One of the peskiest pests that we have around the house is the common ant. Now - wouldn't it be nice to be able to take care of the ant problem without using insecticides? What about one you could make yourself out of molasses, yeast powder and sugar? It really is an old recipe - and - it really does work. I hope you'll try it. You use one part sugar, one part yeast powder, and two parts molasses. That's really easy to mix up. Once you get it mixed up - you're going to be able to put it out on some little pieces of cardboard. The ants are going to be attracted to it and when they eat it, they're going to die. As a matter of fact, this morning out by the drive I saw an ant bed. So - we can take this stuff out and find out if it really does attract ants.
 

The social security Administration will forward a letter for you to the person you want to find. Provide your subject's Soc Sec# or his date of birth Put a stamp on letter you want forwarded. It will be mailed to your subject's latest address on file with the IRS.
Make your request to:
SSA, Department of health and human services
6401 Security Bvld
Baltimore Maryland 21235
Marriage Records
These can be obtained by writing to a State's Dept of Vital Statistics.
Provide The persons name and the documents you receive will have a wealth of info to help you find someone. They'll contain the names of witnesses and the name of the person performing the ceremony, as well as their addresses.

Drivers Records
Write to the commissioner of Motor Vehicles for the state in which you believe the missing person lives. Ask for the persons driving record This may include the persons current address. Enclose the appropriate fee--which you can learn by calling the state's Driving Record Div. When writing include the person's date of Birth if you know it, if not request an alpha search which will provide data for every person with the same name.  You can also write the state's commissioner of Motor Vehicles asking for copies of a person's auto registration.
 

                                              Simple Shower Cleaning? 

                    Lately I have seen a lot of commercials for this stuff that the last person out sprays the shower with  to keep it clean all the time, instead of scrubbing the whole shower once a week. Has anyone tried  this and does it really work? 
                    Even better, has anyone found a good homemade brew that does the same thing? 
 

                                                 Chemical Analysis 

                    We've been using Clean Shower or one of the related products (from Lysol, I think) for a few  months and have been very pleased with the results. We did not pre-clean the shower, though it was not terribly dirty. The manufacturer states that it takes a few weeks of use to actually clean a dirty  shower, and that's true. However, results happen within a day or so, and are quite dramatic. It's  especially good for preventing mildew and removing other stains. It's only "so-so" for cleaning soap     scum, but may be good for preventing soap scum.   As for homemade brews, I doubt you can easily make one. The ingredients lists says something like   surfactant -- fancy word for soap or detergent (you could possibly find a substitute) chelating agent  -- a chemical like EDTA or EGTA, which you're not likely to find over the counter. This chemical   will bind or scavenge metal ions (like calcium, magnesium, nickel, etc) which prevents "bugs" from growing and can get rid of them with continued use. I believe this chelating agent is the primary  active ingredient. EDTA is present in some over-the-counter medical solutions (for example, saline  or eye-drops) and is used as a preservative in pharmaceuticals and laboratories due to its  anti-microbial, anti-enzyme properties. I'm not aware of an easy to get, cheap source of this                    chemical. It's fairly expensive for the lab-grade chemical. 
 

                                                     Just Wipe 

                    I don't understand all the hype about these cleaners. My practice is to wipe down the shower walls  with a dry towel when we're all done showering in the morning. Without the moisture, the mold/mildew doesn't have a chance! Also no soap scum builds up. It takes a few seconds to do this and I never have to scrub grout etc. 
 

                                                    Just Alcohol 

                    I have tried one of these sprays - the main ingredient was simply rubbing alcohol! 
 
 

                                                     Bleach It 

                    Buy a small spray bottle (1 pint), add about a tablespoon of clorox to it and spray when needed.    Will clean all mildew away. 
 

                                                 Homemade Version 

                    Currently there are a couple of products out on the market for shower cleaning. Tilex for Showers is  one of them and the other is Simple Shower. If you look at the ingredient panel, you can note what  the ingredients consist of. In Tilex for Showers, the ingredients are basically alcohol, a cleaner and  fragrance. I mixed up a 16 oz bottle of rubbing alcohol, some cleanser 8 oz (I used liquid TSP),  added some water to make a gallon. I then placed it in a trigger bottle and spray it on. I prefer to     wipe, but one can let air dry.  Another combination is 1/4 to 1/2 bleach to 1/2 or 3/4 water. Put in spray bottle and spray away. I  usually use the ratio of 1/4 bleach to 3/4 water. Remember, though, not to mix bleach and ammonia   as it produces toxic fumes. 
 
