Here are JWR’s Recommendations of the Week for various media and tools of interest to SurvivalBlog readers. The focus is usually on emergency communications gear, bug out bag gear, books and movies–often with a tie-in to disaster preparedness, and links to “how to” self-sufficiency videos. There are also links to sources for both storage food and storage containers. You will also note an emphasis on history books and historical movies. This week the focus is on nature’s greatest predator: the humble mosquito. (See the Books section.)
Books:
The Mosquito: A Human History of Our Deadliest Predator
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Peter X. wrote to mention one of his favorite books: The Smallest Minority: Independent Thinking in the Age of Mob Politics
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Edward’s Snowden latest book is already a best seller, several weeks before its release: Permanent Record.
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The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings
Instructional Videos & Vlogs:
Over at Full30.com: Mud Test: H&K 416/MR556
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Tim J. suggested three instructional videos this week:
Fill the Freezer with FREE ORGANIC MEAT from Craigslist.
“A lot of people get into small livestock in the Spring when the babies are fluffy and don’t eat very much. By late summer those same babies are big, loud, and eating you out of house and home….and you raised them so you can’t bring yourself to butcher them. In comes the smart Craigslist farmer to the rescue! Get healthy juvenile animals that only need a few weeks of better food and water and fill the freezer just before Fall. We don’t eat family pets so we don’t take any animals that the owner states they don’t want to be eaten. It works really well with rabbits, ducks, and chickens because they develop quickly and take very little extra space for the few weeks you have them.”
“I collected all of these materials last summer but didn’t like how it was turning out using only pallets. This go round we used pallets for the ends and old lumber and tin for the sides. All materials were reclaimed, even the cow panels. The idea for this project came because my renter was using our commercial greenhouse and I wanted a greenhouse for spring greens but I really needed it to be built for free. The greenhouse also needed to be wind proof since two years ago our geodesic greenhouse blew away in the early spring winds. How to anchor the greenhouse when our ground doesn’t let us get spikes in the ground? Build our raised beds and fill with compost and wood to hold the whole thing sturdy! So excited to see how it works! For now with it still being summer the cow panels could work as a trellis for green beans or anything else that needs support and could shade the greens in the bed a bit. Right now I don’t have the plastic on since we have heat for another two months. Will keep you up to date as I make improvements!”
The Best Rat Trap I Have Ever Tested. The Uhlik Repeater Trap. Mousetrap Monday.
“In this video we test out an incredibly effective rat trap called the Uhlik Repeater. If you have a rat problem this is the trap for you.”
Gear & Grub:
Reader D.C.H. wrote to mention: “I have an Old Smokey BBQ grill that I really like. It is inexpensive and very “bare bones”. Made in America since 1923!”
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Reader L.E. wrote to suggest Snappy Bucket Handles. These are also available at eBay. There, search on: “12 Pack Orange Bucket Handle Grips Reduce Hand Fatigue for Wire Bail Handle.” L.E. also mentioned that if you want the type that goes over an existing handle, at a higher cost per handle you can buy green ergonomic bucket handles.
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I’ve mentioned this “tropical” (high melting point) chocolate packed in a sturdy can, once before. It is ideal for your winter bug out bag. Reader Tim J. alerted me that the price seems to be going up: Sarotti Scho Ka Kola Milk Chocolate 100g (10-pack).
For those ‘Snappy Bucket Handles’, I just slip a double open ended wrench on the bail and gives me great relief for my hands. Very easy to use with multiple buckets and the wrench offers me other tool uses as well.
My new favorite containers are the DeWalt tough boxes (available at all the box stores like HD, Blain’s, etc) I love the different sizes and the latches are great too. They have removable inserts and clear tops. They stack really well or they have a compatible rack you can get for them. I have found though that you need to order them from the box store as they are usually on sale, mine were 14.99 each for the size I got. Amazon has them but the people selling them are jacking up the price at least $5-10 each. I am using these to store all of my medical supplies, I love that you can see right inside when you’re looking for something
Snappy bucket handles: I use a short length of old garden hose, you can get an old hose at second hand shop or if you have a hose develop a leak, just cut the leaky section long enough to fit your handle,then repair the hose. Take the cutout section cut it down the length and put it over the handle and tape it with duct or electrical tape.
Regarding the first two book recommendations:
The Mosquito: A Human History of Our Deadliest Predator
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Peter X. wrote to mention one of his favorite books: The Smallest Minority: Independent Thinking in the Age of Mob Politics
I am reminded of an old saying: Anyone who doubts the power of an individual has never tried to sleep in a room with one mosquito.
Carry on
I have heard that the fabric softener sheets that are used in clothes dryers can sometimes work repelling mosquitos.
Also that hemmoroid cream will ease the itch and sting.
Can any one confirm or rebuff??
for hemi pain try using Maying Long Chinese ointment from Amazon, smells a little funky but works like a champ, get the ointment not the cream.
Kevin Williamson (Peter X’s reco) is a really horrible person
https://www.nationalreview.com/magazine/2016/03/28/father-f-hrer/
I can only wish God visits upon him the same evils he either doesn’t care about or laughs at for ordinary Americans.
Fill the Freezer with FREE ORGANIC MEAT from Craigslist.
Do you believe all those unwanted backyard pets were raised and fed properly? How about going to the effort to raise your own food and know it is healthy and safe for your family.
Fill the freezer with organic meat from craigslist .
I have been doing this for years and it works very well for me . I do quarantine the birds and animals for two weeks away from all the others and from hundreds over the years I have only found two to have a problem . These were culled and the others moved and left in quarantine additional time . Then clean the area . Most of mine were chickens and ducks that people in the city of Portland and surrounding burgs got at the feed store or ordered from hatcheries . Then found out there was work to it or the city did not allow it or the kids grew tired of it . Watching your animals everyday is the key to knowing if the is something amiss . My family and I eat good and Healthy And safe . And I believe Holding the animals and controlling what I feed them has been working for over forty years now . Another benefit from this is your gain valuable breeding stock .`