Sunday, April 28, 2024

Cult-Favorite Szechuan Mountain House Makes Its Los Angeles Debut Eater LA

mountain house manhattan 川山甲

To learn more about the service, you can go to  Szechuan Mountain House — 川山甲 is located at New York, NY 10003, 23 St Marks Pl. Zhi Min Zhu, who hails from Sichuan, is the culinary director of all the Szechuan Mountain House locations and is in charge of training all of the kitchen teams. Zhu has been working with Szechuan Mountain House since 2015 at the New York East Village location and has helped train the team at the new Rowland Heights location. The 5,000 square-foot space inside the Pearl Plaza was a feat years in the making.

mountain house manhattan 川山甲

Fast food restaurants

A bowl of free pickled vegetables and chiles greeted us as we sat down and examined the soft-opening menu, which was on a single double-sided page. We relived our Flushing experience by ordering the pork belly and cucumber ($10.95), and it was even better than the first time. The atmosphere at Mountain House is always lively and energetic, yet never overwhelming. The staff is attentive and friendly, making sure that every guest feels welcome and well taken care of.

NYC’s Favorite Chinese Cuisine Is Sichuan — Here’s How It Rose to Prominence - Eater NY

NYC’s Favorite Chinese Cuisine Is Sichuan — Here’s How It Rose to Prominence.

Posted: Mon, 25 Feb 2019 08:00:00 GMT [source]

The Best Mapo Tofu In NYC

mountain house manhattan 川山甲

The former concentrates on mala tang, which are spicy mini hot pots, while the latter, configured as a hawker food court with carts, serves noodles, dumplings, pastries, and flatbread sandwiches called guokui, from the Sichuan street-food canon. That same year, Golden Shopping Mall food court opened in Flushing, resembling a funky Chinese bazaar. It’s famously where Xi’an Famous Foods got its start, but also the home of a Sichuan stall called Cheng Du Tian Fu (meaning something like Chengdu Heavenly Snacks). It concentrated on what might be termed more casual Sichuan eats, consisting of noodles and organ meats slicked with buckets of chile oil.

The Best Sichuan Restaurants In NYC

From then to the present, there came to be many new Sichuan spots in Elmhurst; Little Neck, Queens; Midtown Manhattan; in the vicinity of Columbia and NYU; and many, many more in Sunset Park. But the largest concentration has been in Flushing, where the number of restaurants and stalls featuring the cuisine is edging up toward 30, by my count. Wu Liang Ye and Grand Sichuan both opened in the late ’90s, growing into mini-chains.

How the WeChat App Is Driving NYC’s Chinese Restaurant Scene - Eater NY

How the WeChat App Is Driving NYC’s Chinese Restaurant Scene.

Posted: Mon, 25 Feb 2019 08:00:00 GMT [source]

The general onslaught of green chiles, hot red oil, and dried cayenne peppers has increased as well. The mapo ($10.95) was also totally up to snuff, semi-soft cubes in an earthy and oily broth with ground Sichuan peppercorns thrown on top, and not so much meat that it seized the spotlight from the curd. The meal ended agreeably with a small bowl of sweet mung bean soup, and we were once again out in the hurly burly of St Mark’s, marveling at the location. Other hard-to-find Sichuan dishes on the menu include Qian Jiang-style chicken giblets with pickled pepper and mala chicken stew. Szechuan Mountain House also features offal like pig intestine, tripe, beef tongue, kidney, chicken giblets, curdled blood, and fish maw. There is also a wide variety of vegetables, as well as the popular golden baked salted corn kernels with salted egg yolk, which tastes like creamy, buttery, elevated popcorn, and an expansive vegetarian menu.

藏不住的川味 TRADITIONAL CUISINE

Start your culinary journey with their mouth-watering appetizers, such as the crispy and succulent Peking Duck or the flavorful Shrimp Dumplings. For the main course, indulge in their signature dish, the Whole Sizzling Catfish, which is cooked to perfection and served with a delicious house-made sauce. Vegetarians will also delight in their wide variety of plant-based options, such as the Stir-Fried Tofu with Mushrooms and Bok Choy. Opening on an interior courtyard of a new shopping and hotel complex off Prince Street, Szechuan Mountain House was an instant hit among well-heeled dating couples out for an evening of innovative food in a romantic atmosphere. It grabbed the second-floor space formerly occupied by Grand Sichuan, itself an early advocate of the Sichuan peppercorns that have become ubiquitous in the neighborhood. It offers customized, individual portions, making it a solution for people who want to eat Sichuan food but don’t want to go with a group.

The space sports similar designs to the NYC locations, with koi ponds, cascading waterfalls, bamboo groves, Chinese flower art, calligraphy, lanterns, and ceramics. Málà Project is a great Chinese restaurant in the East Village that specializes in dry pot. Szechuan Mountain House is open for indoor dining, outdoor dining, and takeout - and they also have a location in the East Village in case that’s more convenient to you. No meal at Restaurant Mountain House Manhattan 川山甲 would be complete without trying one of their decadent desserts, such as the Mochi Ice Cream or the Chocolate Lava Cake.

The meat arrives still partly attached to the bone, to be removed and dramatically warmed over a flaming boat of oil by the diner. Still, even with increased visibility of the term Sichuan, the city’s propensity for the milder food of Cantonese cuisine seemed to prevail. These newcomers are not only serving food more fiery and flavor-packed, they’re ransacking recipe collections for dishes not previously seen here, and inventing new ones as well.

The broth was milky and sour, and heat was provided by several types of pickled chiles, which also lent tartness. In the middle of the bowl was a bright red cherry pepper, such as one might find in an Italian restaurant. The signature fried rice is ramified with mustard greens, while a dish of fried lotus roots and celery provides a spectacular snap that you can hear as diners around the table attack it, with a subtle flavor that you’ll dream of that evening. But perhaps nothing points to the mass-market appeal of a food more than the fast-casualization of a cuisine. Indeed, New York City recently got a crop of fast-casual joints, like Greenwich Village’s Peppercorn Kitchen and Chelsea’s Bang Chengdu Street Kitchen.

