HINTS FROM HELOISE

COCKROACHES IN YOUR HOUSE?

Dear Readers: Most of us have experienced the problem of invasive cockroaches. Take action right away when you discover them. If you don't want to apply chemical pesticides to get rid of them, use this nontoxic, homemade remedy to get rid of these common household pests.

Mix equal parts boric acid powder and one of the following: flour, cornmeal or sugar. Then pour this mixture on yogurt or margarine lids and place them where you see the roaches. They will run through the mixture, and then when they clean their feelers and legs, they will ingest the poison. The boric acid powder will kill them, but it takes a little time.

WARNING: Make certain that your kids (or pets) do not come in contact with this powdery mixture. Let them know that they should stay away from it. -- Heloise

WINDOW CLEANING

Dear Readers: Windows in our homes do get dusty and dirty and need to be cleaned, a task we might dread doing. But here's a way to make them sparkle again. To clean, just mix 1/2 to 1 cup of white household vinegar with 1/2 gallon of water. Put the mixture in a spray bottle and spray the entire window surfaces with a liberal mount of the vinegar mix. Then dry well. The windows should be streak-free. You also can use this solution for the mirrors in your house. -Heloise PARKING HINT Dear Heloise: I saw a letter in your recent column where a lady had a problem finding her car in the parking lot. I've had that happen to me as well, but I have figured out a way around that!

When I park my car in an unfamiliar location, I try to remember to take a photo on my cellphone of something nearby, such as a street sign or parking lot indicator/location. It helps tremendously when trying to get back to my car. Maybe this could help someone else in the future. -- Patty, Waco, Texas