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Now and again, Dot gets a question that could be answered in a sentence or two, that doesn’t require much research or expertise. And because Dot’s job is to dig deep into your questions, the easy ones often get ignored.
Once before, Dot undertook a rapidfire response to some of those questions (check it out here) and now that I have another handful of “easy” questions, let’s go for round two:
Dear Dot,
What kind of bike should I buy?
– Ellie
Dear Ellie,
Doesn’t matter. Any time you ride a bike instead of a car, you’re doing a good thing. Just be safe, push your city for robust cycling infrastructure, and pedal away!
Slightly deeper dive: E-bikes are becoming very popular, and progressive cities are responding by offering rebates and other inducements to encourage residents to purchase them. So before you buy, see what incentives might be available in your community (a local bike shop will know).
Dear Dot,
Do you leave the lights on for your pets?
– Beth
Dear Beth,
No.
However, Dot would like to point out that this is the kind of question that’s kinda moot. The amount of energy you consume to light your home (assuming you have energy-efficient LED lighting, which most of us do these days) is barely worth worrying about. So if you want to keep the lights on for your pets, then by all means … light a lamp or two.
Dear Dot,
Should I flush if I just go pee?
– Liz
Dear Liz,
As a longtime cottager, Dot is familiar with the “if it’s yellow, let it mellow; if it’s brown, flush it down” rule. This typically applied to a rustic plumbing system that led to a septic tank, and any easing of the stress on said (often aging) septic system was to be encouraged. But for the majority of us on municipal water systems, this is another “don’t sweat it” question. If you’re okay with the additional cleaning that might be required for a toilet in which you don’t flush with every pee, then “let it mellow,” Liz. (When the time comes to clean your bowl, however, steer clear of products that rely on bleach or hydrochloric acid — they pollute our indoor air and waterways.) If you’re concerned about water use (even low-flow toilets require about 1.5 gallons per flush; older models anywhere from 3 – 7), there are other ways to reduce water use in your life. A hamburger, for instance, requires about 660 gallons of water to produce; a t-shirt almost the same. So flush, don’t flush — it’s your call, Liz. Either way, look for ways to reduce water use in much thirstier areas of your life.
Dear Dot,
How can I stop fruit flies from collecting around my countertop compostables?
– Karen
Dear Karen,
Dot reveres compost queen Cass Marketos (she writes a fabulous Substack newsletter called The Rot and was Dot’s source for this other composting question about an abandoned pile), who encourages people to come up with whatever system works for them … but who also acknowledges that bugs (and yes, sometimes animals) are part of a compost ecosystem. Just ensure, she advises, that your home is inhospitable to bugs and animals so that they will remain focused on the outdoor composter. For you, perhaps a covered bucket in a mudroom or garage. Or an under-the-counter bin with a lid (and charcoal filter), though Dot’s copyeditor Laura finds fruit flies even get into these and, consequently, suggests emptying the bins regularly and washing them out thoroughly after each use. Fruit flies that get into your compost will lay eggs there, and washing ensures that they don't stick around to hatch.
Dear Dot,
I am an unapologetic drive-by pruner. Does this make me a bad person or is it just community service?
– Betsy
Dear Betsy,
It is so tempting, isn’t it? Those dead marigolds, those sagging petunias, those droopy daisies. Assuming you’re not trespassing on private property, Dot says prune away — with one important caveat: if you’re nearing the end of the season, leave flowers (especially ones that have produced visible seeds), as well as stems and dead leaves to provide food and habitat to bugs and birds.
Rapidly,
Dot