The food is plainly plated at a few dollars less than at its Sichuan cotenants, and the menu is heavy with offal, bullfrog, and rarely seen vegetables like celtuce. New York’s embrace of the cuisine has meant new restaurants across the price spectrum. Some of the city’s more ambitious Sichuan restaurants have upped the price expectations to $50 or so per person at a communal table, where a group is necessary to sample enough dishes. In those places, a less-expensive take on dishes like wontons in hot oil, mapo tofu, and dan dan noodles are available at prices that hover around $10. The floodgates have been opened where Sichuan peppercorns are concerned; where once you were lucky to get a little tingle on your tongue, Sichuan food these days mounts a Novocaine-like assault on your mouth, rendering a gulp of cold water useless.

Szechuan Mountain House offers popular Sichuan favorites like mapo tofu, twice-cooked pork, and kung pao shrimp, as well as classic Sichuan dishes seldom seen on menus in the U.S. Diners will be surprised by the Yibin-style ran noodles, also known as burning noodles, which are chewy, dry noodles that are flavorful, spicy, and salty from cardamine bean sprouts and roasted nut powder. The name “burning noodles” comes from the fact that traditional cooking methods add lard and chile oil to the noodles, which can be ignited without the use of water. At the same time, our old-guard Midtown establishments like Szechuan Gourmet, Café China, and Savour Sichuan have thrived, especially with the lunch crowd from nearby office buildings. In Flushing food courts, innumerable stalls popped up, peddling Sichuan fare at budget prices configured as noodle soups or faddish dry hot pots.

The food was indeed heavenly, and it prepared us for the spicy and offal-intensive Sichuan soon to arrive. Overall, Restaurant Mountain House Manhattan 川山甲 offers an unforgettable dining experience that is sure to leave you craving more. Whether you're in the mood for Asian cuisine, Western fare, or a fusion of both, this restaurant has something for everyone. The menu was thankfully crawling with offal; we ordered “strapping cattle throat with spicy red chile oil” ($10.95), which sounds like the work of some unhinged cowboy. It was delicious, though the strips of flayed bovine throat might as well have been squarish white noodles.

Vegetarians and vegans now have a dedicated Sichuan restaurant in Spicy Moon, a restaurant that opened just this year in the East Village. Dan dan noodles are made with a faux meat, and wontons in chile oil com filled with vegetables instead of pork. Some other classics include Sichuan dishes like mao xue wang, a stew of ox tripe, duck blood, beef tongue, chicken gizzard and other offal simmered in a peppercorn and chile-laced broth. The crispy free-range laziji chicken is stir-fried with dried chiles, dried Sichuan chile peppers, spicy bean paste, garlic, ginger, and topped with toasted sesame seeds and sliced spring onions.

The chef left for a new restaurant on Broadway at 95th Street, and not long after, the Upper West Side became the city’s first hotbed of the cuisine. For many years, the mouth-numbing cuisine of Sichuan didn’t quite penetrate New York’s dining scene. This was at least partly because they were declared illegal in the U.S. in the ’60s due to the erroneous belief that they carried disease. Situated in China’s southwest, the cuisine of the Sichuan province has at its most basic element the Sichuan peppercorn native to the region, to which have been added several permutations of chiles, producing a tingling symphony of hotness. Other ingredients include ginger, garlic, beans, peanuts, pork, chicken, freshwater fish, and the province’s bounty of vegetables. Also on the novel side are round shrimp fritters sided with sliced spuds, like pink ping pong balls with paddles; and planks of mung bean starch in chile oil and Sichuan peppercorns that wiggle and wobble in a glistening array.

Peanuts are introduced to the usual ox tongue and tripe in chile oil, adding crunch to the slipperiness. Zhu says that they take great care in the selection of peppercorns, all of which are grown in Sichuan. It is not out of the ordinary to use more than 20 different kinds of spices for a particular dish.

Selected Projects

commune design

It’s tempting to imagine a Lucy-and-Ethel-style sitcom scenario, with the two designers screaming at each other across the courtyard from their high perches in the twin towers while hanging laundry on a clothesline. The principals’ personal and professional lives have crisscrossed in intricate ways for decades, from the time the two initially met while working at Barneys New York, during the glory days of the luxury retail emporium, in the late 1980s and early ’90s. Their apartments tell the story of their remarkably fertile relationship through artifacts of their past and current projects, design details lifted from the Commune lexicon, and an array of artworks and curiosities with backstories specific to one designer or the other. Communal living spaces should be designed with the community in mind. This means that spaces are configured to maximize interaction and collaboration, while also respecting the need for privacy and personal space.

The Emergence of Communes and Collaborative Living Spaces

The true virtuosity of their work comes from their collaborations with their clients as well as with other members of the community. Since its inception, Commune has worked with countless artists, artisans and craftsmen around the globe. Their environmental sympathies are expressed in their conscientious selection of materials, and echoed in their appreciation for original architecture and its elements. Tanzania’s dusty, serene savanna was the springboard for Serengeti, Philippe Starck’s new and inaugural range of outdoor dining and lounge furniture for Janus et Cie. Melding sanded teak and powder-coated aluminum frames with a durable canvas mesh, the eight pieces span an ottoman; arm and lounge chairs; cocktail, side, and dining tables; plus a pair of two-seat sofas—one of which is outfitted with an integrated sun-protective canopy. No matter your outdoor setting, the svelte, subtropical-inspired collection transports.

Ace Hotel Chicago features colourful mid-century-style interiors by Commune

Our clients are so engaged and part of the process, they’re able to grow into the design seamlessly. Commune Design, founded by partners Roman Alonso and Steven Johanknecht have devised its own definition of California cool. The two, who first met in the early ’90s while working at Barneys New York, ventured out on their own—and out West—in 2004, and bohemian chic has been the name of the game ever since. From interiors to product design, each of their projects reflects an unfussy, rustic charm that remains timeless.

Commune Design Brings Western Charm to a Spanish Colonial Revival House in Beverly Hills

The walls are in Navajo White and the ceiling is in Bridgewater Tan, both by Benjamin Moore; the F. Grayson Sayre landscape over the mantel is in a frame by Arts and Crafts ceramics. The studio values the strength of the collective mind, believing that authentic creativity and innovation come from collaboration.

