I love the Housecarers site, and I have recommended it to thousands of people around the world.
I happily recommend you to everyone who will listen.
I have never had a bad house sit and I have made many friends around the world when I sit for them. These friendships are ongoing.
I love what I do, and I hope to be doing it for many years to come. Thank you.
View profile for sitter AussieWendy
House Sitting Blog...
House sitter peggykass fits in writing, and sight seeing with her Vancouver Sits
0 comments
This year I completed two house sits that came to me through this website. I have been pleased with both and have been asked to perform future house sits for both homeowners in the Vancouver, BC area. The first was for three months and the second for two weeks. Both included the care of cats and both were in locations that were perfect for sight seeing, as well as writing.
Now, I am in Europe and hoping to find a position in France for anywhere from a few weeks to a few months this winter, but I have to be back in Vancouver at the end of Feb. for a repeat house sit there.
My thanks to Ian for providing a comprehensive and very professional service at Housecarers.com. Peggy
View profle for house sitter peggykass
Now, I am in Europe and hoping to find a position in France for anywhere from a few weeks to a few months this winter, but I have to be back in Vancouver at the end of Feb. for a repeat house sit there.
My thanks to Ian for providing a comprehensive and very professional service at Housecarers.com. Peggy
View profle for house sitter peggykass
doglvrs2retird enrich their lives through house sitting
0 comments
We have had several housesits through contacts from your
service and have only great things to say about each.
Our stay in England for a delightful couple and their loving border collie
this past February was the tops. Kudos to you for a wonderful
service provider! Your contacts are enriching our lives in ways
we couldn't have imagined. Thank you, and we hope to be of
service to more who need their pets and homes well cared for in
the year to come. Mary & Jeff .. doglvrs2retird
View Profile for doglvrs2retired
service and have only great things to say about each.
Our stay in England for a delightful couple and their loving border collie
this past February was the tops. Kudos to you for a wonderful
service provider! Your contacts are enriching our lives in ways
we couldn't have imagined. Thank you, and we hope to be of
service to more who need their pets and homes well cared for in
the year to come. Mary & Jeff .. doglvrs2retird
View Profile for doglvrs2retired
Sitter for Pyrenees Orientales South of France found
0 comments
"Absolutely excellent service. Several very suitable people found to look after our home and animals. Thank you for providing this!"
Erik in the South of France (UserNam rousillon)
We have a fairly large property, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3 terraces, swimmingpool, and a 2 acre garden, situated among vineyards in the South of France. Need animal-loving house-sitters for time to time, for a week and up to 3 weeks. NB: Two kind guard dogs, 2 horses and a pot-belly pig
Erik in the South of France (UserNam rousillon)
We have a fairly large property, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3 terraces, swimmingpool, and a 2 acre garden, situated among vineyards in the South of France. Need animal-loving house-sitters for time to time, for a week and up to 3 weeks. NB: Two kind guard dogs, 2 horses and a pot-belly pig
Reluctant Seattle Homeowner finds Perfect Sitter
0 comments
"Dear HouseCarers:
Thanks so much for providing this service and from what I can tell, managing it well. I was reluctant at first to select an unknown person via internet, but I was assured by a friend that I would be able to discern a quality contact.
I was actually overwhelmed by the quantity and quality of responses and have found a person who I think will be perfect. (A woman with a son near where we live with whom she wants to spend the holidays.)
I am already recommending your service to many of our friends with similar needs.
.... Linda (ChateauPoulet)
We have 3 very spoiled indoor cats who need daily food, water, kisses and hugs. We also have about 30 chickens who need food and water (every few days) and egg gathering (every day). We live in a lovely two-story log house with hot tub, flirtacious view of the water, within walking distance of Pritchard Park and 10 minutes from the ferry terminal on a Kitsap bus route. We travel intermittently for a week or two at a time and have ongoing needs. And I represent a network of friends who have similar needs.
Bainbridge Island Seattle Washington United States
Thanks so much for providing this service and from what I can tell, managing it well. I was reluctant at first to select an unknown person via internet, but I was assured by a friend that I would be able to discern a quality contact.
I was actually overwhelmed by the quantity and quality of responses and have found a person who I think will be perfect. (A woman with a son near where we live with whom she wants to spend the holidays.)
I am already recommending your service to many of our friends with similar needs.
.... Linda (ChateauPoulet)
We have 3 very spoiled indoor cats who need daily food, water, kisses and hugs. We also have about 30 chickens who need food and water (every few days) and egg gathering (every day). We live in a lovely two-story log house with hot tub, flirtacious view of the water, within walking distance of Pritchard Park and 10 minutes from the ferry terminal on a Kitsap bus route. We travel intermittently for a week or two at a time and have ongoing needs. And I represent a network of friends who have similar needs.
