Talya Honebeek

Planting sunflowers and leaving their spent flower heads in place can attract goldfinches because the birds feed on the nutritious seeds. Dry late-summer conditions may reduce the availability of insects and wild food, while dandelions, milkweed and thistles provide nesting material and thistle seeds serve as food. Purple coneflowers are also recommended as an easy-to-grow source of seeds.

Wrapping banana stems in aluminium foil can slow ripening by trapping some of the ethylene gas released from the stems, helping the fruit stay fresh and reducing browning. Cling film is presented as an alternative. The article also recommends separating bananas from ethylene-sensitive fruits and hanging them on a banana hook to prevent bruising and premature deterioration.

Welsh households are advised to use washing-up liquid mixed with hot water to help clear outdoor drains connected to kitchen sinks, where fat, grease and food residue can cause blockages. The method should not be used in rainwater-only drains because chemical detergents can harm watercourses and wildlife; plant-based products are recommended where possible. Preventative measures include avoiding pouring grease down sinks, wiping dishes before washing, using sink strainers, installing grease traps and keeping drain covers clear of debris.

Gardening experts recommend manually removing patio and driveway weeds before treating remaining growth with a mixture of white vinegar, washing-up liquid and water on a dry, sunny day. Boiling water can provide a quick fix, while salt may help with persistent weeds but can damage surrounding soil, natural stone and paving if overused. Vinegar and other treatments should be kept away from garden plants, and protective equipment may be needed. Regular sweeping and replenishing kiln-dried sand between block-paving joints can help prevent weeds from returning.

Gardeners in Wales are advised to complete eight August tasks to help plants survive autumn and winter. Recommendations include pruning lavender, deadheading bedding plants, thoroughly watering rhododendrons, exposing grapevines to sunlight, cutting back herbs, netting berries, removing fruited raspberry canes while preserving new growth, and raising the lawn mower blade as grass growth slows.

Parking on someone else's private driveway is generally treated as civil trespass rather than a criminal offence, so police and councils will usually have limited powers unless there are threats, damage, danger or serious obstruction. Experts advise identifying the driver, leaving a courteous note, taking photographs and seeking legal advice if the problem recurs. Owners should not clamp, tow, damage, push or block in the vehicle without lawful authority. Clear signage, gates, bollards, cones and other deterrents can help prevent repeat incidents, while councils may remove vehicles that are genuinely abandoned.

Lidl is launching its Silvercrest Glass Air Fryer in stores from August 2 for £49.99 with Lidl Plus, or £59.99 without. The appliance resembles Ninja’s £149.99 Crispi model and offers four cooking programmes, two heat-resistant dishwasher-safe glass containers, leak-proof lids and capacity for anything from single portions to a whole chicken. Stock is limited because the product is sold through Lidl’s ‘when it’s gone, it’s gone’ middle-aisle promotion.

Bananas may ripen quickly and become wasted when stored in plastic bags, fruit bowls or warm areas. Food-hygiene guidance recommends keeping them on a room-temperature worktop away from moisture, sunlight and heat, separating the fruit, and wrapping the stems to slow ethylene exposure. Refrigerating ripe bananas or using a banana tree can help keep them fresh for up to two weeks, while brown bananas remain safe to eat inside.

Five gardening and landscaping experts recommend white vinegar, often mixed with a little washing-up liquid and applied on a dry, sunny day, as an inexpensive way to kill patio and driveway weeds. Hand removal, boiling water and diluted salt are alternatives, but salt can damage soil, plants and natural stone, while boiling water may not destroy roots. Regular sweeping and replenishing kiln-dried sand between paving joints can help prevent weeds from returning.

A domestic expert recommends applying a bicarbonate of soda paste to greasy oven surfaces and leaving it overnight, or for at least four hours. White vinegar or lemon juice can then be sprayed over the paste to create a fizzing reaction before wiping the oven clean. The method is presented as a cheap natural alternative to scrubbing, while readers are warned to dry the oven thoroughly before using it again.

Peace lilies can be encouraged to bloom for much of the year by replicating their warm, humid rainforest conditions. Key steps include providing bright indirect light, feeding with balanced liquid fertiliser every four to six weeks from early spring, keeping the soil moist without overwatering, increasing humidity, repotting when roots become tangled, and removing spent flowers and yellowing leaves. In the UK, flowering is most common from March to September, but healthy plants may bloom outside that period.

The article explains the difference between heat exhaustion and the more severe, potentially fatal condition of heatstroke during an extreme UK heatwave. It lists warning signs, including very high temperature, confusion, fainting and seizures for heatstroke, and fatigue, cramps, heavy sweating and thirst for heat exhaustion. Older people, babies, young children and those with long-term health conditions are identified as particularly vulnerable, with urgent medical care recommended for suspected heatstroke.