The Lighthouse

The artwork on the walls buoys the site-specific mood, with pieces by Lena Wolff, Kelly Ording, Ruth Charlotte Kneass, and other artists based in and around the Bay Area. Altogether, it’s a celebration of the best of the Golden State, past and present. I gave him a collection of fabrics I’d acquired over many years and asked him to design something that feels like stained glass. Back in the 1960s, communes emerged as a countercultural movement in response to the capitalist and consumerist lifestyle that dominated American society. The idea was to create a new kind of living space where people could share resources, ideas, and even emotions.

commune design

Alonso and Johanknecht, through their work at the multidisciplinary AD100 firm Commune Design, have been prime agitators in this metamorphosis, ambassadors for the new Los Angeles, championing local talent and evangelizing a widely influential vision of California cool. The ReGen Village is a future-oriented eco-village that aims to be fully self-sufficient in energy, food, and waste. The ReGen Village is designed as a living laboratory for regenerative technologies, such as vertical farming, aquaponics, and renewable energy.

Tour This Off-The-Grid California Forest Escape - Architectural Digest

Tour This Off-The-Grid California Forest Escape.

Posted: Mon, 12 Oct 2020 07:00:00 GMT [source]

On the natural and timeless forms of the Swiss designer’s handmade furniture. Sure to make that concept even more clear is new tome Design Commune (Abrams), which chronicles the studio’s creative endeavors spanning the past 15 years. SOURCEBOOK FOR CONSIDERED LIVINGThe definitive guide to stylish outdoor spaces, with garden tours, hardscape help, plant primers, and daily design news. A community of like-minded architects, interior designers, graphic designers, consultants, artisans, and builders led by principals Roman Alonso and Steven Johanknecht.

Sustainability is a key principle of communal living, and communal living spaces should reflect this by using environmentally friendly materials, renewable energy sources, and sustainable practices. Communal living spaces should also promote sustainable behaviors among community members, such as composting, recycling, and reducing waste. Communal living spaces should be designed to accommodate people with diverse physical abilities. However, accessibility should also extend to cognitive, sensory, and emotional needs, such as noise reduction, natural light, and spaces for contemplation or meditation. Commune design is about creating environments that facilitate human connections, foster creativity, and promote sustainable living.

Accessible Spaces

“One of the great things about California homes is that indoor/outdoor experience,” he says. “It was really important to me that everything feel connected.” The home’s palette, which ranges from vibrant hues of pink and green to more dramatic shades, such as the dining room’s earthy red, was a balancing act. The wife is “a very happy person who loves color,” Johanknecht says. For this house, Johanknecht did extensive research into the Spanish Colonial Revival tradition in L.A., working with a tile company in Malibu to create authentic-looking octagonal terra-cotta pavers with decorative insets painted in custom motifs of white and blue. The new tilework begins in the entrance courtyard and continues through the kitchen and dining room and out to the patio in the back of the house.

Commune is a Los Angeles-based design studio with a reputation for holistic work across the fields of architecture, interior, graphic and product design. The firm has designed residential, commercial and hospitality projects worldwide, a wide array of home and lifestyle products, as well as graphic and branding concepts for the fashion, arts and entertainment industries. The riot of color and pattern coalesces with particular charm in two snug bedrooms positioned along the central corridor that leads from the front door through the house and out to a spectacular view of the West Marin landscape, highlighted by a majestic bishop pine. The rooms are wrapped in joyous Frank wallpapers, but whereas most designers would let the patterns suffice for ecstatic decor, Commune chose a different approach—too much is never enough. Alonso paired the wallpapers with upholstered patchwork headboards by textile artist Adam Pogue, custom polychromatic bedding, and color-blocked Swedish carpets.

Renovation of a ten acre vacation compound in Northern California, including a main house, originally built in the 1930s, two tents and two cabins. The goal was to enhance the interiors with handcrafted millwork and furniture pieces by local artisans, as well as a large selection of objects and furnishings, ultimately creating an elevated camping experience for a family of six. If the market’s latest debuts have any lesson to tell, it’s that the design community indeed works better together. From Philippe Starck’s subtropical-inspired outdoor furnishings for Janus et Cie to Supergroup’s rotund tableware for Hem, industry brands across categories are coming together to bring thoughtful new offerings to designers’ tool kits. “We designed the brass boxes on the ceiling with lighting designer Sean O’Connor,” says Roman and Steven.

Saturday, April 27, 2024

How to Get Rid of Carpenter Ants: Easy Control & Prevention

carpenter ants in house

They can cause serious damage to your home if not appropriately dealt with. Make sure to prune any bushes or trees that might be near your house. It is essential to address these attractants to lower the likelihood of carpenter ant infestations. Other signs you might see are small holes in the surface of wood where the ants have burrowed in. If the holes were made by carpenter ants, there will almost certainly be small piles of coarse sawdust beneath the holes. Once you have dealt with infestations in your walls, there is a number of steps you can take to prevent new infestations without using pesticides.

When to Call a Professional to Treat a Carpenter Ant Infestation

The 3 Best Ant Killers of 2024 Reviews by Wirecutter - The New York Times

The 3 Best Ant Killers of 2024 Reviews by Wirecutter.

Posted: Fri, 05 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Borax is a boron compound and appears naturally where seasonal lakes evaporate repeatedly. The mineral is mined commercially in Searles Lake, California and in the Southwestern United States. This mineral may also be extracted synthetically from boron compounds. Keep wiping down those counters and stay vigilant against these resourceful little ants. Lowe is a lead editor, covering all things related to home improvement and good design. She previously worked in the decor and lifestyle spaces for digital publishers such as Hunker, First Media and Ranker and has multiple years of experience creating design and DIY content.

carpenter ants in house

How Cinnamon Works to Deter Ants

However, the threat that carpenter ants pose to the structure of your home can be significant. Since they hollow wood out to build their nests, if they get into the wall voids of your house and stay there undetected, they can cause catastrophic levels of damage. Seeing carpenter ants indoors during winter means that there is an inside nest. Sometimes worker ants are carried in with firewood, but these workers are not able to start nests or cause any damage in homes. Parent carpenter ant colonies sometimes establish one or more satellite nests in nearby indoor or outdoor sites. The workers of satellite colonies move frequently between their nest and the parent colony.

How Much Does a Pest Inspection Cost?

They can also nest in homes and buildings, in enclosed areas where the wood is damp, wet, or decayed. If infestations grow, the carpenter ant colony may expand into sound wood. They usually have more than one nesting site, including a parent and satellite colonies. Boric acid is a more concentrated form of the same borax that is used to lace ant baits.

