| How to Keep Raccoons Out of the Garden Posted: 10 Mar 2019 12:00 AM PST Raccoons are intelligent and agile animals that live throughout North America. They are active at night and are attracted to virtually any food source – including your garden. There are some natural repellents that might work, although they require constant vigilance. The only ways to truly keep raccoons out of your garden are to trap them and release them far away, or to build an electric fence around your garden.[1] EditTrying Natural Repellents - Scatter blood meal or wood ash around your plants. Sprinkling blood meal or wood ash may repel raccoons as well as other nuisance animals, such as groundhogs and skunks. Blood meal is often used as fertilizer and can be found at any farm or garden store. Reapply frequently to maintain the deterrent effect.[2]
- Any wood ash will work, such as the ashes from your fireplace. You may not necessarily be able to buy a quantity of wood ash, but you can save ashes from a fire.
- These deterrents work best if you only have 1 or 2 raccoons passing through the area. Resident raccoons will quickly adapt, or wait for it to rain and wash away the deterrent.
- Spread a mix of garlic and chili powder around your garden. Raccoons have been known to avoid garlic and chili powder. To make this mix, use equal parts of fresh-ground garlic and chili powder. As with blood meal and wood ash, the mix has to be reapplied frequently to work.[3]
- Sprinkle the mix evenly around crops raccoons are attracted to, such as corn. Use enough that you can smell it in the air around the plants.
- If it's recently rained, this mixture may not work. The powder would simply be soaked up by the soil and lose its deterrent effect. Wait until the top layer of the soil is dry before you spread your mixture.
- Plant squash around your corn and other plants. Squash vines are prickly, and raccoons don't like walking on them. If you plant them around the perimeter of your garden, they may be enough to deter raccoons from going further.[4]
- As with other natural repellants, this works better with raccoons that are just passing through the area. Raccoons who live nearby will adapt and learn how to jump over the squash or enter the garden in some other way.
- Use bright lanterns to light up your garden. Raccoons are nocturnal animals, and don't care for lights. If you light up your garden at night, raccoons will likely avoid it. This remedy may not be feasible if you have neighbors close by who would be bothered by the lights, or if your garden is close to your own house.[5]
- Solar-powered lanterns will charge during the day and come on automatically at dusk, so you don't have to worry about a power source.
- Play the radio in your garden at night. Raccoons avoid noise, particularly human voices. A talk radio program or rock music with vocals typically works best. The radio needs to be fairly loud, so this method wouldn't work if the noise would disturb you or your neighbors.[6]
- Playing the radio works best in combination with lights. If the raccoons see lights and hear people talking, they will assume that people are there and stay away.
- Other signs of humanity, such as human hair or clothes that smell of human perspiration, may also work.
EditSetting Cage Traps - Check state and local laws regarding humane cage traps. Fish and wildlife agencies have rules regarding the trapping and taking of wildlife from your area. You will likely need a hunting permit if you want to kill the raccoons, even on your own private property. You typically don't need a license to use humane cage traps, but you may need a permit to release the animals you trap.[7]
- Some areas do not allow people to release animals they've trapped themselves. Rather, you must contact animal services to have a professional remove the animal for you. This is more common if you live within the city limits.[8]
- Even when using humane traps, you are still required to follow state laws and local ordinances regarding the trapping of wildlife.
- Acquire a humane live trap. Some state or local animal services agencies have traps that you can rent to trap raccoons on your property. You may also be able to borrow a trap from an agricultural extension nearby.[9]
- If you have frequent or repeated problems with raccoons in your garden, it may be worth the investment to go ahead and buy your own traps so you can use them repeatedly. You can purchase humane live traps online, or at hunting or farming stores.
- Place food bait at the back of the trap behind the trip plate. Use food bait to lure the raccoon into the trap. When the raccoon goes after the food, it crosses the trip plate. The weight of its paw on the plate causes the door to shut behind the animal.[10]
- Raccoons are omnivores and will eat nearly anything. If the raccoon you're trying to trap is going after something in particular, such as your corn, you might try using that as bait.