Talya Honebeek recommends reusable gel-filled freezable slippers as a way to cope with hot weather without using a fan or air conditioning. She says cooling the feet can help lower core body temperature and describes using Newgo Foot Ice Pack Slippers while working and sleeping. The slippers can be frozen or refrigerated, should be used for no more than about 20 minutes at a time, and can reportedly be heated in a microwave for winter use. Bodyprox and Neo G products are offered as alternatives.

To make rice more flavourful, Emma Christensen of The Kitchn recommends toasting dry grains in butter or olive oil before cooking and using chicken or vegetable stock. She advises mixing stock with water, often at a 50/50 ratio, to add richness without making the rice gummy or overly starchy. Matching the rice’s seasonings to the main dish, choosing whole or ground spices according to the desired intensity, and adding a bay leaf can further enhance the flavour.

Amid UK temperatures forecast to reach 34C or higher, households are advised to place bowls of cold water—or preferably ice—in front of open windows or fans to help cool rooms. The technique is presented as a low-cost alternative to air conditioning, while the Met Office warns that extreme heat, humidity and tropical nights could create serious health, travel and power-related impacts. British Gas also recommends using fans to circulate cool air and pointing a box fan out of an open window in the evening to expel hot air.

Households are advised to run a hot, empty washing-machine cycle every one to three months to reduce bacteria, mould and detergent build-up. Appliance repair specialist Ian Palmer-Smith says half a cup of colourless, alcohol-based mouthwash can be added to the drum or detergent drawer, although dedicated washing-machine cleaner, white vinegar or baking soda are also suggested. The advice comes with cautions about excessive suds, overflow, staining, fabric damage and avoiding delicate clothes.

Gardening experts recommend several natural ways to deter slugs and snails during warm, wet summer conditions. Copper tape is presented as the most reliable long-lasting option for pots, planters, raised beds and bin stores, while crushed eggshells, sheep wool and coffee grounds offer inexpensive household alternatives. The methods create unpleasant or difficult surfaces for slugs to cross and avoid the use of chemical deterrents, though eggshells and raw wool require periodic maintenance.

Lemon juice and a salt-water solution are presented as inexpensive, natural alternatives to chemical weed killers. Lemon juice can be sprayed directly onto weeds on dry days, while salt should be diluted and used only on unwanted growth on patios, paths and other hard surfaces to avoid damaging healthy soil.

A gardening expert known as Ish recommends hanging a folded, inflated plastic bag tied with string to imitate a wasp nest. The deterrent is intended to exploit wasps' territorial behavior and encourage them to nest elsewhere while still allowing them to pollinate plants and hunt for food. The inexpensive method is suggested for use near sheds, garages, trees and other areas around homes and gardens, particularly in spring, although its effectiveness is presented as a theory rather than independently confirmed.

Heavy rainfall can worsen blockages in outdoor drains, particularly those connected to kitchen sinks and affected by fat, oil, grease and debris. Plumbing and home-maintenance firm Maintracts recommends slowly pouring a mixture of hot water and washing-up liquid into suitable kitchen-connected drains to help dissolve and flush away grease. The advice does not apply to rainwater-only drains, where chemical detergents may harm waterways and wildlife; plant-based products and natural alternatives are suggested. Preventive measures include avoiding pouring grease down sinks, wiping cookware, using sink strainers, considering grease traps and keeping drain covers clear.

Eggs are best kept in the main body of the refrigerator rather than the door, where temperature fluctuations can accelerate freshness loss. Chef Dean Harper recommends storing them consistently at 3–5°C in their original cartons, which help shield eggs from light and odours. The article also explains that best-before dates indicate quality rather than an absolute safety deadline, while unpleasant sulphurous smells are a strong sign that an egg should be discarded.

Garlic may help deter rats and mice because its strong smell can overwhelm their sense of smell. The article recommends placing garlic cloves near likely entry points such as basements, garages, kitchens, lofts, gaps and doorways. It also advises using additional repellents, removing clutter and food waste, securing bins, cleaning spills, and sealing openings around doors and ventilation points to reduce the risk of infestation.

Households are advised to clean wheelie bins with hot water and disinfectant or diluted bleach to prevent maggot infestations during warm weather. If maggots are already present, boiling water can kill them, followed by removal and sanitisation of the bin. Sealing food waste, composting leftovers where possible, and keeping bins in shaded areas are also recommended.

Tightly wrapping cut avocado in cling film to limit oxygen exposure can keep it green for around two days and reduce browning caused by the enzyme polyphenol oxidase. Refrigerating the wrapped avocado in an airtight container can extend freshness further, while lemon or lime juice may also slow oxidation. Reusable beeswax wrap is suggested as a more sustainable alternative to single-use plastic.

Households across the UK are advised to place bowls of cold water or ice near windows or fans as temperatures are forecast to reach 33C during the spring bank holiday. The method is described as helping cool surrounding air, particularly when combined with airflow from a fan, while remaining far cheaper to run than air conditioning. The Met Office expects the UK’s May temperature record to be surpassed, with the highest temperatures forecast for southern England and the Midlands.