Creep

The War Is On...

Ok, here is an ant update. The good news is we are really only seeing an occasional indoor ant visiting the ant bait hotel in the bathroom. There seemed to be 3 waves so far. There would be none, then 20 - 30 ants, then none, then several and now none (almost) again for the last couple days. I think I have identified them as "pavement ants", or "littlus basturdus" for you entomologists.

But while mowing the yard, I saw these at the end of the driveway about 20 feet from the house at the end of the driveway. I guess I should have shot a photo while they were still alive, but I panicked and went and got the bug spray and killed them with Ted Bundy frenzy. There were like 10 times as many as seen in the photo.

Step 1: Broadcast spread Spectracide over the entire lawn. Kills on contact... YEAH!

Step 2 and 3: Spray the Bayer advanced liquid and create a 1 - 2 foot perimeter all the way around the home. Use the Amdro ant block (bait) in the shrub beds and around any visible ant mounds.

And just for a backup plan, Roach Ridd, which is boric acid and is deadly to ants. This is unproven, because I had this last fall and all I had was white powder coated ants in the driveway (but at least not in the house). And Diazinon which I already had too. I am not even sure you can still buy it still. Turf Ranger granules which also last year just seemed to be an expensive ant food.

And of course... more ant bait hotels!

It's getting expensive, but I am sure there will be an Obama ant war bailout.

The Jerry Baker Lawn Tonic..

About twice a year I spray our lawn with a lawn tonic that was originated by Jerry Baker. It is a combination of liquid ingredients that accomplishes several great things for your yard. I am often asked for the recipe so I thought I would post it an everyone could have a beautiful lawn.

The ingredients are generally found at the local dollar store:

• One bottle of liquid dishwashing liquid (not anti-bacterial)


• One can of beer


• One can of regular cola (not diet)


• 1 cup of household ammonia


• 1 bottle of antiseptic mouthwash like Listerene (or store brand)


• 10 or so drops of hot sauce like Tobasco

Mix the ingredients in a bucket and apply to your lawn in some type of hose-end sprayer. The above amount should cover around 5000 square feet. Hose end sprayers vary, so you may have to move fairly quickly as not to run out.

Here is my understanding as to what these ingredients do:

• The dishwashing liquid breaks up the oily film on the surface of your lawn's soil. This allows water to reach the deeper grass roots for a healthier lawn. It will also allow the other things you do (like fertilize) to go deeper in the soil. Dishwashing soap is also distasteful to insects and critters.


• The yeast in the beer feeds on the sugar in the soda and helps to break down thatch.


• The ammonia is liquid nitrogen for a greening boost. (but don't overdo it)


• The mouthwash helps fight lawn diseases.


• The hot sauce is an insect and critter repellent.

I apply in the spring and fall and have had great results. The following picture is of our lawn.

Separate Ways

This video was featured on Yahoo.com's front page April 18, 2009. It has received over 600,000 views on the Yahoo site. Featuring 9 yr old Vocalist Vincent Fondale, 11 yr old Alex Raz on lead guitar, 9 yr old Joey Sampson on drums, 12 yr old Alexis Shook on bass, and 13 yr old Anthony Fondale on keyboards. The band is from Cleveland Ohio, for more info go to www.vincentfondale.com or www.myspace.com/alexraz. Now they just need someone to run the mixing board...

Wendy Vo

Here, Wendy Vo plays Tico Tico on the keyboard

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