first gets to our place, he asks where the tank is. I have no freaking idea. Where I grew up we had sewers, so I'm totally lost. Guy spends about 20 minutes driving a stake into random spots on the lawn where he suspects it could be. Finally Mrs. O rings the former homeowner and she gives us a ballpark idea. Guy finally finds it. It's just a couple inches below the surface. There were a couple of slate-like things there under the dirt to kind of protect it and also to "mark the spot" I assume, so that when you drive a shovel or something in there, you hit it and know you've found it. You move the two slate chunks and below that is a rubber cap on top of a PVC pipe (maybe 6 inches in diameter?) that goes straight down. Pumping it out goes smoothly enough. Before the guy leaves, he puts the two slate things back on top and reburies the pipe. No big deal.About two days ago I'm out there with a bottle of that weed killer stuff giving a once-over to the entire lawn. I notice nothing.Today I look out the window and notice it was dug up. The two chunks of slate were set off to the side of it, the dirt that was on top of those slates removed, and it is dug down to the rubber cap. I keep a close enough eye on the property these days given all the little projects we have going on here, and I would be surprised if this was like this yesterday or even this morning. I think I would have noticed. It was pretty apparent just looking out the dining room window.Question: why the hell would someone do this? I ran through one possibility that maybe an animal dug it up -- we have squirrels and raccoons and crap digging up little things in our yard all the time. But this was a more substantial digging job, and I even though the slate chunks aren't heavy, I don't think a squirrel could easily move them. They looked like they were moved by a person, set off on either side. Also what the hell does an animal want with my poop? Another option is maybe there was some buildup of gas pressure or something, so the lid blew and the dirt popped up and the slates moved off to the sides. But then again, the rubber cap seemed to be in place, and nothing like that has happened since we've moved in.If you're a random stranger, I don't think you would even know where this thing was. But are these the kinds of things people dig up and then steal -- like maybe sometiems they have a fancy expensive cap on the pipe? Did someone from the plumbing company come back and dig it up without telling us to take a look at something? Prior owner disgruntled and screwing with us? Wife's ex boyfriend shoving a stick of dynamite down there and hoping I'll be next to flush?I just can't imagine someone would come up onto our lawn in broad daylight or at night time and start digging up our septic tank outlet for no good reason. And this looks like the work of a person.Any ideas? I'm completely shuked here.

Update?

 

[Otis]

SEPTIC TANK QUESTIONIs there a reason a person would want to dig up the pipe that leads to our septic tank?About a week ago we had a plumbing company in to pump out the septic tank. Given the prior owners I figured it hadn't been done in years, and sure enough they had a record of their company being here about three years ago for the last service. In any event, when the guy first gets to our place, he asks where the tank is. I have no freaking idea. Where I grew up we had sewers, so I'm totally lost. Guy spends about 20 minutes driving a stake into random spots on the lawn where he suspects it could be. Finally Mrs. O rings the former homeowner and she gives us a ballpark idea. Guy finally finds it. It's just a couple inches below the surface. There were a couple of slate-like things there under the dirt to kind of protect it and also to "mark the spot" I assume, so that when you drive a shovel or something in there, you hit it and know you've found it. You move the two slate chunks and below that is a rubber cap on top of a PVC pipe (maybe 6 inches in diameter?) that goes straight down. Pumping it out goes smoothly enough. Before the guy leaves, he puts the two slate things back on top and reburies the pipe. No big deal.About two days ago I'm out there with a bottle of that weed killer stuff giving a once-over to the entire lawn. I notice nothing.Today I look out the window and notice it was dug up. The two chunks of slate were set off to the side of it, the dirt that was on top of those slates removed, and it is dug down to the rubber cap. I keep a close enough eye on the property these days given all the little projects we have going on here, and I would be surprised if this was like this yesterday or even this morning. I think I would have noticed. It was pretty apparent just looking out the dining room window.Question: why the hell would someone do this? I ran through one possibility that maybe an animal dug it up -- we have squirrels and raccoons and crap digging up little things in our yard all the time. But this was a more substantial digging job, and I even though the slate chunks aren't heavy, I don't think a squirrel could easily move them. They looked like they were moved by a person, set off on either side. Also what the hell does an animal want with my poop? Another option is maybe there was some buildup of gas pressure or something, so the lid blew and the dirt popped up and the slates moved off to the sides. But then again, the rubber cap seemed to be in place, and nothing like that has happened since we've moved in.If you're a random stranger, I don't think you would even know where this thing was. But are these the kinds of things people dig up and then steal -- like maybe sometiems they have a fancy expensive cap on the pipe? Did someone from the plumbing company come back and dig it up without telling us to take a look at something? Prior owner disgruntled and screwing with us? Wife's ex boyfriend shoving a stick of dynamite down there and hoping I'll be next to flush?I just can't imagine someone would come up onto our lawn in broad daylight or at night time and start digging up our septic tank outlet for no good reason. And this looks like the work of a person.Any ideas? I'm completely shuked here.

