| How to Make a Bird Box Posted: 03 Oct 2020 01:00 AM PDT Bird watching is a relaxing, fulfilling activity that's easy for most people to do. You can bring the birds to your own backyard by building them a bird box, or a variation of a bird house. Once you have your materials, you can spend a single afternoon building a cozy home for the birds in your area so they have a safe place to nest during breeding season. The best thing about bird boxes is that they're reusable, so you can clean them up and use them time and time again! [Edit]Cutting the Lumber - Measure and cut 2 side panels out of untreated wood. Use pine, cedar, or plywood that's thick. Using a tape measure and a ruler, measure out the 2 side panels, then use a saw to cut them out. Cut out 2 panels that are both wide and in length on one side and in length on the other.[1]
- The side panels will be slanted at the top to create the classic bird box shape.
- To find untreated lumber, look for wood that's been approved by the Forest Stewardship Council, or the FSC, by looking for the FSC logo on the label.
- Since all your pieces are the same width, it may help to start out with a piece of lumber that's wide.
- Cut out the front, base, roof, and back from the same wood. Using the same wood, grab a tape measure and measure out 4 new pieces. Then, use a saw to cut them out. The measurements for each piece are:[2]
- The front piece: wide and long.
- The base piece: wide and long.
- The roof piece: wide and long.
- The back piece: wide and long.
- Carve out a diameter hole in the front panel. Attach a spade bit, or a boring bit, to your drill and make a pencil mark about 1/3 of the way down your front panel. Use the boring bit on your drill to carve out a wide hole in the front so that birds can enter the box.[3]
- This hole might seem small, but it will allow smaller birds to get into the box while keeping large predatory birds out.
- If you want to attract larger birds, leave the front panel off of the box completely to make it more accessible.
- Drill 5 small holes in the base piece. Using your same boring bit, make 5 marks spaced evenly along the base piece. Then, use your boring bit to make five wide holes to let water and waste flow out of the box.[4]
- These drainage / ventilation holes will keep the box cleaner so the birds are more likely to stay for long periods of time. It will also ensure that the birds have enough air to breathe while they're in the box.
[Edit]Assembling the Box - Nail the sides to the bottom of the back plate. Start by lining up your side pieces so that the flat edges are flush with the bottom of the back plate and the tops of the side pieces are slanted downwards. Use 2 nails on either side to attach the side pieces to the sides of the back plate, leaving about of space at the top of the back plate.[5]
- Leaving the space at the top will give you room to attach the roof.
- Attach the base to the back plate so it's flush with the sides. Grab your base plate with the holes in it and line it up with the bottom of the back plate and the bottom of the side pieces. Use 4 nails to hammer the base piece into place to the back plate and the side pieces.[6]
- The base piece needs to be really secure since that's what the birds will actually be sitting on in the box.
- Line up the front panel with the sides, then use nails to attach it. Grab the front piece and situate it on the side panels so that the hole in the front is near the top of the box. Use 3 nails on either side of the front piece to attach it to the side panels, then use 2 more nails to attach the front piece to the base piece.[7]
- Attach a rubber hinge to the roof and the base. Grab a strip of rubber that's wide and tall. Use 2 nails to attach the top of the strip to the top of the back plate. Then, attach the top of the roof to the edge of the rubber hinge with 2 more nails.[8]
- The roof should rest on the top of the 2 side panels to stay closed.
- Attaching the roof with a hinge rather than nails will make it easier to clean and maintain the box over time.
- Paint or decorate the box if you'd like to. If you want to decorate your bird box, you can grab a paint brush and use non-toxic, water-based paint to use on the outside of the box. Let the box dry completely for about 1 day before you hang it up outside.[9]
- Painting the box can make it easier to see, and it might make it a cute attraction in your yard.
[Edit]Hanging and Cleaning the Box - Set up your bird box between February and March. If you're in the southern part of the country, put up your box no later than the end of February. If you're in the northern part of the country, put it up before late March.[10]
- This will give the birds in your area ample time to use the box during breeding season.
- It can take a few years for birds to find your box, so don't be discouraged if it doesn't get used right away.
- Drill a hole in the back plate for hanging. Use a drill bit to make a hole at the top of the back plate. This will make it much easier to hang the box later on so the screw doesn't have as much wood to push through.[11]
- You may have to push through the rubber hinge a little bit, which is fine.
- Mount the box at least above the ground. Choose a tree or a pole in your yard that's out of the direct sunlight to hang your bird box. Grab a screw and use your drill to attach the top of the bird box to the tree or the pole. Make sure it's really sturdy so that the birds can go in and out with ease.[12]
- Putting the bird box high up will keep the birds safe from predators on the ground.
- You don't need to add in any nesting materials to your box, because the birds will bring in their own.
- Wash your bird box every October or November. After each breeding season, take your box down from its mount and dump out any nesting material or waste inside of it. Use boiling water to clean out and disinfect the inside, then let it air dry before you hang it back up again.[13]
- Never use harsh chemicals to clean out your bird box, or you could harm the birds.
- If you open up the box and find unhatched eggs, leave them in the box. According to wildlife laws, the eggs can only be removed from October to January and they must be destroyed – it is illegal to keep the eggs.
- When birds start using your bird box, try to keep your distance so they don't get spooked.[14]
[Edit]Warnings - Many species of birds are very territorial and won't nest in boxes if they're too close together.[15]
[Edit]Things You'll Need - thick and long pine, cedar, or plywood
- Saw
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
- Drill
- Boring or spade bit
- drill bit
- Nails
- Hammer
- Screw
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References |
| How to Cover Furniture with Wallpaper Posted: 02 Oct 2020 05:00 PM PDT Adding some wallpaper to surfaces can give new life to an old set of drawers, a night stand, a desk, or pretty much any other piece of furniture you want to rejuvenate or update to match your decor. This custom update doesn't take a lot of materials or time to do. Depending on the size of the furniture you want to cover with wallpaper and how many surfaces you actually want to cover, you can probably get the job done on a rainy Saturday afternoon and have your furniture ready to use by Sunday morning! [Edit]Prep Work - Wipe down the piece of furniture using a damp sponge. Get a clean sponge wet and wring out the excess water. Use it to clean off the piece of furniture you want to cover with wallpaper, paying special attention to the surfaces you plan to actually stick wallpaper onto. Wait for the furniture to air dry.[1]
- Any dirt or grit on the surfaces of your furniture interferes with the wallpaper's adherence and can ruin a smooth finish, so that's why it's important to clean off the furniture first.
- There's no limit to the types of furniture you can update with wallpaper. Try wallpapering bookshelves, night stands, dressers, cabinets, coffee tables, and anything else you think is in need of a new look!
- Note that you can wallpaper furniture made out of pretty much any material. However, if you want to stick wallpaper to glass, you must use peel-and-stick wallpaper because traditional wallpaper and glue won't stick well to glass. Wood is the best surface for using regular wallpaper and glue on.
- Remove any drawers and doors from the piece. Pull out drawers that you want to cover in wallpaper or that may get in the way of you covering other surfaces. Unscrew any doors and take them off their hinges if you want to cover them or if they're in the way as well.[2]
- For example, you could take all the drawers out of your old, dingy dresser and cover the front of each drawer with a fun, brightly-colored, patterned wallpaper. You could also cover the top of the dresser with the same wallpaper to make it match.
- Take off any hardware that's in the way where you want to add wallpaper. Unscrew and remove handles from any drawers and doors you're planning to cover in wallpaper. Unscrew and remove other hardware, such as hinges, if it is in the way of surfaces you're covering with wallpaper.[3]
- For example, if you're covering the door of a kitchen sideboard in wallpaper, take the handle off the door. If you're going to cover the outside or inside of the cabinet as well, remove the hinges from the sideboard so they don't get in the way.
[Edit]Wallpaper - Place the wallpaper over a surface and crease it over the surface's edges. Line up a piece of wallpaper on top of the surface you want to stick it to. Fold over the edges and use your fingers to firmly crease the wallpaper where you fold it to make your cut lines.[4]
- If you want to cover the edges of a surface as well, just fold the wallpaper over and under the edge and make 2 crease lines. The second crease is your cut line.
- You can use either peel-and-stick wallpaper or regular wallpaper to cover your furniture.