Bainbridge Island Seattle Washington United States
Twenty Tips That Make Painting Easier
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A list of twenty tips and hints that will make painting easier. Tips include ways that will make clean up easier, how to protect surface, etc.
Painting is a hard enough job without any extra labor. The following is a list of tips you should keep in mind before you start painting. They might not make you enjoy it, but they will make the job easier.
1. Make sure you have everything you need before you get started—especially enough paint. In general, a can of paint covers about 400 square feet.
2. Try to avoid painting on rainy days. The extra humidity in the air will cause the paint to dry slower. If this can't be avoided, use a dehumidifier to help speed the drying process.
3. If you are painting a large room, don't try and same money by purchasing the cheap rollers and brushes. The money you save will be minimal and won't make up for sore hands. Plus, better rollers and brushes will help you work quicker.
4. Have your primer tinted the same color as you intend to paint. This will ensure that the paint covers well and could cut down on the need for an additional coat.
5. Use a nail to tap about five or six holes in the retaining grove of the paint can. This will allow the paint to run back into the can. If you need to reseal the can, you can put the nails into the can or put a little play dough or clay over the holes.
6. Glue a large paper plate to the bottom of any open paint can you are using to catch any splatters or drips.
7. Flattened out corrugated boxes are perfect to cover the floors with when painting.
8. Have a wet rag and paper towels handy to wipe up any drips or mistakes. Most of them—including accidental dabs on the ceiling—can be removed this way.
9. Keep some patching compound and a spackle handy. You'll be surprised at all the little holes and marks you can find on your wall. They might not have been visible with the old color, but they can stand out with the new.
10. When stopping for short periods, seal your paintbrushes inside a Ziploc or plastic bag. This will keep them "fresh" without having to spend the time cleaning them. Plastic wrap and aluminum foil work almost as well.
11. Line the inside of your paint tray with aluminum foil or plastic. It will make the clean up easier.
12. To make cleaning your brushes easier, use an old baby-wipe container. Poor paint thinner into the container and push the handle of the brush through the hole in the lid. This will allow the brush to soak without bending the bristles. If you don't have any baby-wipe containers, try cutting a slot into the lid of a coffee can or similar container.
13. Wipe paint rollers on old newspapers before cleaning. Getting rid of any excess paint will make them easier to clean.
14. Rub hand lotion on your hands and arms before you begin. It will make the paint easier to wash off your hands when you're finished. Also, baby oil is sometime better at removing paint from your skin that soap.
15. If you have a steady hand, you might not need masking tape to cover the edges.
16. Wet newspaper can work great at protecting windows. You can use one-inch long strips of newspaper to protect the windowpanes around a window. Dip each strip into water. Pull the strip between your thumb and index finger to remove the excess water. Press the strips onto the glass close to the wood. Do only two at a time and remove them as soon as you're through.
17. If you're painting a bathroom, use wet newspaper to cover the bottom and sides of the tub. The newspaper will click and keep your tub paint-free.
18. Wrap hardware (doorknobs, hinges, pulls, etc.) in foil before painting.
19. Use old milk jugs to store paint. It will keep just as long and the paint is easier to access if you need to do some touch-ups.
20. Write the date, brand and color of paint used under the light switch for a handy reference.
Copyright © 2006, Ian White Access 2000 Pty Ltd
Painting is a hard enough job without any extra labor. The following is a list of tips you should keep in mind before you start painting. They might not make you enjoy it, but they will make the job easier.
1. Make sure you have everything you need before you get started—especially enough paint. In general, a can of paint covers about 400 square feet.
2. Try to avoid painting on rainy days. The extra humidity in the air will cause the paint to dry slower. If this can't be avoided, use a dehumidifier to help speed the drying process.
3. If you are painting a large room, don't try and same money by purchasing the cheap rollers and brushes. The money you save will be minimal and won't make up for sore hands. Plus, better rollers and brushes will help you work quicker.
4. Have your primer tinted the same color as you intend to paint. This will ensure that the paint covers well and could cut down on the need for an additional coat.
5. Use a nail to tap about five or six holes in the retaining grove of the paint can. This will allow the paint to run back into the can. If you need to reseal the can, you can put the nails into the can or put a little play dough or clay over the holes.
6. Glue a large paper plate to the bottom of any open paint can you are using to catch any splatters or drips.
7. Flattened out corrugated boxes are perfect to cover the floors with when painting.
8. Have a wet rag and paper towels handy to wipe up any drips or mistakes. Most of them—including accidental dabs on the ceiling—can be removed this way.
