Author: Aerica

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Pond Aerator Buying Guide for Kansas Ponds: Sizing, Types & Install

Aeration is the single most important investment in pond health. Kansas summers + still water = oxygen depletion + dead fish. Here’s how to pick the right aerator for your pond.

Why Aerate?

Oxygen dissolves into water from the surface. In a pond with no movement:

  • Hot water holds less oxygen (80°F water holds half the oxygen of 50°F water)
  • Algae blooms consume oxygen at night
  • Decomposing matter at the pond bottom consumes oxygen
  • Fish + plants all consume oxygen

Result on a hot Kansas summer night: oxygen crashes, fish die. You wake up to a pond full of floaters.

An aerator keeps oxygen circulating. Even in 95°F heat, an aerated pond stays healthy.

Two Main Types

Surface Aerator: A fountain or paddle wheel sprays water into the air. Looks pretty, works for ponds under 1/2 acre. Less effective for deeper ponds (only oxygenates the top few feet).
Bottom Diffuser (Subsurface): A compressor on shore pumps air through a hose to a diffuser at the pond bottom. Bubbles rise, circulating the entire water column. The right choice for 1/2+ acre ponds and any deep pond (8+ ft).

Sizing by Pond Acreage

Under 1/4 acre: 1/4 HP surface aerator OR small diffused aeration kit
1/4 – 1/2 acre: 1/2 HP surface aerator OR 1-disc diffused system
1/2 – 1 acre: 1 HP surface aerator OR 2-disc diffused system
1 – 2 acres: 2-3 disc diffused system (surface aerators not enough)
2 – 5 acres: 4-6 disc diffused system, larger compressor
5+ acres: Custom design — multiple zones, larger pumps. Talk to us about it.

💡 Rule of Thumb: Match Aeration to Depth

Surface aerators work for ponds under 8 ft. Bottom diffusers work for any depth, but really shine in ponds 8+ ft deep. Kansas farm ponds are often 10-15 ft deep at the dam — get a diffuser.

Surface Aerator Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Visually appealing (fountain effect)
  • Easy install — just drop it in and plug it in
  • Good for shallow decorative ponds

Cons:

  • Only aerates surface 2-4 feet
  • Higher energy use per oxygen unit delivered
  • Mechanical parts (impeller) wear out
  • Vulnerable to ice damage in winter

Bottom Diffuser Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Aerates the entire water column
  • Most efficient — more oxygen per watt
  • Compressor is on shore — out of water, easy to service
  • Works in winter to prevent ice-over fish kills
  • Lasts 10+ years with basic maintenance

Cons:

  • More expensive upfront ($500-2000 vs $300-800 for surface)
  • Install requires running hose from shore to pond bottom
  • No fountain visual effect

Install Notes

Surface aerator: tether with rope to shore, plug into a GFCI outlet, that’s it. Move it occasionally so it works different parts of the pond.

Bottom diffuser:

  1. Install compressor in a vented enclosure on shore (NOT inside a sealed shed — heat will kill it)
  2. Run airline tubing from compressor to pond edge to diffuser at bottom
  3. Position diffuser at deepest point of pond
  4. Run 24/7 in summer. In winter, run continuously to keep an open hole in ice (prevents fish kill).

Winter Use — Critical for Kansas

Kansas winters freeze ponds 4-8 inches of ice. Under thick ice, fish run out of oxygen — classic winter fish kill happens when ice covers the pond for weeks.

A diffused aerator running in winter creates an open hole in the ice, allowing gas exchange. One winter of fish kills costs more than the aerator.

⚠️ Don’t Run Surface Aerator in Hard Freeze

Surface aerators can be damaged by ice forming around the impeller. Pull them out for winter OR switch to a winter mode. Diffused systems handle winter better.

What We Stock

Mr. Mc’s stocks pond aerators sized for typical Kansas backyard and farm ponds — surface units for small ponds, diffused systems for bigger water. See our Pond Supplies aisle. For sizing help on a bigger pond, call (316) 265-9930 and we’ll talk through it.

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Visit Mr. Mc’s Market

📍 1901 E 21st St N
Wichita, KS 67214

📞 (316) 265-9930

📧 admin@mrmcsmarket.com

🕐 Open 9 AM – 9 PM, 7 days a week

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Why Buy Live Bait Local vs. Online: A Wichita Angler’s Take

Online live bait shipping is a thing now. So why does every serious Wichita angler still drive to a bait shop? Five reasons, all of them practical.

1. Fresher Bait Catches More Fish

Live bait shipped overnight from another state arrives stressed. Minnows that survived 24 hours in a shipping bag are sluggish — they don’t kick when hooked. Sluggish bait doesn’t trigger predator instincts.