                                                Pretend It's Laundry 

                    From my experience, the commercial spray does work, but you have to use so much of it, it doesn't   seem to be worth the price. As an alternative I'd like to share some shortcuts I used when I used to  clean houses for a living. For the shower: first clean the shower thoroughly, wipe it dry, and then  spray a layer of Spray and Wash (yes, Spray and Wash, the laundry stain cleaner). Buff it in with a  dry rag and the next time you take a shower you will notice the water beading and running off the    walls instead of clinging to the walls and grout (you will also notice your tile and glass is a bit shinier   than usual).  When it comes time to clean the shower again, just spray some more Spray and Wash and wipe off   the scum with another dry rag (no scrubbing needed). This works great on all parts of the shower,  even glass doors. We don't know why this works, but we suspect there is a wax in the product that   creates a barrier between the tile and the water. The only place I wouldn't spray it directly is the   bottom of the shower as it might make it a bit slippery. 
                    If you have a mold problem in the bathroom the best cleaner I have ever used for this is a quantitary  cleaner found at local janitorial supply stores (just ask for a quantitary cleaner, they will know what  you are talking about). This is the same product hospitals use to keep their bathrooms and sick  rooms clean. This works great because instead of just killing molds and odor causing germs it  actually PREVENTS them from re-growing. Since it's packaged for commercial use you will                probably have to buy a gallon and the price might shock you at first. But it's highly concentrated and  a couple of ounces will last you a lot longer than a retail product, therefore saving you money in the  long run (I paid $18 dollars for my gallon jug and after a year I haven't even used up my first mix of   2 ounces to a gallon of water). 
 

                                                  Cleaning Recipes 

                    Magic Formula - Generic Glass Cleaner 
                     1/2 c Ammonia (sudsy or clear, Your choice) 
                     2 c Rubbing alcohol 
                     1 t Water 
                     1 t Dishwashing Liquid 

                    In a gallon container, put in the ammonia and rubbing alcohol. Fill almost to the top with water. Add   1 t dishwashing liquid and mix. Top off with water. Use like Windex or any other general purpose  spray cleaner. 

                    From Consumer Reports. Rated to work better (and much cheaper!) than most commercial  window and kitchen sprays. Alcohol is the secret ingredient, and what commercial window washers  use. Safe on most but not * all * household surfaces. 

                    TILE AND GROUT CLEANER 
                    *1/2 cup baking soda 
                    *1/3 cup household ammonia 
                    *1/4 cup white vinegar 
                    *7 cups warm water 

                    Combine the ingredients in a 1 gallon plastic jug, cover, and swish to mix. For small jobs, fill a pump  bottle with the solution, spray directly onto the tile surface, then wipe with a damp sponge. Yield: 2  quarts. Do not mix this cleaner with anything containing bleach. 

                    ALL PURPOSE CLEANER 
                    *1/2 cup household ammonia 
                    *1/2 cup washing soda 
                    *7 cups warm water 

                    In a gallon plastic jug, combine ammonia, washing soda and 1 cup of the warm water. Cap the jug  and shake briskly, then add the rest of the warm water. To use, mix cup cleaner with about 1  gallons hot water. Yield: gallon concentrated cleaner. Before using on delicate surfaces, test on a  small, inconspicuous area. 

                    COPPER AND BRASS CLEANER 
                    *1/2 cup all-purpose flour 
                    *1/4 cup salt 
                    *1/2 cup powdered detergent 
                    *3/4 cup white vinegar 
                    *1/4 cup lemon juice 
                    *1/2 cup warm water 

                    In a large glass bowl, mix the flour, salt, and detergent. Pour in the remaining ingredients and stir.  Store in glass quart jar. To use, shake, then pour some of the cleaner on cookware and rub gently  with a dishcloth. Rinse with clear water, dry, and polish with a soft cloth. 

                    DISINFECTANT 
                    *4 cups powdered laundry detergent 
                    *12 cups hot water 
                    *4 cups pine oil 

                    Mix the laundry detergent and water in a bucket and stir slowly until detergent is dissolved. If it  foams, skim off the bubbles or wait until they melt. Gradually add the pine oil and mix well.  To use, dilute the disinfectant with water, except when cleaning toilet bowls. Store in a jar with a   tight fitting lid. 

                    AIR FRESHENER 
                    *1/4 cup dried sage 
                    *1/2 cup crushed bay leaves 
                    *1 cup witch hazel 

                    In a large jar, mix all the ingredients. Cover and let sit, at room temperature for 3 days. Strain out all  the herbs and pour the remaining liquid into a spray bottle. Yield: 1 cup. 
 

                                              Don't Like 'Clean Shower' 

                    I have personally used this product and do not find it to be effective. Besides, I find it inconvenient. I   have a residential cleaning service and I absolutely recommend Tilex Soap Scum Remover - you  spray it on and wipe it off, works great! I had to repeat the process on a shower/tub that was wall  to wall soap scum build-up, but no scrubbing involved! Easy!   Also...I have been cleaning one home for over a year and the homeowner and I have tried  EVERYTHING to remove soap scum off the sliding glass shower doors. Nothing worked, until I  tried the Tilex Soap Scum Remover. Spray it on, wipe off, then spray and wipe off glass cleaner.
 
