Biggest CHALLENGES Living OFF GRID in the High Desert (so far)

Strapinno Ratchet Straps
RA110 - amz.run/5iul
RB106 - amz.run/5U8R
I discuss some of the biggest challenges of living off grid. We have certainly had our share of surprises while living in the remote high desert of New Mexico!
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[@desertangelfish140]

An outdoor cat. Moth balls and traps! Helps keep the snakes away also. My outdoor desert cat Oscar does rodent patrol, earning his keep.

[@cinnamon--girl]

Always enjoy your videos, Nate. Take as much time as you and Shannon need before producing videos. I will always return to watch them. Best to you both.

[@hbuzzell]

Get keyboard covers to keep the dust from getting in the keys. Make sure to get some taller rubber boots (like knee height) to prevent cactus intrusion. When you are working out around the property, always wear long sleeves, long pants, boots and gloves! Cactus is very real and painful (I am out here with you!)

[@zmanky17]

Starlink will change your world...also can use a VOIP phone solution once you get that setup. Just want to say is Shannon is definitely a tough cookie! She says heat is not an issue as long as she sits on an ice pack or have one her back. She's a keeper 😀

[@njanderson4342]

To get tiny spikes out of your skin, coat them with thick elmers glue, let it dry completely then peel it off.

[@australianwoman9696]

Great idea! Wish I had known this! I scraped my skin with a very sharp blade. Did the job but took a couple of goes.

[@TheDustysix]

Duct Tape.

[@cynthiaruffino5384]

The view is so beautiful and peaceful. Reading the comments and there are some great suggestions here🤓

[@adventureswithgnomie6553]

I lived in rural Ohio's Amish country for 8 years - solar was challenging (it was 20 years ago before the technology got better). Definitely driving somewhere and spending the day doing all the errands.

[@rvboondocker2559]

Elmers glue to remove the cacti spikes. Dry fully than peel.

[@cajunjamis9001]

"No see ums" will cause a sane man to go crazy!

[@jerbear7952]

I wouldn't know

[@happyday868]

Love your lifestyle and enjoyment of the simple life and mostly the appreciation of a healthy life.

[@Raymonddurann]

I saw you at Home Depot a few weeks ago with water jugs in your basket. You were looking at the electrical section. I wasn’t sure it was you so I didn’t say hi. If I see you again somewhere I’ll holler

[@alohatvn]

Looks forward to you getting all matters resolved in the foreseeable future 😀.

[@skannal]

I was going to mention the dust/sand in your other video about staying cool (with windows open)

[@thesurvivalist.]

Smoke,and simulating rain runs the bugs off

[@BiznessWizard]

Good video. Have several suggestions that may help you with pests. We have acreage that we raise flowers to sell. We have problems with small insects buzzing around your head certain times of the year. A dab of cooking vanilla on your finger and dab on your forehead, ears and neck and they seem to stay away. With vehicles and mice. I have several cars and trucks that see only occasional use. With those I take old socks, fill them with some wild mint and put in the trunk, passenger compartment and under the hood. Heavy fragranced dryer sheets can help also. They don't seem to like the odor those items give off. Now those pack rat bad boys you seem to have out there might be a totally different problem. I might mention. We have ground hogs in this part of the Mid Atlantic states and our black lab and jack Russell seem to take care of them. .

[@matthoward1174]

Try spraying peppermint oil around to keep rodents away. You can spray some inside the engine bay of vehicles up on the inside fenders, and around where you park, around the house, etc. Reapply after rain.

[@stwong71]

Looking forward to your starlink review. Looking to move to a remote home and need high speed internet for work.

[@boo-zp4lh]

Can't wait to see how the star link systems work

[@lifeofriley8160]

We lived in Arizona so I know a thing or 2 about pack rats. 1st of all get a big cheap container of Cayenne pepper and sprinkle it all under your cars and around the parameter of your houses. They hate Cayenne pepper. Secondly get solar lights they hate light. So put solar rope lights around the bottom of your house your tiny house and your vehicles. With the vehicles you can just use those ones that you stick in the ground and they like throw the spotlight. So between the light all night long and the Cayenne pepper you should be much better off. Good luck

[@richardstoc]

I have been wandering why you have not covered the porch roof with some kind of corrugated panels or even a shade clothe It seems like it was meant to have been covered I believe it would really keep the little house cooler by blocking the suns rays from heating the outside walls and the big glass window.