Mr. Mc’s keeps minnows in an aerated tank. The scoop comes out the day you pick it up. Fresh, lively bait outfishes shipped bait 4-to-1.

2. Cheaper Per Pound

Online live bait suppliers charge $4-8/lb for minnows PLUS $25-50 overnight shipping. A 1-lb order ends up at $30-60 delivered.

Local: live minnows by the pound at Mr. Mc’s. You drive a few miles, you walk out with bait that costs a fraction of online.

3. Ready When You Are

Online ordering means planning 2-3 days ahead. Decide Saturday morning to go fishing? Online isn’t an option.

Mr. Mc’s is open 9 AM to 9 PM, 7 days. Decide an hour before your trip — you have bait. Decide at 8 PM Friday for an early Saturday — you have bait.

4. No Dead-on-Arrival Risk

Even reputable online bait shippers lose ~5-15% of stock in transit. Shipping companies don’t refrigerate. Heat waves kill entire orders.

What happens when your online order arrives with dead minnows? Email customer service. Wait for a credit. Make a frantic Saturday morning bait shop run anyway.

Save the headache. Drive 15 minutes. Done.

5. Real Advice + Local Lake Info

Online bait shops don’t know which lake near you the white bass are running on. They don’t know that the south end of Cheney has been hot this week. They don’t know that the brush pile you’ve been hitting got bulldozed by spring runoff.

Local bait shop staff fish the same water you do. We hear daily reports from customers coming in. Drop into the shop and ask: “where’s the bite right now?” — you’ll leave with bait AND useful info.

🐟 When Online Bait MIGHT Make Sense

Very specific scenarios: (1) You’re in a remote area with no local bait shop, (2) You’re targeting a fish that requires exotic bait not sold locally, (3) You’re a tournament angler ordering custom specialty bait. For 95% of Wichita anglers, local bait is the right answer.

What We Stock

  • Live minnows by the pound — aerated tank, fresh stock
  • Mr. Mc’s Magical Catfish Stink Bait — made in-house, no shipping required
  • Crappie Terminator lures — local-specific colors
  • Live worms — nightcrawlers, redworms
  • Cut bait — shad, when in season

See our full bait & tackle inventory.

Also: We’re Wichita’s Wholesale Bait Source

Run a bait shop yourself? We wholesale to Wichita-area bait shops, marinas, and resellers. See our live bait supplier page.

Related

Visit Mr. Mc’s Market

📍 1901 E 21st St N
Wichita, KS 67214

📞 (316) 265-9930

📧 admin@mrmcsmarket.com

🕐 Open 9 AM – 9 PM, 7 days a week

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Wichita Cigar Smoker’s Starter Guide: Your First Premium Cigar

Premium cigars are intimidating if you’ve never bought one. The display case is full of unfamiliar brands at unfamiliar prices. Here’s a beginner’s walkthrough — pick, cut, light, smoke, enjoy. The right way, the first time.

Step 1: Pick the Right Cigar

Start mild. A strong cigar will knock your head off your shoulders if you’ve never had one.

  • Wrapper: Connecticut Shade (light tan). Mildest, friendliest start.
  • Size: Robusto (5″ × 50 ring gauge). Manageable 45-minute smoke. Not so big it intimidates you.
  • Price: $8-15. Affordable enough to try a few different ones. Don’t blow $40 on a Cohiba for your first.
  • Brand suggestions: Macanudo Cafe, Romeo y Julieta 1875, Ashton Classic. All mild, all reliable.

If you smoke cigarettes already, you can start medium (Maduro wrapper or Honduran bolds like Punch). If you smoke nothing — start mild.

Step 2: Cut It Right

You only cut the CAPPED END (the rounded end with the band near it). The other end is already open.

  • Guillotine cut — straight cut across the cap. Most common. Cut just above the cap line (1/16-1/8 inch). Cut too low and the wrapper unravels.
  • V-cut — wedge cut. Smaller draw, more concentrated flavor. Good for thicker cigars.
  • Punch cut — circular punch. Smaller hole, gentler draw. Easy to mess up if punch is dull.

Don’t use teeth, scissors, or a knife. Cutters cost $5-20 and last forever.

Step 3: Light It Slowly

Premium cigars are NOT lit like cigarettes. Take your time.

  1. Use a torch lighter (not a Bic, not matches — they imart flavor)
  2. Toast the foot first — hold the flame 1/2 inch away from the cigar end, rotate slowly for 10-15 seconds
  3. Put it in your mouth, light again, puff while rotating until the entire foot glows evenly
  4. Look at the foot — should be a perfect glowing circle. Touch up uneven spots.

Improperly lit cigars burn uneven and taste harsh.

Step 4: Smoke Slow

⏰ Don’t Inhale

Cigar smoke is for the mouth, not the lungs. Draw smoke in, hold it briefly to taste, then exhale. Inhaling cigar smoke will make you cough and feel sick. This is not optional advice — it’s the difference between enjoying it and hating it.

  • One draw every 1-2 minutes. Faster than that gets harsh, hotter, harder to taste.
  • Let the ash build to about an inch before tapping it off. The ash insulates the burn temperature.
  • Don’t relight more than once if it goes out — past one relight, taste deteriorates. Just enjoy what’s left.
  • Stop when you want. You don’t have to smoke to the nub. Some folks stop at half. Some smoke to the band. Up to you.

What to Pair It With

Coffee: Classic morning cigar pairing. Black coffee, no sugar.
Bourbon or scotch: Most popular evening pairing. Stronger spirit = stronger cigar.
Rum: Caribbean cigars + Caribbean rum = chef’s kiss.
Just water: Nothing wrong with this. Let the cigar flavors speak.
NOT beer: Most beers fight cigar flavor. Exception: stouts and porters can work.

Common Beginner Mistakes

  • Inhaling — see above
  • Buying too strong for first cigar — stick mild
  • Smoking too fast — slows enjoyment + tastes worse
  • Cutting too deep — wrapper unravels
  • Using a Bic lighter — gives off fumes, taints flavor
  • Not letting ash build — knocking ash too often increases burn temp

Where to Buy in Wichita

Mr. Mc’s Market stocks premium cigars across brands and price points. Stop in, take your time, ask questions — we’ll help you pick. ID required (21+).

Related

Visit Mr. Mc’s Market

📍 1901 E 21st St N
Wichita, KS 67214

📞 (316) 265-9930

📧 admin@mrmcsmarket.com

🕐 Open 9 AM – 9 PM, 7 days a week

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Wichita Fishing Forecast: June 2026 — What’s Biting and Where

June is when Wichita-area fishing kicks into full summer mode. Crappie are post-spawn, catfish are starting their night feed, white bass are wrapping the run. Here’s your month-by-month playbook for June 2026.

Channel Catfish

Bite: Heating up. Daytime bite improving as water warms. Night bite is peak season.

  • Best spots: Arkansas River below the Lincoln dam, El Dorado main lake near the river arm, Cheney riprap at night
  • Best bait: Stink bait on treble hooks (punch or dip), cut shad, chicken livers
  • Best time: Last hour of daylight to midnight
  • Rig: Slip sinker, 1-2 oz, with treble hook tied direct

Crappie

Bite: Post-spawn. Fish have moved off the bank to brush piles and deeper structure. Bite is steady but you have to find them.

  • Best spots: El Dorado brush piles in 12-18 ft, Cheney bridge pilings, Wilson State Fishing Lake brush
  • Best bait: 1/16 oz jigs with curly tails — chartreuse/pink in stained water, white/pearl in clear
  • Best time: Early morning and late evening
  • Tactic: Vertical jig over brush, or troll slowly with 4-6 rods

White Bass

Bite: Run is wrapping up but schooling fish remain in main lakes. Strong topwater bite morning and evening.

  • Best spots: El Dorado and Cheney main lake schools, look for surface activity (gulls, splashing)
  • Best bait: Topwater plugs (Pop-R, Skitter Pop), inline spinners, small swimbaits
  • Best time: Dawn and dusk for topwater action

Flathead Catfish

Bite: Pre-spawn move into shallower water. Big fish actively feeding before spawn.

  • Best spots: Walnut River below Winfield, Verdigris River, Arkansas River deep holes
  • Best bait: LIVE bait only — bluegill, bullheads, large minnows
  • Best time: Sunset to 2 AM

See our flathead guide for full tactics.

Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass

Bite: Post-spawn, fish recovering. Bite improves through June as water hits 75°+. Cover-oriented.

  • Best spots: El Dorado coves, Cheney rocky points
  • Best bait: Soft plastics around cover (worms, lizards), spinnerbaits on cloudy days
  • Best time: Early morning, late evening, overcast days

Bluegill

Bite: Strong all month. Peak spawn around full moon (June 1 and June 30, 2026).

  • Best spots: Farm ponds, Sedgwick County park lakes, Lake Afton
  • Best bait: Crickets, worms, small jigs, popping bug fly
  • Best time: Anytime — great kids’ fishing

Crawfish

Activity: Peak month for trapping. Water is warm enough they’re active, cool enough they’re feeding hard.

