Little Bugs Are Lured to Water, Even in Clean Sink

Question: I keep a very clean house, and I regularly make sure that everything is kept up.

Lately, however, I’ve noticed some small gnats or mosquitoes occasionally hovering around my toilets and sinks.

How can I get rid of them?

D.Y.

Fullerton

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Answer: These are very common, even in the cleanest bathrooms and kitchens, because bugs are attracted more to the water than to a dirty sink, says Ron Albright of Albright Plumbing & Heating Supply in Los Alamitos.

Hardware outlets should have a chlorine dispenser for the toilet tank; increasing chlorine in the toilet should repel the bugs.

Make sure to dry the sink so water doesn’t sit there for long periods, and keep the toilet lid closed.

In an extreme case, you could use a bug bomb type of insect spray to control the problem.

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Q: I’m planning to repair and refinish some bar stools, and I need to fill in some gouges with wood putty. I know some puttys blend in with wood and accept staining better than others. What should I be looking for?

B.B.

San Clemente

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A: Most wood fillers and puttys claim to be stainable. However, it’s best to check the putty before using it on the gouges you’re trying to repair, says Frank Eckert of Arrow True Value Hardware in Orange.

On the underside of one of the stools, make a small gouge and fill it in with wood filler.

After it dries, sand it and apply the stain. If it blends in well, use it on the visible parts of the stool.

If it doesn’t work, try another brand.

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Q: I have fairly new faucets in the kitchen and bathroom.

Someone told me that, to make them last, when I turn them off I should turn them just to the point where the water stops dripping, not all the way until the handle stops turning. Is that true?

P.K.

Anaheim

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A: You shouldn’t slam the lever or knob closed each time, says Rich Haagsma of Faucets n’ Fixtures in Orange.

There’s a mechanical stop inside the mechanism, and you just need to turn the faucet until it reaches that point. Old compression-style faucets were traditionally turned very hard to stop leaks. Newer designs don’t require that much force.

People are able to put a great deal of torque on the valve of a lever handle, and over time it can cause damage.

If you have a question about your home or garden, Helping Hand will help you find the answer. Send questions to John Morell, Home Design, The Times Orange County, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626.