- Cut the wallpaper where you creased it using a craft knife and a piece of cardboard. Place the piece of wallpaper print-side-down on a piece of cardboard. Slice very carefully straight along the creases you made using a sharp craft knife.[5]
- You can also use a utility knife or box cutter instead of a craft knife.
- You can use a cutting mat instead of cardboard if you have one..
- Peel the backing off or apply a coat of Mod Podge to the back of the wallpaper. Just pull the backing off the adhesive side of the wallpaper if you're using peel-and-stick wallpaper. Use a sponge brush to apply a thin coat of Mod Podge to the backside of the wallpaper if you're using regular wallpaper.[6]
- If you're using Mod Podge to stick regular wallpaper to your piece of furniture, you could also apply a thin coat of glue to the surface you're covering instead of to the back of the wallpaper.
- Line the wallpaper up over the surface and press it onto the surface. Carefully position the wallpaper where you want to stick it. Press it down firmly against the surface when you're sure it's oriented correctly and smooth it out using your hands.[7]
- If you're wrapping wallpaper around the edges of a surface, the corners can be tricky. Use your craft knife to carefully make a horizontal cut in the wallpaper, parallel to the edge of the surface, in each corner. Fold the flap you create neatly over the edge at the corner.
- If you're covering multiple surfaces next to one another, such as several consecutive drawers, use consecutive smaller pieces of wallpaper from the larger roll so the wallpaper's pattern lines up from one drawer to the next.
- Run a brayer along the paper from one end to the other to smooth out bubbles. A brayer is a small hand roller made of rubber or another similar material that is typically used to apply ink in printing. Start at one end of the surface you just covered in wallpaper and roll a brayer firmly along the wallpaper all the way to the other end to smooth out the wallpaper. Go back to the side you started from and repeat the process, working your way down the surface and from side to side, until you get rid of all the bubbles.[8]
- If you don't have a brayer, you could use something with a hard flat edge, such as a plastic ruler or a plastic putty knife, to smooth out the wallpaper.
[Edit]Reassembly - Let the wallpaper dry overnight before you do reassembly if you used glue. Leave the piece of furniture disassembled if you covered it in regular wallpaper using Mod Podge to stick it on. This allows the glue plenty of time to cure.[9]
- If you try to put your furniture back together right away, you might accidentally unstick some of the wallpaper, so it's best to let the glue cure all the way.
- This isn't necessary if you used peel-and-stick wallpaper.
- Reattach all the hardware you removed. Screw handles back into drawers and doors. Put any hinges and other hardware you removed back on as well.[10]
- You can just use all the old hardware or you can replace the hardware with different varieties that go with the new wallpaper you applied to your furniture if you want to.
- Screw doors back onto the furniture and replace all the drawers. Put any doors you removed back on the hinges. Slide any drawers back into the slots they belong in.[11]
- Keep in mind that wallpaper can get damaged by heat and liquids, so exercise caution if you're using the surface you covered in wallpaper to set things like mugs on. You can use coasters or even get a piece of glass or plexiglass cut to set on top of the wallpaper and protect it.
- If you don't want to worry about matching wallpaper patterns between consecutive drawers and the like, choose a wallpaper that has an allover print that doesn't require close matching to look great.
[Edit]Warnings - Be careful when you're using a sharp craft knife to cut wallpaper. Keep your fingers and hands away from the cut line and don't cut on top of any surfaces that you don't want to damage.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Piece of furniture
- Sponge
- Water
- Screwdriver
- Craft knife
- Cardboard
- Wallpaper
- Mod Podge
- Sponge brush
- Brayer
[Edit]References |
| How to Improve Your Hearing Posted: 02 Oct 2020 09:00 AM PDT Hearing loss can be scary thing for some, and people experience it all the time. Luckily, there are many ways you can improve your own hearing or protect yourself from damage. If you're already experiencing hearing loss, then see your doctor to talk about the variety of options to fix the problem. You can also prevent your hearing from getting damaged in the first place. A few simple tricks in your everyday life can maintain your hearing for years to come. [Edit]Medical Treatments - Visit a doctor if you've noticed difficulty hearing. If hearing loss is interfering with your everyday life, then it's time to see your doctor. Make an appointment and let the doctor examine your ears to determine what's causing it and find the right solutions.[1]
- The exam will probably include an inspection of your ears and a simple hearing test. Some doctors have specialized equipment that can do a more thorough test of your eardrums.
