Birdseed under feeders turns into weeds

Dear Heloise: Is there a way to keep the birdseed in my bird feeders from making a thatch of weeds underneath them when the birds drop some? Perhaps microwaving it? I’m tired of the weeds! Brea in California

Backyard bird feeding and watching is a billion-dollar hobby for many! It is so enjoyable to watch the little visitors busy at feeders or drinking at birdbaths. But the dropped seeds do present a problem!

Here are some suggestions to try:

•Rake the area under the feeder at least once a week to keep seeds from germinating.

•Use shelled sunflower seeds or other seeds with no hulls.

•Put heavy weighted plastic down.

And, speaking of bird feeding, here is a hint from Dottie Rose of Colorado Springs, Colo., about protecting birds from her cat, Socks.

She says: “I love my bird feeder and get hours and hours of pleasure watching all the busy activity that goes on. My cat is a hunter and scares my feathered friends away every chance he gets. I put a small bell on his collar as a bird warning. Now any bird he stalks hears the bell and flies away unharmed.” Heloise

Dear Heloise: When our dog got too old and arthritic to run down to the basement to hide during a thunderstorm, he would frantically run around the main floor and couldn’t be calmed down, even with drugs. Plus, drugs left him hung over the next day.

We solved the problem by blocking him in an interior hall with all of the doors shut and a soft light on. We put his bed, a toy, a ticking clock and a radio quietly playing classical music in with him.

The light and closed doors lessened the contrast between the dark sky and lightning. He felt safe and immediately settled down in the hall and had peaceful nights there during storms — no drugs necessary. I hope this hint helps other people and their dogs. Carole, Omaha, Neb.

Oh my! I know what you are talking about. We had a sweet golden retriever, J.D., who absolutely freaked out during severe storms. He would come inside and hunker down in the den just shaking. Drugs did help him sometimes. Heloise

Dear Readers: Christine Belesky of Brick, N.J., sent a picture of her cat, Sadie Lady, who looks like she is stuck to the door, but actually she is jumping up while chasing a moth! We can call her a high jumper!

To see Sadie Lady, visit www.Heloise.com. Heloise

Dear Readers: Gerbils are a popular pet, and they love to burrow and chew. Cut a hole in a small, empty cracker or cereal box or in a paper-towel roll. Put these in the cage and watch your gerbil crawl through the holes and enjoy the new toy. Add some tissue, and they will shred it and make a nest. Heloise

• Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.

King Features Syndicate