★★★★★
Another use for cayenne pepper - Somewhat off piste for Earth Clinic but it may useful to know that cayenne pepper is a harmless and effective way of getting rid of field mice and shrews, which are looking for a warm indoor habitat in winter. Simply scatter a heavy dose of cayenne pepper close to the point of entry. The pepper makes the wee beasties sneeze and sends them scuttling off at top speed to find a more welcoming place to nest over winter. It works a treat!
Ants
★★★★★
Deirdre from Atlanta, GA writes: "Okay, ant remedy update:
Neither chili powder nor borax powder stopped the trail of ants from coming inside. I thought sprinkling chili powder along their path was a winning remedy, but the ants simply went around the powder and marched on inside. I even saw a few ants walk right through the chili powder too. Wow!
What worked phenomenally well and almost immediately, was clove oil! I located the area just outside on the doorstep where ants were trailing in and added 5 drops of pure clove oil to the area. Then I added a drop of clove oil here and there along the kitchen countertop where a few remaining ants were lingering. Potent stuff. No sign of ants.
Am very glad not to have to use ant bait as I hate the thought of destroying an entire colony.
Ants
Kate from Marietta, Ga writes: "I use dry molasses on the fire ant mounds that pop up around my yard. It doesn't kill them, it simply chases them away. If they move to another spot close by, I add more. You can also try regular ol molasses by diluting it in hot water first. Haven't tried it, but it might work. I found my dry molasses online at an organic gardening supply shop.
