DUMB Questions from a Country Living newbie...

[MossflowerWoods]

Be gentle, I'm a newbie to living out in the country but I love it and I'm serious about doing it correctly.

I'm buying a tractor & stuff based on the sound advice I've gotten here so I figured, why not ask some of those burning questions...

1) Where can I find 55 gal barrels without a top so I can use them for a burn barrel?

2) The prior owner had a burn pit that is full of stuff you should NEVER burn due to either it is inflammable, toxic, or other. Glass, fiberglass, plastic, car seats hot tub covers, etc. It is a MESS, some is burned, some is not. It is very close to one of my ponds, I dont want to poison the water (it is spring fed). Do I get a dumpster and dig it all out? What is the best way to handle this?

3) I have found a couple 55 gal drums with I think diesel in them scattered around the property. I also have a totally rust covered old style propane tank that is (of course) FULL! Can I siphon the diesel and use it? do I burn it? what can you do with a FULL but useless propane can? See question 1, can I empty the diesel (and water in some cases) and cut the lid off to make a burn barrel?

4) One of my daughters is terrified of snakes. I've seen a 6-7" black rat snake and several smaller snakes on the property (none lately) but no copper heads yet. Is there a simple and easy way to keep snakes out of the "Yard" area?

5) My other daughter is terrified of ticks. I got guinea fowl patrolling the yard and I hope that works. Is there anything else I can do non-chemical (my wife is VERY pro-organic type).

6) Grass in the gravel drive. The 1 year total kill (I only use it on the gravel) only lasted 3 months max. How the heck do I keep the gravel clear of grass/weeds?

7) Related to gravel drive. when to buy more gravel? I know that the immediate "driveway" and the "y" in front of the house NEED more gravel, as does the main hill portion. What season is best to add gravel, and must all the weeds be dead first, etc. The driveway is how I get to work, which pays for all my tractor parts and tractor payments...

I will have more questions. But I gotta go get ready for Church...

Be well,
David

 

[MossflowerWoods]

8) Flies. I take the garbage 1-2 times a week. we compost all we can, but there is always garbage. I use good bags, tied shut as close to airtight as I can make them. I keep them in a critter proof plastic can (screw on lid) outside. EVERY TIME I open the can it is covered in eggs and/or bugs. Is there a spray, etc I can use to keep the bugs down. Also, why did my garbage can in town never have this same issue? Same garbage? Is it the critter proof can not allowing the bugs to escape?

I'm puzzled...

Be well,
David

 

[forgeblast]

1. craigs list, or we have a pennysaver that lists advertisments for our area. We have one guy that just sells barrels.
2. I have one burn pit for just that stuff, and bury it in a different spot. It happens it gets expensive hauling some of that stuff out and its easier to burn it.
4. Black rat snake--my 2yo stepped ona 5'er this year I know the feeling of not wanting them around. But after seeing mice get into our pantry one year I leave them alone. I think the easiest way to keep them out of the yard is to mow and keep it trimmed.
6. Dont blow grass on the driveway when you cut and spray more often. Or get the dragons breath propane torch and zap them.
7. I usually get gravel when I can afford it....lol. Look at modified, or crusher run it will pack well.
8. we get flys too, but i just figure its part of summer garbage work.

 

[Kyle241]

David,

Welcome to the country! There is nothing like it but you do have some things to tend to unfortunately.

1) Not sure myself. Around here they seem to be a rare item.

2) Yes, I would dig it all out and get it off your property. Too many people burn leftover building materials and the toxicity of it will surprise you. I do not bury it on my property.

3) I would be careful if the barrels kept anything flammable in them. If you light a fire in them, they may just explode on you and that is an accident waiting to happen. I don't have any expertise on how you could rid yourself of the diesel that was in the barrels but I would not be lighting them up. The propane I would return to your local township/county as they should have a day when you can drop off hazardous materials. I would call them first though because propane may not be something they handle.

4) Don't know myself as I don't have the problem.

5) Guinea Fowl are your best bet. There is no other natural way to get rid of ticks. Chickens will also help. There are some natural products such as cedar oil but it will not last long and that is the issue with it. Best thing to do is keep all grass very short as this will help some.

6) This is part of country life. If you have a tractor and a boxblade or backblade, I would go over the drive a couple times during the summer and that should keep the weeds somewhat in control. I do not use chemicals on my drive and only get weeds on the sides.

7) I buy gravel at anytime of the year, except winter of course. I grade my driveway a couple times a summer and if I notice a number of spots that need gravel, I order a load and have it dumped somewhere convenient but out of the way on the property. I then can grab a bucket load when needed.

 

[RandyT]

Don't worry about killing the weeds and grass in the drive. excessive grass in the drive means that the gravel layer has worn too thin and you said you needed to add gravel anyway. the best time to get gravel is when the weather is dry so you are not paying water weight. If you have farm type stores down there they may sell 55 gallon drums for burn barrels. the guineas should take care of the small snakes around the yard area and have a hissy fit if they find a big one. If you happen to hatch guineas be aware they can be very aggressive when protecting there young, ie... bite, scratch, claw, fly at you and usually go for the face. the old burn pit material would be classified as hazardous material and most disposal companies won't take material that is burned to may need to contact a hazardous removal company for that. How big of a propane tank is it, May be able to find a propane company that will pump out the propane and pay you for the propane. or if not a real big tank somebody may just buy the tank with the propane.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

Or get the dragons breath propane torch and zap them.

