Herb Of The Week - Catnip - Grow your own mosquito repellent

[Guest guest]

An Article by Ann Lovejoy for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer

 

*Smile*

Chris (list mom)

 

It's The Great Pumpkin Progressive Auction!

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http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/nwgardens/90412_lovejoy10.shtml

 

Thursday, October 10, 2002

 

Grow your own mosquito repellent

 

By ANN LOVEJOY <lovejoy60

The news is full of horror stories, including the spread of the West

Nile Virus by mosquitoes. At the same time, a news item landed on my

desk that seems to promise a simple, natural way to fend off the little

buggers.

 

Last year, several members of the Iowa State University Department of

Entomology presented the results of a study on common catnip. Among

their conclusions was the fact that an essential oil in catnip is 10

times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than potent chemicals such

as DEET.

 

DEET is currently the most common active ingredient in commercial

mosquito and bug repellents. Unfortunately, many studies indicate that

DEET is also a dangerous chemical for humans, especially children. A

study carried out at Duke University Medical Center revealed that DEET

can cause brain-cell death and may trigger behavioral changes indicative

of neurological damage in rats after frequent or prolonged use.

 

In an effort to find a safer alternative, the scientists investigated

several plant essential oils that were commonly recommended as insect

repellents by organic gardeners. Catnip ranks high on the list of

natural bug-busters and evidently with good reason. In the Iowa study,

the researchers noted that small doses of catnip oil were at least as

effective at repelling mosquitoes as 10 times larger doses of DEET

(which was used at typical recommended application rates for commercial

products).

 

While the researchers don't know why mosquitoes don't like catnip oil,

they do know a good thing when they see it. Recently, the Iowa State

University Research Foundation applied for a patent for the use of

catnip essential oils as compounds. Within a few years, we'll probably

see many safe, non-toxic mosquito repellents on the market.

 

In the meantime, why not grow some mosquito repellent of your own? If

you have a sunny, well-drained patch of lean garden soil, try planting

some catnip. The plant you need is a perennial herb called Nepeta

cataria. Closely related to ornamental catmint, or Nepeta faassenii (or

N. mussinii), catnip is generally grown as a cat-pleasing or medicinal

tea herb rather than for its looks.

 

Catnip is far from ugly, but its gentle blue flowers are definitely

out-produced by its masses of softly hairy, gray-green foliage. Like

most herbs, it prefers well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight. If you

garden on heavy clay, you may succeed better with catnip and other herbs

if you give them a mounded bed or grow them on a slope to improve winter

drainage.

 

The first year you plant catnip, you may need to water it a time or two,

especially if next summer is as hot and dry as this one has been.

However, fall-planted herbs, including catnip, often need very little

water the following summer. Fall and winter rains can help plants create

deep, strong root systems that increase the natural drought resistance

of catnip and many other herbs.

 

Don't feed your fall-planted herbs, but do mix some compost into their

planting soil. A mix of half compost, half native soil is usually just

right. Top off the soil with a light blanket of compost (2-3 inches) to

help feed those actively growing roots through the cool months.

 

Even in spring, don't feed your herbs with anything but compost, or at

most a mild all-purpose organic fertilizer such as Whitney Farms 5-5-5.

Adding too much fertilizer can cause lush overgrowth in many herbs,

leading to dilute or low-quality essential oil production. In some

cases, herbs such as creeping thymes can be killed by commercial

fertilizers, so when in doubt, use only a very mild fertilizer and apply

it at half the suggested application rate.

 

This summer, I experimented with making both catnip vinegar spritzers

and catnip infused oils. Both did a fine job of keeping mosquitoes and

no-see-ums at bay during our warm summer evenings. If you would like to

try this yourself, here are the simple recipes I used:

 

<http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/art/black.gif>

 

 

CATNIP MOSQUITO SPRITZ

MAKES ABOUT 3 CUPS

 

 

* 2 cups catnip, stemmed

 

* 3-4 cups mild rice vinegar

 

Rinse herbs, roll lightly with a rolling pin, then place them in a clean

quart jar and cover with vinegar. Seal jar and store in a dark cupboard

for two weeks.

