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One of the first questions people ask about log homes is How Much Termite Damage Do They Get? Well, rest assured: log homes are no more susceptible to termites than a traditional framed house. In some ways, it would be easier to spot possible infestation: in a stick-framed house, you could have an problem for years without even knowing it. The termites would be hidden behind your sheetrock, happily gnawing away at structural members, and would attack your walls from the inside-out. With a log, they would most likely start on the outside and work their way in, leaving an obvious trail of sawdust or mud foraging tubes.

Termites thrive in a damp environment; they dehydrate when exposed to the air for too long. If your logs are kept dry, they won’t be a tempting target for wood-boring insects. On the other hand, if you have a spot where a gutter is leaking onto the logs, or your door frame leaks, watch out! That damp spot is the point of entry for insects and wood rot. Also, keep your air conditioner from dripping near the foundation; this is another potential trouble source.

In new construction, there are some measures you can take to reduce the risk of termite damage. First of all, make sure your contractor does not bury any wooden construction debris under the topsoil. This is very common on job sites, and the decomposing wood creates a great environment for new termite colonies. Secondly, make sure they install a termite shield below the sill plate; this is a bent piece of metal that creates a barrier between the foundation and the wooden sill. Many townships require this by code.

Before you apply the stain, it would be wise to spray the logs with a borate treatment; when added to water, this powdered insecticide is designed to soak into the logs and protect them against insects and wood rot. After the borate treatment has dried (and before the rain washes it off), apply your stain which is toxic and will also protect your logs from insects. To be extra sure, there are additives you can add to the stain that contain insecticides.

Carpenter bees do not like to chew through treated, painted, or stained wood and will probably find more tasty surfaces to attack. Keep an eye on your porches and fascia boards; after a few years, when the stain no longer looks fresh, the bees may revisit your house and start making those perfectly round 1/2″ holes. Luckily, they are easy to treat and once you spray and plug those holes, that particular bee should be taken care of.

Caulking between the log courses is another good way to seal out the insects. I’ve actually watched a fly drag a tiny leaf into a small split in our log ends. You just don’t know what critter wants to live in your logs. Also, do not stack firewood against your house. Chances are very good the cured wood already has insects in it, and you don’t want to transfer them to your pristine logs.

The most important thing to do is make an occasional investigation of your corners, eaves, window frames, foundation. Many infestations are easily dealt with if caught early enough. Don’t assume your house will take care of itself; you, the owner, will be the first line of defense.

About the Author

Mercedes Hayes is a Hiawatha Log Home dealer and also a Realtor in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. She designed her own log home which was featured in the 2004 Floor Plan Guide of Log Home Living magazine. You can learn more about log homes by visiting www.JerseyLogHomes.com.

Having an outdoor space such as a garden, backyard or even a patio can be a wonderful and relaxing addition to your house. If properly designed, your outdoors can serve as wonderful environment to host magnificent parties, dinners, BBQ s and various outdoor events with your family and friends. Thus you should get the best possible outdoor furniture for your garden. This way your guests (and yourself) will enjoy your outdoors with the comfort of outdoor chairs, outdoor sofas and even outdoor hammocks. This way you can have the peace of mind that you deserve. Usually the best selection for outdoor furniture is definitely wood. Experience shows that outdoor wood furniture will last much longer than other types of materials.

With metal outdoor furniture, you will have to worry about rusting and corrosion with your furniture as all kinds of metal are prone to rusting. If you buy plastic furniture, then you will have to worry about the items getting broken under the forces of the wind or weather as they get tossed around. Thus the best alternative is definitely outdoor wood furniture, as they will be impervious to rusting, corrosion and they will be resistant to daily wear and tear. With some good painting and coating your outdoor wood furniture will serve you for many years while adding a touch of nobility to your garden.

More garden furniture here

Want to save yourself some time?

Collecting leaves with the aid of a garden leaf blower is considerably less time-consuming and less back breaking work when compared to using a garden rake or other such tools. The general idea of a leaf blower is pretty straightforward. A high-speed fan is surrounded by a cover. Tubes are then connected to the side of the fan to focus the air current (up to around 200 miles per hour in some units) in the direction you want to move the leaves.

