Dear Heloise: I just read a hint in the Ventura County Star about avoiding ants in a cat’s food bowl by setting the bowl on a pan of water. It reminded me of our cruise through the Panama Canal years ago. We learned that during the construction of the canal, the local hospitals placed the bed legs on pans of water to discourage ants from crawling up to the patients. Unfortunately, mosquitoes bred in the water, which caused deadly malaria outbreaks. So, it’s a good idea to use water pans, but make sure to change out the water frequently. — Raul K., in Oak View, California

READING THE FINE PRINT

Dear Heloise: I have been reading “Hints From Heloise” for decades and have benefited from hundreds of household hints. I hope food manufacturers and their employees also read the column. I have worn glasses most of my life, and my eyes haven’t gotten better with age. I can’t read instructions in small print on product labels with colors that aren’t distinct (i.e., black letters on a green background). I have quit buying certain brands because of this.

Black print on a white or light-colored background is best. Please take pity on us senior citizens. — Renee, via email

Renee, I have the same problem, which is why I carry a small magnifying glass in my purse. I recently bought a new mouse for my computer, and the letters on the instruction pamphlet were so tiny that I doubt that even people with perfect eyesight could have read them. — Heloise

ACCESSIBLE SHOPPING

Dear Heloise: I have a suggestion for grocery store managers and shelf-stocking employees. When stocking shelves, please don’t leave your carts in the middle of the aisle. I see this all the time, and it’s hard to navigate a shopping cart around it. Frequently, I’ve had to shove the stocking cart out of the way if the employee isn’t around or skip the aisle altogether and go elsewhere.

The same goes for people who leave their shopping carts in the middle of an aisle while they wander around looking at items. Especially at big-box stores, I see people pulling their carts from the side, which makes it even harder to pass them. Let’s make shopping easier for everyone! — Paul H., in Torrance, California

NOW, IS THAT TOO HARD?

Dear Heloise: To Bobbie, in California, who stated that people needn’t expect a thank you from a gift recipient, I disagree. This has become a common practice of our younger generations. Writing a thank-you note isn’t an arduous chore. It does two things — it lets the gift giver know that the gift was received, and it shows appreciation for the gift. As my mother would say, “Now, is that too hard?”

An easy solution is to include a self-addressed, stamped thank-you card with the gift. If a thank-you note doesn’t get sent, no more gifts for that person! — Jackie S., in Rapid City, South Dakota

Jackie, I agree. Stop giving gifts to someone who doesn’t have the manners or kindness to say “thank you” in a small card or by telephone. — Heloise

RECYCLING QUESTION

Dear Heloise: In a recent paper, there was a suggestion for cleaning out peanut butter jars so that they can be recycled. I am a firm believer in recycling; however, because I live in the desert and try to conserve water, there’s always a dilemma: Do I use water to clean a bottle or can for recycling or just throw the item in the trash to conserve water? I’d appreciate any thoughts from your readers. — Karen, in Tucson, Arizona

Karen, most recycling plants appreciate it when you rinse out a container. However, you might want to check with your local recycling center to find out what they recommend in your city. — Heloise