Orientation:

Spend a moment listening to your animated assistant explain the structure of today’s class. Then grab a beverage and your notebook and join us at the Ships Enchanted Atrium and Gardens for today’s class.

Relax and take a moment to connect to the beautiful plants at the Atrium. Do you have house or garden plants at home? What is your relationship with them?

Introduction:

Plants have an exciting relationship with insects. On the one hand, plants need insects to pollinate; on the other hand, insects can destroy plants. So, although plants produce essential oils to attract pollinators, their scents keep insects and other potential threats away.

To Keep Insects Away From Plants

Anti-Fungal Spray–
Patchouli
Tea Tree
Manuka
Amorpha
8 drops in a gallon of water.

Could you apply it as a spray to the leaves and stems of the plants?  Do not forget the underside of the leaves.

Plant Companion–

While watering, a few drops of lavender or thyme can encourage healthy indoor plant growth.

Lisa’s Bug Spray Concoction

Neem sterilizes insects so they cannot reproduce.  Whip 1 tbsp. of neem into 400 ml of water.

A few drops of hydrogen peroxide in the water can, with water, help get rid of insects in the soil.

Insect Repellent–

Always seek medical attention for conditions that may be serious or life-threatening.

Aphids- 2% clove or cinnamon oil used as a spray.  Soap spray made with citrus sprayed directly on aphids.

Lu Meissner- Student Project-

 

The following recipe uses nasturtium leaves rather than essential oil, but you might enjoy it.

Natural Aphid Spray- (Rachel, The Herbal Academy)

Ingredients
1-ounce nasturtium leaves
2 cups of water
1 tablespoon liquid castile soap
Plastic spray bottle
Directions
Place the leaves in a heatproof container (such as a large mason jar).
Heat water to boiling, and pour over the leaves.
Allow to steep for 10 minutes; then strain leaves.
Could you mix the liquid soap and pour the mixture into a spray bottle?
You can use this mixture sparingly to help control aphid infestations in your garden.

Ants: cloves, dried coffee, cedarwood, pepper, peppermint, garlic spray mixed with lemon juice, and garlic spray made with pureed garlic and black pepper oil.

Place white vinegar into a spray bottle in areas where ants live.  Another exciting idea is to deter ants with chalk.  They will not walk through lines drawn with chalk.

Ant Hills- Eucalyptus citriodora.

Fleas– Citrus oil, pennyroyal oil

Flies– basil, cedarwood, citronella, geranium, lavender

Moths- Cedar- put on cotton balls, lavender.  Whole cloves, not the essential oil.

Sandalwood—Feed emerging moths a glucose solution containing sandalwood oil, which prevents them from mating and laying eggs.

Mosquitoes– basil holy, cedarwood, geranium, lavender, lemongrass, citronella, catnip, peppermint, eucalyptus citriodora, tea tree.  Use at 5% dilution with a carrier oil or water base.  If using a water base, shake the bottle well before applying each time and use a spray top.  Please do not use it on children under 8.  If you use it on children, consider lowering the amount of essential oil and using a very safe oil, such as eucalyptus citriodora.  (No internal use, of course).  Keep out of your eyes and test for allergies.  Do not use catnip, basil, cedar or peppermint if pregnant or breastfeeding.

Researchers have determined that soybean oil can help keep mosquitoes at bay for up to 94 minutes.  This makes it a suitable medium for diluting essential oils when creating a natural mosquito repellant.

Mosquitoes prefer dark-coloured clothing.  If you are in the shade, try wearing something lighter-coloured.  Also, please remove standing water, as mosquitoes are attracted to it.

A good home remedy is to eat garlic to keep mosquitoes away.  Mosquitoes are more attracted to people with type O blood.

Potato bugs– peppermint spray

Roaches– bay laurel, cedar, peppermint, Japanese mint, orange.  Mixing an equal amount of sugar and baking soda in a place where cockroaches frequently may be deadly to them.  They like sugar, but this mixture will create a build-up of gas that may kill them.

Silverfish, Flies, Moths– lavender, citronella

Spiders do not like citrus oils. To deter them, add citrus oil to water and wipe down areas.

Termites- clove oil spray.

Ticks– eucalyptus, tansy, amyris, palmarosa, Virginian cedarwood, and cypress.

When you find evidence of a tick bite, visit a doctor for an antibiotic prescription.  It is imperative to get quick treatment to prevent problems.  Having a tick remover and knowing how to use it is also helpful.

Here is a link to the Tisserand Institute to an article about Lyme disease: https://tisserandinstitute.org/tick-talk-2/and a poster below on making a bug prevention spray for ticks with essential oils.

Wasps—A 2013 study published in the Journal of Pest Management Science reported outstanding results with peppermint oil.  Mix a litre of water with 15 ml of peppermint and a tablespoon of shampoo and spray.

Mouse Repellent– peppermint, spearmint

Insect Bites–

If the insects are poisonous, get medical attention immediately.  Also, seek medical attention if the person is allergic to the offending stinger or biter.

Ant Stings– Acidic- Apply an alkaline solution of bicarbonate of soda, adding a drop of chamomile or lavender to prevent infection.  A cold compress containing lavender and chamomile will reduce the pain and swelling.  Wildwood pg. 65

Bee and Wasp stings are different; they are acidic.  Bicarbonate of soda works.  To neutralize the infection, a drop of lavender or chamomile and a cold compress with chamomile and lavender- Wildwood pg. 65.  Apple cider vinegar is also an excellent medium to add lavender or tea tree to and apply to the sting.

Try a drop of lavender or tea tree to insect bites to reduce inflammation and help fight infection.

Mix three parts water to 1 part apple cider vinegar and rinse the area.  Repeat until the itching decreases.

Apply a drop of neem oil to each bite.

Spray aloe vera juice onto the bite.
Use a baking soda and water paste to the bite.
Have a baking soda bath-1/2 cup bathing soda dispersed in a lukewarm tub, soak for 15 minutes.

Scabies—Neem oil applied directly to the bites can help with the itch and stop the mites from breeding.  Put the pure neem oil onto a clean cloth or gauze pad and apply the oil directly to any minor and localized scabies infestations.  Leave the oil on the skin for fifteen to twenty minutes to help eliminate the mites and reduce the swelling, itching, and inflammation associated with scabies.

Essential oils of anise, turmeric, tea tree, rosemary, and clove may also be helpful when mixed into the neem. Please do not use it on children under 5. Anise is a relatively toxic essential oil, so use it very carefully. Monitor to see if you are getting results. You may need to repeat the treatment. The mite bites can remain itchy for a few weeks, and scratching may cause infections.

According to Dr. Sarah Taylor- Use hot (60oC/140oF) soapy water to wash all clothing, towels, and bedding at least two days before treatment.  Machine-dry with the highest heat.  Dry-clean items that can’t be washed at home.  Nonwashable articles should be isolated for 2 to 4 weeks in sealed plastic bags with the expectation that the mites will die within a few days.  Mites cannot survive off human skin for more than 2 or 3 days.  This bag should be put somewhere in the garage or outside.  Vacuum the entire house thoroughly and throw away the vacuum cleaner bag to prevent mites from escaping.

Spider Bites—Chrissie Wildwood, pg. 65—Chamomile, lavender, and tea tree.  Get medical attention immediately.

Wasp Stings- Apply a mix of apple cider vinegar and basil oil.  The venom is alkaline.  Apply as often as required until pain and swelling decrease.

Essential Oils that May Relieve Insect Bites:

Cajeput, chamomile—German or Roman—eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, and tea tree are all helpful essential oils for decreasing bite problems.  All essential oils should be diluted with a carrier, dropped into hot water, and applied with a compress.

To Deter Moths–

Place camphor essential oil on cotton balls and put them in drawers or a closet. Keep these oils away from pets and children. Cedar red on cotton balls has the same caution.

Essential Oils and Animals-

Many things can be dangerous to your animals. Essential oils can heal if suitable oils are used in very low quantities. However, the ingestion of essential oils can be toxic. Do not put oils on the pet’s coat so they can be licked off.

This is a specialty area.  Dr. Janet Roark-  https://essentialoilvet.com/about/

is an expert.  You might try her web page and blog for more specialized advice.

Using Essential Oils with Animals Safely

Dr. Roark’s Dilution Guide for Animals

Plants that are Dangerous to Animals-

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants

Check your Practical Potions Journal below for more plant care ideas.

Downloads

Plant Care & Insects-6C