What do I need to consider?

First of all consider the size of your garden and your exposure to fallen leaves. Do you have a large yard? If you have only a small garden and no trees or bushes then you will not need a garden leaf blower, but if you have a large garden and wish to have it looking clean at all times then a garden leaf blower would be a wise investment and a great time saver for you.You will want to bear these factors in mind when you consider the features of the different models.

Garden leaf blowers come in all shapes and sizes depending on their use.

Leaf blowers include both small one-hand models and powerful, professional types which can be carried in a harness on your back.Consider one with a harness particularly if you suffer from back or neck problems, as the harness will take a good deal of the load off your shoulders and arms.

Consider too, the blowing speed and air volume the different models put out, as a high blowing speed would cut down the time needed for the blowing operation. Most garden leaf blowers will have a rating of 350 to 600 cubic feet of air per minute (CFM).

A low vibration level would also be preferable with ergonomic handles and harnesses to help you to work more efficiently with less strain on the hands, arms and shoulders.

Handheld garden leaf blowers can be generally divided into two groups: those that can collect leaves and those that can’t. With a garden leaf blower you can do much more than just move leaves. It can also be used to collect rubbish, grass clippings, hedge clippings, and empty tin cans.

Your choice of garden leaf blower should have an efficient system to minimise vibrations in the parts of the machine that you or the user comes in contact with.

Make a note of the weight of each type of garden leaf blower too, as some blowers can weigh as much as 25lb or 12kg. You’d have to be doing an awful lot of blowing to be needing the 25lb model!

Consider too, a model with the ability to vacuum all you leaves into a bag rather than blowing them all away. Another great time saver when it comes to disposing of the leaves. An extra mulching feature is available on some leaf blower/vacuums. Mulched lawn debris can be used in compost piles or bagged for disposal. Most of these convert easily from blowing to vacuuming mode.

Making your choice between an electric or gas-powered unit isn’t always easy! Gas blowers are more powerful, but electric ones are quieter.The engine should be powerful and easy to start if you choose a gasoline model. Do you live in a busy neighborhood where a quieter operation would be appreciated? Or is your yard massive with lots of trees, making a powerful unit the only real option?

Choose a model within your price range with the best selection of features. You can expect to pay anywhere between $100 and $500 for a decent garden leaf blower, depending upon the specifications you choose.

Leonard Mutch is a keen gardener and author. You can read more of his tips and articles at leaf blower and subscribe to his gardening tips newsletter at gardening tips.

Emerald Green Arborvitae are easy to grow in Furlong Pa. This
article will help you understand this landscape plant.

Arborvitae have masses of small fiberous roots which allows them
to transplant at most times of the year. The Emerald Green has
the best year round color, but is narrow in form. In real dry
years this plant does not survive as well as the more open arbs
such as the American, Techny, Nigra, and Elegantissma. This
variety, because its foliage is more dense than other varieties,
is less tolerant than more open cultivars. In an urban area with
deer problems, this variety will be consumed before the next
season. We have in stock and ready to pickup these arbs from
seedlings (6-10″) to 6-8′ trees. Emerald Green arbs are easy to
plant but afew tips will help your success. When planting,
remember that the symptoms of overwatering are identical to
underwatering. More trees, shrubs, and houseplants are killed
from overwatering than all other problems combined. Water
thoroughly upon planting then water thereafter as needed
depending on soil and environmental conditions. At no time
should the planting zone be kept soggy. Feel the soil with your
finger to test it. It should be moist not spongy wet. The plant
should be dried to the point of dampness to the touch before a
complete re watering. This regime should be carried out at least
through the first few months. Soil moisture should be monitored
closely for the next two years with corrective action taken as
needed. Fertilizer spikes should never be used. You can tell
when the arbs are happy with their new location by looking at
the interface of the root ball and the new location. New
fiberous roots should appear within weeks of planting. You can
get more information on This and other plants at the following
web sites http://www.seedlingsrus.com http://www.zone5treees.com
and http://www.highlandhillfarm.com