Update?

Been nervously keeping an eye on it. Nothing new.

 

[gianmarco]

SEPTIC TANK QUESTION

Is there a reason a person would want to dig up the pipe that leads to our septic tank?

About a week ago we had a plumbing company in to pump out the septic tank. Given the prior owners I figured it hadn't been done in years, and sure enough they had a record of their company being here about three years ago for the last service. In any event, when the guy first gets to our place, he asks where the tank is. I have no freaking idea. Where I grew up we had sewers, so I'm totally lost. Guy spends about 20 minutes driving a stake into random spots on the lawn where he suspects it could be. Finally Mrs. O rings the former homeowner and she gives us a ballpark idea. Guy finally finds it. It's just a couple inches below the surface. There were a couple of slate-like things there under the dirt to kind of protect it and also to "mark the spot" I assume, so that when you drive a shovel or something in there, you hit it and know you've found it. You move the two slate chunks and below that is a rubber cap on top of a PVC pipe (maybe 6 inches in diameter?) that goes straight down.

Pumping it out goes smoothly enough. Before the guy leaves, he puts the two slate things back on top and reburies the pipe. No big deal.

About two days ago I'm out there with a bottle of that weed killer stuff giving a once-over to the entire lawn. I notice nothing.

Today I look out the window and notice it was dug up. The two chunks of slate were set off to the side of it, the dirt that was on top of those slates removed, and it is dug down to the rubber cap. I keep a close enough eye on the property these days given all the little projects we have going on here, and I would be surprised if this was like this yesterday or even this morning. I think I would have noticed. It was pretty apparent just looking out the dining room window.

Question: why the hell would someone do this? I ran through one possibility that maybe an animal dug it up -- we have squirrels and raccoons and crap digging up little things in our yard all the time. But this was a more substantial digging job, and I even though the slate chunks aren't heavy, I don't think a squirrel could easily move them. They looked like they were moved by a person, set off on either side. Also what the hell does an animal want with my poop? Another option is maybe there was some buildup of gas pressure or something, so the lid blew and the dirt popped up and the slates moved off to the sides. But then again, the rubber cap seemed to be in place, and nothing like that has happened since we've moved in.

If you're a random stranger, I don't think you would even know where this thing was. But are these the kinds of things people dig up and then steal -- like maybe sometiems they have a fancy expensive cap on the pipe? Did someone from the plumbing company come back and dig it up without telling us to take a look at something? Prior owner disgruntled and screwing with us? Wife's ex boyfriend shoving a stick of dynamite down there and hoping I'll be next to flush?

I just can't imagine someone would come up onto our lawn in broad daylight or at night time and start digging up our septic tank outlet for no good reason. And this looks like the work of a person.

Any ideas? I'm completely shuked here.

Update?

Been nervously keeping an eye on it. Nothing new.

SepticCam ™

 

[NutterButter]

Can anyone remind me of the coupon route to take for home depot and lowes

Here's one that you can use at HD. Can't use at Lowes b/c its already been used and they scan the barcode.

 

[Tiger Fan]

Can anyone remind me of the coupon route to take for home depot and lowes

Here's one that you can use at HD. Can't use at Lowes b/c its already been used and they scan the barcode.

If you need something at lowe's, you can buy 10% coupons on ebay for like a buck. Also, if you give yourself enough lead time, you can purchase discounted gift cards at cardpool (this is my referral link...appreciate if you go through that ) for usually 93 cents on the dollar.

 

[jwb]

How is your bug problem? I had posted this in some other thread, but if you are hanging on the patio/etc, a few fans really help.

