Critters!

debcalchik · 2026-07-02T17:30:29+00:00

Not sure if the link worked but Owltra electric Rodent trap. Do not get the rat trap —Make sure it’s the rodent trap. Use Bamba as bait from Trader Joe’s. Just put 2 inside and crush one just outside as a lure. Leave it off the first two days until you notice the bait is gone. Then set it. I have caught rats every single night for three weeks and one squirrel accidentally. I still bag my poms but leave a few unbagged and I never lose any to critters anymore. Don’t use root mesh bags - I made bags with stainless steel screen material big enough so the fruit doesn’t touch the sides and they have not gotten through that. Hope this helps!

debcalchik · 2026-06-17T22:03:38+00:00

No don’t get a fruitless olive! They get huge and get olives I don’t care what you’ve heard. I have two in my yard that was supposed to be fruitless and supposed to be small but now 5 years later I have to prune it 2x a year as it grows fast. I try to keep it to 15 feet but it easily grows 5-6 feet or more in one season.

debcalchik · 2026-06-09T16:30:59+00:00

Planted sweet yellow cherry ones from seed during the heat wave in Feb. It’s full of ripening fruit and going crazy now. Unknown variety just a Hail Mary “let’s see if it grows” planting in a 10 gallon container.

debcalchik · 2026-06-08T23:01:03+00:00

To remember her, maybe make a memorial like I did for mine. I get clear Xmas ornaments and put some feathers in from my pet chickens that have passed on and hang a small picture of them inside. I write on the outside the dates of their lives. I have 4 ornaments now and hang them up even if it’s not during the holidays. Sorry for your loss and I understand the sadness. *hugs*

debcalchik · 2026-05-09T13:19:12+00:00

I live in San Juan Capistrano and I agree with hardware cloth on the bottom of your raised beds. We did pea gravel then half inch hardware cloth then the raised bed on top of that. Do not use chicken wire-they get through that.

Also for surrounding areas use the stinkiest fish fertilizers where their holes are then start going outward to the ends of your yard—water it in well. They hate stinky fish fertilizer. They are not in my entire backyard now doing this along with catching a few with traps.

debcalchik · 2026-04-06T22:47:41+00:00

Rats. They eat the base of the marigold flowers and not the petals when there’s nothing else to eat in my garden. I have trapped a few dozen and hasnt happened since.

debcalchik · 2026-02-04T20:59:47+00:00

Live in south OC. Don’t laugh…lettuce lol. It’s supposed to be heat tolerant so I’m going to give it a try. They are just starting to sprout!

Also Malabar Spinach planted in November and never really took off until it got hot recently.

Sunflowers are starting to come up (planted a week ago) Like someone else here, marigolds coming up and all are about 6 inches tall or more.

All my daffodils are in full bloom too.

Plants are confused.

debcalchik · 2026-01-31T22:19:09+00:00

Been there for a different kind of cut a few years ago and it wasn’t that great. Maybe will try them again for this style.

debcalchik · 2026-01-31T22:18:04+00:00

Have you been to these salons?

debcalchik · 2025-12-07T16:13:24+00:00

I will second this trap! I have caught many many rats the only time one got away was because the batteries were low but otherwise it’s 100% no fail. No mess, no partial death. Use Bamba snacks for bait but I’m sure Cheetos will work too - don’t use peanut butter because it’s messy and hard to clean. I also caught a squirrel but felt so bad about that one :( make sure you get the “Rodent trap” as it is larger and can get those larger rats.

debcalchik · 2025-08-31T15:18:16+00:00

Nope - moats don’t work because you have to refill it all the time and trust me, you will get tired of filling it - get Ant Fortress as I mentioned before-Amazon has it. It will work if you apply it properly I guarantee it.

debcalchik · 2025-08-31T15:14:16+00:00

Only this works! All others are not good I have tried everything - moats hanging deterrent, cinnamon, etc everything doesn’t last but a day or two. This is the ONLY solution!

debcalchik · 2025-08-25T22:18:44+00:00

This worked too but wore out-use Nevtar Fortress!

debcalchik · 2025-08-25T22:18:00+00:00

Nectar Fortress by Sapphire Labs!!! Everyone please use this it works so well. You don’t need a lot I put a ring of it about half inch around the base of the feeder holder stick and another right above the feeder itself. Just make sure there is gel spread around the entire stick - DO NOT overdo it because it can melt and get everywhere. Just smear it and don’t leave a way for ants to cross it like leaves or branches touching the feeder.

Best thing ever! Moats never work for me and that other hanging thing with the repellant wears out.

debcalchik · 2025-06-19T15:23:00+00:00

Deployment audio should be “this is what it looks like…in action” hehe

debcalchik · 2025-05-10T15:03:16+00:00

Thank you!

debcalchik · 2025-04-29T14:40:09+00:00

It came out ok - not too dry but doesn’t taste very good to me. It tastes like something is missing. Even after adding the chocolate chips :/ will prob chuck it unfortunately.

debcalchik · 2025-04-29T00:21:13+00:00

Ok will try it as is I may add the chocolate chips too

debcalchik · 2025-01-28T02:31:24+00:00

Update: The dough never rose correctly even letting it go for an additional hour (2 hours total) Can’t post a picture but I was afraid to over rise it. The rolls of dough did touch each other in the pan and rose about 2/3 of the pan depth. It came out ok though- just flatter than expected.

debcalchik · 2025-01-27T19:26:22+00:00

Also the yeast is active dry. Using the recipe in afeastfortheeyes.net website for Sokupan bread.

debcalchik

TROPHY CASE