A I've been using the same home made insect repellent for years and I've never suffered a bite. To make your own, simply fill a pump-action spray bottle with a quarter-cup of water together with five drops each of organic citronella, lemon grass and eucalyptus oils and apply liberally all over. This should give you enough protection for up to five hours from midges, mosquitoes and gnats. If you haven't the time or inclination to make up your own spray, the appropriately named Mozzy Off is a good shop-bought alternative. Made in Scotland from natural plant oils, it's proved to be so good at keeping mosquitoes and midges at bay that the Forestry Commission now uses it to protect its workers. A small 100ml spray costs £9.95 plus P&P from the Natural Collection (www.naturalcollection.com; 0845 367 7001).

Q I've got a drawer full of laddered nylon tights and haven't a clue what to do with them. Any ideas?
Julia Sidebottom

A I've always used mine as extra stuffing for my cushions or as plant ties on my allotment. For more ideas, go to Tightsplease (www.tightsplease.co.uk; 0845 365 1221), an online shop that specialises in tights and stockings. As well as offering loads of creative ways to recycle a pair of laddered tights, they also collect them for women suffering from fistula in Ethiopia. The Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital treats women who have suffered a fistula injury due to complications in childbirth and uses the upper body parts of the tights to hold bandages in place after the women have had corrective surgery. Nothing goes to waste, either, as the legs are woven into rugs. If you'd like to help them in their appeal, send your old or laddered tights to: Ethiopia Tights Appeal, Tightsplease, 2nd Floor Albion Court, 18-20 Frederick Street, Hockley, Birmingham, B1 3HE. While you're visiting the website, check out their eco-friendly range of organic cotton tights and bamboo knee-length socks – they're absolutely gorgeous.