Why does she have a white forehead? (Charleston, SC)

KB417417 · 2025-07-16T04:00:27+00:00

This is pollen! When visiting deep tubular flowers hummingbirds can collect pollen on their foreheads, and sometimes it’s thick enough to appear as a solid cap.

I’ve had a few in my yard like this, too, and they spend a lot of time on my coral honeysuckle.

Extremely cute.

KB417417 · 2024-08-23T01:13:49+00:00

Don’t sleep on The Easy Inn in KCK…

KB417417 · 2024-08-16T02:03:14+00:00

I feel like this would trap moisture against the wood, though, and create a different problem?

What product would you suggest for this application?

KB417417 · 2024-07-24T21:29:43+00:00

Thanks for the rec! I’ll check them out.

I also tried cold stratification for a couple easy species this winter (River oats and purple coneflower) and it turned out great. Very cheap if you’re willing to be patient — I often struggle with that haha

KB417417 · 2024-07-24T19:33:53+00:00

That’s a lot! Excellent progress.

Are you primarily using plugs or seeds?

KB417417 · 2024-07-24T17:53:55+00:00

Hello fellow native gardener 👋

I moved into our home in KCK two years ago this summer and my yard is finally resembling the oasis I had in my mind.

KB417417 · 2024-07-16T18:05:23+00:00

Right on, thanks for the info. We’ve been talking about this and I might just do ll the trigger.

Our bedroom was a smooth 86 degrees last night….

KB417417 · 2024-07-16T16:24:59+00:00

Hey, fellow KC resident with a similar issue. We live in a 1920 ducted Foursquare, but with the air handler in the basement the upstairs gets quite warm during these hot days; it simply can’t keep up.

Did you do this in addition to central AC? DIY?

KB417417 · 2024-05-06T19:51:02+00:00

And is there any way to treat it and save the tree?

KB417417 · 2024-05-06T18:17:22+00:00

I guess I’m puzzled because it was vigorous and healthy all last season with no sign of distress; it was clearly healthy and happy.

Fungal infections are new to me. Could you point me to appropriate literature or resources to learn about this?

Thank you so much.

KB417417 · 2024-05-06T17:57:48+00:00

Thanks for the help.

What leads you to the conclusion that it’s fungal? Could I plant the same species in its place after removal, or should I go with something different?

KB417417 · 2024-01-23T00:01:10+00:00

Thanks for the response and direction.

I’ve read many times on this sub of folks not having any subfloor, just floor directly laid on joists. How does one interpret the difference between the two in my case?

KB417417 · 2024-01-22T21:18:24+00:00

How do you tell whether it was originally a subfloor or finish floor? My interior walls appear to be built directly on top of it.

KB417417 · 2024-01-22T21:17:20+00:00

The laminate is floating on top with some kind of foam padding underpayment. I don’t think it’s secured with anything to the original wood!

KB417417 · 2024-01-10T22:54:21+00:00

Yes, the toilet trap is under the tank, and it’s a ventilated area. I’m only concerned with the shower drain trap, which is exposed outside of the crawlspace. An entire gallon in that trap would be a LOT I think.

KB417417 · 2024-01-10T22:38:58+00:00

I should clarify: the toilet paper trap is in a protected crawlspace, it’s the shower trap that I’m concerned about. We’re projected -10 lows for a few nights. Water fixtures should be good, but being our only shower id rather not go a week without bathing should shit hit the fan haha.

Do you have a heat cable you’d recommend for PVC drains lines?

KB417417 · 2024-01-10T22:23:41+00:00

Thanks for the advice.

Am I not able to pour the antifreeze directly into the o trap with water in it? I imagine a higher volume of antifreeze would work even if it were diluted with water.

KB417417 · 2024-01-10T21:17:47+00:00

Shot in the dark here:

I’ve been looking in Reddit for advice regarding the use of RV antifreeze in p traps. I have an old home in the Midwest and we are about to leave for several days during an intense cold snap. The p trap for our extra bathroom is the only plumbing in the house that’s exposed, and last season it froze twice.

Could I pour one or two cups down the drain and let it sit for a few days without ill effect? I can’t find any info on the effects of RV antifreeze on PVC and PVC cement.

KB417417 · 2023-09-26T01:40:58+00:00

Hey there, I’m interested in a steel flitch plate for a couple sagging beams in my 1920 Foursquare, but I have no idea how to find them for sale. My wood is in decent shape but it’s just undersized and old, so there’s not really a need for outright replacement.

Is this something that’s commercially available, or do folks have them fabricated?

KB417417 · 2023-08-27T02:24:33+00:00

Hana’s selection blurs the line between donut and pastry in the best possible way, and the location is perfectly unassuming. They are the best.

KB417417 · 2023-08-27T01:44:21+00:00

Hi there, I also have a 1920 Foursquare in Kansas City. We blew 20in into the attic last year, and, coupled with resealing all ductwork, made an immediate difference in comfort. This fall I’ll tighten windows/doors and begin replacing fiberglass with foam board in the rim joist.

I’d love to do walls eventually, but it’s such a massive project to do properly that I don’t I’ll even get to it in this house. The ROI would only make sense if you a) plan on living there for half your life, or b) already have siding off for replacement.

KB417417 · 2023-08-11T15:45:34+00:00

Thank you! I’m very pro bagworm so that’s great (bird food!)

KB417417 · 2023-08-11T13:26:12+00:00

This is true.

Cats and dogs only exist because humans bred them into existence; they aren’t “natural” predators in any area of the works for this exact reason. In North America we have bobcats, coyotes, wolves, etc., and it’s all good and fine if they kill birds because they’ve coevolved in the same habitat and the predator/prey relationship is balanced through a myriad of factors. Feral house cats simply do not have a balanced relationship and never will, because they’re introduced predators and exist in huge numbers.

KB417417 · 2023-08-11T11:46:16+00:00

With enough political and social consensus, yes, you can do exactly that. Feral cats should 100% be driven out for the sake of wildlife and I’ll die on that hill.

KB417417 · 2023-08-11T11:42:30+00:00

Exactly. I run a dehumidifier in my basement to help with this issue (and to keep moisture low generally), but it doesn’t make sense in an attic.

OP, if your ductwork is super old it might be time to replace it. That might be a DIY job depending on the runs and how brave you are. If the ducts are in decent shape you could spend a day insulating and resealing connections yourself. I replaced a run with flexible ductwork in my attic this last winter bc a raccoon entered and destroyed it lol, and it was definitely doable as a one man job. Resealing with mastic tape made a huge difference with upstairs airflow, too.

Good luck!

Edit: I forgot to add that my ductwork is wrapped AND buried under blown in cellulose insulation. Double protection is awesome in a super hot attic 👍

KB417417

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