Kill Mosquitoes Inexpensively

We've found an interesting post on Facebook on how to kill mosquitoes inexpensively with the help of recycled plastic bottle. If you live in an area where the mosquito population is overwhelming, perhaps you can try this out.

Taken from Did You Know Facebook Page:

A simple hand-made Mosquito Trap - A very Cheap Way to kill mosquitos:

This information could save thousands of innocent lives from the cruel fate of dengue.

FIGHTING DENGUE MUST START AT EVERY HOME.

A Simple hand-made Mosquito trap ( Prevention of Dengue & other mosquito born diseases)

It’s just a mix of water, brown sugar and yeast.

1. Cut a plastic bottle in half, keep both parts. Can be soft drink
bottle.
2.Take the lower portion of the bottle. Dissolve the brown sugar in hot
water. Let it cool down to ~70 deg F (room temperature).
3.Add the yeast. Carbon dioxide will be formed and will attract the
mosquitoes.
4.Cover the bottle with a dark wrap and insert in the top portion upside
down like a funnel. Place it in a corner in your house.
5. In 2 weeks you will be surprised by the number of mosquitoes killed. 

This Week's Pins: Metal Barrels Recycle

More interesting pins this week are from Tickled Pink, more specifically the steel drum recycle. If you are into DIY, this might be for you.

Painted Rain Barrels

Source: images.search.yahoo.com via Tickled on Pinterest

Beer Barrel Chair

Source: gardentrading.co.uk via Tickled on Pinterest

55 Gallon Drum Sofa

Source: etsy.com via Tickled on Pinterest

Cute Flower Pots from 55 Gallon Barrels

Source: jellysundae.tumblr.com via Tickled on Pinterest

Steel Barrel Cupboard

Source: recyclart.org via Tickled on Pinterest

Check them out and have fun.

Plastic Buckets VS Metal Buckets

Buckets, both plastic and metal, have so many uses one can ever imagine. From storage to creative DIY goods (such as bucket rack, bucket ottoman, chicken waterer and even bucket igloo), these pails are part of our culture and existence today. However, when it comes down to choosing which pail you'd like to use, we tend to go for plastic buckets - perhaps because of the abundant availability. But there are the metal ones (and in the former days wooden buckets were widely used). Today's blog is not trying to say that one type of pail is better than the other; but it is to compare the uses and how each type is best used in what circumstances.

Plastic Buckets

Advantages

• Cheap
  You can find them anywhere for a bargain. You can even get them for free if you ask the nearby restaurants or ice cream parlours. 
• Durable
  Unless the pails get melted in a fire or have too much weight they can handle, plastic buckets are pretty much durable. BayTec plastic buckets are especially sturdy with super heavy duty 90 mil feature. Most shops sell 70 mil ones.
• Rust-resistant
  Put them indoor or outdoor, they'll stay the same. They don't pick up rust like metal pails do.

Disadvantages

• Look cheap
  They cost cheap, they can look cheap sometimes. But with some nice color spray (or buy colored pails instead), they can improve the look, especially to appeal to small children.
• Not heat resistant
  It's plastic. It melts near fire. Put it away from source of fire, and they should be fine. If you want to grill using pail, go for the metal ones.

Metal Buckets

Advantages

• Look nice
  I don't know about you, but I love how metal buckets look. It's classy, elegant and timeless. 10 years ago or now, they look nice. Even with a little bit of rust on.
• Strong
  Although plastic pails are durable, metal pails are a lot stronger in terms of weight and pressure. Some people prefer these pails when they need the strength of the bucket.
• More heat resistant
  Due to the toxic concerns, plastic buckets are less favorable when heat is involved. Metal buckets in this case are perfect to use instead of plastic ones.

Disadvantages

• Not easy to find
  But at least you know one that sells them. Us.
• More expensive
  With quality comes the price. Metal buckets are more expensive than plastic buckets, that's for sure.
• Easy to rust
  You don't want to put metal pails outside. Store them inside and clean with dry cloth instead of wet to prevent rust.

So.... which buckets do you want for your next project?

How to Grow Oyster Mushrooms Indoors

Do you like mushrooms? Mushrooms are great additions in many cooking recipes. In soup, salad or eaten raw as is with some delicious dips, mushrooms are great keeper in our kitchen. Unfortunately mushrooms get more and more expensive today. Not to mention that in those store-bought mushrooms there could be some pesticides or other harmful substances. Growing mushrooms indoor is the cheaper, healthier solution to your access to mushrooms. It's not hard at all. All you need is just used milk cartons (or plastic bottles, or buckets, or barrels), a pencil (or a drill if you use buckets/barrels), sawdust, coffee grounds (spent is fine!), oyster mushroom spawn and non-chlorinated water for dampening.