9. Keep some patching compound and a spackle handy. You'll be surprised at all the little holes and marks you can find on your wall. They might not have been visible with the old color, but they can stand out with the new.
10. When stopping for short periods, seal your paintbrushes inside a Ziploc or plastic bag. This will keep them "fresh" without having to spend the time cleaning them. Plastic wrap and aluminum foil work almost as well.
11. Line the inside of your paint tray with aluminum foil or plastic. It will make the clean up easier.
12. To make cleaning your brushes easier, use an old baby-wipe container. Poor paint thinner into the container and push the handle of the brush through the hole in the lid. This will allow the brush to soak without bending the bristles. If you don't have any baby-wipe containers, try cutting a slot into the lid of a coffee can or similar container.
13. Wipe paint rollers on old newspapers before cleaning. Getting rid of any excess paint will make them easier to clean.
14. Rub hand lotion on your hands and arms before you begin. It will make the paint easier to wash off your hands when you're finished. Also, baby oil is sometime better at removing paint from your skin that soap.
15. If you have a steady hand, you might not need masking tape to cover the edges.
16. Wet newspaper can work great at protecting windows. You can use one-inch long strips of newspaper to protect the windowpanes around a window. Dip each strip into water. Pull the strip between your thumb and index finger to remove the excess water. Press the strips onto the glass close to the wood. Do only two at a time and remove them as soon as you're through.
17. If you're painting a bathroom, use wet newspaper to cover the bottom and sides of the tub. The newspaper will click and keep your tub paint-free.
18. Wrap hardware (doorknobs, hinges, pulls, etc.) in foil before painting.
19. Use old milk jugs to store paint. It will keep just as long and the paint is easier to access if you need to do some touch-ups.
20. Write the date, brand and color of paint used under the light switch for a handy reference.
Copyright © 2006, Ian White Access 2000 Pty Ltd
Contended Pets re-united when Owners return from 7 week overseas trip
0 comments
Hi there, Recently back from 7 weeks overseas trip. Used your
service and wish to say thankyou very much for such an excellent
site. It's the first time we've used such a service and came home to
find everything just as we left it with a very happy and contented
pet to greet us. Again, I can't recommend your service enough and
wouldn't hesitate in using it again. Regards Carol -Jackjet 47
House sit: Townsville Queenslad Australia
Two Level, 5 Bedroom House with self-contained area on lower level. Two bathrooms/2 Toilets. Large fenced yard with good privacy close to shopping centres, medical centres etc. and 20-25minutes to Townsville CBD and Townsville Strand. Require mature couple who love dogs and gardening. Mowing of yard probably needed 2 -3 times during the 7 weeks. One German Shepherd Female aged 18 months and 6 laying hens. Dog is used to being walked each morning. Self feeder for hens - requires topping up and changing water dish. Established garden beds and lawn needing watering. We are retirees in our late 50's and 60's so would prefer similar couple with same interests in pets and garden. Great opportunity to experience North Queensland's perfect winter climate.
service and wish to say thankyou very much for such an excellent
site. It's the first time we've used such a service and came home to
find everything just as we left it with a very happy and contented
pet to greet us. Again, I can't recommend your service enough and
wouldn't hesitate in using it again. Regards Carol -Jackjet 47
House sit: Townsville Queenslad Australia
Two Level, 5 Bedroom House with self-contained area on lower level. Two bathrooms/2 Toilets. Large fenced yard with good privacy close to shopping centres, medical centres etc. and 20-25minutes to Townsville CBD and Townsville Strand. Require mature couple who love dogs and gardening. Mowing of yard probably needed 2 -3 times during the 7 weeks. One German Shepherd Female aged 18 months and 6 laying hens. Dog is used to being walked each morning. Self feeder for hens - requires topping up and changing water dish. Established garden beds and lawn needing watering. We are retirees in our late 50's and 60's so would prefer similar couple with same interests in pets and garden. Great opportunity to experience North Queensland's perfect winter climate.