 

[belljr]

There is a fine line between manly and stupid. Pretty sure I crossed that line a couple weeks ago.

That being said I completed PART 1 of my project. The tools pictured were the only ones used, minus my 2 guns...

Take your chainsaw and stick it pretty boys, this is how you cut down a tree and then remove the stump!!!

God did it take way longer and was harder than I thought compared to others. The tree was only about 20 feet tall and stump grinder was not an option since it's "top of the yard".

Worst thing ever, my 2011 seemed like a good idea at the time.....

A hatchet?Even I think this was a bad idea.

The hatchet was for some of the smaller roots I couldn't get the axe on. Update most of the roots removed. Almost ready to backfill to seed in the fall!!!

 

[Otis]

How is your bug problem? I had posted this in some other thread, but if you are hanging on the patio/etc, a few fans really help.

Still vey buggy, especially on the warm muggy nights. We also have a Tom of bugs out front which are really annoying, especially those small flies/gnats. Every time you walk out of the house and down the front walkway you get ambushed. Same when getting out of the car to come back up. I wonder if it is partly due to all the bushes etc put there and I'm wondering I we pull all that crap out and try and grow grass on the hill instead if we might be better off. But one way or another I will have to figure out a solution because it's really annoying. I guess a couple plug in box fans could work on the patio, we will give that a shot.

 

[Otis]

I know shuke said bug zappers are white trash but do they work?

 

[ShaqAttaq]

yes

 

[shuke]

I know shuke said bug zappers are white trash but do they work?

Yes, they kill bugs. But I think they attract way many more than they kill.

 

[Arizona Ron]

I know shuke said bug zappers are white trash but do they work?

Yes, they kill bugs. But I think they attract way many more than they kill.

install ground track lighting instead of a light directly overhead of your back door. This will keep the back of your house lit and you aren't going to get a mouth full of bugs everytime you walk out the back door. It will also keep bugs from hanging around your door waiting to come in.

 

[NutterButter]

Can anyone remind me of the coupon route to take for home depot and lowes

Here's one that you can use at HD. Can't use at Lowes b/c its already been used and they scan the barcode.

If you need something at lowe's, you can buy 10% coupons on ebay for like a buck. Also, if you give yourself enough lead time, you can purchase discounted gift cards at cardpool (this is my referral link...appreciate if you go through that ) for usually 93 cents on the dollar.

Yeah, this is where I got mine.

 

[Otis]

I know shuke said bug zappers are white trash but do they work?

Yes, they kill bugs. But I think they attract way many more than they kill.

install ground track lighting instead of a light directly overhead of your back door. This will keep the back of your house lit and you aren't going to get a mouth full of bugs everytime you walk out the back door. It will also keep bugs from hanging around your door waiting to come in.

Exactly what I was thinking -- setting the lighting away from the house and patio. There are two bright flood lights (not working because I screwed up the wiring somewhere, oof) on the outside of the house, and when they work they attract all the bugs to right there, right above the screen door. Terrible idea. I was thinking about moving the flood lights to one of the trees in the yard, set off a bit from the house. Can light everything well enough from back there and keep the bugs attracted to that brightest light source as opposed to the patio.

 

[belljr]

I know shuke said bug zappers are white trash but do they work?

Yes, they kill bugs. But I think they attract way many more than they kill.

install ground track lighting instead of a light directly overhead of your back door. This will keep the back of your house lit and you aren't going to get a mouth full of bugs everytime you walk out the back door. It will also keep bugs from hanging around your door waiting to come in.

Exactly what I was thinking -- setting the lighting away from the house and patio. There are two bright flood lights (not working because I screwed up the wiring somewhere, oof) on the outside of the house, and when they work they attract all the bugs to right there, right above the screen door. Terrible idea. I was thinking about moving the flood lights to one of the trees in the yard, set off a bit from the house. Can light everything well enough from back there and keep the bugs attracted to that brightest light source as opposed to the patio.

