Last Minute Father’s Day Gifts for the DIY Dad

Every year around Father’s Day, somebody asks me what tool they should buy for the dad who has everything. Most guys reach a point where they already own three flashlights, six tape measures, two ladders, and a garage full of things they’re convinced they’ll need someday. Of course, they can never find any of them when they actually need them.

After nearly 50 years in the remodeling business, I’ve accumulated my fair share of tools, gadgets, and things that seemed like a good idea at the time. Some ended up collecting dust on a shelf. Others have become things I reach for every week.

If you’re still looking for a last-minute Father’s Day gift, here are a few that I think just about any homeowner would appreciate.

1. The Headlamp You Didn’t Know You Needed

Every homeowner eventually finds themselves crawling through an attic, looking behind a furnace, or trying to figure out why the circuit breaker tripped.

A rechargeable headlamp keeps both hands free and puts the light exactly where you need it.

Any home improvement store or on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=rechargeable+headlamp

2. A Leatherman Multi-Tool

I’ve always appreciated tools that solve multiple problems.

The Leatherman Wave+ includes pliers, knives, screwdrivers, scissors, wire cutters, and about a dozen other functions that seem unnecessary until the exact moment you need them.

Any home improvement store or on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079MJBP21

3. The Magnetic Wristband

This is one of those products I laughed at when I first saw it.

Then I used one.

When you’re on a ladder installing hardware or making repairs, having screws and drill bits attached to your wrist is surprisingly convenient.

Any home improvement store or on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=magnetic+wristband+for+screws

4. A Flashlight That Actually Works

Every house has a junk drawer flashlight.

It usually has dead batteries.

A good rechargeable flashlight is useful during power outages, home repairs, camping trips, and those mysterious noises that always seem to happen after dark.

Any home improvement store or on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=olight+flashlight 

5. A Portable Jump Starter

This may be the smartest item on the list.

Most people don’t think about a dead battery until they’re stranded in a parking lot.

A portable jump starter can get you back on the road in minutes without waiting for help.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015TKUPIC 

6. The Tape Measure That Won’t Stay Lost

I’ve probably owned hundreds of tape measures over the years.

I couldn’t tell you where most of them went.

A quality Stanley FatMax remains one of the most useful tools any homeowner can own.

Any home improvement store or Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=stanley+fatmax+tape+measure 

The truth is, none of these gifts are particularly flashy. They’re practical, useful, and they’ll still be getting used long after Father’s Day has come and gone. That’s probably why they make good gifts in the first place. Most dads don’t need another gadget that’ll end up in the back of a drawer. Give them something that helps them tackle a project, solve a problem, or make life a little easier, and it’ll earn a permanent spot in the toolbox.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Skip the Spray With Natural Ways to Keep Your Yard Looking Great

If you’ve spent any time in the garden this spring, you’ve probably noticed that weeds seem to grow faster than just about everything else. One week your flower beds look tidy and under control, and the next they’re being overtaken by dandelions, crabgrass, and other unwelcome visitors.

With more homeowners looking to reduce their use of chemical herbicides around children, pets, pollinators, and vegetable gardens, many are searching for practical alternatives. The good news? You don’t need a shelf full of products to keep weeds under control. A few simple strategies can go a long way.

Start with mulch.

One of the most effective weed prevention tools is mulch. A two-to-three-inch layer of shredded bark, wood chips, straw, or leaf mulch helps block sunlight from reaching weed seeds, making it harder for them to germinate.

As an added bonus, organic mulch helps retain moisture during hot summer weather and gradually improves soil health as it breaks down. Just remember to keep mulch pulled back a few inches from plant stems, tree trunks, and your home’s siding.

Attack weeds while they’re young.

The easiest weed to remove is the one that’s barely had a chance to grow. Taking ten minutes each week to pull small weeds can save hours of work later in the season.

If you’re using a hoe or hand weeder, try working after a rainfall or watering session when the soil is soft. You’ll remove more of the root system and make the job much easier on yourself.

Put boiling water to work.

For weeds growing in cracks along driveways, sidewalks, and patios, boiling water can be surprisingly effective. A careful pour directly onto unwanted plants quickly damages the foliage and root system without introducing chemicals into the environment.

This method works best in hardscape areas where you’re not concerned about harming nearby plants. As always, use caution when handling boiling water.

Use vinegar strategically.

