JLEbean's Profile

Yet another recommendation for Terro. It really is the only thing I've tried that has worked. Just a couple of drops and they're gone in a day or two. I don't know if it will work on carpenter ants though but sure clears the area of the little ones. They sell the pre-filled baits but I've had luck with the liquid dropper and it's lasted for years since you use so little.

I have two dogs and a cat and have read that Terro (mainly a Boric acid-based bait) isn't toxic enough to harm the pets if they eat one. I just try to keep it out of obvious reach but tend not to worry about it.

@ballardhandyman

I have the same idea but have not had any luck finding a source with more pictures.

Looks like it could be a useful way to hide all of my TV remotes in a shallow shadow box behind the couch. It would certainly look nicer than piled on the coffee table even if they reside in a nice little tray.

As far as the double-keyed deadbolts go, they sell models that have an inner "key" that slides in and looks like a standard deadbolt lock for ease of use. You can just pull the key out and place it out of reach of any nearby windows when you leave the house. I think they should be easier to use than an actual key but still give you the added safety of knowing someone can't easily reach in through a window and flip the bolt.

I'm not sure I'd recommend adding an NRA sticker, whether you own guns or not. As AlyCatNat said, it could just alert people that your house is worth robbing for the guns alone. I know people that this has happened to. Some thieves might be deterred but others think of how valuable those guns could be for them.

I'm in favor of the guard dog option since I love mine!

You could try the Stonewater line from Kincaid furniture. Not exactly the same, perlaps a little less modern but a nice compromise.

I once saw several tall exterior shutters that were used in a boutique to display earrings. With some additional hooks, they would nicely hold necklaces and bracelets. Once I get around to it, this will probably be method I'm going to use for storage. Right now I'm using a corkboard to hang everything on but finding it to be too small and kind of cumbersome.

I'm also looking for options that don't involve drilling into the side of the house for mounting. I'd love to have two window boxes on our ground floor over the front flower bed but my bf (who owns the house) says no drilling. I'm thinking of building a stand to hold the boxes and covering the legs with tall bushes or vines. Has anyone seen any pre-made simple stands for window boxes? All I can find are the ornate iron ones, and that's just not my style.

I'm the original poster...

It's not that I mind it looking like a trunk, the color just doesn't go with anything else in the house. I plan to recover the panels with some sort of tissue paper to mimic a wrinkly leather effect or paint it a better color (rinconia - what type of spray paint did you use?). I'm just looking for advice on the best way to go about it. I'm glad to hear that both contact paper and paint are viable options. Once I'm done with the panels I will probably use some sort of antique bronze to tone down the brass hardware.

I'd love to see more examples from people that have done this before!

Spending time in Hawaii, I see the "Mahalo for removing your shoes" signs at the entrance to every house. It's just the custom there. I even purchased one for my home though I don't enforce it. It's more of a suggestion. :)

I'm glad I'm not the only one who worries about this stuff.

I unplug the coffee pot and toaster oven much to the frustration of my BF and amusement of past roommates.

I normally do something I refer to as "the rounds" before leaving or going to bed. Check all door locks, appliances off, oven/stove cold, water for pets, etc. I've done this for many years and actually caught 2 roommates and my mother once leaving a stove burner on (electric, not gas). Since I have a bloodhound's sense of smell, I find having a gas stove and oven nice since I can always tell if the gas in on. The blue flame on the burners is also hard to miss.

Knowing that I'm completely OCD about these things and that I do the rounds before leaving is what keeps me from running back to check over and over again. That said, I have been known to occasionally go back and check the front door lock after getting in the car... but rarely after leaving the driveway. :)