Dear Heloise: In one of your advisories regarding old medications, it was stated that taking them to the pharmacy drop-off was the only way we should dispose of them.

My husband takes a pain med that is a controlled substance, and each time it’s filled, there’s a packet called “Dispose Rx” to be used to dispose of any unused medication.

It’s simply a matter of adding water to the vial until it’s 2/3s full, emptying the powder into the vial, recapping it, and shaking it for 30 seconds. Then you safely discard it in the trash.

I was also advised by the pharmacist that this can also be used with any meds, not just controlled substances. Very handy. Love your column! — Cass T., Greensboro, North Carolina

Cass, this is an excellent way to dispose of medications; however, not all pharmacies do this. It would certainly be easier on the person taking the drug if they could dispose of the product at home. And it would be a great marketing tool for the pharmacy, too. — Heloise

SQUIRREL FOOD

Dear Heloise: A recent column included a letter about squirrel food. You wrote to never feed a squirrel cashews, sunflower seeds, dried corn or pine nuts. I’ve been feeding my squirrels corn, cashews and sunflower seeds. I was under the impression that these were good for them.

I have been feeding my backyard group of squirrels these products for some time now, and so far, the little furry guys seem to be doing OK.

P.S. I read your column everyday in the San Antonio Express-News. — Cody N., in San Antonio

Cody, the debate about whether to give sunflower seeds and/or corn to squirrels is ongoing. Corn isn’t high in nutritional value, and many sunflower seeds have salt, which can cause kidney problems for squirrels.

Sunflower seeds also lack a number of vitamins that squirrels need.

Anything containing onions or garlic can irritate their digestive system. Chocolate contains thobromine, which can kill a squirrel. After doing some research, I found that birdseed mix isn’t recommended because it contains corn. Squirrels will eat birdseed mix, but it’s not recommended.

However, squirrels love carrots and nuts such as almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts and pecans. They will also eat broccoli, peas, yellow squash and zucchini. Do not feed Brazil nuts, chestnuts or cashews (which are actually legumes) to squirrels.

If your little colony of squirrels is doing well, then you must be doing something right. My group of squirrels love fruit, so I chop up apples, berries, pears and other fruit to keep them happy and out of the bird feeder. — Heloise

TOMATO SAUCE TRICK

Dear Heloise: Have you ever noticed that water separates from tomatoes as tomato sauce simmers and thickens? A simple solution for this problem is arrowroot.

Mix a bit of it with cool water and carefully pour this around the edge of the sauce where the water collects. Stir it in, and the sauce stays blended to the last bite. — J.R.D., Claremore, Oklahoma

PRODUCE BAG TIP

Dear Heloise: Most of the stores in my area have moist sanitary wipes at their entrances. They were put there during COVID and are still there. I grab a few and put them in my cart. If I rub my fingers on the wipes, produce bags will open very easily. — J.A., Torrance, California

TWO HINTS IN ONE

Dear Heloise: I have two hints for you and your readers. Regarding unwanted charitable requests, most request letters will have a phone number. I found that a call to this number with a request to remove you from their mailing list is effective every time.

It’s a quick and easy method. You will be told that it takes some time to remove your name, but it will happen eventually. I have found everyone I talk to very friendly and helpful.

There has also been much discussion about the disposing of plastic bags. Many items come in plastic bags, and when they’re empty, I fill them with garbage and dispose them. But what do we usually do with them? We stuff them in another plastic bag (usually a grocery bag) and dispose of them altogether this way.

By using the original bag, you are cutting the amount of plastic bags in landfills by half. Thanks. — Dick Warren, Sheridan, Wyoming