donations to women’s shelters: Ask your local law enforcement or social services agency if they would be willing to drop the donations off for you. They recognize the security issues and are most helpful, since they have seen the problems up close. — Elle Smith, in Los Angeles

FAVORITE SEASONAL ICE CREAM

Dear Heloise: Every fall, our favorite ice cream parlor sells soft-serve pumpkin spice ice cream. My favorite ice cream cone is stacked with pumpkin spice and chocolate soft serve. Absolutely delicious!

I read your column every day in the Daily Freeman in Kingston, New York. — Sharon, via email

NO NEED TO

KILL INSECTS

Dear Heloise: You may have many great tips and hints for everyday living, but maybe you should not be giving advice on using pesticides. It is true that mosquitoes kill hundreds of thousands of people each year, but not in the United States, where the fatalities from mosquito-borne disease are usually in the dozens.

And it is true that some insects can bite, sting, and cause discomfort and even death in extreme cases. But most are immeasurably beneficial and are not dangerous to the average person.

Here is a tip for you: Many spider species eat mosquitoes. And the tarantulas and scorpions in the U.S can give a painful bite or sting, but they are rarely deadly. In fact, scorpions are generally nocturnal, and tarantulas usually bite only if they’re aggravated.

So, go ahead and chase away harmless spiders if you think that will reduce the risk of encountering a tarantula or a scorpion. And, by all means, avoid dangerous insects as much as possible. But there is no need to kill insects indiscriminately. You might even find that there is no real reason to kill insects at all. — Keith M., in Southern California

MIGRATORY BIRDS

Dear Heloise: I read Callie Bourgeois’ letter to you in a recent column. She is correct that there is a Migratory Bird Treaty Act, but she seems to imply that it applies to all wild birds. It does not. The treaty lists the criteria for inclusion. Twenty-two categories of migratory birds are listed. If anyone is interested, the treaty is readily available on the internet. — Roger T., in Colorado

Roger, you are correct! Readers, you can find a list of which birds are covered by the United States Fish & Wildlife Service at: www.FWS.gov/media/list-birds-protected-migratory-bird-treaty-act-2023. — Heloise