Here’s a “Do Just One Thing” Hall of Fame tip. There are many unusual and clever tricks to keep squirrels from raiding the bird feeder in your backyard. But one simple item really works: red pepper flakes. Rodents like squirrels hate the spicy, sharp taste of red paper flakes and quickly learn to avoid stealing the seeds. Our feathered friends, on the other hand, can’t detect heat from red paper flakes and will devour them along with the seed. And if another animal ingests red pepper flakes, they may not like the taste, but it won’t hurt them, either.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Here’s a simple way to save water: Stop pre-rinsing your dishes and cups before you put them in the dishwasher. Modern dishwashers are designed to be as energy- and water-efficient as possible, so they are a much greener option than washing by hand. And the dishwashing tablets we use today are also far more effective than detergents from the past. The tablets use formulations that activate when they interact with grease, grime and food debris on your dishes. If your dishes are too clean, the excess detergent will attack the top-rack items, leaving scratches and marks on glassware.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Adding mulch is a great way to lock in moisture and block sunlight so weeds don’t overtake your garden, but avoid over-mulching. If the mulch is too deep, it can create too sterile of an ecosystem that is normally fed by things like fallen leaves and other debris. Plus, birds often look for food like insects in the soil, and too much mulch can prevent birds from finding those much-needed food sources.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION