SECONDA CASA

(Professor Dr. A. Jungbauer)

An unpleasant resident

It started with this strict smell, which didn’t want to get out of my nose for days, a smell, sharp as donkey piss… It took me quite a while to establish a connection between the brittle cracking under my foot and this “fragrance note.” The evil smeller was then quickly identified: a centipede, about seven centimeters long, divided into limb rings, with tiny sensors on the head. Under his brown-black tank, the eponymous many, many feet whirule. In case of danger, the crawler separates that intense stench. I don’t know if he effectively keeps his enemies in the field and hallway at a distance – definitely me.”

(Sandra Ross, editor of a highly recommended Internet blog “www.mondoligure.com”)

Centipedes are not plant pests, but can become a plague for humans if they appear in large numbers in gardens and terraces and even penetrate residential buildings. Mass migration is triggered by high populations for favorable development cycles and the aspiration of centipedes for wetter locations during dry periods (usually in the summer months). In case of danger, the centipedes remove a yellow, foul-smelling secretion of benzochinones.

A number of methods are available for combating:

1. Use of insecticides

Various synthetic insecticides have good to very good effects in the fight. Particularly recommended are: Teflustar (Bavarian Italy), Soflac WP 10 (Bavarian Italy) or Blattanex (Bavaria Germany). In order to achieve optimal effect, the insecticides should be applied in a strip about 10 cm wide along the immigration zone according to the recommended use.

2. Application of natural products

Dust-fine silica, also known as diatomic soil, is a pure natural product and non-toxic. It is best sprinkled as a powder, to a limited extent it can also be applied as an aqueous suspension. The effect is based on blocking the intermediate segments and sorption of the protective wax layer in centipedes.

Suppliers can be found on the Internet, e.g. TerraNawaro or cost-effective Fossil Shield. The application is analogous to insecticides by applying a strip 10 to 20 cm wide in front of terraces or House walls.

A double strategy is particularly recommended, in which a strip of insecticide and then a strip of silica powder are sprinkled in parallel.

3. Light traps

Without chemicals, you can also fight the centipede with light traps. The method shows very good success with proper application. For this purpose, light traps are set up in the immigration zone at a distance of max. 5 cm. Since the centipedes prefer to hike in the evening and at night, they are attracted by the light and fall into a bowl filled with water with vertical and smooth walls.

The light traps consist of a light source, powered by mains power (trapo!), battery or powerful solar storage devices and a bowl with smooth and vertical walls made of glass or plastic. The light radiation upwards is shaded, for example, with a thick reflective aluminum foil. Directly below the light source, the water bowl (e.g. Plastic tub) arranged. Important: the shell must be at ground level, i.e. The top edge of the bowl must form a plane with the environment (terrace plates, flower bed, etc.). Therefore, dig the bowl or, if not possible, build round flat ramps. An insecticide may also be added to the water in the bowl. The bowl with the dead centipedes should be emptied at intervals of 1 to 2 days, depending on the infestation.

You as a chemist, tell me something about it, to these disgusting animals!

Well, I did it!

BURGLARY IN THE HOLIDAY HOME – WHAT TO DO?

Unfortunately, this is happening!

Scenario 1:

You are indisputably in your country of origin.

1. Ask neighbors/friends on site to document the situation in writing and photographically. If possible, already create a damage list. Change as little as possible.

2. Report a complaint by e-mail or telephone to the local police. Proof of a police report is a prerequisite for any claims for damages.

3. Provide the police with access.

4. Temporarily close the burglary area against weather, animals, etc.

5. Report an incident to the local home insurance company. Forward damage list. Allow any appraiser access.

6. Ask friends/neighbors to settle the damage.

7. Probably necessary: personal presence!

 

Scenario 2

During your presence in your holiday home (rarely if you are in the house!!) The thieves hope for more valuable loot!! Therefore, do not leave valuables in the house, better: hide.

1. The procedure corresponds to the above.

2. But also inform your domestic household contents insurance.Valuables that you have brought to the “Seconda Casa” are considered your personal household and replaced accordingly.

3. Obtain cost estimates at short notice. These are presented to the insurance companies/experts. Obtain approval for the execution of the repair work for the new purchase of stolen items.

4. If possible, have work carried out during your stay, preferably with improved burglary protection,

TARI

HELP – UNFAIR GARBAGE FEES IN THE SECOND HOME (TARI)

Your Seconda Casa is used very little: sometimes only a few weeks a year? Garbage is therefore rarely generated.

But you will receive a request for payment from your municipality for waste disposal over the full year! (How the fees are calculated by your municipality Comparisons: www.idealista.it /26.2.19 Calculation basis)

On this basis, each municipality can calculate the amount of the fees and also calculation variants.

There are TARI-discounts or even exemptions from municipality to municipality, for example:

– You are the only resident and over 65 years old.

– You create a compost place.

– You take your garbage to the landfill yourself.

– Your property is only used seasonally or it is empty.

However, you must provide proof of this.

(A corresponding form is attached:www.informazione oggi.it )

– Personal costs

– Cadastre proof of the property

– Gas and electricity bills

(See www.money.it,21.3.18)ì

FAI DA TE! Do it yourself!!!

It happened again! After the last flood of water, the beautiful dry stone wall collapsed! Repairing or rebuilding is expensive. Up to 150 euros/m2 can cost something like this!

So, why not just try it yourself?

But creating a dry stone wall is not so easy: durable foundation, correct inclination, mixture of the joint material, adaptation of the stones….

Good idea: go to the “apprenticeship” with an experienced bricklayer and help. Or participate in a course to learn the “art of building the Wall.”

Offers for this are often posted in DIY stores.