We’re Making THIS Home…
Martin and I are no experts on the environment. Sure we make our own wrapping paper and repurpose old birthday cards. Yet we haven’t truly been worthy of the name hippies… until now. This summer, we’re taking our green lifestyle up a notch. As of last weekend, this has been home:
It’s a house made of old tires. How green is that?
We call it “The Tire House”, which we know sounds oh so sophisticated and official.
”Meet me back in The Tire House when you’re through at the airport, Martin.”
“Did you see that huge beetle running across The Tire House floor?” (said after screaming is under control)
“Boy, the Tire House sure has a lot of miles on it, Katie.”
Our house is hip. It’s weird. It’s also got mice.
We’re still unpacking (and mouse-proofing), so things are far from settled around here. You can bet there will be another house tour coming your way soon.
While we work, we’d love to have you chime in on pest control. How do you keep buggers at bay in your space? We’re talking insects, mice, pets, and heck even those pesky neighbors that are always knocking.
May 20th, 2009 at 5:54 am
To keep the bugs at bay, we spray the perimeter of our house outside with a strong bug killer. Then we also spray the perimeter of the interior rooms that are below ground level – we have a split-level house, so it’s only a few rooms – then we just stay out of them for a while. Mice – we have had them – UGH – we put out those traps that trap them alive and then Matt drives them FAR away and releases them. Because mice can find their way home if you just put them say a few hundred feet from your house. Isn’t that crazy?
What a neat house you’re occupying for the summer. Can’t wait to hear more about it and see the interior!
May 20th, 2009 at 6:42 am
I suggest a cat! Ever since we got our cat 3 years ago I’ve never had to kill a bug. The cat loves to “hunt” them! It’s also really entertaining watching them try and get a fly. I bet they would help with the mice problem too! Good luck!
May 20th, 2009 at 9:45 am
We have a cat. She is totally useless when it comes to bugs. I hope she would step up to the plate if there were actually mice. I have my doubts, but thankfully it hasn’t been tested yet.
I’m looking forward to the Tire House tour! :)
May 20th, 2009 at 9:52 am
The house doesn’t look that weird just from this picture..it just seems a wee bit like an under cave:))) but i love the natural light that it comes in through those windows… is it?? anyway, can’t wait to see the inside pictures:)
Have a nice day, Katie!
May 20th, 2009 at 11:05 am
Oh a cat would be a fun addition! It might not like living in Berlin next, I’m afraid. :(
Katie
May 20th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Oh wow. I can’t wait to see more.
May 20th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Our cat Toby is a bug man! We joke that we’re going to get him a job with Orkin.
Borax is a good thing to sprinkle around the perimeter of outer doors and windows, under the kitchen sink, and along and around window sills where you see those pesky insects.
I would have to live trap the mice. Of course, if you’re infested, that’s different. But whatever you do, PLEASE don’t use glue traps. I implore you. It’s one of the cruelest things ever. And whatever you think of mice, they’re just looking for some food and a comfy place to crash — just like the rest of God’s creatures. :-)
May 20th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
I also have to say that a cat is the best way to keep mice at bay.
May 20th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
We have had numerous buggie visitors in our Chicago apartment. To deal with them, we use Raid… lots of Raid. For our place, one dose of Raid every two weeks usually keeps the bugs away. But, we have lots of fun places for them to hide. I suspect we’ll have to apply the Raid more frequently as the summer comes… maybe once per week.
Thank goodness we don’t have mice, but if we did, that would be a great reason for a cat.
Have fun with the bugs. :)
May 21st, 2009 at 2:56 am
Get a cat – tabby or tortoise are the best hunters. No fail. Honest.
May 21st, 2009 at 9:44 am
We tried the cat route, but if the mice have really taken up residence it can be more than a cat can handle. Go to the feed store and get some bar bait. Works seriously well and there is no dead mouse smell. Not sure what happens to them, and I really don’t want to. I don’t want to know what’s in the stuff or how it works. (Because I doubt it’s very green)
Ignorance is my bliss in this situation.
May 22nd, 2009 at 11:35 am
Our deterrent is a cat called George!
You house looks amazing – enjoy :)
May 22nd, 2009 at 7:59 pm
good for you but would love to hear more about life in a house like that