                                                 An 'Auto' Solution 

                    I say save your money. We built our house 5 years ago and never have had to scrub the walls!  Every time we finish with the shower we use a squeegee to wipe the water off of the walls. It may  take a couple of minutes a day, but it sure beats the scrub brush. To help keep water spots off the  glass you can try "Rain- X". It works great on the windshield so why not inside? 
 

                                                    Just Add Air 

                    The easiest way to keep your shower clean is to prevent it from encouraging mildew growth in the   first place. If you have a window, make sure to ventilate your bathroom during your shower if  possible. If you have a ventilating fan, keep it going during your shower. At the end of your shower,  take a regular squeegee and simply squeegee the walls of your shower stall down. This cuts down  on mildew incredibly and you will find yourself not having to wash your shower stall nearly as often. 

                                                  Simple Solution 

                    I have tried the commercial product and, yes, it does work. It is expensive. I  found that one bottle  lasted two weeks at the most. However, I was selling my house and it kept the shower clean  without much extra work. A formula I found on the internet (don't remember the source) is 1/2 tsp.  shampoo with 1/2 Cup vinegar and 2 cups water. Sponge on tub or shower and let sit a few minutes.
                    Scrub off. Sorry, but the directions did use the scrub word. With the commercial product you do  not have to scrub -- and no mildew because the soap scum doesn't build up.  

                                                   Just Squeegee 

                    for simple shower cleaning. Buy a small hand held squeegee and just go over the tiles and doors and  this will keep it shiny and clean. What your doing is keeping the soap scum from building up. No chemicals, although you should clean with a disinfectant 2 or 3 times a month. I'm referring to the  shower only! But without all that build up you can just wipe it down and your done!! 

                                                    Use Borax 

                    Mix four parts of Borax with one part of salt, and sprinkle over your carpet. The mixture gets down  amongst the fibers, and dehydrates the fleas and eggs, and prevents them re-hatching.     Works great, and much more effective and cheaper than "flea bombs." 
 

                    editor's note: CAUTION - Borax can be toxic to children. This is not a method you'd want to use if  you have babies or small children crawling or playing on the carpets. 

                                                 Advice from a Vet 

                    As a veterinarian , I have been dealing with fleas for over 20 years. take the  following steps, the fleas will be gone in 45-60 days and will not return. 
                    1. Bring the cats to your vet and get a Program injection every 6 months 
                    2. Give the dog Program (or Sentinel) monthly 
                    3. Treat all  pets with Frontline spray monthly 
                    All of these products are the safest fleas products we've ever had. No Premise treatment will  be necessary!! 
                    The total cost of this program is less than thirty dollars a month. 
 

                                                    A Little Salt 

                    I have used salt on the ground outside the door and on the carpet to kill off the eggs of the fleas. If  you are doing this outdoors, you need to be careful not to use too much, especially in areas where    you grow things, it may have an adverse effect on your plants as well. It is inexpensive and it seems  to work.  
 

                                             Over-all Program Approach 

                    We live on 10 acres and have 2 dogs and 3 cats and also had a terrible flea problem last year. This  year we're trying to get a jump on preventing the fleas from taking hold. Ideas: boric acid sprinkled on light carpets and left for 30 minutes, then vacuum. For dark carpets try diatomaceous earth  (available from organic gardening catalogues). With the dips, make sure you're dipping long enough.  We dipped our kittens this weekend and it took 3 dips to kill all the fleas. Also, with the drops for  the dogs--if your dog is over 45 pounds, it takes twice as much drops. I just bought Bio-Spot from   our farm supply store, for 1/2 the price of the brands the vet sells. One last idea: we have over 50 chickens running loose on our farm and have noticed that the tick and fly population is much  lessened. I don't know if they'll help with the fleas too. 
 
 

                                             Advice from an Exterminator 

                    I am an ex-exterminator. I don't believe many pests truly need professional treatment. However,  fleas are one pest who does. The eggs of the flea actually attach themselves to the carpet fibers. The  way I always did a treatment, was to have the homeowner vacuum the entire rug before I got there. This would stimulate the eggs to emerge from their cocoon ( when they are inside the cocoon, the  pesticide will not work on them ). I would then come in and spray the entire, yes every square inch of floor space. The pesticide had to include a growth inhibitor (so the pre-adult fleas couldn't  become adults and reproduce). The owners had to stay out of the house long enough to have the product dry. Then, they need to vacuum the rug every day for 14 days. Again, more stimulation and   picking up in the vacuum some of the fleas and dead fleas - throw out the bag every day. The pet's) need to be treated at the same time as the house. If every thing was prepared properly, I was thorough and the homeowner followed through with the vacuuming, I never got a call back for a follow-up treatment.  In really bad cases, the outside play areas for the pets got treated also.  It's not fun, it's not cheap but it works. You do have to be willing to put up with the fleas for 14 days  after the treatment.