This week, Reena’s tip addresses a viewer question:

Original Email:

My sister-in-law has a driveway made with paving stones and ants are becoming a real problem. She has a small dog and children visit often so chemicals are not an option [Do you have a suggestion?].

Thanks, Pat

Solution: Chop 1 1/2 kg rhubarb leaves and simmer in 3 1/2 L water for half an hour. Grate half a cake of pure soap into 5 L of boiling water, stir and dissolve. When cool, mix with the rhubarb. Strain and bottle, then store in the fridge.

This solution will naturally kill aphids, woolly aphids, bugs, caterpillars, whitefly, mildew and leaf-miner adult ants.

Thank you for your question Pat!

All solutions are to be used at the risk of the user.

Reena Nerbas is the author of the two National Best Sellers, “Household Solutions 1 with Substitutions & Household Solutions 2 with Kitchen Secrets,” available in stores across Canada. Reena is a columnist and Home Economist in a lab coat (and she’s not afraid to use it). She can be heard on CBC radio programs across Canada.

To learn more about Reena, click here.