As part
of Grow Appalachia we strive to use only organic amendments in our gardens to
help our vegetables grow. Fertilizer, fungicide, and pesticides that we
distribute are all organic OMRI approved, so why don’t we take the same
precautions to protect ourselves from those nasty bugs that can make gardening
miserable? Most bug sprays are loaded with chemicals that can be very harmful
to our health and yet we turn to them immediately when the bugs bite. One
common chemical in potent bug sprays is DEET, a chemical which can impair brain
function and can cause severe physical impairment after prolonged exposure. I for
one am a bit scared of DEET and similar chemicals and would rather not use them
when I am out working in gardens every day. So I thought I would research a
couple ideas for natural bug protection and share them with everyone.
Mosquito Repellent Plants
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| Citronella Plant |
Many plants are natural mosquito repellents and can be
planted around the garden to help deter bugs and can even be potted and set
around outdoor spaces such as porches and patios to discourage mosquitoes from
joining you for dinner.
Citronella: a perennial clumping grass that is a stronger
mosquito repellent than citronella candles or torches.
Horsemint/Beebalm: an adaptable perennial that gives off a
strong odor which confuses and repels mosquitoes.
Marigolds: Hardy annual plants with a distinctive scent that
mosquitoes find offensive.
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| A beautiful Ageratum plant |
Catnip: a perennial herb, that has been found to be a
stronger mosquito repellent than DEET, leaves can be crushed and rubbed on skin
to further repel bugs.
Ageratum: a low lying, annual ornamental with pretty purple
blooms, Ageratum secretes Coumarin, a substance commonly used in mosquito
repellents
Homemade Bug Sprays
Another way to repel bugs naturally is with the use of
homemade bug sprays. There are many different recipes out there for all different
kinds of natural bug sprays, most of which include essential oils using herbs
such as lemon balm, mint, rose, etc.m which you can buy online or in many
natural foods stores, or follow Jessica at BDVP’s example and make your own
infusions: http://growappalachia.blogspot.com/2012/06/make-it-take-it-part-2-at-bdvp-jessica.html.
These oils are then combined with various other ingredients
which may include water, apple cider vinegar, etc. to make an effective and
safe bug spray.
Natural Bug Spray #1
1/8 c. apple cider vinegar
1/8 c.
rubbing alcohol or (yes, I’m going there) vodka
1/8 c.
distilled water
25
drops eucalyptus essential oil (1/4 tsp.)
25
drops citronella essential oil (1/4 tsp.)
50
drops peppermint essential oil (1/2 tsp.)
Natural Bug Spray #2
3 1 ⁄2 ounces (which is basically 1/3 cup) of Witch Hazel
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| A small bottle of homemade bug spray will go a long way! |
1 ⁄2 teaspoon Lemongrass Oil
1 ⁄ 2 teaspoon Eucalyptus Oil
1 ⁄ 2 teaspoon Citronella Oil
For both recipes simply combine all ingredients in a small
spray bottle and shake well before using.
This website has some great bug spray “recipes” of varying
potency: http://wellnessmama.com/2565/homemade-natural-bug-spray-recipes-that-work/
Other advice for avoiding pests include eating garlic, onions,
and bananas (not all together though!) drinking a TBSP of apple cider vinegar
each day, taking Vitamin B1 supplements, and even rubbing pure vanilla extract
directly on your skin. Who knows if these home remedies work, but I for one am willing
to give it a try if it means avoiding itchy bug bites and the use of harsh chemicals.
Wishing you all happy and bug free gardening!
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