[@livingitup9647]

Yes! Also, DIY window film (different levels of sun-block avail.) can greatly reduce solar gain in hot months - much better than just curtains.

[@karincorbin2355]

The winds out there will tear the roof covering right off the porch as it can get underneath and lift it. It takes heavy old clay or heavy modern concrete roof tiles in that area. The natives use lots of branches on their shade structures. That let the wind escape on up though the overhead shade structure instead of lifting it up. Shade cloth will also work for a season or two before it needs replacing as the wind can somewhat pass through it.

[@livingitup9647]

@@karincorbin2355 Wow -- such important details to understand about a particular geographical location! Thanks for adding those tips 👍🌞

[@alvinmousseau1100]

Awesome video

[@ridingvenus]

14:06 add a silicone keyboard cover and plug covers for all plugs like usb etc…if a special outlet on the laptop doesn’t have a cover I suggest making one. My KZbin channel tends to cover not as popular solutions to things…hopefully actually covering adapting my vehicle & wife..Venus.

[@happyday868]

Peppermint oil deter rats. To remove a thorn fro the left finger, go to the right finger at the same location and keep on rubbing, massaging that location. Do it about half a minute or so and then tired , stop and do it again, may be at other times. The thorn will come off the other side even if it's deep. Trust me. It works.

[@livingitup9647]

That technique, to rub the same spot on opposite hand, is fascinating! Do you know what ancient system of healing this comes from? 🤔

[@happyday868]

@@livingitup9647 the Chinese, but most of the trade is kept within the family for generations. They survive without antibiotics, cure with the invisible chi, operate for hours without anesthesia...If you study the history of Qi gong and the practice of acupressure, you will understand better.

[@livingitup9647]

@@happyday868 Thank you! Yes, I'm familiar with many of the ancient Asian healing modalities, including acupuncture, Chinese herbals, Qi Gong, etc. I sometimes go to the clinic, here in Portland, at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine -- even though they are still quite 'westernized.' I assumed this technique you shared was connected to those lineages, but I hadn't heard this trick for splinters before! It's one I will definitely try. Thanks again for your sharing 🌞

[@hellodarren]

I can't share any tips but thanks for sharing the advice!

[@joansidor3409]

New Mexico!!! J

[@robertw8666]

Gets some cats to get rid of the mice.

[@karincorbin2355]

Rat nested in my Element this last week and chewed into the wire that connects to the transmission sensor. It is now at the dealership which just happened to be the closest repair shop to my campsite. Waiting on the insurance claim adjuster to review the photos so the repair is authorized. Animal damage is covered by my comprehensive policy. Caught the rat by putting a big wooden rat trap on top of the engine block. I am fortunately camped with friends and have a travel trailer so not stuck without groceries, water and I have accomdations. The old fashioned traps work great but you will need both the rat size and the mouse size. Bait them with a tiny dab of peanut butter. It gets applied not on top of the bait holder but on the underside of it close to the tight end where they have to really work to get in under to reach it. That is the most likely way to have them spring the trap to break their neck.

[@mariomacias4551]

Build a green house and a indoor patio with mosquito nets

[@Pack.Leader]

What part of NM are you in? You've got one heck of a view from all directions.

[@NicholasAlt]

What about erecting a very tall post or pole with a little surface for hawks to stand on? As long as they don’t see cats as prey this might help reduce rodents and snakes?

[@mackin079]

you need barn cats for your rodent situation

[@ChristinaColoradoan]

I use duck tape to remove splinters and cactus 🌵

[@kenwing6196]

Get a solar powered mini split aircon for both heat and cooling..

[@tammywhitten6248]

Peat and rodent issues, I am going to be using these natural remedies, cloves seem to irritate mice and varments like that, so I will be putting many under and around my RV. For any and scorpions I will be using diametasus earth, cinnamon and a mixture of ground peppers, again, spread under and around my RV.

