A guide to buying and setting up a bird bath

Bird Santuary

Warm weather means more opportunities to spend time outdoors while at home. Whether your favorite form of outdoor recreation includes sitting on the patio reading or digging in the garden, there's a good chance that you will be sharing the space with local wildlife. Optimizing opportunities to view and interact with backyard wildlife can make the great outdoors even more enjoyable.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology indicates that there are around 2,059 bird species on the continent of North America. Red-winged blackbirds, yellow-rumped warblers, American robins, and chipping sparrows are among the most commonly seen birds in North America.

Making a backyard hospitable to birds can increase the chances for sightings and hearing their sweet songs. Installing a bird bath can be a step in the right direction.

Bird baths can make yards more attractive to birds. Birds require a supply of fresh, clean water for drinking and bathing. By setting up a bath, homeowners can attract not only seed-loving birds, but those that don't eat seeds and wouldn't normally congregate around feeders, indicates All About Birds. Experts surmise that birds may bathe to maintain their feathers.

Not all bird baths are constructed the in the same fashion. Many bird baths sold in stores are better suited for decoration than for serving as functional baths. There are four general types of bird bath: standing pedestal, hanging bath, deck-mounted, and ground-level. In general, the lower a bird bath is to the ground, the more likely birds are to use it. Most natural sources of water birds use are on or near the ground. Therefore, ground-level bird baths may be the best investments.

It is important to keep the water in a bird bath shallow (around two inches of water or less). This enables birds to splash around safely and wade in.

Birds do not want to slide around, so a material that is coated and slippery, like glazed ceramic or glass, may not be too popular. Rough stone or a bird bath modified with pea gravel or rocks can give birds steady footing.

Place the bird bath in the shade if possible to ensure the water is cool and fresh. Locate it by a tree so the birds can hop up to a branch and preen afterwards. All About Birds also says that a bird bath is more attractive if it has a dripping or moving water feature, as this is often irresistible to birds.

Another way to ensure the bath will be used is to keep it clean and maintained. Change the water every day or two. Rinse off the bath to remove droppings, bugs and other debris.

Once birds learn there is a comfortable bath nearby, they may be more apt to visit a yard and may even become frequent guests.

House powerwashing tips

Powerwashing, also known as pressure-washing, utilizes a high-velocity water spray to remove dirt and residue from the exterior surfaces of a home. It is frequently used on vinyl siding, concrete and sometimes wood decks to treat mildew and other growth that accumulates over time.

Powerwashing can be a great way to remove grime without having to scrub by hand. But it requires a delicate touch to get it right. Sometimes it is best to leave the job to professionals. But homeowners willing to give it a go can try powerwashing themselves, as various stores rent power washers.

The home improvement website ImproveNet says that, until very recently, pressure washers were almost exclusively commercial machines sold to professionals or rented to do-it-yourselfers. Lately manufacturers have targeted homeowners looking to buy with lightweight options. For those who see powerwashing as a routine venture, purchasing a unit may be worth the investment.

It is important to exercise caution when operating a powerwashing machine. The high-velocity spray can tear through skin. It is key to get a feel for the washer, and try less pressure first to get a handle on the magnitude of the tool.

Don safety gear prior to using a pressure washer. Gloves, eye protection and ear protection can be handy. Most units will connect to a standard garden hose. Choose old clothing and expect to get wet. Never point a powerwasher hose at anyone and do not attempt to rinse feet or hands in the spray.

The renovation resource The Family Handyman suggests starting with a wide-degree nozzle to test out the spray on the surface that needs to be cleaned. A 15- or 25-degree nozzle is usually the wand for general cleaning and paint stripping without damaging the surface of the home. Experiment with an optimal distance of the washer wand to get the desired cleaning effects without causing any damage. Work using a horizontal and slightly downward angle to avoid driving water up under the siding of a home.

Avoid spraying any electric wires or components on the home. Also, try not to spray upward, and angle the spray away from doors, windows and vents.

Some washers have reservoirs that will hold a detergent solution. Choose the right detergent for the job. Keep in mind that cleansers containing bleach can damage surrounding plants, so they may need to be covered while the washing takes place.

Avoid the use of ladders when operating a powerwasher. The push-back from the wand can cause falls. Instead, opt for an extension wand to address the upper reaches of a home.

Powerwashing a home is an effective way to remove stubborn grime and refresh the look of a home's exterior.

Natural tick repellents to protect pooches

Lyme disease is a significant concern for people across the country. According to an analysis of insurance records by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year approximately 476,000 Americans are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease. But Lyme disease is not the only tick-borne problem. Data from the CDC says instances of Rocky Mountain spotted fever and anaplasmosis grew by 244 and 396 percent, respectively, between 2009 and 2017.

Blacklegged ticks are typically the culprits in disease transmission. When this tick latches on to a host, bacteria that causes Lyme and other diseases can be transmitted if the tick remains attached for 36 to 48 hours or more. Ticks will attach themselves to any moving living target, including people. But individuals who own dogs may be at increased risk because dogs often bring ticks indoors. Dogs as well as humans can be susceptible to the same tick-borne illnesses.

Pet parents are urged to use some sort of flea and tick preventative medication for their companion animals. But it's important that pet owners recognize that many such products will defend against ticks only after they've latched onto a host. According to the Hills company, a pet food manufacturer, oral and topical tick medications work by killing ticks through doses of certain compounds that are not potent enough to harm most pets, but are effective at terminating ticks. Many flea and tick products do not repel parasites. Therefore, pet owners may want to take added measures to keep ticks off of their pets. While it is best to discuss all-natural tick repellents for dogs with a vet, these methods are generally considered safe.

· Turmeric oil: A 2018 study published in Ticks and Tick Borne Diseases indicated turmeric oil was effective in keeping ticks from hanging onto a dog's coat. The percentage of dogs with ticks attached to the legs or belly who were sprayed with turmeric oil suspension was significantly lower than that of unsprayed dogs and dogs sprayed with an orange oil suspension.

· Geranium oil: Gardeners have long relied on geraniums as natural repellents against many pests. The plant has a woodsy, musky fragrance. A 2013 study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found the oil has repellent activity against nymphs of the Lone Star tick.

· Pyrethrins/Pyrethroids: These are a group of botanical insecticides that work by altering the nerve function in insects, resulting in death of the parasite. Compounds are extracted from chrysanthemum flowers. Low toxicity means they can be applied directly to a pet's coat, according to the pet health resource PetMD.

The pet guide Top Dog Tips suggests other natural oils like lavender, peppermint, citrus, rose, basil, cinnamon, and lemongrass can be effective tick repellents for dogs. Dilute these oils in water or a carrier-oil like olive oil before spraying on a pet. While many of these repellents are effective, nothing is 100 percent foolproof, so individuals should always check pets (and themselves) after being in tick territory.