While black carpenter ants are common, you may also find a combination of black and red, red, or brown. Termites have a thicker body and antennae that are not elbowed. Workers also are white and smaller than carpenter ants, about 1/8 to 3/16 inch long.

carpenter ants in house

Signs of a carpenter ant infestation

Even then, switch the type/brand of bait periodically since ants can develop tolerance to the bait with long-term exposure. Keep in mind that although mildly toxic, borax should still be handled with care and kept away from children and pets. The main thing to consider when comparing the various ant traps is the main active ingredient in each of them. Borax may be mildly toxic but it is still not a substance that you want to handle unnecessarily. Store-bought baits generally come in ready-to-use containers where you only need to open and place the bait without touching any toxic substance.

How Much Does an Exterminator Cost?

Winged males are typically the first to emerge when environmental conditions like temperature and extended daylight signify that it’s time to swarm. If conditions are right, the male releases a pheromone that stimulates the female to leave her nest. 'The satellite nests act to expand the foraging range of the parent nest, and they are in frequent contact with the parent nest to share resources. Once you locate the nest, using an insecticide like Raid can take out the pests, Russell says. We back up our pest control recommendations with a detailed rating methodology that we use to objectively score each provider.

Pyrethrins are toxic to fish and other aquatic life, and they have been known to cause serious allergic reactions in humans, especially asthma sufferers. Borax is a naturally occurring mineral that works by interfering with the ants' digestive processes. As worker ants continue to carry the material into the colony, the entire group gradually starves to death. Amanda Rose Newton is a pest specialist and horticulture expert, reviewing pest control and gardening content for The Spruce's Cleaning and Gardening Review Board. Her passion for pest control and sustainable gardening allows her to review plant and pest content for best practices and accuracy. She is a board-certified entomologist and volunteers for USAIDs Farmer to Farmer program.

Replace Wet, Decaying Wood

While the control of other household ant colonies requires similar exclusion and sanitation tactics, the control of carpenter ants seems to be as much of an art as it is a science. Place the baits along ant trails that you have seen for the best effect. This is a great recipe for protein-feeding ants such as odorous house ants, Argentine ants, pharaoh ants, southern fire ant, thief ant, red imported fire ant, and pavement ants among others. Keep in mind that various ant species have different feeding habits and food preferences. A single species of ant also has different nutritional needs depending on the season and may change its food preference mid-way into you setting up the ant traps. It is for these reasons that you may have to experiment with various kinds of home-made borax ant baits until you find one that the ants will actually take.

Lisa Jo Lupo is a pest control expert with over 25 years of experience in the pest control industry, writing about pest identification and management. Use wood preservatives on your windows, doors, pantry, attic, plumbing areas in the kitchen and bathroom, and other suspected areas. These ants excavate wooded areas of properties and make them hollow. Ants have a constricted body structure with only one segment between the thorax and abdomen. Ants have unequal wings, with the front pair being longer than the other.

More often, the general contractor subcontracts out the various building stages to different individuals, including carpenters. Fenoxycarb is used in baits specifically targeting fire ants and generally comes in granular form. It is not well absorbed through the skin and has low acute toxicity to humans. This ant bait is a good alternative for the sugar recipe described above. To make the ant bait, mix a small amount of jam with 2 tablespoons of borax and combine thoroughly.

Homeowners very often confuse carpenter ants with termites, since the structural damage they cause can be similar. But termites consume wood, while carpenter ants merely tunnel through it to create nests. The presence of fine wood dust around the entry point to the nest is a strong sign you are dealing with carpenter ants rather than termites. Control of carpenter ants in trees is important if ants are entering homes from colonies in trees. Contact a pest management professional if control is necessary. The best way to control carpenter ants is to locate and destroy the nest, replace damaged or decayed wood, and eliminate any moisture problems.

Carpenter ants can be difficult to get rid of entirely, since they tend to build a central nest and several satellites. The central nest is often outside somewhere, like in a wood pile or old tree stump, with the indoor nests usually being satellites. If this is the case, removing the ants entirely is going to be a challenge.

Often, your best bet is to eliminate the source of moisture that’s drawing carpenter ants to your home, as well as sealing any sources of food that might keep them coming back. Like other ants, they use scent trails to return to food and nests. If you can clean these thoroughly with ammonia, the carpenter ants may not be able to find their way. There are many different species of carpenter ants, so they can vary greatly in appearance with sizes ranging from 1/8 inch to 3/4 inch in the largest species.

Watch these busy woodpeckers do what comes naturally

carpenter ants in house

Accidental ingestion by people or pets should prompt an immediate call to a poison control center or your veterinarian. Avoid pesticides labeled as pyrethroids, since these products typically blend pyrethrin with other chemicals to increase their effectiveness. Pyrethroids are not as safe as pure pyrethrin, so you must use them carefully.

Block entrances to small nests

To get rid of carpenter ants, finding their nest of the carpenter ants is the crucial first step because eliminating just an occasionally traveling ant will do nothing to eliminate the colony. The ants will be going in both directions, and those moving toward the nest may be carrying insects or bug parts for food. Indoors, because they prefer moist, decaying wood, carpenter ants can signal a moisture problem, or wooden structures that are decaying.

Signs of Carpenter Ants In and Around Your House

The sugar attracts the ants, but the baking soda will kill them naturally. Diatomaceous earth can be used to gradually dehydrate and kill carpenter ants without posing risks to your plants or pets. Putting down harmful pesticides may not be the best option for you since it can be harmful to pets, children, or even damage your furniture. So, if you want a more natural repellent for less severe infestations, these methods could do just the trick. We also share the best, pest control-approved methods to exterminate infestations, both big and small, and deter these ants from your home.

carpenter ants in house

How to Clean Up Carpenter Ant Damage

Carpenter Ants usually come into buildings through cracks around doors, windows, or through plumbing and electrical penetrations in the home. They will also crawl along overhead wires, shrubs, or tree limbs outdoors that touch the building above ground, then enter the home through any small opening. Carpenter ants can bite and have powerful jaws, so their bites can be painful. They may also inject formic acid into the bite wound, creating a burning sensation.

How to Identify and Get Rid of Carpenter Ants

The wood is not eaten, but thrown from the nest as sawdust-like shavings. The ready-made containerized baits available in the market usually work best for common ants. Try to buy carpenter ants-specific baits, which come in granule or gel form. If you can't find these baits anywhere, you can create one at home.

