QUESTION: I’m looking for a green and inexpensive way to keep squirrels from digging in my plant pots! Our neighbours constantly feed the squirrels peanuts which they bury in my newly planted flower pots (ruining the new plants). I am aware of a product called ‘Critter Ridder’ which you can sprinkle in pots, but it is very expensive, and I’m not sure how healthy it is? I wondered about egg shells? Thank you, I love your column! Deenie, (Mitchell, MB)
ANSWER: I understand your frustration keeping in mind that like all wildlife, squirrels are part of a healthy ecosystem and thus deserve tolerance and respect.
Your first step is to talk with your neighbours and tell them your dilemma because they are helping to make the yards around you very inviting to squirrels. In order for you to make your yard less appealing, eliminate any sources of water and incidental food, such as seed from a bird feeder or open dishes of dog food. Fencing off the area where your flower pots are displayed is effective and you may also want to place a plastic owl near pots to keep squirrels away. Squirrels also discover flower bulbs while digging for nuts so lay chicken wire on or under soil to make burying discouraging to squirrels.
Place lots of rocks in each pot to make them less appealing to squirrels. If you wish to purchase a commercial squirrel away product buy something that contains capsaicin (the active ingredient in peppers). You will find these products at garden and hardware stores. Or make your own repellent by filling a large pot with one gallon of water, 5 tbsp. lemon peel (fresh or dried), 4 tbsp. crushed black pepper, 20 black peppercorns, 8 tbsp lemon juice, 4 tbsp. red chilli pepper flakes, 5 tbsp. ground red chilli powder. Strain and pour into a spray bottle. Ventilate and boil for about an hour on the stove (good idea to put the fan on as it smells nasty) then let it cool to room temperature. Pour it into the gallon jug without straining out the solids. While wearing gloves, spray recipe onto plants (test on plants first), reapply after rain.
As a last resort feed the squirrels or put out squirrel food and maybe they will leave your flowers alone. In terms of adding egg shells to soil, this probably won’t keep squirrels away but it will do wonders for your pots because egg shells add calcium to soil as they compost.
QUESTION: Our bedroom in the basement has a musty odour and I am wondering how to get rid of it. I laundered the bedding and it still smells. Thanks, Sharon (St. Malo, MB)
ANSWER: It sounds like you need to install a dehumidifier to combat the moisture build-up in your basement. Soak the bedding in either washing soda, vinegar or borax and water and then launder as usual. Or toss the linens onto the grass on a rainy day.
QUESTION: I am wondering if you have an eco friendly solution using dish soap to get rid of dandelions. I had a formula written somewhere but can’t find it. I would appreciate any help you can give. Thanks, Shirley, Winnipeg
ANSWER: The best way to get rid of dandelions is to dig them out once and for all. However with a vast population of the yellow flower you may want to find a less labour intensive answer. The following recipe is effective at killing dandelions but be aware, this solution will kill anything that it comes into contact with not just dandelions: Into a spray bottle combine 4 cups white vinegar, half cup salt and 2 tbsp. dish soap. This is also an effective weed killer against annual and perennial weeds such as; foxtail, velvetleaf, smooth pigweed and thistle. It works in the garden or greenhouse.
When applied to weed foliage, the acid in the vinegar acts as a contact herbicide that kills the plants but does not persist in the soil or cause water or other pollution. For older perennial weeds, you may need to apply vinegar more than once. For a more aggressive recipe visit you local gardening centre to purchase vinegar with stronger acetic acid content. Leftover water from boiled potatoes also makes excellent weed killer for patios and paths. Taken from Household Solutions1 with Substitutions
Fabulous Tips for a successful garage sale:
1. Price everything, garage sale shoppers don’t like to ask for prices. Worse yet, if it’s busy, they might not be able to get your attention to ask for a price. It’s better to have a price for everything, even if it’s color-coded stickers. Just make sure that you have a big sign telling everyone what price each color stands for.
2. Do NOT use a cash box. Carry your money with you at ALL times. If you do not own a money belt use a cheap cloth apron/utility belt from the local hardware store. It works beautifully.
3. To make your own signs use paper grocery bags to draw your signs on then fill the bottom with heavy rocks, stuff with newspaper and staple shut. These are easy to make, portable signs that you can just place on the ground. Use a permanent marker and make the lettering extra, extra wide. The yard sale signs that look like they were written with a ballpoint pen are difficult to read.
I enjoy your questions and tips, keep them coming! Check out my website! www.householdsolutions.org
Reena Nerbas is the author of the national best sellers, “Household Solutions 1 with Substitutions”, “Household Solutions 2 with Kitchen Secrets” and the BRAND NEW “Household Solutions 3 with Green Alternatives” available on-line and in stores across Canada.