[@jessstone7486]

I like these ideas rather than poison. I want to get rid of pests - not everything! Yes, cloves are powerful...in natural healing, too! figures they'd be a good rodent deterrent :)

[@jimh4167]

Chech Craigslist for used solar panels 245 watt $60. Other sizes and prices

[@AmericanMinutemen]

Try removing splinters by applying a baking soda paste to the area.

[@maxjacobd2264]

add a RV pump a on demand hot water heater

[@Albisriede]

Does this ever sound familiar ;- ) I have a 'garage' at my place, basically a metal structure on a concrete slab. I thought it would be mouse safe (the rats certainly don't get in), but initially mice did find a way. I used some similar metal scraps like yours to completely safeguard the garage. You may want to hang on to future scraps a bit longer. Chances are you'll find a use for them. The school bus I initially lived in became a near total loss to rodents, both rats and mice. They entered through the clutch pedal and similar openings, left layers of droppings, mostly on the floor, that are dangerous to remove, if scraping is chosen. I first spray-foamed, then sealed off the entire driver area. Now it's just a big box with a (guest) mattress on top with view through the windshield. I heard that using essential Peppermint oil, mixed with water in a spray bottle, helps deter rodent, if you spray around and onto things, like your vehicle's engine compartment. In my experience there seems to be one thing mice and rats don't like to do: Climbing up to enter something that's a certain distance off the ground. Too much exposure, not height - they don't mind that - but 'being detected' by enemy critters. Make sure the area below is free of anything like grass etc..I've had one packrat (who lives in the rocks below my cabin) develop enough courage to dash out, grab an offered peanut and quickly dash to safety again. Probably learned that from the abundant chipmunks. I've occasionally wondered, if an elevated platform, such as one built on steel pipes, 3' off the ground, or dirt/rock filled barrels - with a removable ramp for access - would solve the 'getting into cars' problem. I know folks who use rows of barrels as 'raised garden beds', which eliminated their mice problems. I'm fairly sure that in a few more months your sense of invention will rise to new heights. Best of luck, try to stick it out for a while ;- )

[@livingitup9647]

You said, “I know folks who used rows of barrels as ‘raised garden beds’ and eliminated their mice problems”. Could you please explain further? I’m confused on whether it kept mice out of their garden, or if they created a platform to elevate a vehicle…and, if a vehicle platform, then how? 🤔. Thanks! 😊

[@joansidor3409]

Are you in Arizona? Joan Thanks!!!

[@mountainshadowart2103]

Fabric softener sheets under your cars hood and around the interior will rid you of the rodents.

[@willolive2673]

Keeping you car hoods cracked will keep rats from living under the hood. They don't like the air flow going through the motor compartment with it cracked.

[@joeyking2765]

Hey guys, Just curious about theft and vandalism issues there when you are away from your property. Any incidents? Do you go into town together or do one of you remain at the house to keep an eye on things.

[@earlblackman7001]

Have you looked into the StarLink system for your internet needs ?

[@kynew]

Can you put the information and where to buy that rat repellent device on your next video

[@Drinkbeerusmc]

Get some mothballs take your old socks nothing with holes put two mothballs in the sock zip tie it closed put another zip tie around that and hook it inside your engine compartment and mothballs around your cabin it will get rid of pack rats field mice rodents of all sizes been doing that for 20 years I stopped seeing pack rats in my truck and field mice Chipmunks squirrels nothing shows up anymore if you don't like the smell of mothballs when you're traveling that's why I say put zip tie on it and just dangle it inside your engine compartment take it out before you leave safe travels happy off grid living

[@dhorne122]

What county are y’all in? And are allergies bad there?

[@matthewturner2894]

They're trying to sting u. They did it to me. They love water

[@gp7813]

Do you know that rats are attracted to anything shiny... like galvenized sheet metal or styrofoam backing on insulation, etc.

[@sjbock]

Starlink seems kind of expensive for the average person but since you both use it for work I guess you will be taking it as a tax deduction.

[@RobXDandy]

Just get a couple of cats and fix them, you won't see mice anymore I promise you

[@adriantaylor144]

🤓✅

[@jimh4167]

Cats are good for rodents

[@frugalsurvival.]