The first step of treating any pest problem is to identify what exactly you’re up against. Indoors, carpenter ants usually like to set up their homes near water sources. The areas near air-conditioning units, dishwashers, sinks, and bathtubs are all popular places for carpenter ants. Then, there are the large carpenter ants who have picked up the summer job of destroying your home from the inside out. If you're wondering how to get rid of carpenter ants, here's everything you need to know. Carpenter ants can emit formic acid as a defense against other arthropods, but it poses no danger to humans.

Identifying carpenter ants

DIY borax mixes are cheap and easy to make but may not be as effective at attracting ants as store-bought solutions. If you’re mixing borax with a bait on your own at home, the best bait depends on the type of ant you have. Some ants prefer sugar in which case sugar-water is a great option. Other ants prefer proteins in which case peanut butter is your go-to (more on this later). Borax has relatively low toxicity to humans and animals but the same cannot be said for ants.

7 Types Of Ants That Might Invade Your Home – Forbes Home - Forbes

7 Types Of Ants That Might Invade Your Home – Forbes Home.

Posted: Sat, 09 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

If so, it is important to act fast and learn how to get rid of carpenter ants properly. They usually range from 3.4 to 13 millimeters long, according to Howard Russell, M.S., an entomologist at Michigan State University. Carpenter ants are often black, but some types have a reddish or yellowish shades to them.

Set Borax Ant Bait

It is an effective control for many insects and is a staple in the arsenal of many organic gardeners. Pyrethrin is applied by locating the nest, drilling holes, then injecting the spray directly into the colony. When that is not possible, contact a professional to treat the carpenter ant nest. You can increase your chances of following workers to their nest by setting out food that they like. The best way to rid yourself of carpenter ants is to find the nest and kill the queen.

This method effectively eliminates the entire ant colony rather than only the ants that come into contact with the poison. Essential oils like peppermint, tea tree, citronella, lavender, or eucalyptus all have very strong scents and can act in much the same way that cinnamon does to disrupt pheromone trails. Carpenter ants are much larger than the tiny odorous house ants.

Termites, on the other hand, have veiny wings, all four of which are the same size. They have straight antennae (no “elbow”), only have two body segments, and their midsections are thicker. Once you identify the nest, you can use a number of approaches to get rid of these potentially devastating pests. Wingless queens found indoors are not an indication of an indoor nest. They are new queens that have recently shed their wings and are still searching for nesting sites. Correct identification of the ants is important for control strategies to work effectively.

Monday, April 1, 2024

You Can Live Permanently On A Cruise Ship! Heres How Much It Costs

living on a cruise ship

The easiest way to enjoy living on a cruise ship for the long term would be to look for world cruises. Some of the longest run for six months, but three months is more common. In this guide, I’ll take you through all the options for living on a cruise ship. You’ll learn how much it costs, and what you’d need to think about if you wanted to try it.

Tips for Life on a Cruise Ship

“When we retired, we sold our house and started living full time on cruise ships” - Toronto Life

“When we retired, we sold our house and started living full time on cruise ships”.

Posted: Fri, 12 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

It may be better to have a post box somewhere that you visit regularly – essentially, set up a home port where you can visit medical services and pick up any mail that you need. But that can still work out to be cheaper than paying for a care home. The ship’s yearly itinerary includes stops at some of the world’s most premier events, such as Wimbledon in London, Carnival in Rio De Janeiro, Running of the Bulls in Spain, and Cannes Film Festival in France. The residences also have their own kitchens, and there’s a grocery store on the ship, if you want to cook for yourself. Moving cabins might not be the end of the world – but it would be a lot easier if you didn’t have to pack and unpack at the start of every new itinerary.

Comparing The Cost of Cruise Ship Living With Other Options

Travel insurance policies count on the fact that medical cover is a rarity when you travel for 2-3 weeks of the year. For Regent Seven Seas I’ve based the price on a typical 10-day cruise. Already some have been pushed back – MS Utopia was originally scheduled for 2023. If you’re interested in living on a cruise ship, you probably need to be flexible on your start year, as plans can change. This may work out cheaper, especially on some cruise lines that offer cheap nightly rates and one-way repositioning cruises.

Invite Your Family Onboard

If you're in relatively good health and can afford the lifestyle, living full time at sea could be a great lifestyle choice. During the pandemic, many white-collar workers were able to radically transform how — and where — they did their jobs. He booked a September cruise on Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas ship and continued sailing nearly every week for a year. This blog helps over a million people to plan their cruises each month. However, there are often exclusions if you spend less than a set number of days residing in the country, so it’s worth checking your local tax laws and speaking to your accountant for advice.

Also, private companies such as Mail Boxes Etc. or UPS offer mail forwarding services for a fee. Most private mail boxes will hold/forward your mail for up to a year. This year, Gutridge budgeted $30,000 to live on a cruise ship full time. High-ranking cruise ship officers often have the opportunity to travel with their spouse. Christine Kesteloo told BI that she and her husband have taken advantage of this perk. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises.

Snowbirds in Residents

A cruise ship offers a number of perks over regular living, the main one being that you get to see the world. Living on a cruise ship means travelling all across the globe, experiencing new cultures and thrilling experiences. Dark Island is another residential cruise ship which is planned to be built by 2026. Studios on the yacht range from two to six bedrooms, so you can really splash out on a luxury pad for entertaining guests if you want to. The biggest suites are 9,000 square feet – consider how an average interior room on a cruise ship is around 130 square feet, and you get the picture.

Buy a Cruise Residence

MV Narrative is a contemporary superyacht offering a luxury residential community at sea. Belonging to Storylines, it’s a more affordable choice than some of the other ships you can live on, with the cheapest residences starting at $875,000. And even with the monthly fees, it’s one of the best-value options for living on a cruise ship full time. Typically a cruise ship that is offering a world cruise will go back to offering more regular sailings for the rest of the year, so you would need to keep booking new cruises every time. Clearly, you can live on a cruise ship — any good travel agent will happily book you on a year's worth of cruises at a time. But there's no "How to Retire on a Cruise Ship" guidebook to help you make informed decisions about the cost and feasibility of living out your golden years at sea.

