Reena Nerbas’s homemade wasp and mosquito repellents

Dear Reena: Do you have any ideas regarding how to keep wasps away? Douglas

If you notice wasps building a nest in the same space year after year, purchase an artificial wasp nest.

Or make your own by blowing up a brown paper lunch bag and closing it with a string. Wasps are territorial and don’t like to make their home where someone else already has.

If wasps are not bothering you, leave them alone. Knocking down a wasp nest is risky business; surviving wasps will be angry and may attack.

Also, they often rebuild nests in a new, nearby location. If you are desperate to remove a small nest, do so at night when they are sluggish.

While wearing protective clothing, pull the nest inside of a sealable plastic bag or coffee can. For large wasp nests, call in an expert.

Make your own wasp deterrent: In a spray bottle, combine 1 tsp dish soap and 1-2 cups water. Drop in 2-3 garlic cloves. Leave overnight. Spray clothes and skin with the repellent mixture to deter wasps as well as mosquitoes.

Or add 1 tsp dish soap to a bottle of Mountain Dew. Place the container away from the seating area and watch those wasps disappear.

Here is another option: Take an open can of tuna and lace it with borax. The wasps gobble up the tuna and will disappear in a few days. Wasps love garbage!

Dear Reena: Is it possible to remove name labels that institutions like personal care homes iron on or glue on the back of residents’ clothing? Jean

Have you tried lifting a corner and heating it with a hairdryer? Often this is all that is required to soften the glue, allowing the label to peel off. Other options are Goo Gone, WD-40 or rubbing alcohol.

Dear Reena: I’m trying to save money by making my own food from scratch whenever possible. Do you have an easy vinaigrette salad dressing recipe? Abby

Blend the following until smooth: 3 Tbsp red wine vinegar, one third cup olive (canola or vegetable) oil, 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard, 3/4 tsp minced garlic, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper and 2 Tbsp water. Pour onto lettuce.

Add flavour to the salad by including baked, sliced almonds, red onion and/or crumbled blue or Gorgonzola cheese.

Tips of the week

• Protect yourself from mosquitos with a handheld fan. The breeze helps keep them at bay. Jessica

• I put antiperspirant on the bottom of my feet before going outside to prevent my sandals from smelling bad. Heinrich

• I hold onto the silica gel packets that I get whenever I purchase a purse or shoes. Every time I store shoes in the basement (i.e. rollerblades, skates, cleats or boots) I place a packet inside to absorb odours. Lauren

• I liven up morning coffee by adding 1/2 tsp vanilla, cinnamon or almond extract to the brew. After I pour the coffee into the cup, I add a pinch of nutmeg. Yum! Myra

• I had some sutures on my face and wanted to keep them dry for a few days. I wondered how to wash my hair daily. I tried the following system and was amazed by the results: Soak a washcloth with soap and hot water. Wring out cloth and rub through hair. Repeat several times. Do the same with fresh hot water. Blow dry and presto! Lillian

Every user assumes all risks of injury or damage resulting from the implementation of any suggestions in this column. Test all products on an inconspicuous area first.

TIMES COLONIST Knocking down a wasp nest is risky; surviving wasps will be angry and may attack. Also, they often rebuild nests in a new, nearby location. If you are desperate to remove a small nest, do so at night when they are sluggish.