Apart of the difficult good be your thought process. You were getting rid of good usable material. Doe offgrid living you have to learn to reuse stuff to be successful. This life may not be for you.

[@cooltechandmore]

at&t stinks i have it

[@farrellhamann]

Get a bug net to go over your head.

[@lynnstillman1002]

You live in a desert... How did you notvexpect dust and cactus. As for critters. Feral barn cats are free, hardy and kill just about all rodents and unwanted pests .

[@shelleythompson-brock6412]

Get some moth balls and make sachets for the rodents. They hate the smell. Also tee tree oil. You can hang them about and the vermin will avoid it.

[@lizzielecates4430]

Get a chicken or two and turn those rodents to eggs.

[@australianwoman9696]

Just get a cat.

[@OldEarthWisdom]

Sounds terrible

[@shermdog6969]

I'm a NM native. It's in my blood. Tried moving to the east coast and had to move back within a year. A bowl of apple cider vinegar will attract the gnats in the house. A fan and a sprits bottle will cool you a lot.

[@joansidor3409]

Spritz

[@lesleyhughes3174]

@@joansidor3409 🙄

[@davidbosnia4141]

Say what😂

[@davejarvis7522]

Cats,get some

[@edwinlipton]

You two are troopers. Your young and have plenty of time to experience all types of living. I am 66 and started 3 years ago. I wish I'd tried this at your age's cause its alot more work than I imagined. Then again, life aint easy period.

[@livableincome]

I am in the same age range. I would do it if I had to, maybe I will have to, 5 more years and I too am 66. Oh yeah. 4 yrs actually. Would be good to hear more from a 66 yr old. Less projects maybe?

[@edwardhoward4708]

Good share. I'm getting there. It seems off grid living would be easier with a retirement income and no job.

[@mariomora6541]

I just bought 2 acres, high desert California last weekend for my 34th bday. I always wanted to live off grid and now it's coming true. Hard Work regardless of age. All that matters is the moments we get out of it. Plus I love looking at the stars

[@lindas5964]

Appreciate this honest video. I have a tendency to romanticize everything and it’s a good reminder that everything has it’s good and bad.

[@stephaniesmythe8449]

for cactus, particularly the little fuzzy invisible but painful spikes: use wax, like you would for hair removal. Pulls them right out!

[@ryanc9432]

Love the update! You will LOVE starlink - it is soooo much better than anything else for remote working.

[@SlimShady771]

You need to get 3 or 4 cats. Your rodent problem will disappear.

[@michaeltaylor4984]

I have an indoor cat that keeps them out of the house. The two that are outdoors stay well entertained/fed off these huge rats. I keep the 5 gallon/trapdoor traps in small sheds. It's a never ending battle. Rodents attract snakes, some snakes are poisonous. ETA: Put an empty soup can of wet (piss) kitty litter under your vehicles. Scares the rodents away. Replace weekly. 'Tis better than having your vehicle a rat habitat

[@johnmccauley4533]

Cats are gross. Get chickens. They swallow mice whole.

[@TheDawnofVanlife]

Love this very honest video about the off grid life. No glorification or hating on the lifestyle. Just a balanced view of the reality.

[@calnative1504]

Just a thought…I ran across dust and pollen-filtering window screens on Amazon. I wonder if that would help cut down on the inside dust?

[@karincorbin2355]

Unfortunately those filters block a lot of airflow on hot days. Useful on really windy days though.

[@anthonyrice8528]

I live in the woods and I've never had much luck with the electronic rodent repellent devices. I've had (and still have) them in all my vehicles and it seems like they work best at prevention, but once the mice/squirrels or whatever mark their territory, they just keep coming back and trying to make new nests and the only thing that stops them at that point is death. Lol. Personally I've had the best luck by setting multiple rat traps and glue traps all across the top of my engine. You probably have to leave the hood propped open a few inches so the traps will have enough space to work, but I've found this to be the best solution. You have to be proactive with this or they'll start chewing through wires

[@australianwoman9696]

My neighbours & friends complaining about rats lately. Honestly haven't seen any at all this far. Maybe my cats have something to do with it?

[@TheSeper]

Hey an idea for rodents get some solar lights for under the cabin and tiny house and the trucks the lights should spook em.