House sitter found for Sydney Harbour views Rozelle/Balmain 3 weeks Oct 06
0 comments
This is an excellent service. I coudl have found many many really good housesitters. Thank you Janem43
I will be away for three weeks and need a reliable and kind person as house sitter to look after my much-loved cat Rosie, water the many plants on my terrace and just keep the house in order. The house is a modern townhouse, very sunny, with a large terrace overlooking the city and Harbour from the city side of Balmain. It has great views and is very pleasant to live in. A swimming pool and gym are available for use. Darling Street with its famous cafes and shops is a few minutes walk away and cinemas and lots more urban buzz can be found in nearby Leichhardt. There are frequent buses into the city which is just across Anzac Bridge
I will be away for three weeks and need a reliable and kind person as house sitter to look after my much-loved cat Rosie, water the many plants on my terrace and just keep the house in order. The house is a modern townhouse, very sunny, with a large terrace overlooking the city and Harbour from the city side of Balmain. It has great views and is very pleasant to live in. A swimming pool and gym are available for use. Darling Street with its famous cafes and shops is a few minutes walk away and cinemas and lots more urban buzz can be found in nearby Leichhardt. There are frequent buses into the city which is just across Anzac Bridge
Island Hopping House Sitter secures two Hawaiian sits
0 comments
I am a 54 old lady gardener. I work February through September, then go house sitting during the late fall and winter months. I have secured a yearly one month sit in Kauai, and now am going to do an additional one month sit on the Big Island. It was my dream come true. The day that the first sit ends, I will fly to the second sit. Friends are jealous and want to know how I get these wonderful vacations. I tell them about you.
Thank you for this wonderful site. House sitter Frogger (what an appropriate name- Ed)
View Profile for house sitter Frogger
Thank you for this wonderful site. House sitter Frogger (what an appropriate name- Ed)
View Profile for house sitter Frogger
Sitter found for pleasant home in Historical Ballerat Vic Australia 2.5 months
0 comments
Greetings,
Please remove my ad for a sitter. as I have completed negotiations with a lady from Perth.
Thank you for this wonderful service, I have had great success with it before, and heartily reccommend it regards
Val (UserName: thespian)
I am an actor who needs someone to look after my home one small dog and two cats whilst I work on a play in Queensland I have a very pleasant home in Historical Ballarat 3 minutes drive from the CBD, with three double bedrooms,a very large (16 metre) open plan sitting /diningroom, chef's kitchen small garden and outdoor entertainment area, plus office. The guest suite has ensuite and walk in robe, master bathroom has a large spa bath. My animals are very easy to look after as they have a simple routine, but being very social need human interaction. I am willing to pay all the utilities whilst I am away, except for the phone. I've had wonderful house sitters in the past but unfortunately for me they liked the area so much they have now purchased their own home,and are no longer available to me. I look forward to a response Regards Thespian
Please remove my ad for a sitter. as I have completed negotiations with a lady from Perth.
Thank you for this wonderful service, I have had great success with it before, and heartily reccommend it regards
Val (UserName: thespian)
I am an actor who needs someone to look after my home one small dog and two cats whilst I work on a play in Queensland I have a very pleasant home in Historical Ballarat 3 minutes drive from the CBD, with three double bedrooms,a very large (16 metre) open plan sitting /diningroom, chef's kitchen small garden and outdoor entertainment area, plus office. The guest suite has ensuite and walk in robe, master bathroom has a large spa bath. My animals are very easy to look after as they have a simple routine, but being very social need human interaction. I am willing to pay all the utilities whilst I am away, except for the phone. I've had wonderful house sitters in the past but unfortunately for me they liked the area so much they have now purchased their own home,and are no longer available to me. I look forward to a response Regards Thespian
5 month housesit Qualicum beach British Columbia Canada Filled
0 comments
Thanky you very much for this wonderfull service. It has been great, We ahve found a sitter that we can go with. thank you again. Until next year we will be looking forward to do this all again.
REGARDS jam Member jdfourme
House sit details:
Require a mature retired couple,Non smokers with No pets and would ask their visitors to abide bye the same rules. The home is 3 bedroom rancher with 3 bath electric heat plus wood heat if desired in family room plus a detached shop..There is also satellite TV, Internet access, and Alarm system,Plus regular phone What we require is that YOU the house sitter pay the utilities HYDRO, PHONE, AND SATELLITE (Star choice) as per usage on mail out bye the utility co. Require references Available Nov02/06 till March 31/07
REGARDS jam Member jdfourme
House sit details:
Require a mature retired couple,Non smokers with No pets and would ask their visitors to abide bye the same rules. The home is 3 bedroom rancher with 3 bath electric heat plus wood heat if desired in family room plus a detached shop..There is also satellite TV, Internet access, and Alarm system,Plus regular phone What we require is that YOU the house sitter pay the utilities HYDRO, PHONE, AND SATELLITE (Star choice) as per usage on mail out bye the utility co. Require references Available Nov02/06 till March 31/07
Dreams come true for house sitter mallane16
0 comments
Hello Ian,
Thank you for the great opportunity to use this website, since joining in late July I have my first sit, which is local. Then I am off to beautiful Canada for a 5 1/2 month sit at a wonderful guest house. My dreams have come true.
