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Does gravel prevent pests?

Installing a gravel buffer around the perimeter of your home, and keeping it dry, will deter many bugs from getting too close. Gravel is great for filling in moist areas, as well. Bugs love puddles and wet soil. If these areas are against the house, you're asking for trouble.

What are door shims?
What are door shims?

Plain and simple, a shim is a tapered wedge used for making slight adjustments to home elements, such as door frames and windows, to make them...

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How do you put electricity into a shed?
How do you put electricity into a shed?

Start with a Switch The NEC requires a means, such as a single-pole switch, to disconnect the power where it enters the shed. ... Connect the wires...

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Can I build my own shed?
Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

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Date Posted:

Category: Fall Pests

Keeping bugs away from your foundation walls can go a long way to preventing them from coming inside the house. Installing a gravel buffer around the perimeter of your home, and keeping it dry, will deter many bugs from getting too close. Gravel is great for filling in moist areas, as well. Bugs love puddles and wet soil. If these areas are against the house, you're asking for trouble. But rocks in your yard, that have moist pockets under them, can also be a nesting area for bugs. Lift those rocks and put gravel underneath, to deter bugs from thriving. Other helpful prevention tips include, Keep moist leaves, wood piles, and construction materials, away from your house. Bugs love these, and they will take full advantage of being close to your home. Keep trees cut back, so bugs and critters can't drop onto your roof. Use a caulking gun to seal up cracks around windows, air conditioners, pipes, outlets, meters, and vents. Caulking is also good for sealing up cracks in siding.

Keep leaves raked up in your yard, and keep your lawn trimmed.

Have a professional spray your yard to kill mosquitoes and fleas before they can pester you.

Weed your gardens. Excess green in your flower beds will invite pests.

Have the outside of your house sprayed by a professional. They can get hard to reach places, like: the shingle cracks on your roof, sills, and second story windows. Check all your screens, and add screens to attic vents, or across your chimney. Put wire mesh at the bottom of your downspouts, to keep rodents and bugs from crawling up, and getting access to higher, more vulnerable, areas of your home. Scout around your yard, and remove small wasp nests that have cropped up. If you find a larger one, make sure to get a professional involved. Wasps can sting multiple times, and are known to swarm if their nest is threatened. Don't forget the flying bugs. Get up on your roof and check for cracks. While you're up there, take a mirror and look under your eaves. You would be surprised how many large holes can be up there. Fill them in with spray-in expansion foam to protect your attic from rodents, bats, and wasps. Check weather stripping on doors and examine the bottoms of your doors. If there is even ¼ of an inch gap, all kinds of bugs can get in.

Can I build a cabin on my land?
Can I build a cabin on my land?

Residential log cabins will need planning permission before construction. Unless you can find a piece of land with planning permission attached....

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What is the cheapest type of plywood?
What is the cheapest type of plywood?

D-grade plywood D-grade plywood: D-grade plywood sheets are the most inexpensive. They haven't been repaired, and the flaws can be a little larger...

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Can I build my own shed?
Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

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How many inches of gravel do you need under concrete?

Gravel for Concrete Depending on what the driveway will be used for, the base may need to be 4 to 12 inches. Ideally, 6 inches of crushed stone or gravel should be used for most driveways.

One of the main reasons concrete driveways get cracks is due to poor base construction. From pouring concrete on rock to compacting soil for concrete slabs, there are numerous ways to make a driveway. Only some will last in the long run, though. Repairing or replacing a driveway can be quite costly, so doing it right the first time can prevent those problems. Family Handyman stresses that driveway bases have to be solid and stable, especially in colder climates. This is also important to protect the driveway from the heavyweight of parked vehicles. Depending on what the driveway will be used for, the base may need to be 4 to 12 inches. Ideally, 6 inches of crushed stone or gravel should be used for most driveways. Proper application requires that the driveway hole be dug out, and the soil has to be prepared. Concrete Network explains that the two levels underneath driveways include the subgrade of native soil topped with a subbase of gravel underneath the concrete slab. The best sub-base for a concrete slab is gravel. The soil has to be prepped first before the gravel can be laid down; pouring concrete directly onto rock is not considered a best practice.

Does gravel attract termites?
Does gravel attract termites?

The rock or gravel won't attract termites, offers the same rain-dispersing benefits, and lasts forever. Jun 26, 2019

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How do I keep moisture out of my Barndominium?
How do I keep moisture out of my Barndominium?

Use a properly sized dehumidifier, to reduce humidity. Excessive indoor humidity and moisture are not a result of your windows. You should view the...

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Are shed plans easy to follow?
Are shed plans easy to follow?

These are! They guide you every step of the way to complete your dream shed.

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How long does firewood last in a shed?
How long does firewood last in a shed?

With the conditions you have described you should be able to store the firewood outside for approximately 3 or 4 years before you have any issues...

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Are shed plans easy to follow?
Are shed plans easy to follow?

These are! They guide you every step of the way to complete your dream shed.

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What size shed is best?
What size shed is best?

Generally speaking, a 12-foot-by-12-foot shed will suit a large yard, while an 8-foot-by-10-foot one is better for a medium-size yard. In selecting...

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