QUESTION: Your "Fantastic Tip of the Week" in regards to getting rid of rodents certainly makes sense. I live in East St. Paul, and we are invaded by chipmunks and they create havoc in my garage. So I'll put your tip into practise, and hope it works. It should, because it makes an awful lot of sense.
Now we also have a cat problem. We have lived 22 years at the same address and this last spring, we noticed for the first time two stray cats coming into our yard on a regular basis. They have started using our flower beds as, you guessed it, their toilet and we do not like that. So I was wondering if by any chance you would also have a tip to get rid of those cats or to prevent them from using our flower bed as a public washroom. Thank you. Jean (East St. Paul, Man.)
ANSWER: Just like children, what works for one will not necessarily work for all. Continue experimenting with a variety of deterrents until you find the most effective solution for your visitors.
The No. 1 tip is to make your yard unattractive to cats by making digging difficult and uncomfortable. Bury chicken wire under the soil or top the soil with pinecones, flat rock or mulch. Position rose bush branches along the ground where cats like to step. If you do not have rose bushes, ask your local garden centre -- they may be willing to donate thorny branches. Alternatively, lay down or bury mats that have upward-facing points; cats don't like prickles. As well, make your yard unattractive to cats by planting a patch of catnip away from your yard or plant rue -- cats detest the smell.
Keep cats out of the garden by sprinkling coffee grounds or onions on the soil. Pet and garden stores sell a variety of products, such as predator urine and cat repellents, or you can make your own.
Cat repellent: Combine and sprinkle two parts cayenne pepper, three parts dry mustard and five parts flour. The drawback is you will need to reapply the mixture after rain. You could also purchase a motion-sensor sprinkler system, because most cats detest water.
QUESTION: We recently moved and our teak furniture was shrink-wrapped. We now have a sticky residue on our teak buffet and don't know how to safely remove it. Can you help us? Edith, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Teak is a tropical hardwood with a beautiful golden brown colour and needs to be cared for properly. In a ventilated area, brush on a layer of teak oil. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes. Wipe the surface with a cloth, making sure to spread the oil evenly so no pools of oil remain in one spot. Using a clean cloth, wipe the table and hopefully the sticky residue will be history.
Feedback from Manitobans who care:
Dear Reena:
I had a funky odour from my top-loader washing machine and tried vinegar, bleach and baking soda, along with wiping the top area of the drum, all to no avail. Then I started using dishwasher detergent and voila! Problem solved. (Use at your own risk.) Roger, Winnipeg
Reena Nerbas is the author of the national bestselling Household Solutions series. Her website is www.householdsolutions.org. You can contact her at Box 429, Blumenort, Man., ROA 0C0.