Cheers,
mallane16
View Profile for house sitter mallane16
Thank you for the great opportunity to use this website, since joining in late July I have my first sit, which is local. Then I am off to beautiful Canada for a 5 1/2 month sit at a wonderful guest house. My dreams have come true.
Cheers,
mallane16
View Profile for house sitter mallane16
House sits fascinating in their variety and tone
0 comments
Hello Ian,
The e-mails about possible house-sits have become part of my daily compulsory reading!! Most are not in the area I want but I find them fascinating in their variety and tone!
I have picked up another suitable house-sit through this organization and the owner and I met today following phone-contact to sound each other out.
I really appreciate the way this system works.
Keep "em coming! Yours sincerely, Diane (username dizlearningcurve)
View profile for sitter dizlearningcurve
The e-mails about possible house-sits have become part of my daily compulsory reading!! Most are not in the area I want but I find them fascinating in their variety and tone!
I have picked up another suitable house-sit through this organization and the owner and I met today following phone-contact to sound each other out.
I really appreciate the way this system works.
Keep "em coming! Yours sincerely, Diane (username dizlearningcurve)
View profile for sitter dizlearningcurve
Sitter found for olde world charm Brisbane QLD Australia
0 comments
We are very impressed at the quality of sitters that we could choose from who were willing to look after our house for us while we are away.Also, thank you for providing a very professionally run service.We will certainly look at using this site in the future.Well done!!
Regards,
Trish and Tony ... username trishtony16
I have a lovely federation house with stained glass windows, giving it an olde world charm, close to the centre of Ipswich.It is within walking distance to trains, buses,shopping centres and the CBD. I would require someone who loves animals as I have 2 large dogs, 1 small dog and a cat.They are all very friendly but need lots of affection while my partner and I are away. I have warm sunny decks around the house for relaxing on and an outside spa. The house has plenty of off street undercover parking including a double garage.
Regards,
Trish and Tony ... username trishtony16
I have a lovely federation house with stained glass windows, giving it an olde world charm, close to the centre of Ipswich.It is within walking distance to trains, buses,shopping centres and the CBD. I would require someone who loves animals as I have 2 large dogs, 1 small dog and a cat.They are all very friendly but need lots of affection while my partner and I are away. I have warm sunny decks around the house for relaxing on and an outside spa. The house has plenty of off street undercover parking including a double garage.
House sitter Leuler is travelling the country house sitting
0 comments
I wanted you to know that I have booked house and petcare assignments from June 11,2006 thru March 1, 2007! I began with summer in Dunstable, Masssachusetts, them move on to Easton,Md. and some wonderful owners and their Yellow Lab and African Parrot! On Sept 28th, I fly to colorful Taos for nine weeks of caring for two dachshunds and a fabulous contempory home, them onto Chama, NM for eight days.then, back to Easton, for Decemebr thru March 1, 2007. It's exciting and gives me an opportunity to care for dogs, man's best friend! Thanks , Joe (Leuler)
View profile for sitter Joe (Leuler)
View profile for sitter Joe (Leuler)
Sitter found for Nutley New Jersey Two lovely labs, gerils and fish
0 comments
"Just to let you know..... we have a sitter for this specific request. We think this is a great site and will certainly use it more in the future. "
Mary UserName: gravesm1
Two lovely labs were recently adopted and so we don't want to put into kennel. three visits a day for feeding and companionship/ walks. well behaved/ No problems or issues. also periodic feeding of gerbils and fish.
Mary UserName: gravesm1
Two lovely labs were recently adopted and so we don't want to put into kennel. three visits a day for feeding and companionship/ walks. well behaved/ No problems or issues. also periodic feeding of gerbils and fish.
Homeowner - city center Vienna Austria, share their experience
0 comments
"We used your service for the first time last week. Our house sitter was wonderful to our dog and respectful to our home. I think this is a fabulous concept! Thanks for your assistance, we are already looking to use it again!"
UserName: Czuchna
Housesit Vienna Austria City Center District 3
We would like to have someone use our house as vacation accomodations in exchange for watching our dog for the period indicated. We have a 230 sq. meter (2400 sq. ft.)flat near the city center (10 min. walk). We are near all types of public transport, shopping, dining, and a 2 min. walk to the Belvedere. Our dog is a great dane that is sweet and loves all people. She is crate trained, and house trained. You will enjoy staying at our house!
UserName: Czuchna
Housesit Vienna Austria City Center District 3
We would like to have someone use our house as vacation accomodations in exchange for watching our dog for the period indicated. We have a 230 sq. meter (2400 sq. ft.)flat near the city center (10 min. walk). We are near all types of public transport, shopping, dining, and a 2 min. walk to the Belvedere. Our dog is a great dane that is sweet and loves all people. She is crate trained, and house trained. You will enjoy staying at our house!