[@freedomdove]

I've lived in an unfinished garage without A/C for over a decade. Ice packs and fans are my friends on these stupidly hot/humid Midwestern nights. Lol. Can you do a comparison video showing the differences between those ratchet straps and the kind you can get at the hardware store? I have a set of normal straps and they annoy me. I'd like to see how these Strapinno straps compare to them in real life situations before making the investment. You need cats to keep the area clean of rodents! They will take care of the problem. You just have to provide the basics for them, as you would barn cats. Feral kittens for the win. Lol.

[@raymondpeters9186]

When you want to build a real house Pumicecrete is by far the best building material on the planet Pumicecrete is a mixture of pumice cement and water mixed and poured into a set of reusable forms walls are poured from 12"to 24" thick pumicecrete is fireproof termite proof rust rot and mold proof and has a high R value and good sound attenuation solid poured walls means no critters can live in your walls Pumicecrete home can be built for a fraction of the cost and time

[@livingitup9647]

Thanks for that info on pumicecrete. Might be even more affordable than the earth / adobe methods - and faster. 👍

[@raymondpeters9186]

@@livingitup9647 its all of the above Better faster stronger cheaper

[@sundancer442]

Put up a whiteboard in your kitchen for small and large shopping foodstuffs. Take a photo with your smartphone before you go to town.

[@WhenTheManComesAround]

I'd recommend checking out the KZbin channel "Mouse Trap Monday's". He's tried out hundreds of traps and his info should definitely help with your current rodent challenges.

[@annshephard3929]

Pack rats have invaded my hay barn a couple of times. Hard to put into words just how horrific that was. Thankfully someone suggested that I scatter rock salt around. Not only did I scatter rock salt around, I piled it on an inch or so or more along the entire interior walls, concentrating in the corners where the rats liked to collect all their stuff. So far, many years later, it is still working.

[@livingitup9647]

By chance do you know if rock salt works on deterring all OTHER rats?? Or, is it primarily effective on the pack rats & their nesting habits?

[@sandrareese1009]

LIME kills all bugs,never use it inside however....CATS,are Awesome for Rodents....

[@cleophusA]

Try wearing a head net for the no see ums. Most of the time, it's them buzzing around your head that's the nuisance. I camp a lot down on the river here in northern Alabama, and the mosquitos will eat you alive if you don't wear long sleeves and a head net! Your best bet would be the style that's attached to a "boonie" hat, that way you will have sun protection as well.

[@bonniepwtf]

This was a good update & interesting. So many challenges in that harsh environment. I give you both so much credit for trying to make it work & not giving up.👏👏👏👏

[@leese.23]

You might consider an air purifier even if you leave the door open it it'll probably cut the dust down quite a bit

[@brilang71]

Invest in a mesh bug net for your head. They're only a couple bucks and keeps the irritating bugs away from your face and ears

[@bypinkerton892]

One of your older video's warned us that.... Big Changes were on the Way.... We had no clue just how big those changes were.... It seems as though you are both meeting your challenges & I hope having some fun too....

[@clarkleakins879]

Rodents, adopt a couple of neutered feral cats! Just build them a safe place to hide from coyotes. Flying bugs, get a couple of solar power bug zappers. Use one 9 to midnight. Another midnight to dawn. Get fine furnace filters, or similar for the windows. Internet, Starlink will be your savior. Cacti, rent/hire a grader to clear certain areas. Then keep it maintained with gravel cover. What happened to the golf driving range? What has been your average hi/low temperature for June, July? Will you move into the trailer/tiny house? Or use as rental income?

[@psycho-nutkase9233]

Sounds like you need a few mouser cats

[@edwardeighth1948]

Hopefully they are just flies and not Horseflies. Nasty bloodsucking insects.

[@edwinlipton]

I agree with the traveling time. I live 85 miles from hardware/ auto parts and select foods. Off grid is more exspensive due too fuel required. Dont think it saved a dime, and I dont go but 2 or 3 times a month.

[@lifeofriley8160]

Amazon...a 14 dollar fan mister. I love mine.