See our Kansas crawfish guide.

🌧️ June Weather Effects

Kansas June brings thunderstorms. Rain stirs water and triggers feeding — fishing right BEFORE a storm is often gold. Fishing immediately AFTER muddy runoff is usually tough. Watch the radar.

This Month’s Gear Checklist

  • Live minnows (always — by the pound)
  • Stink bait (channel cats peak month)
  • Crappie jigs in chartreuse/pink and white/pearl
  • Topwater plugs for white bass
  • Headlamp + extra batteries for night flatheads
  • Bug spray (Kansas mosquitoes are out — see our mosquito guide)
  • Cooler with ice

Related

Visit Mr. Mc’s Market

📍 1901 E 21st St N
Wichita, KS 67214

📞 (316) 265-9930

📧 admin@mrmcsmarket.com

🕐 Open 9 AM – 9 PM, 7 days a week

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Wichita Snake Identification Guide: Common Kansas Snakes Near Home

You walked outside and there’s a snake on your patio. Before you grab a shovel — most Kansas snakes are harmless and actually beneficial. Here’s how to identify what you’re looking at.

Harmless Snakes (Leave Them Alone)

Bullsnake (also called Gopher Snake)

  • Size: 4-6 feet (the biggest snake you’ll see in Wichita)
  • Color: Yellow-tan with dark brown/black blotches
  • Markings: Distinct pattern, narrow head, no fangs visible
  • Behavior: Bluffs by hissing loudly and vibrating tail (sounds like rattlesnake — that’s the point). Will strike if cornered but bite isn’t venomous.
  • Diet: ROCKS at killing mice and rats. Keep them around if you can.
  • If you find one: Step back, give it space. It’ll leave.

Garter Snake

  • Size: 18-30 inches
  • Color: Dark with long yellow/cream stripes down the back
  • Behavior: Shy, will flee. Releases stinky musk if grabbed (harmless).
  • Diet: Bugs, worms, small frogs.

Rat Snake (Black Rat Snake)

  • Size: 3-6 feet
  • Color: Mostly black, white throat/chin
  • Behavior: Excellent climber — found in trees, attics, sheds. Constrictor.
  • Diet: Mice, rats, eggs. Beneficial.

Plains Garter, Ring-Necked, Brown Snake

Small (under 18 inches), shy, harmless. Yard inhabitants. Leave alone.

Venomous Snakes (Use Caution)

☎️ If You’re Bitten by a Venomous Snake

Call 911 or get to ER immediately. Don’t try to suck out venom. Don’t apply ice or a tourniquet. Keep the limb still and below heart level. Antivenom IS available at Wichita hospitals.

Copperhead

  • Size: 2-3 feet
  • Color: Copper/tan with distinct hourglass-shaped darker bands (wider on sides, narrow on top)
  • Head: Triangular, distinct from neck
  • Habitat: Wooded areas, rocky slopes, leaf litter. Found in eastern Kansas including Wichita area.
  • Behavior: Camouflaged, holds still — most bites happen because people step on them
  • Bite severity: Painful but rarely fatal with prompt treatment

Western Massasauga Rattlesnake

  • Size: 18-30 inches (small)
  • Color: Gray-brown with dark blotches and small rattle on tail
  • Habitat: Prairie, grassland, wetland edges in central/western Kansas. Rare in Wichita proper but found in surrounding rural areas.
  • Behavior: Will rattle as warning. Small rattle is sometimes hard to hear.
  • Bite severity: Venom is potent, prompt treatment essential.

Cottonmouth (Water Moccasin)

  • Size: 2-4 feet, thick body
  • Color: Dark olive/black, may have banding
  • Habitat: Near water — ponds, slow rivers. Mostly southeast Kansas, RARE in Wichita.
  • Behavior: Opens mouth showing white interior as warning

How to Tell Venomous from Non-Venomous

Head shape: Venomous = triangular (wider than neck). Non-venomous = oval/narrow.
Pupils: Venomous = elliptical/cat-like. Non-venomous = round. (Hard to check at distance — don’t get close.)
Rattle: Only rattlesnakes have rattles. (Bullsnakes vibrate tail to mimic — but no actual rattle sound.)
Color pattern: Hourglass bands = copperhead. Diamond pattern = rattler. Solid + stripes = usually non-venomous.
Size: Most Kansas venomous snakes are SMALL (under 3 ft). Big snake = usually bullsnake or rat snake.