Home Invasion: How To Prevent Termites From Taking Over Your Home
0 comments
They are focused in their pursuits, they are abundant in number, and they are probably nibbling on your home right now. What am I referring to? Termites! One of the few insect colonies to eat continuously, a typical single termite colony can completely consume 2.3 linear feet of 2x4 pine in one single year. If that does not sound like much to you, consider the seriousness of the situation if that 2x4 was also one of the supporting beams of your house. Keep in mind also that where there is one termite colony there are usually others, clustered together in pursuit of food. Suddenly, that 2.3 linear feet seems significant, and it is, especially when it is multiplied four or five times.
Termites are one of the biggest contributors to home destruction, costing a staggering $1 billion in damages each year. Thanks to the importing of the voracious Formosan termite from East Asia, that amount continues to skyrocket. Think about the following numbers for a moment. A termite colony consists of anywhere from 350,000 to well over a million workers, soldiers, and swarmers (termites with wings). A single termite queen can lay thousands of eggs per day and live between 30 and 50 years. That means a queen can recoup her losses and repopulate her colony even after tremendous devastation. This means the best way to fight this foe is to prevent them from ever touching your home.
Before we can look at how to prevent them, let’s look at the conditions that attract termites to an area:
Soil: Most termites are subterranean, meaning that they build their colonies in the ground. They love the soil and build elaborate tunnel systems, called galleries, extending up to three feet below the surface. Termites will often use this versatile building material to create mud tubes leading from their underground colonies to above ground food sources, like the wood in your home.
Wood: Termites will consume any material that contains cellulose, and since wood contains a great deal of cellulose, termites devour wood voraciously. If a single piece of wood touches the ground, be certain that a colony of termites somewhere will know about it. Although some subterranean termites will consume other materials like vegetation, dung, and humus, their primary source of food, and their favorite, is wood.
Water: As with most living things, termites generally cannot survive without a source of water present. Whether in the form of a leaky faucet or the natural precipitation process of rain, termites will always seek some source of moisture to survive.
Now that the three conditions for termite survival have been identified, we can now look at ways to prevent termites from infesting your home:
1. Identify and fix all water leaks in your home, both internal and external. As mentioned above, termites need water, and it does not matter where they get it. If the water source comes from your home, all the better for the colony. It means they do not have to work as hard. Eliminating their water source removes one of the three requirements for survival.
2. Remove any brush or heavy growth from around your home. Vegetation can create areas of intense moisture, which is necessary for colony survival. Termites like it wet, so try and disappoint them as much as possible.
3. Eliminate any standing or pooling water from around your home.
4. Store all excess building materials and firewood away from the house. Remember that wood is their primary food source. Scrap wood touching the ground is an open invitation to hungry termites. If your property is not large enough for wood storage away from the house, create barriers beneath the wood to prevent direct access to the termites. Thick concrete slabs or heavy duty metal stands can be used to raise the wood off of the ground.
5. Use treated lumber for any wooden structures that will have direct contact with the ground. The chemicals in treated lumber do not guarantee that termites will not invade the wood, but they can act as a deterrent for decks and patios made out of treated lumber. Home improvement centers now offer concrete supports that raise the wooden support beams for decks and patios off of the ground. This would be a great way to avoid wood to ground contact.
6. Avoid using mulch near your home. Mulch provides two things to hungry termites: a food source and a water source. The qualities of mulch that make it attractive for use in the garden are the very qualities that attract termites. If mulch is placed near the exterior of your home, it is only a small step for a colony to move into your walls. As an alternative to wood mulch, try using one of the newer rubber mulches now available at your local home improvement center. They have the look of mulch and the benefits of mulch without providing the risks.
7. Never bury waste lumber or wood scraps in your yard. It acts as a magnet to termites and directs them to your property.
8. Remove any dead trees, old stumps, or roots in your yard. As these items decay, they attract termites to the area by providing a food source. When the food is gone, the termite colony will look for new sources of food. This includes your house.
9. Seal any cracks or holes within the foundation of your home. This will help prevent easy access for wandering termites.
10. Keep all gutters and waterlines clean of debris. Clogged gutters and waterlines leak, creating pools of water close to the house.
11. Make sure your home is properly ventilated, including your attic and internal crawl space areas. Adequate airflow prevents the buildup of moisture needed by termite colonies.
12. Periodically, get your home inspected for termite damage. A once-a-year inspection can save your home with early detection. If termites are not found in the home, the trained pest control specialists can at least offer recommendations to help you prevent an invasion. They may catch something you missed.
So what happens if you take all of these precautions and termites still begin to munch on your home? Use a pest control specialist in your area to help you deal with the problem. Here are a few of the treatment options that are currently on the market:
Liquid Termiticide: This liquid pesticide is generally applied around the foundation of the house, as well as underneath the foundation. For new construction sites, the termiticide is applied to the graded soil as the home is being built, but for existing buildings, the foundation is partially dug out and drilled to ensure proper coverage. There are termiticides on the market that act as barriers and repellents to termite invasions, and there are termiticides that act as nerve poisons, killing the termites upon exposure.
Subterranean Bait: Rather than acting as a deterrent to termite invasion, termite baits attempt to eliminate the colony at its source. Bait stations are set in the ground every ten feet or so around the perimeter of the home. The treatment begins when untreated wood segments are installed in the bait units to determine if termites are active around the house. The units are checked once a week, and if live termites are found, the wood is replaced with a toxic bait that is ingested by the termites and carried back to the colony. The toxins in the bait affect the termites by preventing the molting process, causing them to die ‘within their shell’. This long acting toxin allows the termites to both ingest the poison and carry it back to share with their colony. Special bait units can also be installed inside the home if termites damage is evident. A new series of bait traps have been developed by Dow Agrosciences to fight the more aggressive Formosan termite, which can penetrate cement, brick, heavy duty plastics, and high-pressure water lines just to get to food and water sources.
The best treatment option is a combination of termiticides and bait units setup both in the ground and throughout the house. Termites are hard to kill, and they are even harder to eradicate, so be tenacious in your efforts. Your best bet is to call a professional to help you. Over the counter solutions do not offer the same level of effectiveness that professional grade products do. Your house is one of your greatest commitments you will ever make. It is worth protecting the right way by getting the help of professionals who know what they are doing. But remember. In this case, an ounce of prevention really can take you far, ensuring a better chance of keeping these nasty bugs from eating up your investment before you have a chance to truly enjoy the fruits of your labor.
©2006 Ian White Access 2000 Pty Ltd
Termites are one of the biggest contributors to home destruction, costing a staggering $1 billion in damages each year. Thanks to the importing of the voracious Formosan termite from East Asia, that amount continues to skyrocket. Think about the following numbers for a moment. A termite colony consists of anywhere from 350,000 to well over a million workers, soldiers, and swarmers (termites with wings). A single termite queen can lay thousands of eggs per day and live between 30 and 50 years. That means a queen can recoup her losses and repopulate her colony even after tremendous devastation. This means the best way to fight this foe is to prevent them from ever touching your home.
Before we can look at how to prevent them, let’s look at the conditions that attract termites to an area:
Soil: Most termites are subterranean, meaning that they build their colonies in the ground. They love the soil and build elaborate tunnel systems, called galleries, extending up to three feet below the surface. Termites will often use this versatile building material to create mud tubes leading from their underground colonies to above ground food sources, like the wood in your home.
Wood: Termites will consume any material that contains cellulose, and since wood contains a great deal of cellulose, termites devour wood voraciously. If a single piece of wood touches the ground, be certain that a colony of termites somewhere will know about it. Although some subterranean termites will consume other materials like vegetation, dung, and humus, their primary source of food, and their favorite, is wood.
Water: As with most living things, termites generally cannot survive without a source of water present. Whether in the form of a leaky faucet or the natural precipitation process of rain, termites will always seek some source of moisture to survive.
Now that the three conditions for termite survival have been identified, we can now look at ways to prevent termites from infesting your home:
1. Identify and fix all water leaks in your home, both internal and external. As mentioned above, termites need water, and it does not matter where they get it. If the water source comes from your home, all the better for the colony. It means they do not have to work as hard. Eliminating their water source removes one of the three requirements for survival.
2. Remove any brush or heavy growth from around your home. Vegetation can create areas of intense moisture, which is necessary for colony survival. Termites like it wet, so try and disappoint them as much as possible.
3. Eliminate any standing or pooling water from around your home.
4. Store all excess building materials and firewood away from the house. Remember that wood is their primary food source. Scrap wood touching the ground is an open invitation to hungry termites. If your property is not large enough for wood storage away from the house, create barriers beneath the wood to prevent direct access to the termites. Thick concrete slabs or heavy duty metal stands can be used to raise the wood off of the ground.
5. Use treated lumber for any wooden structures that will have direct contact with the ground. The chemicals in treated lumber do not guarantee that termites will not invade the wood, but they can act as a deterrent for decks and patios made out of treated lumber. Home improvement centers now offer concrete supports that raise the wooden support beams for decks and patios off of the ground. This would be a great way to avoid wood to ground contact.
