Consumer Q's - August 9, 2007
Contact: Teresa Jenkins
(404) 656-3645
1-800-282-5852
CONSUMER Q’s
Prepared by the
Tommy Irvin, Commissioner
Call Consumer Q’s Hotline at 1-800-282-5852
Consumer Alert: Stübben Steeltec Horseback Riding Stirrups Recalled Due to Fall Hazard
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firms named below, announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of Product: Stübben Steeltec SEQ Stirrups; Units: About 500; Importer: Stübben North America, Inc., of
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When I go to the grocery store, I always blow my food budget. Do you have any shopping tips?
Listed below are few-shopping tips that can help make your trip to the store a lot easier and help you to save money.
Make a shopping list and take it to the grocery store when you go. A list will save you time and help you to avoid some impulse buying.
If you know the layout of the store, list the items in the order you find them as you walk through the store. For instance group fruits and vegetables at the top of the list and frozen foods, meats, poultry and diary products at the bottom of the list.
Check newspapers and magazines for discount coupons and check the store’s circular for weekly specials and other bargains.
Eat before you go shopping. If you go to the store hungry, you’re likely to buy things you don’t really need.
Use the store’s unit pricing system to help you choose from various brands and sizes. If unit pricing is not available at your store, figure the price per ounce by dividing the price by the number of ounces in the container.
Compare prices of various forms of the same foods, such as canned, frozen and fresh orange juice.
Pass up items on checkout displays. These items are often purchased on impulse rather than need.
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What can I do to get rid of the weeds in my lawn permanently? The weed killer I am using is not effective.
Nothing will permanently keep a weed out of your lawn, and you will not be pleased with your weed killer’s performance if you are using the wrong one or using it incorrectly. Let’s examine the types of weed killers available:
Contact killers will kill only the part of the plant to which they are applied. It is sprayed on the leaves and the leaf tissue is damaged but if there is a strong root system on the targeted weed, such as with nutsedge, the weed grows back.
Systemic herbicides are absorbed into a plant’s system and interfere with the metabolism, which kills the roots and all. This type of herbicide should be used with care because it will kill almost anything green and growing. Selective herbicides target one kind of weed. For example, a selective herbicide can be used to kill broadleaf-type weeds in a lawn.
Pre-emergent herbicides will prevent weed seeds from germinating, but they should be used in an area already weed free that is ready for planting. However, pre-emergent chemicals should not be used if you plan to plant bulbs or seeds directly into the treated soil.
A soil-sterilent will kill the unwanted weeds, but it will also sterilize the soil for up to one year. Nothing will grow in the treated area for the prescribed period of time.
Be sure to follow all instructions when you use any weed killer.
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What can I do to get rid of chipmunks? They are ruining my garden and yard by digging holes everywhere.
Chipmunks spend much of their time in late summer and fall gathering and storing food. They will dig seeds from your garden, feed on flower bulbs and burrow into lawns, especially near dry rock walls.
Although chipmunks are protected, they may be trapped when they cause property damage. Live trapping with small commercial or homemade box traps can reduce their numbers. Once trapped they should be released at least a mile from the capture area. Baits attractive to chipmunks include peanut butter, nutmeats, sunflower seeds and rolled oats. Place your trap in areas where chipmunks travel or feed.
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I have ants in my yard and they are coming into my house. How do I get rid of them?
Although ants are beneficial insects, they can become serious pests when they invade homes. Pharaoh ants are small, yellow ants about 1/16-inch in length. They are very common in the Southeast. Most ants are attracted to food and drinks spilled in the home. Nests can be found under logs, rocks, firewood, at the bases of trees, and in landscaping rails and mulch. Once the nest has been located, you may apply Sevin, Diazinon or Dursban to the mound. Various formulations of these products such as dusts, granules or liquids may be used. Remember it is important to read and follow all label directions as improper use of insecticides may affect animal and human health.
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If you have questions, or problems with services or products regulated by the Georgia Department of Agriculture you may write to the Office of Consumer Services, 19 Martin Luther King Drive, Room 224, Atlanta, Georgia 30334 or call 404/656-3645 (Atlanta metro area) or toll-free, 1-800-282-5852 (statewide).
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