They also make light bulbs that don't attract bugs - well that's what they claimhttp://www.nextag.com/bug-light-bulb/products-html

 

[Otis]

Replaced a bunch more wall switches and outlets this weekend with the "smart" devices, and also got the garage door opener under smart control/monitoring. Of course, ever since I did that work on Saturday, the lights throughout the house have been flickering. I must have left a loose connection somewhere. Meanwhile, mane of the devices I replaced did not have a neutral or ground, and I just replaced them as they were wired. I'm assuming that's not a good situation. I'm gonna need to get a reliable electrician in to have a look at everything and make some recommendations. I have to imagine running all new electrical throughout the entire house will cost a small fortune. Anyone ever go about doing this? Thoughts?

 

[Otis]

I know shuke said bug zappers are white trash but do they work?

Yes, they kill bugs. But I think they attract way many more than they kill.

install ground track lighting instead of a light directly overhead of your back door. This will keep the back of your house lit and you aren't going to get a mouth full of bugs everytime you walk out the back door. It will also keep bugs from hanging around your door waiting to come in.

Exactly what I was thinking -- setting the lighting away from the house and patio. There are two bright flood lights (not working because I screwed up the wiring somewhere, oof) on the outside of the house, and when they work they attract all the bugs to right there, right above the screen door. Terrible idea. I was thinking about moving the flood lights to one of the trees in the yard, set off a bit from the house. Can light everything well enough from back there and keep the bugs attracted to that brightest light source as opposed to the patio.

They also make light bulbs that don't attract bugs - well that's what they claimhttp://www.nextag.com/bug-light-bulb/products-html

Interesting. But those give off yellow light? Sounds sort of unpleasant...

 

[Reaper]

Replaced a bunch more wall switches and outlets this weekend with the "smart" devices, and also got the garage door opener under smart control/monitoring. Of course, ever since I did that work on Saturday, the lights throughout the house have been flickering. I must have left a loose connection somewhere. Meanwhile, mane of the devices I replaced did not have a neutral or ground, and I just replaced them as they were wired. I'm assuming that's not a good situation. I'm gonna need to get a reliable electrician in to have a look at everything and make some recommendations. I have to imagine running all new electrical throughout the entire house will cost a small fortune. Anyone ever go about doing this? Thoughts?

Can you please link that smart device stuff again... Can't find it..tks

 

[belljr]

I know shuke said bug zappers are white trash but do they work?

Yes, they kill bugs. But I think they attract way many more than they kill.

install ground track lighting instead of a light directly overhead of your back door. This will keep the back of your house lit and you aren't going to get a mouth full of bugs everytime you walk out the back door. It will also keep bugs from hanging around your door waiting to come in.

Exactly what I was thinking -- setting the lighting away from the house and patio. There are two bright flood lights (not working because I screwed up the wiring somewhere, oof) on the outside of the house, and when they work they attract all the bugs to right there, right above the screen door. Terrible idea. I was thinking about moving the flood lights to one of the trees in the yard, set off a bit from the house. Can light everything well enough from back there and keep the bugs attracted to that brightest light source as opposed to the patio.

They also make light bulbs that don't attract bugs - well that's what they claimhttp://www.nextag.com/bug-light-bulb/products-html

Interesting. But those give off yellow light? Sounds sort of unpleasant...

I only have one outback. It isn't like yellow at a disco strobe but there is a yellow tint. I don't go out back at night for long periods to give you a great answer but I don't really notice it being "weird" anymore.

 

[Otis]

Replaced a bunch more wall switches and outlets this weekend with the "smart" devices, and also got the garage door opener under smart control/monitoring. Of course, ever since I did that work on Saturday, the lights throughout the house have been flickering. I must have left a loose connection somewhere. Meanwhile, mane of the devices I replaced did not have a neutral or ground, and I just replaced them as they were wired. I'm assuming that's not a good situation. I'm gonna need to get a reliable electrician in to have a look at everything and make some recommendations. I have to imagine running all new electrical throughout the entire house will cost a small fortune. Anyone ever go about doing this? Thoughts?

Can you please link that smart device stuff again... Can't find it..tks

www.homeseer.comI bought the HomeTroller software/hardware as a controller.

I am using all Z-wave wireless communication for my devices. Had to buy the Z-troller communications hub/controller for that.

Tons of info here: board.homeseer.com

My doorlocks are these

Warning -- you have to be a little bit of a DIYer and somewhat adept with software/etc. to do this on your own.

I'm still working to get out a bunch of bugs in mine (back door lock not working properly, certain status events aren't 100% reliable, etc.)

