can we talk about pest control? please??

[OneTenthAcreAndAChicken]

Well - for years I didn't either - I'm guessing it's because I dump the 'board scrapings' in every day and don't always turn it under...

 

[MuckyPuppy]

I personally would be careful with planting common Tansy as I think I read somewhere that it can be invasive and toxic. I believe that in some areas it may even be classed as a Noxious weed. I also think that Tansy ragwort may also be classified as a Noxious weed in some places.

Edited to add:

However, I really love my Lemon Balm patch but I've never tried Sweet Annie.

 

[MuckyPuppy]

I've never tried them but I have read that for mosquitoes if someone plants marigolds, sweet basil and lemon thyme near their home it will reduce the amount hanging around the area.

 

[Honeysucklefeathers]

I'm in western KY and tansy is not invasive here. If you are worried about it becoming so, plant it in containers. I also have lemon balm and it does spread quickly, as does sweet annie and any of the mints. I think just about any herb can become invasive if let go. I garden about 3 acres and it doesn't bother me if things spread out;-)

Here is a little info, I'm just saying that it works great for me. Hope this helps.

Organic insecticide

Tansy can be used as in companion planting, and for biological pest control in organic gardens and sustainable agriculture. It is planted alongside potatoes to repel the Colorado potato beetle, with one study finding tansy reduced the beetle population by 60 to 100%.[5][14][15]

In England tansy is placed on window sills to repel flies; sprigs are placed in bed linen to drive away pests, and it has been used as an ant repellent.[16]

In the 1940s, distilled tansy oil mixed with fleabane, pennyroyal and diluted alcohol was a well known mosquito repellent; collectors were paid five cents a pound for tansy in full bloom.[5][17] Research has found that tansy extracts do indeed repel mosquitoes, but not as effectively as chemical pesticide products containing diethyltoluamide [5][18](i.e. DEET.) In 2008, researchers in Sweden investigated the use of tansy to repel ticks, showing a 64–72% repellency for each oil constituent.[19]

Toxicity

Tansy contains a volatile oil which can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. If taken internally, toxic metabolites are produced as the oil is broken down in the liver and digestive tract. It is highly toxic to internal parasites, and for centuries tansy tea has been prescribed by herbalists to expel worms. Tansy is an effective insecticide, and is highly toxic to arthropods.[20] Because it contains thujone, the U.S. FDA limits the use of tansy to alcoholic beverages, and the final product must be thujone-free

 

[mickeymousears]

Oh maybe that's why I've never seen tansy- california is big on non native invasive species. (there a big no no that is)

And ill have to check about the toxicity with my buns. Thanks for that note- I was so excited to get rid of the flies I almost ran out and bought something without checking if the rabbits could safely eat it.

So no one has tried the fly parasites? I was going to order them but was hoping someone had some advice/reviews before I did.

 

[Honeysucklefeathers]

The bunny's here are wild and they play in a patch of it all the time

 

[Honeysucklefeathers]

Quote:
Since you already have the mint, why not try it? I believe it will help as well.

 

[mickeymousears]

Quote:
Awww. I just love bunnies they are so cute!

I will look for tansy at the local nursery. In the mean time ill dry up some mint- I've been meaning to cut it back anyways its not very pretty when its overgrown.

 

[MuckyPuppy]

Quote:
Ah but not everyone on here lives in Tenn or has 3 acres of garden. Common Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare L.) is considered a noxious weed in the states of Colorado, Montana, Washington and Wyoming.

One publication states that common Tansy reproduces mainly by seed and that the seed can remain viable for up to 25 years in the soil. It can also be spread by the roots but control of the seeds is more important.

In others, The plant may also be toxic to animals (rare). The toxic properties of Tansy is cumulative and long term internal use (in humans) in large amounts has caused convulsions and death. Hand pulling has been reported to cause sickness and this indicates that the toxins present in Tansy may be absorbed through bare skin.

Edited to add:

When introducing any unusual/new plant to your home/garden research ALL available information as not all plants will be right for everybody/every situation.

 

[Honeysucklefeathers]

"I'm in western KY and tansy is not invasive here. If you are worried about it becoming so, plant it in containers. I also have lemon balm and it does spread quickly, as does sweet annie and any of the mints. I think just about any herb can become invasive if let go. I garden about 3 acres and it doesn't bother me if things spread out;-)

Here is a little info, I'm just saying that it works great for me. Hope this helps."