6. Avoid using mulch near your home. Mulch provides two things to hungry termites: a food source and a water source. The qualities of mulch that make it attractive for use in the garden are the very qualities that attract termites. If mulch is placed near the exterior of your home, it is only a small step for a colony to move into your walls. As an alternative to wood mulch, try using one of the newer rubber mulches now available at your local home improvement center. They have the look of mulch and the benefits of mulch without providing the risks.
7. Never bury waste lumber or wood scraps in your yard. It acts as a magnet to termites and directs them to your property.
8. Remove any dead trees, old stumps, or roots in your yard. As these items decay, they attract termites to the area by providing a food source. When the food is gone, the termite colony will look for new sources of food. This includes your house.
9. Seal any cracks or holes within the foundation of your home. This will help prevent easy access for wandering termites.
10. Keep all gutters and waterlines clean of debris. Clogged gutters and waterlines leak, creating pools of water close to the house.
11. Make sure your home is properly ventilated, including your attic and internal crawl space areas. Adequate airflow prevents the buildup of moisture needed by termite colonies.
12. Periodically, get your home inspected for termite damage. A once-a-year inspection can save your home with early detection. If termites are not found in the home, the trained pest control specialists can at least offer recommendations to help you prevent an invasion. They may catch something you missed.
So what happens if you take all of these precautions and termites still begin to munch on your home? Use a pest control specialist in your area to help you deal with the problem. Here are a few of the treatment options that are currently on the market:
Liquid Termiticide: This liquid pesticide is generally applied around the foundation of the house, as well as underneath the foundation. For new construction sites, the termiticide is applied to the graded soil as the home is being built, but for existing buildings, the foundation is partially dug out and drilled to ensure proper coverage. There are termiticides on the market that act as barriers and repellents to termite invasions, and there are termiticides that act as nerve poisons, killing the termites upon exposure.
Subterranean Bait: Rather than acting as a deterrent to termite invasion, termite baits attempt to eliminate the colony at its source. Bait stations are set in the ground every ten feet or so around the perimeter of the home. The treatment begins when untreated wood segments are installed in the bait units to determine if termites are active around the house. The units are checked once a week, and if live termites are found, the wood is replaced with a toxic bait that is ingested by the termites and carried back to the colony. The toxins in the bait affect the termites by preventing the molting process, causing them to die ‘within their shell’. This long acting toxin allows the termites to both ingest the poison and carry it back to share with their colony. Special bait units can also be installed inside the home if termites damage is evident. A new series of bait traps have been developed by Dow Agrosciences to fight the more aggressive Formosan termite, which can penetrate cement, brick, heavy duty plastics, and high-pressure water lines just to get to food and water sources.
The best treatment option is a combination of termiticides and bait units setup both in the ground and throughout the house. Termites are hard to kill, and they are even harder to eradicate, so be tenacious in your efforts. Your best bet is to call a professional to help you. Over the counter solutions do not offer the same level of effectiveness that professional grade products do. Your house is one of your greatest commitments you will ever make. It is worth protecting the right way by getting the help of professionals who know what they are doing. But remember. In this case, an ounce of prevention really can take you far, ensuring a better chance of keeping these nasty bugs from eating up your investment before you have a chance to truly enjoy the fruits of your labor.
©2006 Ian White Access 2000 Pty Ltd
Gers Gascony France homewner's life is changed
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Again such an efficient site! Many thanks, you really are appreciated and I tell everyone I know.
All are housesitters have been absolutely delightful and you've changed my life as I never used to leave home because of the four-leggeds! Thanks again!
...Happyinthegers
Housesit: Perchede Gers Gascony France
3 well behaved dogs, 2 well behaved horses (they live out in the field). Our house and garden will need a minder for a week starting Nov 14th. Lovely area in the heart of Gascony and a house in perfect working order. (with central heating, although at that time of year it's doubtful whether it's necessary!)
All are housesitters have been absolutely delightful and you've changed my life as I never used to leave home because of the four-leggeds! Thanks again!
...Happyinthegers
Housesit: Perchede Gers Gascony France
3 well behaved dogs, 2 well behaved horses (they live out in the field). Our house and garden will need a minder for a week starting Nov 14th. Lovely area in the heart of Gascony and a house in perfect working order. (with central heating, although at that time of year it's doubtful whether it's necessary!)
Several housesits enjoyed by Sitter Goldengirl
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Just to say Thankyou. For the past 2 years, I have enjoyed several housesits through your wonderful site. I hope to continue doing this for years to come. Your site is safe, comprehensive and, as a member, so easy to access - congratulations.
Susan (GoldenGirl)
View profile for House Sitter GoldenGirl
Susan (GoldenGirl)
View profile for House Sitter GoldenGirl
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