It is understandable to believe that a Stihl Cape Town leaf blower is created for one thing alone – blowing leaves. Without a doubt, they are highly efficient when it comes to clearing away leaves and other bits of garden debris, with little effort on our behalf. You may be surprised to hear that your leaf blower can be used in a number of other, interesting ways that may have never occurred to you. In just a few minutes of reading, check out 6 different ways to use your leaf blower, as well as discover some of the Stihl Cape Town leaf blowers we have on offer at BS Power.
Gutter cleaning
Gutters are designed to help rain water drain off of your roof and ground surfaces efficiently. Should your gutters become blocked, there is no telling what issues may arise, some of which may include flooding and damage to your property. In Cape Town, the winter months bring significant amounts of rain, meaning that your gutters will see frequent use. When taking into account that trees have just become bare (and their leaves will undoubtedly end up in your gutter) it is likely that you will have some cleaning up to do before the heavy rainfall begins.
A leaf blower is an easy solution to your cleaning needs. Instead of bending over (and no doubt straining your back), whip out your Stihl Cape Town leaf blower and chase out those leaves and debris without getting your hands dirty. Experts advise that regardless of the season, gutters should be routinely cleared with a leaf blower every 3 months.
Blowing snow in winter
In some regions around the Cape, snowfall during winter is a common occurrence. While beautiful and idyllic, snow can become truly problematic when in high volumes. Fortunately, your Stihl Cape Town leaf blower can double as a snow blower during this time. Most of us store our leaf blowers after Autumn has run its course, and never think to use them to combat the snow on our paths and driveways. In South Africa we do not often have snow blowing facilities let alone slow clearers on main roads. Although leaf blowers are not usually as heavy duty as snow blowers, they are effective in blowing away powdery (soft) snow from paths, stoops and drive ways.
Clearing pathways after gardening
There are few things more beautiful than a pathway lined with flowers and sprouts. Home owners often go the extra mile in planting gorgeous seeds along the length of their pathways in the hopes of creating a beautiful spectacle – admired by all who approach the home. However, as any fan of gardening will know, soil gets everywhere, and sweeping up loose soil can be a frustrating and tiresome affair. This is another area in which your leaf blower can assist. Save your time and energy by simply blowing away the excess soil or compost that has strayed onto your pathway. You can avoid messing up the soil around your new seedlings or flowers by ensuring that the soil is moist enough to prevent it from lifting with the rest of the loose soil.
Blowing leaves
This one should come as no surprise. As the days become shorter, the deciduous trees begin to stop utilising their leaves for photosynthesis – and enter the survival mode required to get through the winter months. In order to conserve energy, they shed their leaves. Any home owner will know that within days of falling, especially in more moist regions, leaves begin to build up and decay. Thanks to the earth’s flourishing eco-system, these leaves do not go to waste. They will soon become the home to insects and creatures (many of which are undesirable on your property).
If the mere mention of this is not enough to get you into action and whip out your leaf blower, you may wish to hear more about the residents of your decaying leaf piles. Some of them may include:
Termites
Even though they are infamous for their wood-destroying habits, it is not actually the wood itself that termites want. In actual fact, termites are after the cellulose in wood – a natural, fibrous substance found in other plant matter like leaves. When leaves begin decaying, they emit a recognizable scent that termites to which termites are attracted from far distances. While the incoming termites may be satisfied with leaves for a short time, they will track down the closest wood source to burrow into in no time – meaning somewhere in your home or on your property.
Cockroaches
Hardy, industrious and arguably repulsive creatures, cockroaches are considered pests by most people. It is likely that no one is charmed by spotting a cockroach in or around their home. Unfortunately, for home-owners in autumn, cockroaches flock to moist and decaying leaf piles when temperatures begin to drop.
Even more troubling is the fact that the leaves will not protect the roach residents for the entirety of winter, and the bugs will eventually leave to seek out warmer, protected accommodation. Chances are, this accommodation will be your home.
Beetles
These bugs adapt to the colder months differently depending on their species. Some hibernate underground, and some even produce antifreeze inside their bodies. No matter how they survive, beetles adore humid, confined environments that will ensure their warmth and optimal comfort during winter.
