Repel pests NATURALLY
Does your home resemble a garden insectary? Repel unwanted insects and other pests with scented herbs.
There are a number of herbs that act effectively as pest repellents. Rue is extremely effective at keeping bugs at bay, and was used in the past to repel fleas from homes. Old books tell how it was boiled in water and the water sprinkled around the house. Rue also keeps cats off the garden if the branches are laid on the ground where the animals are frequenting.
Tansy, rosemary, fennel and pennyroyal are known for their flea-fleeing effectiveness and the dried leaves can be scattered around pets’ bedding areas.
Essential oils, too, have their uses. Neem oil and the oils of cedarwood, rosemary, lemongrass, peppermint and thyme work well at repelling fleas on dogs, and are included in the Washbar range for herbal flea treatments.
Use rosemary yourself and make a daily spritzer for your dog. Place 1 cup fresh rosemary leaves in a saucepan, add 1 litre water and boil for 30 minutes. Cool, then strain. Add 4 litres extra water to dilute and keep in the fridge. Use daily; it can also be used to wash out kennels.
While these natural solutions work well for dogs (though always check with your vet first), they should never be used on cats, as most essential oils are toxic to them.
Catnip is one of the few that isn’t and it’s been shown to be very effective as an insect repellent. Plant catnip and encourage your moggy to roll around in it.
Give indoor pests the heave-ho too. Cedarwood and sandalwood are two classic herbs for keeping cupboards and blanket boxes insect free.
Buy small chippings to fill bags. Other moth-repellent herbs include mint, rosemary, lavender, cloves, santolina, thyme, lemongrass, sage and marjoram.
Peppermint is said to repel mice. Place a few drops of essential oil on pieces of cotton wool and place these in areas where mice may enter the home.
Bothered by flies? Shoofly ( Nicandra physalodes) is said to repel them. Pot up a couple of plants and place them at your back door to deter flies from entering. Gardeners can position shoofly at the entrance to greenhouses to deter whiteflies.