What to Do If You Find a Snake

  • Step back. Give it at least 6 feet of space.
  • Don’t try to handle it. Even non-venomous snakes bite when grabbed.
  • If non-venomous and outside your house: leave it. It’ll move on. It’s also eating mice.
  • If venomous or inside your house: call a local wildlife removal service or animal control.
  • NEVER use a shovel unless you have NO other option. Most snakes are protected species in Kansas. Plus you might miss and end up bitten.

Snake Prevention Around the House

Best long-term solution: remove what attracts snakes:

  • Eliminate mice (snakes follow rodents — see our snake & mouse guide)
  • Mow tall grass short
  • Remove brush piles, rock piles, woodpiles near the house
  • Seal foundation gaps
  • Snake repellent granules (sulfur-based) along perimeters

We stock snake repellent, rodent control, and prevention supplies in our Pest Control aisle.

Related

Visit Mr. Mc’s Market

📍 1901 E 21st St N
Wichita, KS 67214

📞 (316) 265-9930

📧 admin@mrmcsmarket.com

🕐 Open 9 AM – 9 PM, 7 days a week

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Best Stink Bait Recipes & DIY Variations for Kansas Catfish

Mr. Mc’s Magical Catfish Stink Bait is made in our facility — but if you want to mess around with DIY stink bait at home, here are recipes that work for Kansas channel cats. Fair warning: it stinks. That’s the point.

Why Make Your Own?

Three reasons:

  • Cheap — basic ingredients cost pennies per jar
  • Customizable — adjust scent profile to local conditions
  • Fun — kids love it (then they smell terrible)

That said, commercial stink bait has its place — see why at the end.

Recipe 1: Classic Cheese Bait (Punch Bait Style)

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs sharp cheddar (block, not pre-shredded — has no anti-cake additives)
  • 1 lb chicken livers
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup garlic powder
  • 1/4 cup anise extract (optional, adds licorice scent cats like)

Method:

  1. Cut cheese into chunks. Let sit at room temp for 2-3 days in a sealed bag until soft and pungent
  2. Blend chicken livers in a food processor (use one you don’t love — it’ll never smell right again)
  3. Mix all ingredients in a 5-gallon bucket with a stick
  4. Cover and let “cure” outside in the sun for 5-7 days, stirring daily
  5. Store in screw-top jars

Recipe 2: Wheaties & Garlic (Dough Bait Style)

Ingredients:

  • 2 boxes Wheaties cereal
  • 1 can chicken broth
  • 4 tbsp garlic powder
  • 2 tbsp anise extract
  • 2 tbsp ground catfish food (sinking pellets, crushed)

Method:

  1. Crush Wheaties to powder
  2. Mix dry ingredients
  3. Slowly add chicken broth, mixing until dough-like (firm enough to stay on a hook but soft enough to mold)
  4. Form into balls, store in fridge in plastic bags

Use within a week — doesn’t keep as long as cheese-based bait.

Recipe 3: Pure Catfish Funk (Old Timer Recipe)

This is the recipe your grandfather’s brother-in-law swears by. Don’t make it indoors.

Ingredients:

  • Old fish heads (you’ve been freezing for this purpose)
  • 2 lbs raw chicken
  • 1 box of cornflakes
  • Whatever Kool-Aid packet is in the cabinet (yes, really — adds color and flavor cats like)
  • Garlic powder, generous
  • Water as needed

Method: Grind everything together. Let sit in a sealed bucket outdoors for 7-10 days. Stir occasionally. Try not to throw up. The worse it smells, the better it fishes.

🤢 About the Smell

Real stink bait smells like rotting fish + cheese + garlic. That’s chemistry — catfish track amino acids and decay byproducts. The smell IS the bait working. Wear old clothes. Use a stick, not your hands. Wash up before you go inside.

What Makes Commercial Stink Bait Better (Sometimes)

DIY stink bait works. But commercial bait — and specifically Mr. Mc’s Magical Catfish Stink Bait — has advantages:

  • Consistent scent profile — same jar to jar, predictable performance
  • Better binding — won’t fall off the hook on hard casts or in current
  • Longer shelf life — properly cured commercial bait keeps for a year+
  • No prep time — buy jar, fish
  • No basement smell — your wife will thank you

For fishing weekends or guided trips, commercial wins. For tinkering and pride of catching on your own recipe, DIY wins.

Rigs & Tactics

Whether you use DIY or commercial bait, fishing technique is the same. See our stink bait rigging guide for the right rigs and beginner mistakes.

Related

Visit Mr. Mc’s Market

📍 1901 E 21st St N
Wichita, KS 67214

📞 (316) 265-9930

📧 admin@mrmcsmarket.com

🕐 Open 9 AM – 9 PM, 7 days a week

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Stocking Your Pond for Catch-and-Release vs. Eating: A Kansas Guide

Two ponds, same size, very different fish populations. The difference? One was stocked for catch-and-release, the other for the freezer. Here’s how to plan each.