Got all those? Now let's learn how to make your own mushroom garden.




Isn't it easy?

Here are some images from mushroom growers using different types of container.

Oyster mushrooms in a bucket
Image source: milkwood.net

Mushrooms in a laundry basket
Image source: milkwood.net

Try it this weekend.

Easter Buckets

Easter is coming!!! Isn't it fun? Have you planned anything for the joyful day? Perhaps ask the kids to decorate eggs, hide them and get them to find and collect them in their Easter basket? Modern Easter baskets don't need to be actual baskets, though. What about personalizing them to the specific child who owns it? We've found some blogs that made these personalized Easter buckets with colorful plastic buckets. Look at their creative, bright-fun-looking buckets here.

Amy has 4 boys. At special times like Easter, she'd want her kids to enjoy the festivity with nice props. So she came up with this easy idea of getting colorful plastic buckets and put her boys' names in each of them. Click her blog to find out how she did it.

Imperfectly Beautiful blog has a similar idea, but only using metal buckets, which look just as grand. She added large dots to pop the design and voila... charming Easter buckets for the kids!

Busybeehm blog gets creative with another type of container; i.e. paint cans. Yes, the very paint cans, why not? They look so attractive after some paint, cheerful stickers and colorful ribbons. See below, you know what I'm talking about.

Aren't they sweet? What are you going to do for Easter? Share if you have different ideas.

Video of the Week: Rain Barrel and Compost Tea System for Easy Gardening

We know about rain barrel system, we know about compost tea system. Rain barrel catches rain water and provides us free healthier water to keep our garden irrigated. Compost tea gives the plants free fertilizer along with the water irrigating the ground. What if these two excellent systems are combined into one big 660 gallon irrigation/fertilization system? I guess we'll get better produce with less maintaining effort and definitely a lot less cost. All those require only 12 - 55 gallon drums to begin with. Check out the video below to watch how this guy made this effective gardening system.



Video by: bsntechdotcom

Uploaded on 10 Apr 2011

This is the last video in my rain barrel system series. The entire system has now been constructed and consists of 12-55 gallon drums to hold 660 gallons of rain water. Four additional containers are below the barrels which will brew compost tea - and then it is pumped back into the rain water barrels to make a 1 part compost tea - to 3 parts water mixture to be delivered to the garden.

5 Gallon Bucket Igloo

It's always amazing to see what people can do with 5 gallon buckets. First of all, we just LOVE the idea of not throwing away 5 gallon pails for any reason. Secondly, it's hilariously fun to see how creative people can be with them. Today's blog post is about 5 gallon bucket igloo posted on www.tinyhouseswoon.com.

Look at the picture. Isn't this marvellous? You've heard the multi function uses of 5 gallon pails before in the form of camping tools, furniture, etc. but a structure like this is surely worth noting. And trying maybe, if you have the time and energy to do the project.

Thumbs up for these bucket igloo maker(s)!

Happy St. Pattrick's Day!!!

Happy St. Patty's Day to all of you. May your day be green and lucky until the next green act! That could be tomorrow. ;-)

Image Source: StPattyDay2013

Go Green on St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day is less than a fortnight away. Have you planned anything to do on this special green day? Perhaps some new green decorations at home would be nice. Or getting a new green clothing. Or being actually green inside out. You know, take less time in the shower, reuse/recycle things, unplug electronics from sockets when not used, or doing green gardening. In case you're still unsure what to do before and after St. Patty's day, read on to see our best suggestions with our GREEN ecofriendly items.

Build container garden with 5 gallon buckets

Image source: permacultureforrenters

Especially when you don't have a large garden space (or no garden space at all), this container garden could be a very good idea to decorate your house naturally green. Choose some of our quality but affordable 5 gallon buckets, and start planting tomatoes or other greens in these pails! Natural green house is always more appealing than any artificial decorations.

Rainwater harvesting with 55 gallon barrels

Save water and save money by harvesting rainwater. The rainy season is coming, so it's just about the right time to start harvesting rainwater if you haven't. Check out some of our rain barrels here or build it yourself from scratch with this simple video tutorial. And since we are feeling festive for St. Patty, why not paint and decorate the rain barrels GREEN as well? See some samples here.

Wear something green to avoid pinch

Pinch hurts! So make sure you have something green to wear on St. Patrick's day. See some of these cool recycled wearable goodies.

Source: treehugger

Throw a party with a lot of green foods, goods and activities

Stock a lot of beer, colcannon, corned beef and cabbage, or savory roast chicken and enjoy the fun companionship from your family and close friends. Nothing beat the warm, wonderful feelings being surrounded by the people you love the most. Spark the party by wearing a leprechaun costume and dance Irish style!