Ask the Miserly Moms: Ant control and meals for one

Jonni McCoy, the “Miserly Mom,” shares her frugal tips on dealing with an ant invasion, making meals for one, and discusses getting ready for Y2K — and if it’s really necessary at all.

Ant control
Q:  Do you have an inexpensive way to get rid of those sugar ants (pharaoh ants) that are invading my kitchen and bathrooms?  I’ve tried those gel baits and other baits and they are expensive and are not working.  Please help! – Jan

A: We had a bad ant problem in our last home. Here is how we dealt with it. First, we followed the trail to where they were coming in from outside. Then we sealed that spot with hot glue gun or aerosol foam from the hardware store (some have even
used toothpaste). If you can, continue to follow the trail to the nest, then pour rubbing alcohol into the nest (keep pouring until the nest starts to overflow). This kills them on contact.

Go back and wipe their trail clean… they leave a scent for other ants to follow. Recipes for one
Q:  I am a mom of six, grandmother of fifteen and a great grandmother of one, and I thought I knew all the tricks but find myself at a loss now that I am retired and alone. I can’t seem to find recipes that are for one (and I don’t mean one that lives in a palace). Any hints for us grandmas that are divorced, retired and would still like to have a few pennies left over each month. Thanks for any help you may be. – Rose Marie Holden

A: The tricks you have used in the past still can apply with some minor adjustments. I would still plan menus around the sale items (loss leaders) at the store, and cook as you usually did. I would then freeze what you didn’t eat into meal-sized portions. So one dinner that you cooked may turn into six dinners for you. By freezing them into meal-sized portions, you won’t waste much when you thaw some for another meal. This also allows you to have the leftovers when you won’t mind eating them again.