Special Outdoor Projects

During the heat of the day, frogs and toads in your garden will seek out damp, cool earth to help conserve and replenish skin moisture. Unlike we humans, amphibians really don't care about the...

When building a dog house, make sure there is enough room for the dog to be comfortable. The dog house should be big enough for the dog to turn, lay down, and stretch. If you build to big, the...

In order for people to be able to find your house, there needs to be some indication of what the address is. Without notification, people may spend a long time driving up and down your street...

The tradition of providing housing for purple martins (Progne subis) originated with Native Americans, who used gourds as nesting boxes to attract them. Purple martins have become almost totally...

Block house construction is common for garages, sheds and other outbuildings. Very often ventilation and lighting is a secondary concern for these buildings, and many have dirt floors. The dark...

Buying commercially cured meats can be a very expensive proposition these days. One alternative is building your own smoke house to dry and cure your own meats. An added advantage is that you can...

Toads eat garden pests such as flies, slugs, grasshoppers, and cutworms. A toad house adds a touch of whimsy to your garden and provides a home for the toad. Although you can purchase toad houses,...

Squirrels are attracted to older trees with hollow areas in them that offer natural protection from the elements and surrounding environment. So keep this in mind when building and installing a...

Proper placement and installation of a bluebird house is as important as its design and construction. There is nothing more rewarding than watching beautiful bluebirds nest in the house you made...

A bat house situated in an appropriate setting and properly oriented is the best way to attract bats to your property. If you provide them with a suitable habitat, bats will repay you with natural...

Purple Martin houses are apartment style, with several birds nesting in one house. They are recognizable because they stand on high poles in well lit areas. Purple Martins can be very picky about...

According to Bat Conservation International, all bats in the United States and Canada are insectivorous with the exception of three species of nectar-feeding bats that live along the Mexican...

Some say that a bluebird house must be built in a very specific style, but in reality, a bluebird house can be either round or rectangular. In the wild, bluebirds live in holes in trees. These...

Bats are one of the best natural defenses against mosquitoes and other flying pests, with each bat devouring over 1000 flying insects every evening. Bats are interesting to watch as they streak...

A tree house is expected to be cozy and whimsical--maybe even magical at times. But one aspect that is required of a tree house is that it be sturdy and safe, especially if children are frequently...

A handcrafted bird house is a lovely addition to your backyard. Building one can be a simple project suitable for sharing with children, or as elaborate as you choose to make it. You can build a...

Bird watching and bird feeding are popular pastimes in the U.S. Birds are attracted to a yard if there is plenty of food, water, and shelter. Safe nesting places are a must for long-term bird...

The most common type of extension house is the two-story side extension, but there are many more to choose from. There are many issues to consider when building extensions, but the moment you...

The tree house is one of the most popular outdoor structures around the world. It invites children to play, explore and dream. Building a tree house is a bit more difficult than your average...

This article goes over some helpful tips for installing solar house numbers on your house or building. Putting up a solar address sign involves deciding where to put it so it is clearly visible,...

If you want to give your children a reason to get out of the house and enjoy nature, think about building an outdoor playhouse. You can buy a playhouse kit and put it together yourself, or you can...

Designing a poultry house can present unique challenges over the simple chicken coop because "poultry" is a designation for several types of birds that have different space requirements. Ducks,...

Bluebird experts say if you do not monitor and maintain your bluebird house, it would be better to not have one at all. Bluebirds are susceptible to aggressive birds, other predators and insect...

Tree houses are fun for children of all ages. Tree houses are fun to build, play in and just be quiet in. The only limit you have on decorating your tree house is your imagination.

Birdhouses make a nice addition to any yard. Making one of your own and then getting to witness it being used is a satisfying and gratifying experience the whole family will enjoy. Different types...

People living in a rural area usually have several spots around their property that toads consider perfect living quarters. If you live in the city you may need to find ways to set up an inviting...

Recent declines in bat populations may be attributable to an unwarranted fear of the helpful nocturnal creatures. Contrary to these fears, bats are the number-one predators of insects that fly at...

To learn how to build a dog house properly is based on making them comfortable and safe. This article will explain the basic tips in building a perfect dog house for your pet.

Known as probably the best natural bug reduction predator, the purple martin's lively activities can entertain for an entire summer afternoon. The purple martin is a very clean bird that requires...

Traditionally, a spirit house, also known as a san phra phum, is a shrine to the animist spirits (a belief that there exists a spirit in all things animate and inanimate). These structures--which...

A tree house is a great family project to build together, and provides a fun place for your children to play and call their own. You can use it for picnics, and even add onto it in the future to...

It seems that every child, at one point or another, wants to have his very own tree house, a place where he and his friends can get away from their parents and read their comics in peace. While...

The most important thing to consider when building a tree house is the safety of the structure. Designing and building tree houses for your children should begin with a sturdy tree and at least...

When deciding how to draw or design a beach house landscape for a cartoon, picture or any other sort of animation or drawing, it is best to keep the main elements of a beach house--weather, water...

A single bat can eat up to 1,000 mosquitoes an hour, making bats a great addition to your yard. Though bats are beneficial animals, you probably don't want to house them under your own roof. If...

Before refrigeration and the canning process were developed, salt curing and smoking meats was the only way to preserve fish, poultry, beef and pork. Almost every farm family had a smoke house and...

Building a pool house can be a simple and inexpensive project using pole construction. If you plan to use your pool house for storage and entertaining, you need a design that will meet all of your...

There are several ways to accomplish this build project but by far the funnest and most challenging method is build your Tree House in a real tree. Depending on the region of the country that you...

Despite getting a bad rap from many people, bats make good neighbors because of the amount of insects that they consume. A single bat can consume hundreds of mosquitoes in just one night. Once...

Reinforcing a tree house with support braces is always a smart move. These can be 2-by-4s nailed at a diagonal on the outside of the tree house. They don't need to be fancy or pretty. Their...

A tree house is a wonderful part of growing up. It provide kids with a place to go when they need to escape the adult world. A tree house can be used for imaginary games, hang outs and slumber...

Paint a birdhouse to suit any mood. Do you want a Victorian bird house to match your home? Do you want a whimsical bird house that will make you laugh? Or do you want a muted bird house that...

Who doesn't remember growing up wishing for the perfect tree house? If you were like me, all you wanted was a place you could go to get away from it all, and what better place than a tree house?...

Butterflies add a burst of color to any afternoon. Seeing these creatures regularly, however, doesn't require a lifetime membership to your local butterfly garden. Instead, you can fashion your...

Learn how to pressure wash the eaves on the house in this free diy home improvement tips video.

Learn how to pressure wash the roof of your house in this free diy home improvement tips video.

Learn how to stretch out and prepare your body for pressure washing a house in this free diy home improvement tips video.

Get an introduction to pressure washing your house in this free diy home improvement tips video.

Get an explanation & description of the purpose of pressure washing your house in this free diy home improvement tips video.

Birdhouses come in a variety of sizes and styles to complement any landscape. The cute little birdhouses you find in stores may add charm and style to your yard, but you can never be sure how...