Why It Matters

The fish you stock, the densities you choose, and the management you do afterward all depend on what you want OUT of the pond:

  • Catch-and-release pond — maximize fish per acre, prioritize fun fights, accept slower growth
  • Eating pond — prioritize fast growth, harvest schedule, larger plate-sized fish

You can’t optimize for both at once. Pick a strategy.

Catch-and-Release Pond — The Plan

🎣 Stocking Density

Higher: 1,500-2,000 fish/acre across all species. More fish = more action, fish stay smaller but you catch more.

🎣 Species Mix

Bluegill (heavy), bass (moderate), channel cats (light). NO crappie or carp.

🎣 Bluegill Role

Forage base AND target fish. Population stays self-sustaining if bass keep them in check.

🎣 Bass Role

Top predator, keeps bluegill in balance. Bigger bass = better catch-and-release thrill.

🎣 Catfish Role

Supplemental species. Channel cats grow fast, fight hard, fun on rod & reel.

🎣 Feed?

Optional. Feeder pellets accelerate growth + concentrate fish for easier catching. Many C&R pond owners skip.

Eating Pond — The Plan

🍴 Stocking Density

Lower: 800-1,200 fish/acre. Fewer fish = more food per fish = bigger fish to eat.

🍴 Species Mix

Channel catfish (heavy), bluegill (moderate), some bass. Skip largemouth if you want max catfish.

🍴 Catfish Role

Star of the show. Stocked at 200-300/acre. Grow to 2-3 lbs in two summers if fed.

🍴 Bluegill Role

Forage for bass + occasional pan-fry. Light stocking.

🍴 Bass Role

Optional. Some owners skip bass entirely to avoid bass-vs-catfish food competition.

🍴 Feed?

YES. Daily floating catfish pellets. Cuts grow-out time in half.

📅 Harvest Schedule for Eating Ponds

Year 1: don’t harvest, let fish grow. Year 2: light harvest, take fish over 14″ only. Year 3: regular harvest. Replace stock every 3-4 years to maintain population.

Stocking Order for Both

Regardless of strategy, follow this order:

  1. Bluegill first — in spring at 55-65°F water
  2. Channel catfish same year — they don’t reproduce in stock ponds, so density is what you put in
  3. Bass — wait 1 full year — let bluegill spawn at least once before adding predators

For full timing/quantities see our Spring Pond Stocking guide.

Common Mistakes

  • Adding crappie — they overpopulate small ponds, stunt out, ruin everything else
  • Adding carp — they uproot vegetation, muddy the water, never go away
  • Putting bass in too early — they eat all the bluegill before bluegill can spawn
  • Not aerating in summer — Kansas heat + low oxygen = fish kills
  • Not testing the water — pH, ammonia, oxygen. Cheap test kits prevent big problems.

Supplies at Mr. Mc’s

Fingerlings (when in season), feed, aerators, water test kits, algae control, de-icers — all in our Pond Supplies aisle.

Related

Visit Mr. Mc’s Market

📍 1901 E 21st St N
Wichita, KS 67214

📞 (316) 265-9930

📧 admin@mrmcsmarket.com

🕐 Open 9 AM – 9 PM, 7 days a week

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Why African Black Soap Outperforms Drugstore Soap (And How to Use It)

If you’ve never used real African black soap, you’re missing out on what skin care looked like before chemicals. Here’s why it works, what to look for, and how to use it without drying your skin out.

What African Black Soap Actually Is

Real African black soap (also called ose dudu, alata samina, or anago samina depending on the region) comes from West Africa — primarily Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, and Benin. It’s made from:

  • Plantain skin ash — high in vitamins A and E
  • Cocoa pod ash — antioxidants
  • Palm tree leaf ash — adds saponins
  • Shea butter — moisturizing
  • Palm kernel oil or coconut oil — fatty acids for cleansing
  • Water + sometimes honey

That’s it. No fragrance, no dyes, no synthetic preservatives.

Why It Works

The combination of ashes (alkaline) + oils (fatty acids) produces natural saponification — soap. The plant ashes carry vitamins and minerals. The shea butter prevents the soap from being harsh.

Compare to drugstore soap: chemical surfactants, fragrance, dyes, parabens, preservatives, foaming agents — your skin reacts to all of them.

What It Treats

🌿 Acne

Gentle exfoliation + antibacterial. Often works where benzoyl peroxide failed without the drying side effects.

🌿 Eczema

The lipids in shea butter and the lack of fragrance reduce flare-ups for many people.