 

[JerseyToughGuys]

Replaced a bunch more wall switches and outlets this weekend with the "smart" devices, and also got the garage door opener under smart control/monitoring. Of course, ever since I did that work on Saturday, the lights throughout the house have been flickering. I must have left a loose connection somewhere. Meanwhile, mane of the devices I replaced did not have a neutral or ground, and I just replaced them as they were wired. I'm assuming that's not a good situation. I'm gonna need to get a reliable electrician in to have a look at everything and make some recommendations. I have to imagine running all new electrical throughout the entire house will cost a small fortune. Anyone ever go about doing this? Thoughts?

It will cost a fortune. I was quoted 2500 for a small bathroom (3-4 outlets, 3-4 lights). That's with all the sheet rock down.I've also been told $150 per "line".(ETA: you could do some of it yourself, but the sheet rock/walls/joists are the real impediment. single pole lights and basic outlets are easy. I was always afraid to hook them into the service panel, but overcame it recently and found out that's the easiest part).

 

[Otis]

Replaced a bunch more wall switches and outlets this weekend with the "smart" devices, and also got the garage door opener under smart control/monitoring. Of course, ever since I did that work on Saturday, the lights throughout the house have been flickering. I must have left a loose connection somewhere. Meanwhile, mane of the devices I replaced did not have a neutral or ground, and I just replaced them as they were wired. I'm assuming that's not a good situation. I'm gonna need to get a reliable electrician in to have a look at everything and make some recommendations. I have to imagine running all new electrical throughout the entire house will cost a small fortune. Anyone ever go about doing this? Thoughts?

It will cost a fortune. I was quoted 2500 for a small bathroom (3-4 outlets, 3-4 lights). That's with all the sheet rock down.I've also been told $150 per "line".(ETA: you could do some of it yourself, but the sheet rock/walls/joists are the real impediment. single pole lights and basic outlets are easy. I was always afraid to hook them into the service panel, but overcame it recently and found out that's the easiest part).

Holy crap. I assume we'd then be looking at tens of thousands. Yeah, that's not doable. I'm thinking I will have an electrician and ask them to spend a few hours eyeballing the panel and some of the lines throughout the house, just to let us know that everything is OK and/or to give us some suggestions and an estimate for any major upgrades/fixes they would recommend. It's probably a few hundred bucks spent but worth the peace of mind...

 

[Otis]

Ever see that creepy move The Strangers, where the killers initially just stood off in the distance and watched eerily from afar before finally murdering everyone?

 

[corpcow]

Ever see that creepy move The Strangers, where the killers initially just stood off in the distance and watched eerily from afar before finally murdering everyone?

I love that the sticker is still on the shovel.Any good Italian wine there?

 

[Rohn Jambo]

Ever see that creepy move The Strangers, where the killers initially just stood off in the distance and watched eerily from afar before finally murdering everyone?

I am 110% certain that it's female.

 

[squidrope]

Ever see that creepy move The Strangers, where the killers initially just stood off in the distance and watched eerily from afar before finally murdering everyone?

BTW-Happy B-day

 

[Sarnoff]

Ever see that creepy move The Strangers, where the killers initially just stood off in the distance and watched eerily from afar before finally murdering everyone?

Will you please learn to hold your camera the other way when you record?

 

[The Big Guy]

Ever see that creepy move The Strangers, where the killers initially just stood off in the distance and watched eerily from afar before finally murdering everyone?

I felt like I was looking through a crack in the door, peeking in on your backyard myself. Unless you were going for the effect of trying to make the viewer feel like that serial killer-in that case you are a cinematic genius.

 

[Ned]

Ever see that creepy move The Strangers, where the killers initially just stood off in the distance and watched eerily from afar before finally murdering everyone?

Problem solved.

 

[Otis]

Ever see that creepy move The Strangers, where the killers initially just stood off in the distance and watched eerily from afar before finally murdering everyone?

Sorry, Spielberg. It's an iPhone. That's just the more natural way to hold it. I'm not thinking about cinematography when facing off against monstrous wild beasts.

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

Ever see that creepy move The Strangers, where the killers initially just stood off in the distance and watched eerily from afar before finally murdering everyone?

Agreed...and she probably has some babies around as well. CongratsAlso.. at the sticker on the shovel...

