Congrats on the new computers. You might want to air blower to clean your and your brother's computers every so often, especially since you have a pet. Having dust and pet fur in a computers can slow it down. I would recommend this. Other computer enthusiasts might know of better computer cleaners.
Thanks for all the great art!
Build the fence. If the parents say anything tell them you plan to start doing nude yoga and expanding your show dogs to include Pit Bulls and that you hope they'll remind their children to ask before coming over.
Tell the neighbors you've been having a critter problem in both the front and back yards and are thinking of installing one of these sprinkler deterrent systems, and again, their kids should not come over unannounced.
And of course, install a few cameras to monitor your property and fancy new sprinklers.
Set up motion detecting sprinklers. Something like this
(Most) cats hate water. He/She will quickly be trained to avoid going in your yard, and it will be much cheaper than any lawyer situation will ever be.
Hot paprika usually works really well. You could also sprinkle cayenne pepper powder all over it. Or just set a motion activated sprinkler out
You can get a motion activated sprinkler that shoots a very intense stream of water; they are used to scare away deer, but it might be a good lawn tantrum deterrent.
When I lived on a corner lot, I was tempted to buy an automatic targetted sprinkler for deer, to keep people from walking across my lawn. https://smile.amazon.com/Orbit-62100-Activated-Sprinkler-Detection/dp/B009F1R0GC?sa-no-redirect=1
I never did, but I wanted to.
Amazon Link. Not trying to shill the product or anything, but it's import to keep our build's clean and this is a necessary tool.
You've got to build it right to keep them out of it. Deep sharp sides with lots of cover. I have a optimistic great blue heron that visits daily. He's not getting much. The Kingfishers get some of the babies.
The of course you can setup one of these. link
The problem isn't thermal paste, it's that people don't regularly maintain their devices and/or don't place their consoles somewhere with proper ventilation. My PS4 is 4 years old and runs dead silent because after one year (once it was out of warranty), I routinely (every 4-6 months) open my PS4 and dust out the inside with my electric duster (https://www.amazon.com/Metro-ED500-DataVac-500-Watt-Electric/dp/B001J4ZOAW). I blast the fan, power supply, all the vents, and loosen any hardened dust with a soft paintbrush.
My PS4 runs quiet no matter what I'm playing. Same applies for my PS3, which is going to be 9 years old this year and still runs cool.
Wow, your roommate sucks. Thank you for being willing to help this poor snake!
You can get a cheap plastic tub at Target (or similar) and use a couple bungee cords to reinforce the lid locks. The 27.5 gal Sterilite bin is $15 and can support a 4 foot snake (bulls would prefer a bit more space, but this will meet its needs in a pinch). If you can find a clear Christmas tree storage tub, that would work even better size-wise, but they're hard to come by this time of year.
Yes, they do need a hot spot at all times of the year. She'll be okay if you need some time to gather supplies, just hold off on feeding her. If you do get a plastic tub, you'll need to use a heat pad (can buy from any pet store, they're not expensive) and thermostat (all heating elements can reach dangerous temperatures if left unregulated). You want a hot spot of high 80s. Throw that heat rock into the garbage right now, they are dangerous and ineffective.
Ambient humidity is usually just fine unless your area is super dry. You can use a spray bottle to bump it up, though. If you use a substrate like coco husk, cypress mulch, or a bark blend, that will help retain moisture if you're having trouble.
Reptile-specific rescues are few and far between, but they do exist. You would probably have better luck posting on a FB group - look for some combination of "[your area] + reptile/snake" and you will likely find something! Sometimes people have even successfully rehomed snakes through posts on this sub.
Good luck!
What about a hammock on a stand? They collapse down small, but still very comfortable for sleeping (source: have slept in hammock on a stand).
ETA: Like this.
Also, as a teacher, I GUARANTEE the thing he will appreciate most is a letter from you, his students. Did you do a production of a play that was particularly significant, or study a playwright that he helped you fall in love with? Buy a copy of that play, and have each of you sign/write a message on the book covers/pages of the play. He will always remember you, and the time you guys all spent together.
Lucky for you, it's already a thing. I had something similar to this to keep the neighborhood feral cats from shitting in my garden. Motion Activated Sprinkler
Honestly this is the best solution I've found:
https://www.amazon.com/Metro-ED500-DataVac-500-Watt-Electric/dp/B001J4ZOAW
Price is usually around $55 on Amazon. That adds up to a few cases of compressed air, but you'll never have to use those cans again. Also worth mentioning it's super powerful (it blows air, does not work like a vacuum.)
Just my 2 cents, it's worth it IMO.
EDIT I bought this because it doesn't trap moisture inside like a real air compressor does in the tank / hose (especially in the more humid states.) I learned that lesson the hard way while using my garage air compressor on a custom PC. Fried the board.
I looked into Amazon a little bit, here is a well-reviewed motion activated water jet deterrent. Looks like it has a powerful spray and can be angled upwards to human-height. Would use less water than a moat. I’m getting giddy thinking about the revenge options.
Orbit 62100 Yard Enforcer Motion Activated Sprinkler with Day and Night Detection Modes https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009F1R0GC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_2gNvAbA7BJNJ6
Also, as a last resort...maybe a low-voltage electrified wire surrounding the trees? With proper warning signage, it might be an option considering it’s on your property and not a fence per se. 😈 Farmers use them to keep in livestock and protect vegetable gardens from rabbits.
There are PC blowers around $50-75 on Amazon that do a great job. Metro Datavac ED500 is the one I've used for 3 years now. Not a single issue. Just clean out the filter in the bottom and re-install after x-amount of time. Have not had to buy a new filter.
Keep from damaging fans by using a chopstick or bamboo skewer. You place it inside between the fan blade and frame. It keeps you from over-spinning a fan and damaging it.
https://www.amazon.com/Metro-DataVac-500-Watt-0-75-HP-Electric/dp/B001J4ZOAW
Used one of these this past summer to train the neighbors cat to move along.
Orbit 62100 Yard Enforcer Motion-Activated Sprinkler with Day & Night Detection Modes,Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009F1R0GC
Can I suggest a cheap $65-80 LED light from Amazon? "Blurple" lights aren't the best lights you can get but imo when you are on a budget they are great.
180W for $80 is pretty good https://www.amazon.com/VIPARSPECTRA-Reflector-Spectrum-Indoor-Plants/dp/B01B4GQ6MO
People have grown great plants with the brand Viparspectra. MarsHydro is also well known and you get get a similar light from them for $65 https://www.amazon.com/MarsHydro-Spectrum-Certification-Hydroponic-Greenhouse/dp/B00XC3LBI2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1507873088&sr=8-4&keywords=mars+hydro
Wouldn't the Yard Defender work better? Orbit Yard Defender We use it to keep raccoons out of our yard. Works Great!
It would be catnope!
This works very well to keep animals out if your yard. Just can't use it in freezing weather. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009F1R0GC/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_4aDqEbH3TT9YW
Putting mothballs, coyote urine and citrus around the outside of your house have been used to varying effectiveness.
Keep your heat mat on a thermostat! Check Amazon for the Hydrofarm Jumpstart. Do this ASAP, before anything else. Snakes don't feel pain the same way we do, and they have been known, commonly, to literally cook on an unregulated heat mat. Jumpstart
Make sure you have lots of clutter in that tank, and at least two hides which would be relatively snug fits. It is a very large tank for a young BP. Use black/dark paper to cover the back and sides of the tank. BPs like to feel safe, and that will help especially since the tank is so large.
Moving around at night is normal. They are nocturnal creatures. Being nocturnal, you should look into switching the lamp to a ceramic heat emitter (think light bulb, but without the light, only heat). Artificial light is unnecessary for them.
Don't handle them for 36-48 hours after feeding. You don't want to stress them and cause them to regurgitate.
Try to keep temps around 82, even at night, and no higher than 88 or so during the day
Amazon has better customer support, buy from them. 2 day prime shipping too
No it won't really give belly heat, you need a heating pad for a ball generally, and they are literally not usable without a thermostat. I got one for $18 on Amazon and it works fine. This isn't exactly it but close:
https://www.amazon.com/MTPRTC-ETL-Certified-Thermostat-Germination-Reptiles/dp/B000NZZG3S
I am almost the exact size as you, I'm a little taller. I use a Warbonnet Blackbird XLC with the standard suspension. Being as tall as you are 11 foot is a must for a comfortable night's sleep. When camping there would be no room for second person in the Blackbird.
While hanging out in the back yard I have a Vivere hammock hooked to tree and metal clothes line post. My wife and I lay in it every nice day with no problems. Here's a link to Amazon and it includes a stand. https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B004YJCP7O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_EmXRzb2P4D9PV
I would discourage you from using 4x4s. Before I got my clothes line post I tried to use a 4x4 and it snapped off at the ground and hit me in the head. It hurt quite a bit and I felt like an asshole.
I mean too much of a waste of electricity. If it’s too bright you just back it up.
Any blurples will do just go by reviews on amazon. I’ll sell you two mars hydros for $50 if you’re interested. I payed $100 each used one grow.
As neat as your method is, you should've just gone with something like this so you can leave the hose pressurized and you would get instant water spray.
Thank you!! I use the VIPARSPECTRA 300W VIPARSPECTRA grow light from Amazon. This thing is extremely bright but since I don’t really have any outdoor space and my succulents seem to be very much enjoying it, I can’t really complain haha
Time to get one of these and a locking gate latch: https://www.amazon.ca/Orbit-62100-Activated-Sprinkler-Detection/dp/B009F1R0GC/ref=asc_df_B009F1R0GC/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=293004366202&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1166640377384616784&hvpone=&hvptwo=&h...
Sure, i use the test drops, I don’t use any pH pens and I’ve never had a single issue. Although there’s nothing wrong with pH pens they’re just a little expensive. Here’s a link for the kit I use to test pH
General Hydroponics pH Control Kit for a Balanced Nutrient Solution https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BNKWZY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_NC28GPNWV0KR7GPSFE25?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1