- The doctor may refer you to an ear specialist (otolaryngologist) or audiologist for further testing. This can pin down exactly what's causing your hear loss and how to fix it.
- While you need an exam for any hearing loss, a sudden loss of hearing, particularly in one ear, could be a serious medical problem. Don't hesitate to see your doctor in this case.
- Let your doctor remove built-up earwax if your ear canal is blocked. In some cases, hearing loss is from a simple blockage caused by earwax. Your doctor will spot this right away when they examine your ears. Luckily, it's a very easy fix. The doctor will remove the earwax with a small tool or vacuum. Once your ear canal is cleared, your hearing should improve.[2]
- The doctor might also send you home with ear drops that will dissolve wax buildup. Use these exactly how your doctor tells you to.[3]
- Don't try to dig earwax out yourself at home. You could damage your eardrum and make the hearing loss permanent.
- Use a hearing aid if your inner ear is damaged. Hearing loss from damage or old age isn't reversible naturally. Luckily, there are devices that can help you regain your hearing. The most common is a hearing aid. This small device fits into your ear and amplifies sound so you can hear better. It might not fully restore your hearing, but it can make your everyday life much easier.[4]
- There are several types of hearing aids, ranging from types that rest in your ear opening to larger types that wrap around your ear. There are also more powerful bone-anchored hearing aids. Your doctor will counsel you on the best type for you.[5]
- There are also over-the-counter hearing aids that might help with mild hearing loss. These won't work as well as prescription types and aren't widely available yet, but they might work for you. Talk with your doctor about the benefits of these devices.[6]
- Consider getting a cochlear implant if hearing aids don't help. Sometimes, your inner ear is damaged enough that sound can't reach your auditory nerve. This is tough to deal with, but there's good news. Cochlear implants help people with this problem all the time. This device bypasses your ear canal and brings sound directly to the auditory nerve.[7] A surgeon will install the implant with a minor surgical procedure, and it should improve your hearing if the auditory nerve is healthy.
- The outer part of a cochlear implant is removable like a hearing aid, so you can put it on and take it off.[8] You cannot remove the internal part of the implant, however.
- Have minor surgery to correct abnormalities in your ear canal. In some cases, the bones or structures in your ear don't form properly, causing hearing loss. A minor surgical procedure could correct this issue and improve your hearing. An ear specialist will counsel you on whether or not you need surgery and talk you through the process.[9]
- You may also need surgery if you have persistent ear infections. Fluid might not be draining properly from your ear.
- Tell your doctor if you experience hearing loss after taking medication. Some medications, known as ototoxic medicines, could potentially cause hearing loss. Over 200 medications could fall into this category, and there's no reliable way to determine who will experience this side effect. The best thing to do is monitor your hearing and tell your doctor immediately if you notice any problems after taking medication.[10]
- Some medications that can cause temporary hearing loss include salicylate pain relievers like aspirin, quinine, and some diuretics.
- Other medications could cause permanent damage if you take them long enough. These include some antibiotics like gentamicin and chemotherapy drugs.
- Hearing loss is much more common if you take high doses or multiple types of ototoxic medicines at the same time. Always take your medication as directed to reduce the chance.[11]
[Edit]Natural Hearing Improvement - Try sound location exercises to sharpen your hearing. You might be able to maintain or improve your hearing with practice. Have someone hide an item that makes a repetitive sound, like an alarm. Then make the environment noisy, like by turning on the TV. Try to lock on to the sound and follow it to find the object. Doing this repeatedly can improve your ability to focus on specific sounds.[12]
- For a similar hearing exercise, try listening to someone read out loud in a noisy environment. Block out the distracting noise and try to focus solely on the reading.
- If you already have hearing loss, then sound location exercises probably won't help. You need a medical exam and possibly hearing aids to fix this.
- Follow a healthy diet to support your ear health. Like any other body part, your ears need proper nutrition to work properly. In particular, getting enough zinc, potassium, folic acid, magnesium, vitamin D, and omega-3s help reduce inflammation in your ear canal and prevent damage to your hearing. You can get all of these nutrients from a healthy, balanced diet.[13]
- Some of the healthiest foods to eat are leafy green vegetables, bananas, nuts and seeds, fish, poultry, and low-fat dairy products.