- Report the trapped animal for removal. In many areas, once you've trapped a raccoon on your property, you must contact animal services to have a professional remove the animal. Check with your local animal services office to find out when an officer is available to come and pick up the animal.[11]
- Typically, you'll need to leave the trap in an area where the animal services officer can easily get it. You may not be home when the officer arrives.
- If the raccoon will be in the cage for several hours, provide the animal with some food or water.
- Hire wildlife removal specialists to trap the creatures. If you live close to a city or urban area, there may be numerous private companies that specialize in the humane trapping and removal of pest species, such as raccoons, from your property. While these specialists will be more expensive than doing it yourself, you can be assured that the job is done correctly.[12]
- If the option is available, you may want to contact 2 or 3 companies and explain your problem. Find out their plan for removing the animals and a basic time frame for when they can get the job done. Then you can compare several estimates.
- Research the reputation of any company thoroughly before you hire them. You can look up reviews from customers online. If the company is regulated by a government agency, find out if their license is current or if they've had any complaints.
EditFencing Your Garden - Have your fencing in place before you plant your garden. To be truly effective, your garden should be fenced before you even plant your seeds or transplant seedlings. Once raccoons have identified a food source, they'll return to it.[13]
- Raccoons can figure out how to get over or through a fence fairly easily. They are more likely to be deterred by a fence if they don't know there is good food beyond it.
- Stake an electric fence with 2 wires around your garden. A single wire electric fence may be sufficient, but a double-wire fence is best for keeping out raccoons. Set the first wire about off the ground, and the second about off the ground. Attach the wires to vertical stakes about apart, to keep the wires from sagging too much.[14]
- Make sure the fence stakes are far enough into the ground that they won't fall over easily, particularly if it rains. A depth of should be sufficient, depending on the density of your soil.
- Use a solar-powered charger to power your wires. You don't want the wires to carry enough voltage to kill or seriously injure the raccoons, just deter them. You can buy a solar or battery-powered electric fence charger online or at a farm supply store.[15]
- Don't hook the electric fence up to your home current – it's much stronger than you need and will turn your electric fence into a serious danger.[16]
- Post warning signs around your fence. Even though your electric fence won't be very high-powered, it's still a good idea to warn people that it exists. In some areas, local ordinances require specific warning signs for electric fences, even on private property.[17]
- Put up at least one sign for every of fencing. Make sure the signs are clearly visible from several angles.
- Turn the power off during the day. Since raccoons are only active at night, leaving an electric fence on all day would be a waste. Instead, turn the fence on at dusk, then turn it back off in the morning. This also makes accidents less likely to occur.[18]
- Some charging systems allow you to place your fence on an automatic timer. That way, you won't have to worry about going out to your garden to turn the fence on and off every day.
- If you grow corn, try tall varieties, such as "Silver Queen" or "Lancelot." They bear ears higher, so raccoons will have a hard time reaching them.[19]
- Use trash cans with locking lids and eliminate any other food sources from the area, including pet food or bird seed. These will attract raccoons, which will eventually discover your garden.[20]
EditSources and Citations
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| How to Shave with Coconut Oil Posted: 09 Mar 2019 04:00 PM PST If you're trying to use more natural products, swap coconut oil for your can of shaving cream. You can easily mix together a moisturizing cream using coconut oil, aloe vera, and your favorite essential oils. Then rub it into your skin before shaving. To maximize the moisturizing ability of coconut oil, you can also spread a thin layer of the pure oil on your skin after you shave. EditIngredients EditCoconut Oil Shaving Cream - of coconut oil
- of aloe vera
- 4 to 6 drops of essential oil, such as peppermint or lavender
Makes about EditUsing Coconut Oil in Your Shaving Routine - Exfoliate your skin and pat it dry. Wet your skin with warm water and gently rub it with a brush, gentle scrubber, or exfoliating product, such as an exfoliating cleanser. Rinse your skin with cool water and then pat it dry.[1]
- Exfoliating will remove dead skin cells that would otherwise clog your razor.
