QUESTION: Do you have a "green" solution for repelling mice? We had mice problems last year and would rather repel them than kill them. We are rather low-income people. Linda, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Mice love peanut butter even more than cheese. Locate an 18-litre bucket with a lid. Cover the bucket and cut a 10-cm hole in the lid. Make a ramp so the mice can climb up and fall in. Spread peanut butter around the hole. Leave the bucket empty and, after they fall in, take them at least 10 kilometres from your home/camper before releasing them. You can also spread peanut butter on non-kill mouse traps. Or for inside, flatten an empty toilet paper roll; put peanut butter on one end, place the roll on the counter extending beyond the edge. Put a bucket on the floor underneath the counter, so the mouse will fall in.
Other mouse deterrents are the following fragrances: Irish Spring soap slivers, cotton balls sprayed with shaving cream and oil of peppermint and water sprayed around the home. Plant mint plants around the foundation of your home. If mice are getting into your home, block any holes with expandable foam or steel wool. If all that fails, get a cat.
QUESTION: My sister rented her home for the winter and the renter failed to remove a quart of milk from the fridge before she left. They have cleaned the fridge and there is still an odour (tried washing it with baking soda, vinegar, etc. and have had no luck. It still smells like sour milk). Can you help? Thanks. Lynette, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Begin by cleaning out the entire fridge once again with soap and water. Make sure you clean each area, including the backs of crisper drawers. Next, spray the fridge with straight vodka; this is an instant blast of pure odour reliever. Vodka carries no odour of its own but is amazing at zapping smells. If vodka is not an option, make a solution of one-quarter teaspoon dish soap, half-cup 3 per cent hydrogen peroxide and 2 tbsp. household ammonia. While wearing a mask, clean empty fridge thoroughly and leave for one hour with door closed. Rinse with clean water.
After the fridge is squeaky clean, fill with food and set one of the following on a shelf: A lime cut in half and squeezed into a little bowl, a bowl of vanilla or coffee grounds or water dampened charcoal. If the smell remains after a couple of days, stuff the entire fridge with crumpled-up newspaper. The ink in the paper is wonderful at absorbing odours.