Household vinegar can help control young weeds by drying out their leaves, particularly on warm, sunny days. Some homeowners add a few drops of dish soap to help the mixture stick to plant surfaces.

Keep in mind that vinegar doesn’t discriminate. It can damage flowers, vegetables, and desirable plants just as easily as weeds, so careful application is important.

Let plants do some of the work.

Bare soil is an open invitation for weeds. Groundcovers such as creeping thyme, clover, sedum, or sweet woodruff can help fill empty spaces and crowd out unwanted growth naturally.

The less exposed soil you have, the fewer opportunities weeds have to establish themselves.

A little prevention goes a long way.

The secret to weed control is consistency. A few minutes of maintenance each week, combined with mulch, healthy plantings, and early intervention, can dramatically reduce the number of weeds you’ll face later in the season.

Your garden will look better, your workload will be lighter, and you’ll create a healthier outdoor environment for your family, pets, and the beneficial insects that help your landscape thrive.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Mastering Mosquitos in Your Yard

Every summer, homeowners across Connecticut dread the time of year when mosquitoes come out to feast. And every year, the same products appear on store shelves promising miracle results. From citronella candles to bug zappers, backyard torches, wristbands, and sonic repellents, there are enough mosquito gadgets to fill an entire aisle at the hardware store. 

The truth is that effective mosquito control is usually much less about gimmicks and much more about understanding why mosquitoes are showing up in the first place. The biggest culprit by far is standing water.

Mosquitoes don’t need ponds or swamps to reproduce. In fact, they can breed in something as small as a bottle cap full of water. Gutters, flower pots, clogged drains, bird baths, kids’ toys, wheelbarrows, tarps, old tires, buckets, and even poorly draining patio furniture covers can all become mosquito breeding grounds surprisingly quickly.

One of the best things homeowners can do is simply walk their property after a rainstorm and look for areas where water collects and lingers. You might be surprised how many small problem areas exist once you start paying attention.

Poor drainage around patios, walkways, and low spots in the yard can also contribute to mosquito activity. If parts of your lawn stay soggy for days after a storm, mosquitoes are probably enjoying it more than you are.

Landscaping also plays a bigger role than many people realize. Mosquitoes love cool, damp, shaded environments. Overgrown shrubs, tall grass, dense groundcover, neglected hedges, and piles of wet leaves create ideal hiding spots during hot summer days. Homeowners often focus entirely on treating mosquitoes while unintentionally creating the perfect environment for them to thrive.

Keeping landscaping trimmed and allowing for better airflow and sunlight can make a noticeable difference, especially around decks, patios, and outdoor seating areas. Even simple pruning can help reduce the damp, shaded conditions mosquitoes prefer.

Professional mosquito treatment services have also become increasingly popular in recent years, particularly for homeowners who want to fully enjoy their outdoor spaces during the summer months. For many properties, especially wooded lots, homes near water, or backyards with dense landscaping, professional treatments can make a very noticeable difference in reducing mosquito activity.

Most reputable services apply targeted treatments to shaded areas where mosquitoes tend to rest during the day, including shrubs, wooded edges, under decks, and dense foliage. Some companies also offer more natural or pollinator-conscious options for homeowners who prefer a lighter approach.

That said, even professional treatment programs tend to work best when paired with basic prevention and maintenance. Eliminating standing water and addressing landscaping issues helps reduce the conditions mosquitoes thrive in to begin with. Think of spraying as one part of the overall strategy, not a complete substitute for backyard upkeep.

Now for the question everyone asks: what actually works for day-to-day mosquito control?

One surprisingly effective tool is something many homeowners already own: fans. Mosquitoes are weak fliers. Outdoor ceiling fans, standing fans, or portable fans on patios and decks can dramatically reduce mosquito activity in seating areas. It’s simple, relatively inexpensive, and often more effective than many heavily marketed products.

Citronella candles can help slightly in smaller areas with little wind, particularly when combined with other measures, but they are usually not enough on their own for a typical backyard gathering. Bug zappers, meanwhile, often kill large numbers of insects that are not mosquitoes while doing relatively little to control the actual mosquito population.

Timing matters too. Mosquitoes are most active during dawn and dusk, especially during humid Connecticut evenings. If you’ve ever wondered why your backyard suddenly becomes unbearable right around dinner time, unfortunately, that’s not your imagination.

At the end of the day, the most effective mosquito strategy is usually a combination approach: eliminate standing water, maintain landscaping, improve airflow, and use targeted treatments where needed.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.