Dear Readers: Here are some easy ways to take care of many uninvited “pets” in your home – and the secret weapons are as close as your herb garden.

Did your grandmother ever put a bay leaf in her flour canister or rice bin? Or hang a small bundle of sage in a cupboard? Many herbs act as natural bug repellents. Here are a few old wives’ hints to use in your kitchen:

Keep ants away by hanging a small bundle of fresh sage wherever you store food. You can also put crushed peppermint leaves on shelves where ants tend to travel.

Cockroaches won’t want to stay around if you “paint” oil of peppermint on surfaces in problem areas (test first if you are concerned about putting the oil of peppermint on wood or another surface that it might stain).

Herb sachets might help to keep moths away from clothing. Simply fill the center of a 4-inch square piece of muslin with dried rosemary and tie into a bundle with some ribbon or twine. Place one in the bottom of each clothing drawer, and also tie a couple around the necks of hangers to help protect hanging clothes. – Heloise

TRAVEL HINT

Dear Heloise: Here are a few travel hints I’d like to share:

n Always carry a can of disinfectant spray or anti-bacterial spray to spray down the bathroom, remote control, doorknobs, etc.

n Rubber flip-flops worn as slippers in the shower can help prevent athlete’s foot.

n Bring your own small alarm clock – I can never figure out how the hotel-room alarm clock works. – Carol Azzaretti, Verona, N.J.

ARRANGEMENT ANCHOR

Dear Heloise: To keep potted flowers from blowing over in a cemetery, my florist friend suggested taking a wire coat hanger, cutting the bottom wire at one end and cutting 2 to 3 inches past the bend on the other end of the wire.

Next, put the “hooked” end on the edge of the pot and stick the long, straight end into the ground. Cut and use two or three of these for larger pots or arrangements. These serve as an anchor to hold the pot securely in place. – Jane Ellett, West Monroe, La.

SOAP REFILL

Dear Heloise: I bought a dish detergent in a foam dispenser, and it worked well. When it was empty, I added equal amounts of regular dish soap and water to the empty container and had a much cheaper and equally effective refill. – Kim in Maryland

Yup, this does work, although you might need to shake it up occasionally to mix.

WEED WHACKER

Dear Heloise: This is my first time writing to you, but I am a faithful reader. Here is a hint for people who use a weed whacker: Put on a pair of baseball or soccer shinguards. These are not pretty but will help prevent serious injury. – Larry Santangelo, New Brunswick, N.J.

Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, PO BOX 795000, San Antonio TX 78279-5000; fax: (210) HELOISE; e-mail: Heloise@Heloise.com; Web site:

www.heloise.com via : www.cantonrep.com