Not only do decaying leaf piles offer these luxuries, but they also produce a source of food and moisture. Your measly leaf pile that you did not bother to blow away could become a booming beetle metropolis, full of so many that some may need to find another place to hibernate and find food – such as your home.
Predators
Unlike other pests, snakes and rodents are not attracted to leaves specifically. However, any pile that offers shelter is an appealing option for them. This is because they want to feed off the insects that are living within the leaves. For rodents, beetles are a fantastic source of protein, and while snakes also snack on beetles – it is rodents they are really after. You can see how the cycle works: insects attract the rodents, and the rodents attract the snakes.
Raking an old build-up of leaves can be dangerous if snakes are living in them. The task requires you to almost get amongst the leaf pile, placing you closer to potentially poisonous snakes. Making use of a leaf blower from a safer distance is therefore the safer – and easier – option.
Now that you have an idea of what may become of your leaf piles, do not wait for them to build up and begin decaying. As you now know, it is not just the smell of old leaves that can be problematic. In order to prevent malodours, pest infestations and the harbouring of poisonous predators, stay on the ball when it comes to using your leaf blower for what it was made for.
Cleaning your lawn mower
Picture this: spring has sprung and the grass has risen. You have made good use of your lawnmower and now it is completely caked in moist grass and weeds. Although it may be tempting, do not dump your lawnmower in your garage or storage shed to deal with another day when you are less tired. It is true that cleaning your lawn mower can be an arduous affair at best, but leaving it for longer results in the grass and weeds becoming dry and more difficult to remove at a later stage.
Instead, make use of your Stihl Cape Town leaf blower at a powerful setting to blast away the larger clumps of grass and weeds stuck in and around the blade. Once you have removed most of the debris, using a hosepipe for good measure should ensure a clean mower at the end – with minimum effort and without getting your hands dirty. Before cleaning your mower, ensure that it is switched off as well as unplugged.
Drying your car
Cleaning your vehicle is not often considered a fun task, nor is it looked forward to. Many people opt to drop their vehicles off at a car wash for a really good clean, but those who live in more remote areas – or simply prefer to do the job themselves – are in for quite the process. Should you choose to wash your car at home, a useful tool in this endeavour is the leaf blower. This may come as a surprise to some, but when it comes to drying capabilities, the leaf blower is unrivalled. Leaf blowers are effective in drying special interior materials as well as the outside of the car, getting rid of dark and dirty spots that often result from air drying.
Tips on cleaning your car
Besides using a leaf blower to properly dry your vehicle, we have some other tips that may make your car washing experience a smoother one. If you want to achieve a truly sparkling car, it’s going to take more than soap and a bucket of warm water.
Tip 1: do not clean your car in extreme heat or direct sunlight
Not only does extreme heat affect the strength of cleaning chemicals in your chosen products, but you will be forced to work much faster to avoid parts of the car you are still busy with drying too quickly.
Tip 2: remove grime before you begin washing
Those in the car-washing trade will know this step as a “pre-wash,” one that is extremely important should you wish for great results. Getting rid of the outward layer of grime before using cleaning products prevents the gritty pieces of dirt being dragged along the vehicle unnecessarily. If you have a pressure washer, count yourself lucky, as this spraying your vehicle with one is a fantastic way to accomplish this leg of the process. If you do not, think about investing in some professional grade (still affordable) snow foam with which you should coat the entire vehicle.
Tip 3: use multiple buckets
When giving your vehicle a thorough wash, a single bucket just won’t cut it. You will need at least two buckets, one filled with washing solution and another with water for rinsing. If possible find a wash mitt that you can use, since they are designed to remove the most dirt and are gentle on your vehicle’s paint. When using a mitt, do so with straight motions and not circular motions.
Stihl Cape Town leaf blowers available from BS Power
Now that you know a few more interesting ways in which to use your leaf blower, you may be interested to find out which Stihl leaf blowers we have in stock. We stock only the highest-quality leaf blowers, including:
- The Stihl BG50 Blower
- The Stihl BG56 Blower
- The Stihl BGA45 Battery Cordless Blower
