Tips to stop destructive squirrels in their tracks

There are a bunch of ways to keep these cute critters from digging in potted plants

Q Squirrels have already started digging in my outdoor pots. How can I get rid of them?

A What works for one squirrel will not necessarily work for them all. Here are some effective solutions to try.

Begin by distracting your furry friends with a bowl of storebought food made specifically for them. Place the bowl far enough away from the pots but close enough that they will see their food.

Wrap chicken wire over plant pots and make holes for the plants; they are unable to chew through wire.

Or secure large rocks over the soil making sure they cannot lift the rocks. Human hair, blood meal, dog fur and fox urine are options, but seem to lose their effectiveness after a few weeks.

Here is one of my all-time favourite solutions for squirrels who like to dig: Push the handle of several plastic forks straight down into the soil, squirrels don’t like the feeling of plastic fork tines on their cute little feet.

Q I have a problem with sow bugs in my basement and garage.

A Sow bugs are a real problem in places where moisture and humidity are high. To find out where sow bugs are entering, look near (or in) floor drains or nearby damp wood such as panelling or baseboards.

Also check underneath that cardboard box in the basement you haven’t moved in quite some time.

Are you able to caulk openings and put in weather stripping wherever needed? A perimeter pesticide spray may help break the cycle for a short time but will not eliminate the problem permanently.

Remember, if you don’t solve the moisture problem, the bugs will return no matter which chemicals you use.

You may reduce the population by sprinkling a small amount of diatomaceous earth, boric acid or borax and icing sugar around the house and in cracks (toxic for pets and small children).

Also, note that damp or wet mulch will encourage insects, especially if it is not kept below the level of the building siding or stucco. Often pest control professionals suggest keeping mulch levels low around foundations.

Glue boards work quite well at catching sow bugs but will also trap other bugs. A dehumidifier and lots of proper ventilation helps.

Q What’s the trick to baking a pie crust so that it doesn’t shrink down in the pie plate while baking ?

A Some people freeze pie crusts before putting them into the oven, but here is an easy alternative. Place your dough into the pie plate and trim away the excess.

Line the pie dough with foil or parchment and fill the plate with dried beans or rice to weigh down the crust and keep it from shrinking. Bake 10 minutes or until the crust is firm.

Remove from oven and gently remove foil, taking care not to tear the crust.

Prick the crust with a fork, brush with egg white and bake another five minutes or until it is pale gold in colour. Cool.

Or put another pie plate the same size on top of a piece of parchment paper on the dough in your pie plate. Bake for a few minutes until the dough holds its shape; remove the second plate.

Q My children hate eating breakfast. It’s a fight every morning to get them to put something in their mouths.

Any suggestions for something quick that they can shove in their mouths before they head out the door?

A Yes, absolutely, sounds like you are living my life. None of my kids like breakfast and yet it’s my favourite meal of the day.

The following recipe is easy, healthy, cheap, and best of all you can store it in your fridge or freezer and the kids can grab it before they leave.

Into a food processor mix together:

1 cup (250 ml) quick oats

2 tbsp (30 ml) peanut butter

1 cup (250 ml) assorted nuts

2 tbsp (30 ml) coconut oil

1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) vanilla

Form into balls and freeze. The nuts can be toasted before processing, if desired. You can add 1/2 cup (125 ml) dark chocolate chips if that helps entice them.

BEST TIP OF THE WEEK

“Stressed backward spells desserts, so eat chocolate instead of worrying.” A quote by Reena Nerbas

Note: 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.