Here's how not to get stung this summer

Dear Readers: Don't let bees and other stinging insects zap you this summer. I'll share some secret weapons to avoid getting stung. Most bees and other stinging insects only attack when they sense they're being threatened. To avoid getting stung:
Avoid bee-attracting products that contain perfumes, especially banana-scented products.
Wear clean, light-colored clothing and bathe daily. Sweat angers bees, and bright colors attract them.
Check for new nests outside during the warmer hours of the day. Bees are most active then.
Keep outdoor areas clean. Wasps thrive around discarded food in trash cans and picnic areas.
If a single stinging insect is flying around you, remain still or lie face down on the ground. Swinging or swatting at it could cause it to sting. If you are attacked by several stinging insects at the same time, run to get away from them. Bees release a chemical when they sting that alerts other bees to follow suit. Go indoors or jump into water as quickly as you can.
Dear Heloise: I travel alone from Florida to Wisconsin and back. When I leave, I have my itinerary on the front seat, attached to my living will. In case of an accident, I also have contacts on the bottom of the itinerary. Margy, The Villages, Fla.
Margy, it sounds to me like you are prepared, just in case. It is definitely better to be safe than sorry. Heloise
Dear Heloise: Being an amateur gardener as well as a saver of most things that might be reusable, I have found something to do with the plastic measuring cups that come in soap powders.
I have numerous African violets, most of which I have rooted myself. When leaves break off, I start new plants by rooting the leaves in small plastic pots that come with small bedding plants. These small pots sit perfectly in the plastic measuring cups for watering. I line them up, alternating the handles so more can fit in a small space in my rooting window.
Another use for the little measuring cups is to dip birdseed from the bags for bird feeders. Works for me.
I do hope these little reuse hints can be of assistance to others like myself who hate discarding things that can be used again in practical ways. Alabama Violet and Bird Lover, via e-mail
Dear Heloise: I use a few drops of light machine oil (like the kind used for sewing machines) on a cloth to clean my stainless-steel appliances, keep them shiny and wipe away dirt and smudges. Your appliances will stay smudge-free for months! Keep the cloth in a plastic bag and bring it out for a quick touch-up whenever needed. Sherry Ramaila, Thousand Oaks, Calif.
Send a great hint to: Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, Fax: (210) HELOISE or E-mail: Heloise@Heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate