August 2nd, 2006
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Apologies for the violent sounding title of this post, but the fact is I’ve officially declared war against ants!! Well, at least the ones that have invaded my new compost bin!!
I take worm composting (aka vermicomposting) VERY seriously and its been a keen interest for several years now. You mess with my worms – you mess with me!! 
I’ve been aware of the high ant population on my property ever since moving here last year, but I tend to be the type of person who is pretty laid back about insects in general and don’t get too riled up when I see ant hills in my yard. I’m a little more annoyed when I see them in the house (ants, not ant hills), but still I don’t get majorly stressed. I have a huge appreciation for nature and
fully realize that all critters have their purpose, and are important in their own way (ok that sounded WAY cornier that I wanted it to).
That being said, I always want my compost bins to function as efficiently as possible, and I know from past experience that a large number of ants can really be a pain. If you happen to have a bin without composting worms, then don’t worry too much about it – your ants may cart off a LOT of your food materials (and thus you will likely end up with less compost) – but at least you are still recycling it back to nature! If you are really keen on maximizing your compost output you may want to take action.
In general, ants typically only become an issue in a compost bin when its allowed to dry out too much, but in some cases (as appears to be the case on my property), if there is a massive population of ants in the area you may need to do more than simply adding water.
Ok – so lets focus on some home remedies for getting rid of ants! I know I implied that I was going to slaughter the poor little guys, but thats not always necessary. Lets break things down into 1) natural ant killers and 2) natural ant repellent, and you can then decide what you need to use based on the severity of your ant problem!
In searching for some answers I came across a nifty little book online, which includes a great exerpt relating to dealing with ants. The book is called Tiny Game Hunting: Environmentally Healthy Ways to Trap and Kill the Pests in Your House and Garden. I love the title – made me laugh!! I think I might actually snag a copy at some point, since it sounds very interesting.
Here are a few of their suggestions:
Natural Ant Killers
- soapy water (teaspoon of dish detergent in a water spray bottle)
- water mixed with citrus peels
Natural Ant Repellent
- powdered charcoal, turmeric, cayenne pepper, cinammon, citrus oil are great ant “barriers” (ie they apparently won’t cross over these substances).
Interesting stuff…ok – I hate to say it, but I think I’m going to leave it at that for the time being. This post is getting a little long!
I will definitely do more research, and will be back soon with a follow up post!
B.
Written by Bentley on August 2nd, 2006 with 3 comments.
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It is now August and the heat wave is on, at least in Ontario, Canada. We are experiencing record-breaking temperatures and our energy consumption as a province is at an all time high. How do we conserve energy when the outside temperatures are reaching 50 degrees with the humidex?
At EcoSherpa, we have a few energy saving tips that will keep you cool and reduce your energy costs and consumption.
* Keep your curtains and blinds closed. Sunlight can quickly heat up a room and house in minutes.
* Invest in a programmable thermostat. Set your thermostat at a warmer setting when you are away at work and be sure to turnour AC off when you go away on holidays. Why cool the house when you are not there to enjoy it.
* Plant a tree. Trees planted in a strategic location can reduce cooling costs by 25 percent. Plant decidous trees (maples and ash) to the south and west and evergreens (spruce and pine) to the north.
* Use ceiling and box fans to help circulate air throughout the house.
* Set the fan on your central air conditioner to “on” rather than “auto.” This will circulate air continuously, keeping the temperature constant throughout the house and aiding in dehumidification.
* If you use a window air conditioning unit, make sure it’s the proper size. A smaller air coniditioner will run more efficiently and not start and stop as frequently as an oversized unit.
* If you don’t have central air conditioning, try a whole-house attic fan. This device pushes hot air out through the attic vents, lowering the temperature throughout your home by about 5 degrees in less than 10 minutes.
Other things to avoid are running the dishwasher, cooking and ironing during the day. All of these can add heat to your house and may cause your air conditioning to work overtime. During the past 2 weeks I have been cooking outside on the BBQ and washing my dishes by hand and letting them dry in the dishrack. This has not only helped to keep my house cooler but has allowed me to conserve on energy and lessen my impact on the massivly strained power grid. Try the tips above and you will save on your energy costs and keep your home much cooler and comfortable.
Written by steve on August 2nd, 2006 with no comments.
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(NewsUSA) – The best hope for bringing the hydrogen-fueled automobile to the American roadway may be a technology that is invisible to the naked eye.
The technology is in the form of tiny graphite structures that together act as a sponge to absorb and store hydrogen in the fuel system of the automobile. Onboard storage of hydrogen gas is the major obstacle impeding the progress and wide-scale commercial production of the hydrogen-powered vehicle, which many view as the next generation in energy-efficient and environmentally friendly road transportation.
The graphite structures are a product of the burgeoning field of nanotechnology. Engineers design the structures at the molecular level, working in scales as small as millimeters and nanometers. The engineers stack the fibrous platelets one atop the other, leaving the optimum gap between the wafers; then they arrange the chemistry so that hydrogen molecules are absorbed in the graphite.
The nanostructures are extremely porous, like a sponge, allowing them to absorb large capacities of hydrogen until fully saturated. Experiments demonstrate that the hydrogen storage in graphite nanofibers is safe.
Another method of hydrogen storage derived from nanotechnology involves carbon nano-tubes. With carbon nanotubes, engineers arrange carbon platelets in different configurations. Research has shown the carbon nanotubes to display strong hydrogen storage capabilities.
The contribution of nanotechnology to hydrogen storage is timely, as automobile companies work to advance fuel cell technology amid growing public sentiments to develop alternative forms of energy. Despite the promise of nanotechnology in automobile fuel cells, additional research is required to refine graphite nanofibers and carbon nanotubes and to develop cost-effective means to manufacture the advanced structures.
The Nanotechnology Institute at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) strongly supports research in nanotechnology and is dedicated to narrowing the gap between theoretical science and real-world applications.
Among other programs, the institute organizes forums that bring together the technical community and general public to review developments in the field.
For more information, visit www.nano.asme.org.
Written by steve on August 2nd, 2006 with no comments.
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With the rising cost of gasoline many North Americans are looking for alternative ways to reduce their gas costs. Carpooling, public transportation and more eco-friendly options, walking and cycling, are all being utilized for some while others still rely on their car to get arond. For those who need to drive their car regularly, we have some simple solutions to help improve your gas mileage.
* Slow down. The faster you drive, the more gas you waste and the more money you lose at the pump.
* Drive safely. Aggressive driving wastes gas fast. As well, hard braking can waste gas and curb mileage by as much as 33 percent at highway speeds.
* Replace your air filter. A clogged air filter chokes off the air and causes too much gas to be burned for the amount of air. This wastes gas and causes your engine to lose power. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.
* Shed the pounds. Using a loaded roof rack or trunk increases fuel consumption. Remove all unnecessary weight.
* Maintain good tire pressure. Driving with tires that aren’t inflated properly can cost you a mile or two per gallon.
* Replace spark plugs. Spark plugs fire as many as 3 million times every 1,000 miles, resulting in a lot of heat and electrical and chemical erosion. A dirty spark plug can cause misfiring, which wastes fuel.
As gas prices continue to rise more and more people will look for alternative ways to travel. If you are able to walk, jog, bike or take public transportation, to work our hat goes off to you and we commend you on your efforts and thank you for helping to reduce your impact on the environment. For those of you who rely on your car for travel, remember the tips above when driving and it will save you money and lessen the impact on the environment.
Written by steve on August 2nd, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Green Living Tips.
