10/28/10

Mice have a genetic predisposition to be afraid of cats and avoid areas where they pick up their scent. If your home is cat-free, consider asking a friend or neighbor to groom their kitty and save a small bag of fur for you. You can sprinkle this fur along edges of the house or in cracks or crevices where mice might hide; the fur acts as a natural deterrent.

10/27/10

If you brew a cup of coffee each morning and wonder what to do with the cold java at the end of the day, consider giving a pick-me-up to your plants. Acidic soil-loving plants like azaleas, evergreens and rose bushes will soak it up. You can also mix your used coffee grounds into the soil or add it to the compost for a nutritional boost. Also consider adding cold coffee to the watering can when taking care of your indoor plants.

10/26/10

Many people like to boil a kettle of water to make a fresh cup of tea. If you're like me, you always end up with extra boiled water in the pot that goes wasted. So why not use the hot water to sterilize your toothbrushes while your cup of tea seeps? Simply hold your brush and pour some hot water over the bristles; this will kill any bacteria on the brush that could re-infect you with a cold.