Dear Readers: It's still hot in many parts of the country, and mosquitoes are out there! Here is a good plan for limiting or eliminating these summertime and potentially disease-carrying insects. Think Zika!
The American Mosquito Control Association, www.mosquito.org, suggests the Three D's:
- Drain standing water from roof gutters, tires and tarps. Change birdbath water often. Water is necessary for mosquitoes to breed.
- Dress in baggy white or light-colored clothing. Even though it's hot out, covering arms and legs is best.
- Defend your skin by using a repellent. Here are the suggestions from the Environmental Protection Agency:
- DEET (diethyltoluamide). Read the label carefully and adhere to all precautions regarding DEET. Ask your physician if you have concerns about using it for children.
- Picaridin.
- Oil of lemon eucalyptus or paramenthane-diol.
- IR3535.
The EPA (www.epa.gov) also recommends avoiding outdoor activities early in the morning and at dusk, when there can be lots of mosquito activity.
Play it safe when outdoors! Buzz, buzz, buzz!-Heloise
PET PAL
Dear Readers: Sharon S., via email, sent a picture of her "dandy fellow" Licorice, a bright-eyed, small, smiling, fawn-colored poodle wearing a dapper bow tie. Sharon adopted Licorice from a rescue group in 2012, and he's been a joy ever since!
To see Licorice, visit www.Heloise.com and click on "Pet of the Week."-Heloise
BUCKET LIST
Dear Heloise: Thank you for your helpful hints. Having one of my hints published is on my bucket list!
Under sink: I use a large tray to hold items. This makes it easier to clear a storage area when plumbing work is needed.
Recipes: Use a small, plastic snack bag to hold and protect a favorite recipe on an index card. A clothespin will hold the card in place as you work.
Household: Plastic aerosol caps can be reused to hold small objects around the house.
Thank you again for helping homemakers become more organized, and for being a credit to the great state of Texas!-Alice H., DeWalt, Texas
P.S.: We lost our post office. If this is printed, please use DeWalt as my location.
Alice, no post office?! Thank you for the beautiful words. I am honored to be from and born in the great state of Texas.-Heloise
'BIRD' IS THE WORD
Dear Readers: Pet birds are lovely but delicate creatures. Their systems can handle only specific foods. You may be giving your bird the wrong food.
From the files of Heloise Central, here are foods to avoid feeding your feathered friend:
- Dairy (although a tiny bit of cheese may be fine)
- Sugary and salty snacks
- Undercooked eggs
- Alcohol
- Raw onion or raw potato
- Raw red meat, poultry and fish.
Check with your veterinarian or avian specialist for more information.-Heloise
ZING'S THE THING
Dear Heloise: Instead of store-bought croutons, I crumble spicy tortilla chips on my lettuce salad for a delicious zingy flavor.-Mary J. in Los Angeles
King Features Syndicate