Hints From Heloise
Hints From Memory Lane
Heloise
The Roach Remedy
Dear Heloise:
My friend's place is infested with roaches, but she does not havethe money to call an exterminator. Do you have a solution forher? -
L.P., Via E-mail
I have just the answer. It doesn't costa lot to make, and there are no contracts to sign.
This roach-exterminating recipe might help rid your friend's houseof all her "unwanted guests."
All you need is:
· 1/4 cup solid shortening orbacon drippings
· 1/8 cup sugar
· 8 ounces powdered boric acid
· 1/2 cup flour
· 1/2 small onion, chopped (optional)
· Water
Cream together the sugar and shortening.Mix the boric acid, chopped onion and flour together and add tothe sugar/shortening mixture. Mix well, and add just enough waterto form a soft dough.
Shape into small balls, and put someinto inexpensive sandwich bags (do not close). Putting the roachbait in the opened plastic bags helps keep it from drying outso quickly.
Place these bait "bags" throughoutthe house where roaches have been seen - it won't take long beforeyour roach problem is just a bad memory. Check the roach-baitballs regularly, and when they dry and become hard, just replacethem with a fresh batch. CAUTION: Keep out of reach of childrenand pets. Boric acid can be harmful if ingested in large quantities,or even small amounts over a period of time. -
Heloise
P.S. You can also sprinkle boric acid behind the refrigeratoror in the backs of cabinets.
Travel Hint
Dear Readers:
When traveling in a foreign country (or even a new city) whereyou don't speak the language, before taking a taxi, grab a pieceof stationery or anything with the hotel's address on it. You'llbe sure to get back to the hotel by showing the driver the hotellogo and address. -
Heloise
Handy Hook
Dear Heloise:
A stick-on plastic hook is handy to place on the side of the toilettank to hang the toilet brush. This allows you to buy just a toiletbrush instead of those with the little case/holder, and it isless conspicuous, taking up no floor space. -
J. Furlow, Texarkana, Ark.
Address-Book Update
Dear Heloise:
Every year I get a new monthly reminder book, which includes aplace for addresses and telephone numbers. It's a pain to haveto rewrite all the information each year.
I make computer labels with addresses andtelephone numbers, which I then put in the book. The informationcan easily be changed by merely placing new labels over the old.
Labels can even be typed in larger letters,and copies can be printed for family and friends. It makes a greatgift, especially for older parents and relatives. -
Mary Lynn Fairchild, Rochester, Ill.
I, too, get a yearly pocket-size calendar,and years ago made a MASTER LIST on the computer. I just deleteor update info, print it, then cut and glue the list on blankpages. I know it sounds old-fashioned, but it works for me.
- Heloise