🌿 Hyperpigmentation

Over weeks, the gentle exfoliation evens skin tone.

🌿 Dry skin

Sounds counterintuitive but black soap cleans without stripping the natural moisture barrier.

🌿 Razor bumps

Reduces inflammation between shaves.

🌿 Scalp health

Yes, you can use it on your hair/scalp — it doubles as a clarifying shampoo.

⚠️ Real Black Soap vs. Fake

Real black soap is irregular, soft-to-crumbly, dark brown to black, smells earthy (not perfumed). “Black soap” bars in pretty packaging that smell like flowers and have a perfectly smooth surface are usually just dyed regular soap. Check ingredients — should be 4-7 natural items, no chemicals.

How to Use It (Without Drying Out)

  1. Start gentle — use 2-3x per week for the first 2 weeks, not daily
  2. Wet hands and the bar/paste, work into a lather between your hands first
  3. Apply lather to face/body, don’t rub the bar directly on skin (too abrasive)
  4. 30-60 seconds of contact, then rinse with cool water
  5. ALWAYS follow with a moisturizer — shea butter, coconut oil, or your usual lotion
  6. Increase frequency as your skin adjusts — most people end up at daily use

Common Mistakes

  • Using it daily from day one — overdoes it, dries skin
  • Skipping moisturizer — black soap cleans deep, you have to replace the moisture
  • Rubbing the bar directly — too rough, especially on face
  • Buying fake “black soap” — read ingredients, look for the real thing
  • Expecting overnight results — give it 4-6 weeks for skin clarity changes

Where to Buy Real Black Soap in Wichita

Mr. Mc’s Market stocks authentic African black soap (Dudu Osun, Anago, raw paste, and bar versions) in our African hair & skin care section. Stop in — we’ll show you the difference between real and fake.

Related

Visit Mr. Mc’s Market

📍 1901 E 21st St N
Wichita, KS 67214

📞 (316) 265-9930

📧 admin@mrmcsmarket.com

🕐 Open 9 AM – 9 PM, 7 days a week

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What to Stock in a Wichita Storm Pantry: Kansas Tornado Season Prep

Wichita sits in the heart of Tornado Alley. April through June brings the worst storms, but winter ice storms cut power just as fast. Here’s a no-nonsense storm pantry guide — what to actually keep, what’s a waste of money.

Water — The Most Important

Minimum: 1 gallon per person per day, for 3 days. Family of 4 = 12 gallons.

  • Cases of bottled water (last 2 years sealed)
  • Plus 1-2 five-gallon jugs for general use
  • Rotate every 12 months
  • Don’t trust “fill the bathtub when the storm warning hits” — bathtubs leak water out the overflow in 6-12 hours

Food — 3 to 7 Days of Shelf-Stable Meals

Mix categories so you don’t get tired of one thing.

Canned proteins (no cooking required)

  • Canned chicken, tuna, salmon
  • Canned beans (black, pinto, kidney, chili)
  • Canned soups (heat-and-eat, but they’re fine cold)
  • Peanut butter (jar lasts 1+ year)

Carbs

  • Crackers, tortillas, instant rice
  • Cereal (eat dry if no milk)
  • Instant oatmeal packets
  • Granola bars, protein bars

Fruits & Vegetables

  • Canned fruit (peaches, pears, pineapple)
  • Canned vegetables (corn, green beans, peas)
  • Dried fruit (raisins, cranberries)

Dairy alternatives

  • Shelf-stable milk (boxes in pantry aisle)
  • Powdered milk
  • UHT-treated almond/oat milk

🍴 Don’t Forget a Can Opener

Manual can opener. Battery-powered ones die when you need them. $5 at Mr. Mc’s — buy two, keep one in the storm kit.

Cooking Without Power

  • Grill or smoker (already in the backyard) — most Wichita homes have one. Burn through any meat in the freezer that’s thawing
  • Camp stove / propane stove — boil water, heat soup
  • Sterno / canned heat — emergency option for inside use (ventilate)
  • NEVER use a gas grill or generator indoors — carbon monoxide kills

Light & Power

  • Flashlights — one per family member, plus 1 in each room
  • Batteries (AA, AAA, D) — fresh, not pulled from a junk drawer
  • Battery-powered or crank lantern
  • Phone power banks — charged and ready
  • Hand-crank or battery weather radio (NOAA-band)
  • Candles + lighters (use carefully)

First Aid & Meds

  • Pre-built first aid kit + extras (Band-Aids, gauze, tape, antiseptic)
  • Pain reliever (Tylenol, ibuprofen)
  • Antidiarrheal, antihistamines
  • Prescription meds — 7-day supply ahead
  • Glasses backup pair if you wear contacts

