So we are smack bang in the middle of summer, a wonderful time in Australia, a time to get outdoors and enjoy the sunshine. It's good for the plants so it must be good for us right? Apart from the generous lashings of Vitamin D, it gives us a boost to our general well being too.
It's not just us humans that like this time of year, plants are growing rapidly and flowering freely but this also means insects are out and about too, enjoying the spoils of summer. For the most part we don't notice too many of them, they are behind the scenes, going about their lives with minimal fuss but then there are others that can be down right rude and obnoxious!
You know the usual suspects: Mosquitoes, Fleas and various types of flies - of course there is cockroaches but I think we are at that point that anything bar a Nuclear Holocaust is going to do anything against that particular menace!
So what do we do to stop these pests? There is always the chemical solution, but it isn't really the best thing for you and your families health is it?. I have noticed a lot of the new generation fly and insect sprays are using "natural plant extracts" in their sprays, about time I say, plants have had this arsenal in there defensive for years, not such a surprise really, so why don't we tap into this market a bit more?
The basis for a plants defense against insects often comes down to two factors: fragrances omitted from leaves and flowers and chemicals produced within leaves and stems to counter attack chewing and sucking insects. Take Nicotine, that wonderfully addictive drug (for all the smokers out there) was once a wonderfully effective insecticide, it is produced by many plants in the Solanaceae family (Tomato, Potato etc).
So why don't we take a leaf (pardon the pun) out of the defensive playbook of our green friends and see what natural remedies are available to us.
Peppermint: Biting bugs don't like the scent of Peppermint, so grow some in pots or in gardens near outdoor entertaining areas, crush leaves and apply to skin for best results*.
Lemon Balm: Contains high amounts of the original wonder bug repellent Citronella, which is used today in many bug repellents. It also has many health benefits for us humans (relieves stress and anxiety and also helps digestion). As with peppermint is easily portable (keeps well in pots) and leaves can be crushed applied to skin.
Basil: Apart from being a delicious addition to many pasta dishes, this easy to grow herb repels flies and mosquitoes. Basil germinates easy, so keep some in a pot on a window ledge or another sunny spot and enjoy the wonderful fragrance.
Chrysanthemum: These dainty daisies can be used to repel Fleas, Cockroaches and Ants. It is interesting to note that members of this genus contain Pyrethrum (particularly C. cinerariifolium OR Tanacetum cinerariifolium) a commonly used non-selective insecticide and is certified for use in organic agriculture.
Leptospermum liversidgei "Mozzie Blocker": This Australian Native from the tea tree family contains Citronella and when planted in warm, sunny spots, releases it's bug repelling fragrance to help ward of mosquitoes and other flying pests. This 2 x 1.5 metre shrub produces an attractive light pink flower and can be pruned to shape.
Lavender: This very common, easy to find and grow genus of plants is a favorite of gardeners due to it's long flowering and heavenly scent. Great for attracting bees to the garden to help pollinate fruit and vegetables. Lavenders also contain oils that have many health benefits aiding in relaxation and sleep. Lavender is said to repel moths, fleas and flies.
Tansy: This herb from the daisy family has a cute yellow button flower and has been used for centuries for it's medicinal properties. It is used for repelling ants, mosquitoes and flies. Tansy also is used in companion planting with potato crops to control beetles.
Venus Fly Trap: Ok, who doesn't love the idea of insect eating plants? As a child I loved watching the pots of Venus Fly Traps that my Nan had on her veranda, hoping an unsuspecting fly would stumble into the waiting jaws of these super cool plants. I think every kid should have one, just for the fascination aspect. Keep your eye out for other insect eating plants such as Sundews and Pitcher Plants.
So there is just a small selection plants you can use to naturally control and/or repel annoying insects and help you enjoy your outdoor time a bit more. Remember to plant in a warm sunny spot, this will help heat up the oils and release the fragrances contained in the leaves. Planting in pots is an ideal way to have these plants move with you, wherever you may be entertaining or enjoying your leisure time.
Many of the plants listed can be found at most nurseries. Check out Oasis Horticulture as they grow a great range of herbs that can aid in the control of insects, here you can find out if they supply your local nursery or garden center.
More information about Leptospermum "Mozzie Blocker" including suppliers, can be found at Austraflora
So did any of your favorite herbs/plants make the list? Any others did I miss? There are so many out there, common and uncommon. Give them a try, what's the worst that could happen? At least you're gardening and that's not a bad thing.
Enjoy the rest of your Summer, hopefully it will be pest free!
* Please proceed with caution when applying and of these herbal repellents to skin, some plants can cause allergic reactions. Best to trial a small area before a broad spectrum application.
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