Now's the time to master the mosquito Hints from Heloise, Saturday, June 24

Dear Readers: We are right in the middle of mosquito season! What can you do? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov) has some good hints:

Standing water is our enemy when battling mosquitoes. Mosquitoes lay eggs in trays under flowerpots and in buckets and trash cans. Search for and dump out standing water.Make sure screens on windows fit correctly. Keeping windows closed and running a fan or an air conditioner is good for keeping mosquitoes out.Cover up when outside. Long-sleeved shirts and long pants are best.The CDC recommends using a mosquito repellent with DEET because it lasts a long time, and is safe when used as directed.Apply sunscreen first, then mosquito repellent.

Read up on mosquito control, and talk to your doctor for more information. - Heloise

Dear Readers: Anne and Anthony sent a picture, via email, of their precious Yorkie, Diva.

Diva is almost 10 years old. She limps on her left front leg a little, so they take her to physical therapy once a month.

To see Diva and our other Pet Pals, visit www.Heloise.com - Heloise

DEAR HELOISE: Toss the packs of moisture-wicking desiccants found in many shipping packages and medicines into your boxes of silver jewelry or flatware, and be amazed at their tarnish protection.

Also, make online purchases? Don't toss those air-filled plastic "pillows." Place them in stored handbags to keep your bags' shapes like new. - J.T., via email

DEAR HELOISE: I suggest that restaurants allow senior citizens to order from the kids menu.

I realize that the kids menu does not often offer the healthiest food, but we are seasoned enough to know how to eat healthy.

Many older folks cannot eat the amount of food some of these restaurants serve, don't like to eat leftovers and don't want to waste food. Thank you. - Millie in Colorado Springs, Colorado

Millie, restaurant portions are huge these days! Another hint is to ask your server if you can split a meal in two

DEAR HELOISE: For holding yarn, use large, empty plastic canisters of disinfecting wipes.

The lid comes off easily, and the end of the yarn can be threaded through the hole in the lid. - A Reader, via email

Reuse and repurpose? Wonderful! - Heloise

DEAR HELOISE: Every time I change the sheets on our queen-size bed, trying to determine which way the sheet goes takes me so long. So I put a small safety pin in the top left corner of all my fitted sheets. Problem solved, and time saved. - Millie F., Elida, Ohio

©2017 King Features

Send a hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to 1-210-HELOISE or email it to Heloise@Heloise.com.