Homemade insecticide: Soak 4 cloves of minced garlic in 10 ml of mineral oil (sold in drug stores) for 24 hours. Then add 1 litre of water and a few drops of pure liquid soap. Mix and spray directly on the insects, as you would with any other insecticide.

It will also keep away vampires.

You can also enter to win an eco trip for 2 to the destination of your choice. I would choose Italy, because that's where I am going. What's so eco about Italy, you ask? Well it's home to the slow food movement , of which I am a huge supporter. The philosophy behind slow food (as opposed to fast) is that food should be grown and enjoyed locally and seasonally, ideally without pesticides and hormones, promoting and preserving natural flavours and cultural cuisines. In other words, when in Rome, eat as the Romans do.

While we're on the topic, check out the new movie Food Inc. It's an expose of the food industry, and supposed to be scarier than Saw, and just as entertaining. Here's the opening sequence:

Food for thought, yes? In any case, it's easy to eat (and drink) locally when you're in Tuscany. Which is what I'll be doing this time tomorrow. I will toast your good health. Back in two weeks. In the mean time, spray your hostas, go to the movies and eat the locals. I mean eat local.

Ciao for now.