- Spread a thin layer of pure coconut oil on your skin. Dip your clean fingers into a jar of pure coconut oil and then rub your fingers together. The heat and friction of your fingers will soften the oil, making it easy to spread on the skin you're planning to shave. Let the oil sit on your skin for a few minutes before you begin to shave.[2]
- If you're shaving your face or armpits, you'll only need a coin-sized amount of coconut oil. You'll need more to shave your legs, especially if the skin is very dry.
- Use your fingers or a brush to apply coconut oil shaving cream. Although you could shave with just the pure coconut oil on your skin, you'll get a smoother shave if you apply moisturizing shaving cream. Spread or brush a thick layer of the cream evenly over your skin.
- If you're shaving short hairs, you may want to skip the shaving cream since pure coconut oil will be enough to moisturize the fine hairs.
- Shave the hair with a sharp razor. Rinse your razor with clean water every few strokes, so the razor doesn't clog with hairs or coconut oil. If you find it difficult to rinse the razor, fill a cup with water. Then dip and shake the razor a little to loosen the hairs.[3]
- Rinse the shaved skin and dry it. Although you can gently wipe your skin with your hands as you rinse, avoid rubbing the skin vigorously. This will irritate the skin and make it appear red. Once you've rinsed the skin with water, take a soft cloth and gently pat the skin dry.[4]
- Ensure that any little hairs are completely rinsed away before you towel dry.
- Rub a little pure coconut oil on your skin to moisturize it. Shaving can dry out your skin, even if you moisturize before you begin. To hydrate your skin and protect it, spread a little more pure coconut oil in a thin layer over the smooth skin.[5]
- Keep rubbing your skin until the coconut oil is absorbed and no longer feels greasy.
EditMaking Coconut Oil Shaving Cream - Melt of coconut oil. Purchase coconut oil from the grocery store, natural market, or drugstore and scoop of it into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the oil in 10 second increments until it's liquid.[6]
- If you live in a warm climate, the coconut oil might be liquid in the jar. If so, just pour out into a bowl. There's no need to microwave it.
- Stir in of aloe vera. Use a natural aloe vera that doesn't contain many preservatives or colors. If you can't find aloe vera at the store, substitute hair conditioner. The aloe vera will soften and moisturize your skin.
- Mix in 4 to 6 drops of essential oil. Once you stir the aloe vera into the oil, stir in 4 to 6 drops of your favorite essential oil. Since essential oils can be strong, only use them if you know they won't irritate your skin. Consider using:[7]
- Peppermint
- Tea tree
- Lavender
- Tangerine
- Jasmine
- Store the coconut oil shaving cream in an airtight container. Transfer the mixture to a storage container and keep it at room temperature. If you're planning on storing the coconut oil shaving cream in the bathroom, consider using a plastic container, so it won't break if it gets dropped.[8]
- Homemade coconut oil shaving cream will spoil over time, so keep the container sealed and use it within 3 to 4 weeks.
- If you live in a cold climate, run hot water in your shower or sink for a few minutes after you finish shaving. This will prevent the coconut oil that's in your pipes from hardening.
- Coconut oil acts as a conditioner, so rub a little of it into your hair or beard the next time you want a little extra moisture.
