If you’re looking for a highly effective and nontoxic way to control an ant infestation in your home, look no further than all-natural diatomaceous earth. First, what is it? It’s a powder that acts like silica, but it is made entirely from fossilized marine phytoplankton. It’s perfectly harmless to humans and animals, but it’s deadly to insects with an exoskeleton (like ants, bed bugs and fleas). All you do is sprinkle it where you see insects, and it’ll kill and repel. Just be sure to buy the “food grade” type at the store to get the truly safe variety.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Lilies can be beautiful flowers for floral arrangements, but they can also be deadly to cats. First, know the difference between benign and toxic ones: Peace, calla and Peruvian lilies can cause some irritation to cats if ingested, but they’re not deadly. It’s the so-called “true lilies,” like tiger, day, east and Japanese Show that can cause major problems for your cats if they chew on the petals. The toxins in these flowers can cause severe kidney failure and should be avoided in homes with cats.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

When you rinse fruits and veggies under a faucet, you’re actually making two mistakes: wasting water AND washing your produce incorrectly. The best method is to place your produce in a large bowl, fill it to the top with water and add a little white vinegar and baking soda, then let it sit for 10-15 minutes. The vinegar will help disinfect, the baking soda helps clean, and gravity will push dirt and debris to the bottom of the bowl. It’s effective and water-efficient.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION