HOME, GARDEN, OUTDOOR TIPS

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REPELLENTS

WARNING - I AM NOT AN EXPERT IN THE FOLLOWING SUBJECT AREAS, SO TRY THE FOLLOWING TIPS AND RECIPES AT YOUR OWN RISK. SOME HERBS ARE TOXIC IF INGESTED AND SHOULD NOT BE USED IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN OR PETS. PEOPLE MAY ALSO BE ALLERGIC TO SOME HERBS.

ANTS, MITES

Leaves of the walnut tree repels ants

Place 2 or 3 nutmegs in flour bag or bin to prevent mites

FLIES, GNATS, MOSQUITOES

The sweet smell of tea is repugnant to gnats, summer flies and mosquitoes. Splash over face, arms, hands, and feet.

Hang up herbs in home or place in vase to repel flies - pennyroyal, rosemary, rue, thyme

Flea repellents - black alder leaves, eucalyptus, winter savory

MOTHS

The Greeks used thyme as a fumigator but it is great for deterring insects and moths.

Other moth repellents - wormwood, yellow melilot, laurel leaves.

Lay whole sprays of dried herbs among blankets or wool.

Use a pomander as an insect repellent in a closet or clothes drawer. Instructions for making a pomander: select a thin skinned orange, lime, lemon, or kumquat. Make a few holes in the skin with a large needle or nail and insert a cloves in these holes. Continue this process until the entire fruit is completely covered. Save your fingers - use a thimble to push the cloves in the rind. The pomander can then be sprinkled with your favorite spice blend covering the area between cloves. Let the completed pomander dry for several weeks. Remember to turn the fruit during this drying process. The pomander can then be covered with nylon cloth or cheesecloth. Ribbon can be used for the hanging device. These balls last a lifetime.

RATS, RODENTS, COCKROACHES

Rats seem to hate peppermint. Try using peppermint oil on cloths.

Rodents and cockroaches dislike sage.

GARDEN Companion Planting
Having a pest problem in your garden? Try a plant to repel that pest.
Mole	narcissus, castor bean
Mouse	wormwood
Rabbits	marigolds, onions, garlic
Tomato hornworm	dill, opal basil, borage
Japanese beetle	chives, garlic, tansy, catnip
Slug or snail	garlic, rosemary, fennel
Aphid	eucalyptus, garlic, marigold, fennel, chives
Leafhopper	petunia, geranium
Corn earworm	marigold, geranium, cosmos

Reference - These books are a good source of information and reference.

The Herb Book by John B. Lust, N.D., D.B.M.
Herbal Medicine by Dian Dincin Buchman The New Age Herbalist --- Mabey with McIntyre, Michael, Duff, Stevens Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs --- Rodale Press - Kowalchik and Hylton Editors

Background found at: fg-a.com