 

[gianmarco]

Ever see that creepy move The Strangers, where the killers initially just stood off in the distance and watched eerily from afar before finally murdering everyone?

I'd rather watch the Blair Witch.

 

[JerseyToughGuys]

Ever see that creepy move The Strangers, where the killers initially just stood off in the distance and watched eerily from afar before finally murdering everyone?

Mrs. Otis>hey!@~

 

[JerseyToughGuys]

does the shovel work better with the sticker removed?

 

[Otis]

Lots of grown men in here obsessed with stickers.

 

[squidrope]

does the shovel work better with the sticker removed?

If the shovel was worked, the sticker would be removed. So, yes the shovel does work better with the sticker removed.

 

[Otis]

does the shovel work better with the sticker removed?

If the shovel was worked, the sticker would be removed. So, yes the shovel does work better with the sticker removed.

 

[lumpy19]

does the shovel work better with the sticker removed?

If the shovel was worked, the sticker would be removed. So, yes the shovel does work better with the sticker removed.

What's the big deal here with the sticker? it's clearly worn off on the edges which means he's used the shovel. He just bought the house, how much do you want him to dig? I have a 3 year old shovel with some sticker remnants still on it. Does the rest of the FFA get home with their shovel and goo gone the sticker off the entire shovel?

 

[Sarnoff]

Ever see that creepy move The Strangers, where the killers initially just stood off in the distance and watched eerily from afar before finally murdering everyone?

You don't have to be Hitchcock or Coppola here, just rotate your wrist 90 degrees

 

[JerseyToughGuys]

does the shovel work better with the sticker removed?

If the shovel was worked, the sticker would be removed. So, yes the shovel does work better with the sticker removed.

:bsflag:Mine still has the sticker on it and I think I've moved 200000,000000 tons of #### with it over the years.

 

[JerseyToughGuys]

does the shovel work better with the sticker removed?

If the shovel was worked, the sticker would be removed. So, yes the shovel does work better with the sticker removed.

What's the big deal here with the sticker? it's clearly worn off on the edges which means he's used the shovel. He just bought the house, how much do you want him to dig? I have a 3 year old shovel with some sticker remnants still on it. Does the rest of the FFA get home with their shovel and goo gone the sticker off the entire shovel?

sounds like it. Shovel Sticker Elitists imo

 

[Otis]

I HATE BUGS

How do I get rid of these things? I'm not just talking about citronella etc. when we are sitting out back and looking to avoid mosquitos. But especially on these nasty hot muggy days, there are all these damn gnat-type flies all over the place. They drive me bananas. They latch onto you and follow you around, and you look like a moron waving your hand all over to swat them away every 20 seconds.

What attracts them? Is it the foliage and crap? I notice when we walk down our front walkway in the morning, there is a point halfway down, next to this large flowering bush thing, where I get ambushed every day by a pack of them. I'm wondering if maybe tearing out all these big stupid bushes and planting some nice grass, maybe some small flowers in beds, might be less likely to attract all these things.

If I had the money, at this point I might just consider paving the whole damn property. There are some things I miss about the city...

 

[Otis]

I also wonder, at least with respect to the yard, if the rotting wood deck, and all the dirt and dark crevasses beneath it, might be a good festering spot for all these bugs. The good news is that is getting ripped out and replaced with sand and pavers in about a week. I'm hoping that makes a difference.

#IHATEBUGS

 

[The Commish]

I HATE BUGSHow do I get rid of these things? I'm not just talking about citronella etc. when we are sitting out back and looking to avoid mosquitos. But especially on these nasty hot muggy days, there are all these damn gnat-type flies all over the place. They drive me bananas. They latch onto you and follow you around, and you look like a moron waving your hand all over to swat them away every 20 seconds. What attracts them? Is it the foliage and crap? I notice when we walk down our front walkway in the morning, there is a point halfway down, next to this large flowering bush thing, where I get ambushed every day by a pack of them. I'm wondering if maybe tearing out all these big stupid bushes and planting some nice grass, maybe some small flowers in beds, might be less likely to attract all these things. If I had the money, at this point I might just consider paving the whole damn property. There are some things I miss about the city...

Is Killingsworth Environmental anywhere near you? If so, call 'em

 

[Tremendous Upside]

Otis paved paradise, and put up a parking lot