UHH UHH UHH!

Me wants "Dragon Breath"!!!!

I'm googling it ASAP!

Woo Hoo!

David

 

[Ken]

David Good questions With so many problems maybe deal with one at a time.
The barrels of fluid you think is diesel would consider this stuff and unknown content.
May be anything. be careful of the propane container the vapors of leaking settle on ground and will ignite with a flame or spark. Don't toss into the burn pit it will explode.

The burn pit If far enough from neighbors maybe reburn to reduce amont of trash can't reclaim what has already filtered into the soil already.
The bugs snakes ticks other varmits. You have moved into their enviroment. The only way to reduce them is clear and clean up around the house.
I use boric acid one pound to 2 gal. of water mixed into pressure sprayer and spray around the outside base of house this gets rid of ants and spiders.
The drive when you purchase a tractor get a box blade front end loader and a good bush hog. Also get a larger tractor than you think you need. will find out that sometimes need bigger than what you have.
Would suggest weed brush killer but you mentioned wife doesn't like poisons. give her a weed whaker for her birthday. and with in couple hours her mind will also think weed killer .
But use wisdom in this.
ken

 

[ustmd]

3) I have found a couple 55 gal drums with I think diesel in them scattered around the property. I also have a totally rust covered old style propane tank that is (of course) FULL! Can I siphon the diesel and use it? do I burn it? what can you do with a FULL but useless propane can? See question 1, can I empty the diesel (and water in some cases) and cut the lid off to make a burn barrel?

4) One of my daughters is terrified of snakes. I've seen a 6-7" black rat snake and several smaller snakes on the property (none lately) but no copper heads yet. Is there a simple and easy way to keep snakes out of the "Yard" area?

5) My other daughter is terrified of ticks. I got guinea fowl patrolling the yard and I hope that works. Is there anything else I can do non-chemical (my wife is VERY pro-organic type).

As for 3, I would check with the county or local city, most have a Haz Mat/Liq Waste diversion program that you could take this to---there maybe a annual limit to the amount or you may have to pay a small fee.

As for 4, keep the yard mowed and eliminate any habitate for vermin and snakes (wood piles, etc.

As fro 5, welcome to country livin'

Just a note on the guineas, they are great, but you need to be prepared for "nature to take its course" and find some dead or have eaten.

 

[Bigfoot62]

(1) Buy one of these and cut the top out of the drums that you already have (3) Super Duty Air Hammer with Chisels
(2) If it really bothers you that much, then yes, dig it out and put it in a dumpster and have it removed. Otherwise, like Ken said, re-burn to reduce the amount. Then, you can pull out anything you think is just too dangerous to leave there, and bury the rest. For instance, the glass is not hazardous, it's made from sand, and it's OK to just cover it up.
(3) See #1 above about the drums, and if that's a portable propane tank (like a 5 gallon) use the propane (like forgeblast said on #6, dragon's breath ) and then take it to one of those propane tank trade-in places and get a new style one.
(4) As already said, clean up and trim around the yard. Try to get rid of any place they would hide. (hedges, bushes, tall grass, etc) You could try some of the "snake repellent" products, but I really don't think they work.
(5) That's a tough one. If you have a real problem with ticks, it will probably take some sort of pesticide to kill them. If you don't see any ticks, then maybe counseling for the phobia will help.
(6) Generic for roundup pro (glyphosate-N 41%) Buy it in the 2.5 gallon container. It's cheap (bought some last month for $42.95), so just spray again if you need to.
(7) Don't buy gravel, buy crushed limestone or crushed recycled concrete. It stays put better than gravel. And, again, to quote forgeblast, buy it when you have money.
(8) Flies come with the place. I spray the inside of my garbage cans to keep the flies and ants under control. Just get a broad-spectrum pesticide. I keep some mixed up and in a sprayer all the time. It's a constant battle.

 

[SandburRanch]

QUOTE: 3) I have found a couple 55 gal drums with I think diesel in them scattered around the property. can I empty the diesel (and water in some cases) and cut the lid off to make a burn barrel?
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Not being sure what the drums contain, ( water, diesel, used oil or maybe all the above ) install valve in the 3/4 bung and lay the drum down with the valve on the bottom and let it lay there awhile giving potential liquids of different viscosity time to separate. Open the valve and if it contains water it will come out first followed by diesel or oil. Drain the water and take the diesel, used oil etc. to a recycle center.

To make a burn barrel, cut the ends of the drum out with a cold chisel. A 3/4 or 1 inch chisel works better than smaller. Note: I suggested cutting both ends out and there is a reason for that. The reason being we want more of an incinerator than just a burn barrel. And if the bottom remains in tact the barrel rots out shortly around the lower sides due to heat and moisture from rain.

To burn your paper type trash, set the barrel on 3 bricks spaced approximately equal distance so air can be drafted from the bottom to aid in the burn process. By cutting both ends out the trash will burn in just a few minutes and be done rather than smolder half a day. Some would say this is a terrible fire hazard but not really because of the air being drafted into the barrel at the bottom. If one feels better about it a fire ring of bricks, metal etc. can be formed around the base in case something rolls out as the fire subsides.