Morton Jablin, Regent Seven Seas full-time resident, who is also legally blind, has been satisfied with the medical care he's received while onboard Seven Seas Navigator. "If I need a doctor, there is one in my cabin in five minutes. When I need more specialized care, I visit specialists when in port." The first step is determining whether living on a cruise ship permanently is within your budget. Not only will you get an idea whether this is a desirable lifestyle for you, you can compare different lines and get a feel for which lines would work best as a new home. Salcedo isn’t a retiree – he works on the ship, managing investments for various high-worth individuals. And he isn’t tied to a single ship – at the end of his cruises he will return to his condo in Miami for a few hours, before embarking on his next voyage, often flying to a different port to meet the ship.

Is it cheaper to live on a cruise ship than in a nursing home?

You don’t have to worry about doing the dishes or paying an electric bill. There’s always something going on, new people to meet, and every day you wake up to some of the most beautiful views in the world. While you can certainly choose to take a go-with-the-flow approach to cruising, this can often lead to getting into a rut.

living on a cruise ship

That means you could sail the entire year without having to change ships and always coming back to a homeport in the United States. They might be able to help you save some money during your cruising experience or to hook you up with some upgrades while you cruise. Another option for anyone looking for a permanent shipboard residence is to buy a cruise residence. Ships such as The World offer private studios, one, two, and three-bedroom apartments on board.

Perhaps the most famous case is of Mario Salcedo, nicknamed Super Mario. Mario has lived continuously on Royal Caribbean ships since 2000, with an average of 15 days a year spent on land to handle life admin. If it does go ahead as planned, Utopia will have 190 residences and will also feature a 175-room hotel, casino, 16,000-square-foot spa, nightclub, and many other amenities typical of large-scale commercial cruise ships. You can book yourself onto a traditional cruise ship for the long term. Initial steps toward cruise ship retirement might also include selling one's home (or preparing it for becoming a rental), disposing of excess possessions and re-homing pets.

However, it's likely that the figure would be drastically lower as average spending on the ship will likely be less if staying full-time versus splurging for a short vacation. Once you’ve figured out whether or not cruising full-time is a smart choice for you financially, it’s a good idea to speak to a travel agent. He or she will be able to help you create a personalized cruising experience that helps you live the lifestyle you’re looking for on your cruise. To make the transition to a life on the high seas, we’ve put together a few tips. Follow these suggestions to make your transition to your new lifestyle smooth sailing.

You might need to be careful with your meal choices, and you’ll want to make sure you visit the gym regularly, or find other ways to stay active. As an example, in the UK you usually only pay tax if you live in the country for more than half the year. So, by living on a cruise ship permanently, you may not have to pay tax at all.

13 of the best luxury cruise lines for 2024

luxurious cruise lines

Paul Gauguin gives its guests special access to a secluded beach on Bora Bora and a private island off the coast of Taha'a, where you can indulge in water sports, a gourmet barbecue and bar service. Owned by Carnival Corporation, Seabourn's top-of-the-line, 264- to 600-passenger ships deliver comfortable, modern luxury that can be as fancy or casual as you like. The top Regent Suites on these new ships are mansions at sea and come with solariums, private spas with saunas and steam rooms and Steinway pianos in their living rooms. “And if someone has cruised before–or considers themselves an avid cruiser–we hope this list helps introduce them to new options, whether an entirely new line or new possibilities offered by some of their favorites. Though mass Covid-19 outbreaks early in the pandemic exposed health concerns surrounding cruising, a new survey indicates travelers may not abandon ship travel after all.

BEST LUXURY CRUISES

On sailings in those regions, each passenger receives a free jacket to keep them warm and cozy. Silversea ships offer a wide choice of dining venues (some with a fee) designed to satisfy many tastes, whether you prefer sushi, foie gras or a great, thin-crust pizza. Suite niceties include Bulgari bath products and marble bathrooms with both tubs and showers. To further refine your options and ensure a seamless booking process, consider consulting with a travel agent or cruise specialist. They can provide expert advice, help you find exclusive deals, and assist with any special requests or arrangements.

Discover the Best Cruise Ships at Sea

Sail Into Savings of Up To 30% on select 2024 Alaska and Europe voyages. Get an up-close view of incredible wildlife, or choose to explore UNESCO World Heritage sites in complete and total luxury. "Their ships are actually decorated by the family members—not just the public areas but each individual cabin," says Speer. "They are so uniquely decorated and have more original art on those ships than you can imagine."

Company Information

I'm a writer, editor and consultant who has covered luxury travel and cruising for the last ten years. Formerly, I was an editor at Departures, Travel + Leisure, Glamour and more, and I now contribute regularly to both Forbes and Forbes Vetted. I'm also the founder of @littleackbook, a Nantucket-based publication and concierge service. Viking ships have a large presence in Europe, sailing the Mediterranean and in northern Europe, but also explore the world from Alaska and the Caribbean to Asia and Australia.

luxurious cruise lines

How they do this, we've never quite worked out, but it's one of the hallmarks of a Scenic ocean cruise. Crew are less formal than you find on other lines and are drawn from a wider nationality base, so the vibe onboard is distinct from other lux lines. And although the Odyssey Class of ships is still stunning, many of its competitors have caught up while Seabourn has stood still in terms of innovation.

Explore cruise lines that embody the VERANDA spirit, offering luxury and well-appointed design around every corner. Beautiful interiors and intuitive spaces that are designed for the way people want to gather and relax are hallmarks of Seabourn Ovation's indoor and outdoor public areas, which were created by renowned designer Adam D. Tihany. All 300 suites have balconies that are perfect for enjoying breakfast, drinks or dinner alfresco. Fares include transfers, complimentary wine and beer at lunch and dinner, no-fee specialty restaurants and free unlimited internet. The eight restaurants are overseen by master chef Thomas Goetter, who offers (in our opinion) the best Chef's Table experience at sea, where he makes the food come to life with tales of his youth. Regent is also the most inclusive line (in terms of costs), with everything onboard (except for spa treatments) included as well as airfare and shore excursions.

luxurious cruise lines

The best restaurants on a Virgin Voyages cruise ship - Business Insider

The best restaurants on a Virgin Voyages cruise ship.

Posted: Sat, 20 Apr 2024 12:36:00 GMT [source]

This will help you further refine your choices and find the perfect cruise experience tailored to your interests. The line's ships are sleek and modern, and sail to some of the world's most interesting ports of call. A focus on the destination at hand means that Viking Ocean Cruises stay longer in port -- often overnight -- so passengers can get a true taste of the destination. As a tip of the hat to its river cruise roots, the line offers a choice of included tours in every port (though there are for-fee options available as well). Itineraries range from eight-night voyages to cruises of more than a month. On the flip side, onboard daytime and evening entertainment options are limited.

