With Sukkot around the corner, we tend to forget (or not) about the pesky little bugs that sometimes like to visit our succah: mainly bees and flies. I have a few tips to get rid of that problem.
First of all if you have a problem with fruit flies (whether in the sukkah or not) here is a solution: Take a small glass and fill it ½ inch with apple cider vinegar and 2 drops of dishwashing liquid. Mix well. The flies will be drawn to the cup and be gone forever.
To keep regular flies away and out of the sukkah area, try this easy tip: Take a lemon and cut it in half. In the insides and perimeter of the lemon halves, stick in whole cloves (like you would use for bisamim). This is so pretty you can even keep this right on your table.
While we are on the subject of insects, a good way to get rid of ants is this: Put small piles of cornmeal where you see the ants. They eat it, take it back home and then it kills them.
An alternative ant removal method is: Take 1 tsp Borax (this is a laundry boosting powder which I’ve discussed in previous columns, useful in making your own detergents); 2 cups hot water; 6 tablespoons of sugar; a folded paper towel, and a small shallow cup. Using a pan or bowl, dissolve the Borax in the hot water. Stir in the sugar. Dip the folded paper towel using tongs in the solution until completely wet. Cram the paper towel into the small dish. Place it in a location where you have seen ants. They will eat the solution and take it back to their nest and you will have solved your problem. If you need to keep it away from children, place the dish on a countertop, closest to where the ants are seen.
On a happier and more pleasant note; I wanted to share my homemade Kahlúa recipe with you. Yes, it tastes like the real thing for a fraction of the price.
1 quart water
2 ½ cups sugar
3 tablespoons instant coffee
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 ½ cups vodka
Bring water, sugar and coffee to a boil in a pot. Simmer very very slowly for three hours. Mixture will be very dark and syrupy. Add vanilla and vodka. Makes about 7 cups. Enjoy. Find a pretty bottle and give it as a gift!!! Chag Sameach.
By Gail Hochman
