Natural Insect Repellent Garden Nursery Landscaping Guide
Natural Insect Repellent Properties Of Some Plants
By Pixie Matthews
Half a century ago, farmers busily went about spraying chemicals
all over their crops, and people did the same by applying chemical
laden sprays and lotions over their bodies to ward off insects.
We now know that these insecticides are harmful to the environment
and to our health and most people and companies are turning to
more natural insect repellent products. Today, many of the types
of natural, bug control products on the market are made from plants.
These plants have shown to posses certain toxins that insects
find unattractive and they are a healthier alternative to traditional
pesticides, like a Deet insect repellent.
Plants Repelling Insects
Some of the plants that work are peppermint, lavender, mosquito
plants, marigolds and rosemary, among many others. These plants
have been proven to help repel various types of bugs and if made
properly, they can be an effective natural insect repellent. Different
plants will work better for different people and different locations,
and of course will have a different effect depending on the insect.
While most companies work diligently to promote their range of
their products, there really are numerous factors that will influence
the effectiveness of a particular organic insect repellent.
Creating An Insect Repellant Atmosphere In Your Yard
Most people would like to be able to simply grow these particular
plants in their gardens to create an environment that repels insects
naturally, and helps to make their yard more attractive. Unfortunately,
in most cases you cannot simply grow these particular plants around
your house and be insect free.
The properties that make a plant a natural insect repellent tend
to only come out when the plant has been damaged in some way.
Usually, this involves crushing the flowers or the stems to produce
the natural toxins that insects tend to avoid.
Companies that produce an insect repellent spray and/or insect
repellent lotion break down the plants that contain the toxins
needed and mix them with other chemicals to produce their items
for sale.
Fewer Health Risks
The end result of extracting the needed properties from plants
is a natural insect repellent that is safer for the environment
and one that we can use without being concerned for our health
and the well being of our family.
The strength of bug repellent made from plants may not be as
strong as chemically laden insecticides, like a Deet insect repellent,
but again the health risks are far fewer. With a bit of research
you may be able to find a particular bug repellent that works
best for you depending on the types of insects that are indigenous
to your area.
About the Author:
Pixie Matthews has written a number of articles on gardening and
landscaping including Organic
Vegetable Gardening, Vegetable
Gardening Tips, Spring
Vegetable Gardening, Compost
For Your Vegetable Garden, Vegetable
Gardening Tricks.
Keep a lookout for more of her articles on this website.
Little Known Bug Repellant Facts....
What types of chemicals are in commercialized bug repellants?
One of the most common chemicals that are
added to commercial bug repellants is DEET. DEET, which stands
for N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide, is a very common synthetic repellant.
It was actually developed by the United States Army for use in
the jungle. Soldiers were continuously being bitten by potentially
dangerous mosquitoes.
These mosquitoes were well known for transmitting
malaria and other illnesses. It should be noted, however, that
there have been some cases of toxicity found with DEET use and
these can lead to illness or in a few rare cases…death.
Other chemicals used in synthetic bug repellants
are citronella, Picaridin, or Permethrin. The governing health
organizations of different countries vary on what they allow to
be sold within their borders.
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