[@ellafields9424]

Rodent issues? Get 2 or more cats. Two because they will be more content with company of their own type. Please do have them altered. Also a place where they can hide from coyotes. My 2 cats have been here 12 yrs now. Get moth balls - the big box comes with several indivudal packets place one under the hood of each vehicle. I put one beside my battery it stays put on rough roads. I use a packet in my well house as pack 🐀 🐀 try to move in there. Its a insulated shed so I cut a cat door at ground level. Also made an insulated box for them for winter. 🐀 🐀 are now deceased. Also solar lights shining under the cabin / tiny. RVers found its a great 🐀/ mice deterrent. The solar spot lights may be best for you / they come with a small solar panel. I've used them for yrs now. Shade cloth (90% sun block type)for help with summer heat. DIY pvc pipe frame with shade cloth as an awning over each window ( you tube shows how). Also a small evaporative cooler does not take much power - solar type. Hope you may benefit from things that I have used for years. Happy Trails from SW NM

[@jessstone7486]

Great! THANKS for the share~

[@CraftAdventureTravel]

I live in the high desert too and have that same rodent problem. I use old fashioned mouse and rat traps. My preferred bait is raisins. I set the mouse traps out in sets of four. For the giant rat traps I set them while they are on the ground so that I don’t lose a finger. My strategy going forward is to reduce nesting areas by having it all clear under my trailers and by having my sheds built kinda high from the ground. Air flow is our friend. I agree it is a grim task.

[@tammybohnstedt3261]

Get a cat also baking soda

[@ElwoodAndersonNV]

Regarding your travel time to Albuquerque and Santa Fe, I think it's just a matter of a lifestyle change. Before the pandemic, I used to get in the car at least once a day to run an errand downtown. Now I go out once every two weeks. It gives me much more time to get my housework, yardwork, and computer work done around home. I used to spend a lot of time in Albuquerque when I was doing business with the Weapons Lab there. I loved the low humidity, so I could actually feel good after taking a shower. And the Mexican food in old town is especially good. Since it costs an arm and a leg to travel anywhere these days, a little planning will go a long way in keeping your travels to the cities a once a week event.

[@Chefsantatravels]

A lot of the nomads that hang out in quartzite and the desert out there they use those motion solar lights under their vehicles and at night when the rodents come in the light comes on it scares them and it keeps them at Bay and then some of them have sprayed hot sauce on their wires underneath i'm gonna use the solar lights when i go out west.

[@kayleenparks1983]

Regarding the weather - it has been a bit extreme at times this year in NM, and apparently all over the world.

[@skannal]

Mothballs/crystals keep all critters away. However the mothballs eventually melt away & dissipate so have a bunch on hand.

[@Adventureapproved]

Reminds me of living in Calhan Colorado. Wood stove, miles from town. 3g cell internet for my internet/ PC gaming and boiling for hot water lol. Had a lot of the same challenges.

[@davidwolfe7777]

Eat garlic capsules... high dosage ones that will help with the little buggies

[@georgemcelroy9441]

Portable evaporative cooler for hot days , off spray for no seems. Retired move to nm my third year still learning

[@TXMEDRGR]

Interesting, I hope you get the bugs worked out (pun intended).

[@eyeswideshut2800]

Mothballs, rats hate them but you can't get wet and toxic to you too. Rodent repellent and cats because rats are disgusting, destructive and fertile...ijs

[@sidiebnou4958]

You could've used the metal for other projects.

[@jessstone7486]

I thought that, too. Out in the boonies like this, I'd be keeping everything... in a shed - you never know!

[@PhantomLife]

A few Good ideas to Avoid & Reduce those annoying High Desert Mini-flies; • Set an open tub (like a Handwash tub); filled with the Nonheavily soaped bathing water which you have in result after your Camp Shower bathing; Not heavily soaped, remains. • With a Standard Water, Spray-bottle; filled with Water, When Flies are present, Spray Very MINIMAL Water onto the their path as a Taste Sample; &/or Then Spray onto a spot of your room that you can easily Swat, with your Fly-swatter! • Calm your movements to Allow the fly to settle, Then Swat. They attract to Moisture & also Foul Scents; like deteriorating foods! Thank me, when you Actually encounter improvements; it all has worked for me.