RIVERSIDE LUXURY CRUISES ANNOUNCES NEW 2025 VOYAGES ABOARD RIVERSIDE DEBUSSY, RIVERSIDE ... - PR Newswire

RIVERSIDE LUXURY CRUISES ANNOUNCES NEW 2025 VOYAGES ABOARD RIVERSIDE DEBUSSY, RIVERSIDE ....

Posted: Thu, 18 Apr 2024 16:00:00 GMT [source]

You’ve done your research and found the perfect luxury cruise line for your dream vacation. Now it’s time to book your cruise and start counting down the days until you embark on an unforgettable journey. Once your booking is complete, turn your attention to planning any pre- or post-cruise activities, arranging flights and transfers, and exploring shore excursions to make the most of your trip. Paul Gauguin Cruises takes travelers to some of the world’s most pristine and exotic destinations in Tahiti, French Polynesia, Fiji, and the South Pacific. This award-winning small-ship cruise line offers spacious suites with private balconies, Polynesian-inspired cuisine, and complimentary 24-hour room service.

Silver Spirit

Enjoy a thrilling night out at the casino or a leisurely afternoon shopping in the onboard boutiques. Sip on artisanal cocktails and dance under the stars at the Magic Carpet or the Rooftop Garden. Pamper yourself at The Spa, or squeeze in some exercise at The Fitness Center. Our award-winning ships have everything you could ever ask for—and much, much more. Be the first to know about our itineraries, and receive exclusive offers, destination articles and more.

Catering to adventurous luxury cruise travelers with money to spend, the new cruise line Atlas Ocean Voyages, which debuted in the summer of 2021, offers upscale experiences on small ships that carry just 196 passengers. Windstar Cruises' luxury small ships call on 150 ports throughout Europe, Central America, the Caribbean, and the South Pacific, and there's no way you'll go hungry on the journey. Exquisite onboard menus have been designed by acclaimed chefs from Michelin-starred restaurants.

Emerald Yacht Cruises, a line best known for its river ships, launched its first ocean-going vessel, Emerald Azzura, in 2022 followed by an identical sister ship, Emerald Sakara, in 2023. Both ships are intimate with a capacity of 100 passengers in 50 staterooms. Most luxury cruise lines allow kids, though they often don't cater to them the way the larger lines do. Smaller cruise lines — with ships that fit hundreds rather than thousands of guests — dominated U.S. "There's a company called Windstar Cruises that is known for its small sailing ships and was recently purchased by Xanterra because of its national parks affiliation but it originally started as part of Harvey Hotels."

With an elegant design that reads yacht-like, Venture includes fine dining options and formal supper nights, as well as complimentary caviar and champagne on-demand, for a true luxury cruise experience. The crowd is well-traveled and skews older; you won’t find many late-night revelers here, in part because the ship doesn’t offer any onboard youth programming (although children are still welcome). That said, the ship does include entertainment that’s worth experiencing—singers, pianists and more. Cruising doesn’t have to mean enormous floating cities with thousands of passengers — there are plenty of ultra-luxury lines offering adventures on small ships with a much more intimate atmosphere. The best of the best has everything from butler service to helicopter flights, from infinity pools to world class cuisine. Their ships sail everywhere from Antarctica to the Caribbean, often calling in at smaller ports for exclusive excursions.

Cabins may not have an overtly opulent feel, but they have all the right touches, including balconies in every room, quiet-closing drawers, heated bathroom floors and plentiful USB ports and outlets. Foodies will drool over menus overseen by Master Chef Jacques Pepin in all-included venues specializing in French, Italian, Asian and steakhouse cuisine. Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours puts the elegance into adventure with its two 228-passenger expedition yachts, Scenic Eclipse and Scenic Eclipse II. Look to South Pacific-based Paul Gauguin for an all-inclusive, high-end home base. Long considered one of the great luxury lines, if not the greatest, Crystal just resumed operations in 2023 after shutting down during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Scenic is unique in that it not only offers luxury ocean cruises but river cruises, too. The brand prides itself on operating and innovating with guest experience in mind. As such, all of its cruises have so much to offer voyagers, from extensive dining, leisure, and wellness options to striking design elements that will make you want to stay aboard for much longer than your itinerary.

Long gone are the days where overcrowded ships with overstimulating amenities are your only cruising option. They certainly still exist, yes, but now there’s a much stronger and more accessible market for luxury charters. Combining lavish amenities and refined comforts with the thrill of exploration, the best luxury cruises have taken white-glove service to the sea.

Fully Loaded At Sea

carter cruise comedian

When your event is Mobile only, or you selected Mobile Entry at checkout - your mobile phone is your ticket. Backpacks of any kind, including drawstring, fanny packs, computer bags, and camera bags are prohibited. Please plan accordingly to help facilitate a quick and efficient entry process. COVID-19 PolicyAt this time, the event organizer for Bert Kreischer is not requiring proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test for fans attending the show. The 2023 festival kicked off on June 14 at Forest Hills Stadium in New York and wrapped up at The Gorge at George in Washington on September 15.

Bert Kreischer's party of a comedy festival hits Las Vegas - Las Vegas Weekly

Bert Kreischer's party of a comedy festival hits Las Vegas.

Posted: Thu, 06 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Fully Loaded at Sea

If you want to enjoy a beautiful view of the ocean, then the ocean-view stateroom is the perfect choice for you. These rooms feature a porthole window that offers stunning views of the sea. Interior staterooms are perfect for those who want a cozy and comfortable place to rest after a long day of activities. These rooms feature two lower beds that can be converted into a queen-size bed, a private bathroom, and a sitting area. The pool deck features a large swimming pool, as well as plenty of loungers and seating areas.

