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A FOXY FOIL

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By MARK HETTS Universal Press Syndicate

The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 22, 2009

Dear Mr. HandyPerson,

I read your column regularly and find many sensible solutions to problems. However, in your column on discouraging raccoons, you left out fox urine as a deterrent.

I had raccoons in my yard several years ago. I called an exterminator, and he sprayed my yard with fox urine (it didn't smell). Foxes are a raccoon predator, apparently. It worked.

Last year I didn't see any raccoons but saw signs that they had been around. I purchased fox urine at my local hardware store (they ordered it for me). It was a powder in a shaker tube. I just sprinkled the powder around the area where I saw signs of the raccoons. It cost about $12 or $13, and the raccoons stayed away after that.

Susan

Champaign, Ill.

Dear Susan,

The reason Mr. HandyPerson left out fox urine is because he'd never before heard of it or its use for discouraging raccoons. However, now he knows and so do a lot of other people. Thanks.

There have been no signs of raccoons in his backyard this year, but if they show up, he will try this and report back with his experiences.

Regarding the more recent column about the dangers of raccoon poop in the yard for children and pets, Mr. HP got a very sad letter from George in Sarasota whose beloved dog contracted the parasites present in raccoon poop in the backyard and died. Mr. HP sends his sympathy and good thoughts to you, George, and again cautions people about raccoon scat as a dangerous health risk that should be treated as toxic waste. Children and pets should not be allowed to wander and play in yards where raccoons have been active.

Dear Mr. HandyPerson,

I recently purchased a four-piece white canister set at a yard sale. It was missing the internal rubber gaskets that seal out moisture. For what I paid, I saw no problem in having to search to replace them.

I had no manufacturer name, so I called a company I found printed on a store box of the same item. I was told to buy another set just to get the gaskets as they do not send parts. Common sense ruled out that idea. My daughter told me to write you because you once helped her.

Eleanor

Norwich, Conn.

Dear Eleanor,

Well, at least you got a good price on the canisters, and now you know why.

Mr. HandyPerson has run into similar problems himself over the years, which was part of the reason why he began long ago to salvage various small parts from kitchen gadgets, appliances, vacuum cleaners, etc. If he had run across the gasketless canisters himself, he would have had a good idea whether he had similar gaskets that might fit (and he probably would).

However, he knows not everyone has the will, space or desire to hang onto potentially useful parts with the same enthusiasm, and even with his collection, he's had to sometimes dig around a bit to find the right part for something.

He suggests you visit a local small-appliance repair shop or two, if you can find them. These are the kinds of places where you can fix a toaster, find a replacement pot for a coffee-maker, a new canister for a blender, or replacement cords for some kinds of kitchen and other appliances. In the business of repairing things, these shops often have some kinds of replacement parts on hand and, if not, know where to get them. Since they are in the business of tinkering and fixing, they might also have an idea about substituting or modifying some other kind of rubber gasket or grommet that could work, and they won't charge you an arm and a leg for the service.

Unfortunately, in recent decades, the trend has been against fixing small appliances, instead simply tossing them and buying new. So small repair shops are a sort of endangered species, and you may have difficulty finding one nearby. Perhaps a potential good to emerge from the current economic crisis is that such enterprises will see a resurgence as people become more aware of needless waste and the benefits of thrift and reuse.

Share your home repair problems, interesting questions, funny experiences and useful tips by writing to Mr. HandyPerson, c/o Universal Press Syndicate, 4520 Main St., Kansas City MO 64111.

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