EditThings You'll Need EditUsing Coconut Oil in Your Shaving Routine - Coconut oil
- Coconut oil shaving cream
- Razor
- Towel
EditMaking Coconut Oil Shaving Cream - Coconut oil
- Aloe vera
- Essential oils
- Measuring cup
- Bowl
- Microwave
- Spoon
- Storage container
EditSources and Citations
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| How to Make a Smoothie Without a Blender Posted: 09 Mar 2019 08:00 AM PST Most people reach for their blenders when they want to make a smoothie, but you don't have to! As long as you choose soft, ripe fruit, you can mash it by hand and stir in your favorite smoothie ingredients, such as yogurt or peanut butter. Get the classic smoothie texture by shaking the mixture with ice until the smoothie is cold and foamy. Use this simple method for your favorite smoothie recipes or create your own custom beverage! EditChoosing Ingredients - Look for very ripe fruits. Since you won't be able to break up fruits that are firm and full of fiber, purchase soft fruits that you'll be able to mash by hand. Keep in mind that fruits are softest when they're completely ripe. Consider basing your smoothie on 1 or a combination of these fruits:[1]
- Kiwi
- Mango
- Banana
- Pears
- Berries, such as strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries
- Try soft vegetables or vegetable puree. Although most vegetables will be too fibrous to use in a smoothie without a blender, you can use an avocado that's ripe and soft. Remember that you can also include a few spoonfuls of vegetable puree, such as pumpkin, butternut squash, or carrot.[2]
- Pureed vegetables will also help thicken your smoothie and give it a bright color.
- Include proteins that will thicken the smoothie. Soft fruits usually make up most of blender-less smoothies, but you'll need filling ingredients to add protein and give the smoothie a creamy texture. Use your favorite type of yogurt, peanut butter, or chia seeds to add protein.[3]
- Instead of peanut butter, you can use tahini or sunflower butter, which will give your smoothie protein with less sugar.
- Choose a liquid to thin the smoothie. You probably won't need very much liquid in your smoothie, but it's good to have nutritious liquids on hand just in case. For a creamy smoothie, get out milk or your favorite alternative milk, such as almond or soy milk. To make your smoothie sweeter, use fruit juice.[4]
- For example, use apple, grape, orange, or pineapple juice.
- Include powders for protein or flavor. Customize your smoothie by stirring in extra flavors or protein powders. If you're adding protein powder, use the amount recommended by the manufacturer. To add flavors, consider using:[5]
- Cocoa powder
- Matcha powder
- Maca powder
- Spices, such as nutmeg, cinnamon, or turmeric
EditCombining the Smoothie - Mash soft fruits and vegetables. Rinse and remove peels from the ripe fruit. Then place as much fruit as you want into a bowl and use the back of a spoon, a fork, or a potato masher to smash the produce until it's as smooth as possible.[6]
- Keep in mind that there will probably be a few small lumps in the pureed fruits and vegetables.
- Stir the mashed produce with your choice of smoothie ingredients. Spoon the mashed fruits or vegetables into a bowl and add any thickeners or powders that you want. Then stir until the powders are dissolved and all of the ingredients are combined.
- For example, to make a classic strawberry banana smoothie, put mashed strawberries and bananas into a bowl along with a few spoonfuls of yogurt. Stir to combine the smoothie.
- Shake the smoothie with ice if you want a foamy drink. While you can drink the smoothie as soon as it's combined, you may want it to be colder. Put a few ice cubes into a large jar and pour the smoothie into it. Seal the jar and shake it until the smoothie is cold and foamy. This should take about 30 seconds.[7]
- To make a frosty smoothie, stir crushed ice into the smoothie just before serving. Keep in mind that the smoothie will have a slushy texture.
- Add your chosen liquid to adjust the thickness of your smoothie. Once you've combined the main smoothie ingredients, taste it and decide if it's as thick or thin as you want. To thin the smoothie, stir in of juice or milk until the smoothie is the consistency you like.
- If the smoothie isn't thick enough for your liking, stir in more yogurt or chia seeds. Chia seeds take a few minutes to thicken, so let the smoothie rest before drinking it.
- Enjoy the cold smoothie. Pour the smoothie into a serving glass and drink it immediately. Because the ingredients weren't blended together by machine, they'll probably begin to separate faster. If this happens, just stir the smoothie with a long spoon and drink it through a straw.[8]
- Refrigerate any leftover smoothie in an airtight container for up to 2 or 3 days. You'll need to stir or shake it again before drinking.
- If you have a food processor, you can blend harder fruits and vegetables to stir or shake into your smoothie. For example, blend spinach, celery, oranges, or cherries.
EditThings You'll Need - Fork, spoon, or potato masher
- Bowl
- Jar with a lid
EditSources and Citations
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