Bert Kreischer: Fully Loaded Comedy Festival

The hot tubs are a great place to soak your muscles after a workout or simply relax and enjoy the views. With multiple hot tubs located throughout the ship, you are sure to find a spot to unwind and relax. Your journey begins on October 27, 2023, when you board the Norwegian Pearl at the Port of Miami. Once onboard, you will have access to a wide range of amenities, including multiple dining options, bars and lounges, a casino, and a spa.

carter cruise comedian

October 27-31, 2023 Miami to Great Stirrup Cay & Nassau, Bahamas

The sports court is a great place to meet new people and stay active while on board. Try your luck at the Pearl Club Casino, where you can enjoy a variety of games, including slot machines, blackjack, and poker. The casino also features a bar, allowing you to enjoy a drink while you play. As you set sail, you will likely have the opportunity to meet and interact with Bert Kreischer and his comedian friends, who will be performing throughout the cruise. The KFC Yum! Center has a convenient multi-level garage located under the facility operated by PARC.

Onboard, you’ll be joined by Bert and some of your favorite comedians, including Mark Normand and Whitney Cummings. The lineup will feature stand-up performances, live podcast tapings, and more. You’ll have the chance to see your favorite comedians in a unique and intimate setting, with plenty of opportunities to interact with them throughout the cruise.

Life, Love, And The Pursuit Of Sexuality ft. Emma Wohl

The special, which was captured in the fall of 2022 at Stir Crazy in Phoenix, and produced by 800 Pound Gorilla... Comedian Todd Barry has released a new stand-up special titled Domestic Shorthair on the All Things Comedy YouTube channel. The special is directed by Lance Bangs and has been long-awaited by fans of Barry's dry and witty humor. Fully Loaded at Sea offers a variety of staterooms to choose from, each designed to provide you with a comfortable and relaxing stay. Whether you’re traveling alone or with a group, there’s a room type that will suit your needs. Relax and unwind with a range of treatments, including massages, facials, and body wraps.

Matt McCusker, best known as the co-host of the popular Matt and Shane's Secret Podcast, has released his first comedy special, The Speed of Light, on YouTube. McCusker, a talented comedian who has been gaining significant attention for his humor and wit, presents a... Fully Loaded at Sea offers two exciting theme nights that allow you to dress up and have some fun.

Kim Congdon’s New Standup Comedy Special: ‘Childless Milf’

The festival showcases an impressive array of talent, from comedy giants Bert Kreischer, Tiffany Haddish, and Dave Attell to the fresh faces of Ralph Barbosa and Mark Smalls, reflecting the full spectrum of today's comedy scene. Join The Orion’s mailing list for exclusive concert and community event news, pre-sale codes, and more. 23 years ago, Bert Kreischer had an infamous experience with Russian mobsters while on a booze-soaked college trip. That trip has come back to haunt him as he and his estranged father (Mark Hamill) are kidnapped back to Russia by the mob to atone for something they say he did.

carter cruise comedian

Bert Kreischer: Fully Loaded Comedy Fest

This year he introduced another imaginative touring mode, his eight-date Fully Loaded Comedy Festival, featuring his favorite fellow stand-up comics on various dates. Kim Congdon, a standup comedian known for her unapologetic humor and lively stage presence, has released her debut comedy special, Childless Milf. This release marks a significant milestone in Congdon's career, offering her growing audience a 30-minute feature of her... Fully Loaded at Sea is an all-star comedy cruise that is set to sail on October 27-31, 2023, from Miami, FL, to Great Stirrup Cay and Nassau, Bahamas, onboard the Norwegian Pearl. The cruise features a world-class lineup of top comics, including Bert Kreischer, Whitney Cummings, Mark Normand, Ms. Pat, and more, who are sure to entertain with their hilarious jokes and stories.

Soon after, Will Smith recruited Kreischer to star in a CBS TV sitcom pilot, “Life With David J,” with Elliott Gould. Jensen has just released a new YouTube special titled What I Was Arrested For, produced by 800 Pound Gorilla Media. As of now, Fully Loaded at Sea might be sold out, but there’s always a chance for prospective travelers to grab a spot through cancellations. So, we highly recommend joining the waiting list and staying tuned for updates on the Fully Loaded at Sea website and Bert Kreischer’s social media platforms. The Speedo Contest is another fun event that is hosted by Bert Kreischer. The contest involves wearing a speedo and showing off your moves on stage.

“I love the idea of doing things a little differently and not being afraid to do things a little differently,” he asserts. To wit, when the Covid-19 pandemic first surged in 2020, Kreischer worried about how he and his fellow entertainers whose income relied on touring might survive. So he booked a four-date socially-distanced tour of drive-in theaters called Hot Summer Nights. “Every agent in the business told me not to do drive-ins,” he recalls. The tour sold out and created a new live entertainment option during the pandemic. After writing “The Machine” story, Bert shot himself delivering it, posted it on Facebook, and went to bed.

He wrote the story as a routine after returning home from a disappointing New Year’s Eve gig in Oxnard, CA where no one showed up. Comedian Bert Kreischer goes into the kitchen to drink with and cook for fellow comedians and friends. Between the food and the conversation, you never know what you’re gonna get. Comedian Brandon Vestal's latest comedy special, Positively Pessimistic, showcases the wit and humor that keeps audience members glued to their seats.

To make the most of your time at each port, consider booking a shore excursion through Venture Ashore by City Experiences, the official partner of the cruise. That’s everything you need to know about booking your spot on Fully Loaded at Sea. After a day of exploration, you will return to the Norwegian Pearl for more comedy shows, parties, and activities. The cruise will end on October 31, 2023, when you disembark at the Port of Miami.

She is one of the special guests on Fully Loaded at Sea and is sure to bring the laughs. It is a comedy and music festival on the high seas, featuring some of the best comedians and musicians in the industry. Bert Kreischer, the host of the event, has handpicked a lineup of comedians and musicians that will keep you entertained throughout the cruise. For those who want to enjoy the fresh air and breathtaking views, the balcony stateroom is a perfect choice.

Whether you are in the mood for a juicy steak, fresh seafood, or a delicious vegetarian meal, the dining options on board are sure to impress. When joining the waiting list for your cabin, you’ll need to make a down payment of $199 to secure your spot in the queue. Make sure to review all payment options and choose the one that works best for you. “The Machine,” a unique story from his true-life experiences on a college study group in Russia when he was mistaken for a Russian mafia boss robbing the train he was on, represents a pivotal shift upward in Kreischer’s career.

Ja Morant of Grizzlies buys home for parents, makes them his neighbors

Table Of Content Bedrooms and Bathrooms: The top UN court rejects Nicaragua’s request for … Morant's off-court troubles seemingly began ...