The Wichita-Specific Storm Bag

  • NOAA weather radio — Wichita sirens warn for incoming tornadoes but the radio gives detail
  • Helmet or bike helmet per family member — for the basement during tornado warnings
  • Mattresses/heavy blankets at the basement entrance — for cover from flying debris
  • Pet food + carrier — don’t leave pets behind
  • Important documents in a waterproof bag — IDs, insurance, deed copies
  • Cash — ATMs don’t work without power

Pick Up Storm Supplies at Mr. Mc’s

Most of this stock list — bottled water, canned food, candles, batteries, lanterns, flashlights, can openers, prescription pet food, first aid basics — is on our regular shelves. Shop online or stop in.

When storm warnings are forecast for Wichita: shelves clear fast. Stock the pantry NOW, in calm weather. Don’t wait for the watch.

Related

Visit Mr. Mc’s Market

📍 1901 E 21st St N
Wichita, KS 67214

📞 (316) 265-9930

📧 admin@mrmcsmarket.com

🕐 Open 9 AM – 9 PM, 7 days a week

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Memorial Day to Labor Day Cookout Calendar (Wichita Edition)

Wichita summer = cookout season. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day you’ll throw or attend half a dozen of them. Here’s the cheat sheet — what to grill, how much to buy, what sides actually disappear, and when to order ahead.

📅 Memorial Day Weekend (Late May)

Vibe: Kicks off summer. Crowds of 10-30 at most backyard cookouts. Casual.

What to grill: Hot dogs + hotlinks (everyone), burgers, occasionally ribs if someone’s serious.

Quantities (15 adults): 30 hot dogs/links, 20 burgers, 2 racks ribs (optional), 5 lbs sides x 3 varieties.

Order ahead: Buy meat by Friday. Bigger ribs orders — Wednesday.

📅 Father’s Day (June 21)

Vibe: Family-only, intimate. Often outdoors. Dad’s grilling but YOU bought the meat.

What to grill: Whatever dad loves. Often: ribeyes, ribs, brats. The food matters less than the gesture.

Gift angle: See our Father’s Day gift guide — tackle baskets, hotlink coolers, custom baskets.

📅 4th of July

Vibe: Biggest cookout of summer. 20-50 people not unusual. All-day grazing.

What to grill: The whole spread. Hotlinks, burgers, hot dogs, ribs, chicken, sausage. Variety wins.

Quantities (30 adults): 60 hot dogs/links, 40 burgers, 4 racks ribs, 6 lbs sides x 4 varieties.

Drinks: Triple your normal drink count. Hot weather + long day = empty cooler by 6 PM.

Order ahead: 4th of July is HEAVY at every grocery store. Order by Sunday for Wed/Thu pickup.

🇺🇸 Mr. Mc’s is Open on the 4th

While many shops close, we’re open 9 AM to 9 PM. Grab forgotten ice, lighter fluid, hotlinks, or that one side dish someone bailed on bringing.

📅 Random Summer Weekends (June–August)

The casual “had a few friends over” cookouts. 6-15 people. Throw together in a few hours.

What to grill: Whatever’s in the freezer + a quick run to Mr. Mc’s for fresh hotlinks and ice. Brats + sauerkraut is a chef’s-kiss easy throw.

📅 Labor Day (Early September)

Vibe: Closing summer down. Mixed feelings. Often a bit smaller than 4th of July but with more reflection.

What to grill: Last-burst-of-summer specialties. Smoked brisket. Whole chickens on the rotisserie. Fancy sausages.

Order ahead: Specialty meats (brisket, whole birds) — 5+ days. Hotlinks and basics — day before.

Cookout-Long Survival Tips

  • Buy 50% more ice than you think. Wichita summer + outdoor cooler = ice melts twice as fast.
  • Cooked food stays out max 2 hours. 1 hour if temps are above 90°F. Refrigerate or toss.
  • Pre-cook ribs at home, finish on the grill. Best for big crowds — less stress, better consistency.
  • Always have a vegetarian option. Even if it’s just grilled veggies on a foil pack. Hosts who forget look thoughtless.
  • Hotlinks are the universal favorite. If you only buy one meat, buy hotlinks.

Want Someone Else to Handle It?

Fat Boyz catering does cookout spreads — full BBQ trays delivered hot or take-and-bake. Saves the host from spending 12 hours over a grill.

Related

Visit Mr. Mc’s Market

📍 1901 E 21st St N
Wichita, KS 67214

📞 (316) 265-9930

📧 admin@mrmcsmarket.com

🕐 Open 9 AM – 9 PM, 7 days a week