Re: Mosquitoes!
- Subject: Re: Mosquitoes!
- From: G* B*
- Date: Mon, 07 May 2001 08:34:59 +0200
>For a variety of reasons I don't use widely available commercial products
>however I have found some plant based ones which keep mosquitoes away and
>treat the bites as well. Dr Valnet's plant spray is good.
>The plants used in these are citronella, lavandin, rosemary, rose geranium,
>sage, mint and eucalyptus [sorry no Latin names ref: books in store]. My
>local born friends say that these planted in the garden should discourage
the
>little nuisances. And here many people burn the pyrethrum coils, to keep
them
>away, so maybe pyrethrum plants would work too ?
>Jennifer.
Is anyone able to positively state that pyrethrum is safe to use.? Most
pyrethrum sprays carry toxicity warnings yet the coils & electric diffusers
are used with no health warnings at all. Just because something is a natural
product it doesn't mean its safe ...... try drinking hemlock tea & see what
happens !!.
I'm in a horse owning community & we're plagued by houseflys. Most people
use the pyrethrum dispursers to keep their homes clear & I've always been
dubious about their safety.
Something that really does work to repel them is basil - though you need a
lot of it. When we harvest it & bring big bundles in to make pesto the
kitchen immediately empties of flies.
Regards
Glenn Breayley. Ragnarok & Valhalla Research.
POBox 26158, Hout Bay, 7872, Capetown, South Africa
Ph/Fax SA 021 7904253 E-mail valhalla@iafrica.com
Wholesale nurseryman & Tillandsia specialist wholesale & retail grower.
