Dear Heloise: I read with interest the letter from Paula D. about sticky traps. Did you know that because glue traps are so inhumane, many American stores like Target, Dollar Tree, Dollar General, Rite Aid and others don’t sell them? England, Iceland, Ireland and New Zealand have banned glue traps. In addition, legislation has been introduced in Congress to ban glue traps.

I found this online: “While animals are stuck on glue boards, they cry out loudly in pain and have been known to bite through their limbs, attempting to free themselves. Even if found and rescued, these animals might not survive the intense stress, injuries or effects of the glue.”

Sticky glue traps are not humane; they’re only a cheap convenience for people who don’t/can’t bother with preventing mice and other critters into their home. There are a plethora of other options to keep out mice; believe me, I’ve dealt with this problem. I regularly spray peppermint oil around my house and car, and I have two snap traps in my basement. I haven’t been bothered with mice since then.

— Gloria Jenkins, Buffalo, New York

MOLD SPORES

Dear Heloise: I read your column every day and haven’t seen this issue addressed. My husband is on perineal home dialysis and uses a cycler every night. His drain tube goes into a large 5-6 gallon plastic jug and is emptied daily. But mold builds up in the jug, and even if I get it all, it starts growing again in a few days.

The jug had two spouts across from each other. One is about the size of a peanut butter jar lid, and the other is the size of a gallon milk jug. I have tried taking a long-handled back scratcher to get to the mold directly, and even though it’s awkward, it gets most of it out. But I’d like to find something to keep it from returning permanently.

For now, I add a few drops of bleach toilet bowl cleaner, which doesn’t work for the mold but does make the jug smell better.

If you have any ideas, I would appreciate hearing them. Thank you.

— Cindy F., via email

Cindy, I did some research and found that hydrogen peroxide is usually recommended to kill bacteria and mold. If it’s of any comfort, many dialysis patients have this problem, too. You might also ask his doctor what they recommend because there may be something new on the market that they prefer you use to kill the mold spores.

— Heloise

OILY SKIN

Dear HeIoise: I am a 72-year old woman who still has oily skin! But when I was a teen, I did not have acne like many of my classmates did. After reading a couple of years ago that a teenager uses toothpaste on her pimples, I started doing this on my occasional pimples.

Every morning after washing, I put my regular toothpaste on the skin of my nose and a little on my upper forehead. It blends into my skin and lasts all night. Now I never have an oily, shiny nose! Yesterday I forgot to do this, and I’ve been wiping my nose all morning. It costs nothing and works fast. I especially hope it helps young ladies avoid cruel criticism.

— Bobbi J., via email

Send a great hint to Heloise@Heloise.com.