Quick Tip

To remove fine scratches from glass (windows, eyewear, drinking glasses). polish the item gently with toothpaste.

 

Fire With Fire

Hi Andy, I have several trees in my garden and most of them have a lot of red ants. What can I do to keep them out of my garden? I don’t like using some chemicals because of the other animals. Thank you very much for your advice.
Regards Walter

Red ants (fire ants), or mot daeng as they are called here, are common, Walter, and they probably will do little harm to your trees. There are several things you can try to reduce their number or eliminate them completely, if only temporarily. Many branded products destroy red ants or act as a repellent, but if you’re opposed to using insecticides, here are a few suggestions. Put some laundry bleach in a spray bottle and spray it directly on the ants, on the trees, and on the ant mounds (those little hills of fine, dry soil around your garden and probably at the base of the trees). Actually it’s a good idea to pummel those dirt mounds first, being careful not to allow the ants to attack and bite you. Make sure to spray all of the ants; they should die within minutes. When you are sure they all are dead, hose down the areas you’ve sprayed to wash away the bleach. If bleach is too strong an application for you, use boiling water instead. It’s not 100 percent effective, but neither is anything else. The scalding will encourage the ants to relocate—away from the trees and out of your garden. The best time to scald the ants is right after it rains, when most ants are near the surface and vulnerable. Another alternative is covering the area with peppermint or peppermint extract in water; place leaves on the mounds and / or spray the liquid on trees and all infested areas. Finally, you could try sprinkling cinnamon or instant coffee granules on all surfaces; those substances reportedly act as deterrents. Whatever method you use—from bleach to coffee grounds, or even insecticides—expect the ants to return at some point. Perhaps after the next rain, perhaps in a year. Then you will have to repeat the eradication process.

Shake it Up

I haven’t done much painting in my lifetime, Andy, and I’m not good with using a paint brush. So when I must paint something I usually rely on spray paint in a can. My only problem with it is consistency. I notice the paint I spray on one day doesn’t always match the color of paint I sprayed the day before—even from the same can of paint. Can you help?

Edmund

Spray paint is convenient and can be quite a time saver, Edmund. However, it must be used properly. The pigments in spray paint cans tend to settle at the bottom during storage (even after only a few hours). Insufficient mixing often results in an uneven color. To help mix the paint thoroughly, manufacturers put a small metal ball in the can. So here’s what you do: shake the can back and forth vigorously until you hear the ball rolling. Then shake the can laterally (sideways) so the ball rolls around the bottom. Since the paint is settled on the bottom, this will help mix it thoroughly. The first time you use a new can of spray paint, shake it for a minute or two. If you will be putting it aside then using it later on the same day, shake the can again—this time for about 30 seconds to a minute.

Sink Hole

Andy, my husband and I awakened yesterday morning to find that our home was flooded overnight. A water pipe under the bathroom sink burst and continuously poured water for hours. It spread throughout every room. We’re still trying to estimate how much the damage will cost. So far it’s immeasurable; almost everything was destroyed. We had a plumber (among other repairmen) in this morning, and he said we probably could have avoided the flood if we had periodically checked the pipes or had a plumber inspect it from time to time. I send this to as a warning to your readers. Any thoughts?

Patti

I’m sorry for your loss, Patti, and I compliment your plumber for his excellent advice. While you cannot avoid all such mishaps, you can reduce their number and severity through preventive maintenance and inspection. Most important is to periodically check for leaks—something you can do yourself in only a minute or two. Look under all sinks for leaks from supply pipes and waste pipes; the areas should be totally dry. Also check for rust on the bottom of enameled steel sinks and for water damage to the countertop. To preclude water damage to countertops, vanities, floors, walls and ceilings because of a leaking sink, it’s wise to monitor those locations for any signs of change. Avoid storing cleaning chemicals under your sink; they can corrode pipes. Here are some steps you should take: 1) Check the supply pipes–the two narrow ones that bring the water to the faucet. Look for water leaks from the pipes themselves, especially the fittings where the pipes fasten to the faucet. Also look for leaks at the shut-off valves. If there is a leak is at a fitting, clean and tighten the parts. If the leak is at a soldered joint that requires a torch, hire a plumber to make repairs. 2) Check the large pipe that carries away used water. Look for leaks where it connects to the bottom of the sink and all along the pipe. Clean and tighten any leaking parts. 3) Use a screwdriver to gently probe the edges of the countertop from below. Soft areas indicate that a leak is causing the countertop to deteriorate. 4) If you have enameled steel sinks, check the underside, especially around the overflow outlet.

Driving Vision

I read your reply to Ken regarding the dangers of electricity in Pattaya [Pattaya Today Jan. 17, 2010]. Good reply! Couldn’t have said it better! Also, I received these tips in an e-mail. They don’t apply to ‘household tips’, but I think they are useful and few people are aware of them.

Blaine

In a heavy downpour, motorists usually set their windshield (windscreen) wipers on ‘high’ or ‘fast’ speed to improve visibility. Too often that doesn’t solve the problem.

A better approach is to put on your sunglasses. (Any model will do.) The tinted lenses provide a virtually clear view of the road ahead–as if there is no rain. Of course, you still see the raindrops on the windshield, but not the sheet of rain falling. Sunglasses also work to reduce the ‘blindness’ created by sprays from passing trucks and the ‘kick-up mist’ from vehicles in front of you. Rain or shine, always keep a pair of sunglasses in your car.

–Handy Andy