Dear Heloise: A recent column included a letter about squirrel food. You wrote to never feed a squirrel cashews, sunflower seeds, dried corn or pine nuts. I’ve been feeding my squirrels corn, cashews and sunflower seeds. I was under the impression that these were good for them.

I have been feeding my backyard group of squirrels these products for some time now, and so far, the little furry guys seem to be doing OK.

P.S. I read your column everyday in the San Antonio Express-News. — Cody N., in San Antonio

Cody, the debate about whether to give sunflower seeds and/or corn to squirrels is ongoing. Corn isn’t high in nutritional value, and many sunflower seeds have salt, which can cause kidney problems for squirrels. Sunflower seeds also lack a number of vitamins that squirrels need.

Anything containing onions or garlic can irritate their digestive system. Chocolate contains thobromine, which can kill a squirrel. After doing some research, I found that birdseed mix isn’t recommended because it contains corn. Squirrels will eat birdseed mix, but it’s not recommended.

However, squirrels love carrots and nuts such as almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts and pecans. They will also eat broccoli, peas, yellow squash and zucchini. Do not feed Brazil nuts, chestnuts or cashews (which are actually legumes) to squirrels.

If your little colony of squirrels is doing well, then you must be doing something right. My group of squirrels love fruit, so I chop up apples, berries, pears and other fruit to keep them happy and out of the

TOMATO SAUCE TRICK

Dear Heloise: Have you ever noticed that water separates from tomatoes as tomato sauce simmers and thickens? A simple solution for this problem is arrowroot. Mix a bit of it with cool water and carefully pour this around the edge of the sauce where the water collects. Stir it in, and the sauce stays blended to the last bite! — J.R.D., Claremore, Oklahoma

PRODUCE BAG TIP

Dear Heloise: Most of the stores in my area have moist sanitary wipes at their entrances. They were put there during COVID and are still there. I grab a few and put them in my cart. If I rub my fingers on the wipes, produce bags will open very easily. — J.A., Torrance, California