you're probably not going to want to hear this, but the cardinal is on the list of protected migratory birds - its actually a violation of federal law to disturb a cardinal's nest . . . not that any of us are going to sic the Bird Nazis on you :-) as roselee mentioned, there are many ways to protect tree trunks - maybe a different method would be a win-win for you and the cardinals - you might also check with your local county extension office to determine for sure that the birds aren't hurting the tree - if they are not, then you don't have a problem at all ~ freshair Here is a link that might be useful: Migratory Bird Treaty Act

I have a series of fine scratches on my KA SS refrigerator. DH and friend used an appliance belt to move it and the frig slid. I know of nothing that will remove them. I did try a little Bar Keepers Friend and it made it worse.

Unbelievable! I'm just learning now the reason why my 11 yr/old female Westie almost died in March of 08. I'm in central FL and my second Westie's been treated for allergies to just about everything (didn't need an expensive allergy test to figure that out either). The usual treatments with prednisone and sometimes antibiotics were VERY temporary. Being my 2nd Westie I already knew to go as natural as possible with food and flea treatments. But sometimes you have to use the big guns. Back in March 08 I ended up at an expensive skin specialist. She did a skin biopsy as opposed to the useless skin scrape done my most vets and found she had demodectic mange and flea excrements. So she gave her a Comfortis pill and gave me Ivermectin liquid. After 2-3 days my dog was falling off while walking and totally disoriented and clingy. I took her to emergency clinic (of course she gets sick on a weekend). Vet said stop all meds and call specialist first thing Monday morning. I don't think the specialist knew about the interaction problem then, but she put her on Interceptor for 5 months and my Westie was perfect for 2 years. I never gave her Comfortis monthly (vet don't like this). Only at first sign of scratching(always cut in 4, mixed with can food). Our heavy flea season coincide with pollen season; Oct (trees shedding) and Feb through May (pollen etc) Whenever the temperature hovers between 70F-85F day time. I also spray my yard and surroundings with the inexpensive flea/tick citrus shampoo from Hartz for $2-$3 at Walmart. Use hose attachement container, pour whole bottle of shampoo plus water and spray. Pray it doesn't rain for a few days and don't water your lawn either. Don't let your pets walk on ANY type of pesticide for 4-5 days. Also, get rid of your carpets. Best is laminate floors with disposable/washable area rugs. My Comfortis dilemma is, I've been trying to narrow down on a new situation that started to occur with my Westie. At those time of the year mentioned above she has a YEAST overgrowth flair up. Her skin gets greasy, smelly and full of brown debris and dark areas where the most greasy. I've been doing extensive research on Yeast Imbalance here http://tinyurl.com/24792su Turns out MANY dogs diagnosed with allergies have actually Yeast overgrowth and whatever treatments used to treat allergies actually PROVOQUE a yeast overgrowth which cause more scratching, biting and paw licking. What a catch 22! Main causes of all this is, a weaken immune system caused by immune system suppressants like vaccinations (I only vaccinate this dog when younger), pesticides (who can avoid them totally?) and prednisone (which the specialist said never to give her again) among other things. Did Comfortis (dose of insecticide) suppressed my Westie's immun system so much so that it triggered a yeast overgrowth AND/OR pollens and other allergies caused the flair up? In any event I ordered natural Flea Treats and may or may not give her Comfortis again unless a bad flea infestation. Also looking into this new food by Wysong Epigen; it's starch free. My conclusion on Comfortis is; every dog is different. If a dog's immun system has been compromised in anyway shape or form by other triggering agents mentioned above, proceed carefully. Ordering online is cheaper but now vets tell me "Oh well it's been a while since we haven't seen your dog and would like to do exam (take my money again) before we can allow the prescription." Also very useful to treat skin ailments; most effective for me are: 1)Bathe with Malaseb shampoo (DO leave on 10 min), rinse thorougly, then pour over dog (and leave on) a suiting solution of 2-3 tbs of baking soda diluted in a gallon of warm water. DO NOT submerge dog, the parasites will gather around the neck area. Best is a dog rinsing hose in a shower. 2) Apply ANIMAX ointment on hot spots. (best ointment out of many) cheapest at vetdepot.com 3) Add immun booster supplement to dog food. Solid Gold Seameal is good but proceed slowly with SMALLER dosage or you'll come home to a house full of diarrhea. Keeping finger crossed, for May is always the worst for fleas that I won't have to use Comfortis but since she'll be on Seameal let's hope and pray for no adverse reaction.

At this point, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you do nothing. This is a brand new finish. It will not perform to the level of the old finish for a little bit of time. An old oil finish (lets say 15 years of 'hardening') is going to be much HARDER than a fresh water based finish. You must be patient with this. Whomsoever 'let' you back in on that floor after ONE DAY is the one you need to speak with. Bona MEGA needs 10 days to reach a full cure (that means it is no longer soft enough to peel back with a fingernail). Bona Traffic HD cures in 5 days (again no longer soft enough to peel back with a fingernail). Please respect the youth that is this finish. If it took 15 years for the old finish to perform the way you say it did, you will need to allow this finish the same amount of patience for this new finish. Remember: a floor finish is a floor finish. It's chemical characteristics will not change. The laws of physics and chemistry will not change. The only part of this equation that can 'change' is the human being. Either accept the finish for what it is (super young and needing time and patience) or pay for another finish that will suit YOU.