- You can also take dietary supplements if you aren't getting enough nutrients from your daily diet. Talk to your doctor before you start using any supplements to make sure they're right for you.
- Exercise regularly to maintain your hearing. There is actually a connection between aerobic exercise and hearing health. As long as your ears haven't been damaged, then regular exercise can help sharpen your hearing and maintain it into old age. For the best results, get 20-30 minutes of aerobic exercise at least 5 days per week.[14]
- Aerobic exercises are activities like get your heart rate up, like running, biking, swimming, or kickboxing classes. You could also just take a daily walk.
- Resistance exercises like weight training are also good for your health, but they aren't connected with improved hearing. For those benefits, you'll need aerobic exercise.
- Reduce stress to keep your mind clear. It's possible that stress and anxiety can impact your hearing.[15] If you regularly feel stressed, then take some steps to relax and de-stress. A clearer mind could improve your hearing.
- Try some relaxation exercises like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing. Even a few minutes a day could make a big difference.
- Doing activities you enjoy is also a great stress-reducer. Try to make time for your hobbies so you feel less overwhelmed.
- Remember that this won't actually fix any damage in your ears, so you may still want hearing aids if you've been exposed to loud noises.
- Try herbal supplements for tinnitus. Tinnitus is a constant ringing or buzzing in your ear that's usually an early stage of hearing loss. There's little evidence that natural remedies can make a big difference, but some herbal treatments could help. If you experience tinnitus, try some of these supplements after asking your doctor if they're safe for you.[16]
- Ginkgo biloba.
- Zinc.
- Vitamin B.
[Edit]Protecting Your Ears - Avoid loud environments as much as you can. Being around loud noises is one of the main causes for hearing loss. As much as you can, stay out of very loud environments and noisy situations. This can help maintain your hearing and prevent damage.[17]
- Generally, if you're trying to talk with someone and you have to yell to hear each other, then the environment is too loud.
- Sounds over 85 decibels, or roughly as loud as a motorcycle engine, can be harmful to your hearing. You can download smartphone apps to measure the current decibel levels and see if the environment is too loud.
- Wear ear protection whenever you're around loud noises. You can't always avoid loud noises, especially if it's part of your job. In these cases, always wear ear protection to prevent damage.[18] Earplugs are handy and will work in most situations, but protective earmuffs block even more sound and are good for very loud noises.
- This is especially important if you're using power tools or work around heavy equipment. Over long periods of time, these devices can cause major damage.
- This is also important for bartenders or people who work at concert venues. The music in these places is usually very loud.
- Keep earplugs with you for unexpected loud situations. This way, you'll always be ready to protect your ears.[19]
- Keep the volume down when you're using headphones. Headphones focus music right onto your eardrums, so they pose a high chance for causing hearing loss. Keep the volume under control to prevent any hearing loss.[20]
- If you often have to turn the volume up to hear your music over other sounds, then try using noise-canceling headphones.
- Avoid sticking things into your ears. Any objects in your ears could damage your eardrum and cause hearing loss. Don't stick cotton swabs, tweezers, or your fingers into your ears.[21]
- Your ears clean themselves, so you don't need to dig wax out with a cotton swab.
- If you do have something stuck in your ear, go to the doctor or emergency room right away instead of trying to get it out yourself.
- Quit smoking to prevent damage in your ears. There's evidence that smoking could damage your hearing by reducing blood flow to your ears. If you smoke, then quit as soon as possible, and avoid starting in the first place if you don't.[22]
- Secondhand smoke is also harmful and could cause similar damage. Avoid smoky environments and don't let anyone smoke in your home.
- Ringing in your ears, also called tinnitus, is a sign of inner ear damage and can be a precursor to hearing loss.
- If you go to a loud concert or show, give your ears a break for a few days afterward and avoid loud noises. This can help you avoid further damage.
- Hearing aids and cochlear implants are totally optional. Don't feel you need to wear them if you don't want to.
- Hearing loss isn't a tragedy. You can still live a happy life with hearing loss.
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