 

 

Shake jar lightly every day or so for two weeks. Strain into a clean

jar, seal and refrigerate for up to 6 months unused.

 

 

To use, spritz on exposed skin and around outdoor dining area.

 

<http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/art/black.gif>

 

 

CATNIP AND ROSEMARY MOSQUITO CHASING OIL

MAKES ABOUT 2 CUPS.

 

 

* 2 cups catnip, stemmed

 

* 1 cup rosemary, cut in 6-inch sprigs

 

* 2 cups grapeseed oil or any light body-care oil

 

Roll herbs lightly with a rolling pin and pack into a clean jar. Cover

with oil, seal jar and place in a cool, dark cupboard for two weeks.

 

 

Shake jar lightly every day or so for two weeks. Strain into a clean

jar, seal and refrigerate for up to 8 months unused.

 

 

To use, rub on exposed skin.

 

 

 

 

Ann Lovejoy, a free-lance garden and food writer, can be reached via

mail at: 9010 Miller Road N.E., Bainbridge Island, WA 98110. Her latest

books are " Ann Lovejoy's Organic Design School: A Guide to Creating Your

Own Beautiful, Easy-Care Garden " (Rodale, 280 pages, $35) and " The Sage

Garden: Flower and Foliage for Health and Beauty " (Chronicle Books, 144

pages, $17.95).

 

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

101 Elliott Ave. W.

Seattle, WA 98119

(206) 448-8000

 

Home Delivery: (206) 464-2121 or (800) 542-0820

 

Send comments to newmedia

C1996-2004 Seattle Post-Intelligencer

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

I also know that Catnip tea can break a fever.

C-M

[Guest guest]

Chris,

 

Or anybody that can give me some advice.

 

I've planted catnip more times than I can shake a stick at and the very next day

the plant, (roots and all) are gone. The neighborhood cats take the whole darn

thing. They don't just eat it, they steal it. Give me some idea how to keep

the little furry darlings from making off with my catnip plants.

 

Paws and Smell the Flowers:

Evelyn

www.alternasense.com<http://www.alternasense.com/>

-

Christine Ziegler<chrisziggy

< >

Tuesday, September 21, 2004 11:15 AM

Herb Of The Week - Catnip - Grow your own mosquito

repellent

 

 

An Article by Ann Lovejoy for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer

 

*Smile*

Chris (list mom)

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

I've planted catnip more times than I can shake a stick at and the very next day

the plant, (roots and all) are gone. The neighborhood cats take the whole darn

thing. They don't just eat it, they steal it. Give me some idea how to keep

the little furry darlings from making off with my catnip plants.

 

Make a " box " or cage out of hardware cloth, anchor it around the plant with

stakes or wire " hairpins " .

Neysa

 

 

[Guest guest]

Thank you dear lady. I will check on that tomorrow. I want to have it here if

I can keep the little furry darlings from stealing it. I wouldn't mind them

taking a bite or two occasionally but they take the whole darn plant. LOL

Paws and Smell the Flowers:

Evelyn

www.alternasense.com<http://www.alternasense.com/>

-

Neysa Dormish<neysa

< >

Wednesday, September 22, 2004 12:23 AM

Re: Herb Of The Week - Catnip - Grow your own

mosquito repellent

 

 

I've planted catnip more times than I can shake a stick at and the very next

day the plant, (roots and all) are gone. The neighborhood cats take the whole

darn thing. They don't just eat it, they steal it. Give me some idea how to

keep the little furry darlings from making off with my catnip plants.

 

Make a " box " or cage out of hardware cloth, anchor it around the plant with

stakes or wire " hairpins " .

Neysa

 

[Guest guest]

I don't think we have any hardware cloth sitting around here, If we do, I'd

bring you some. I'll have to out to the barn & check. I have catnip growing

wild all over my yard and have taken plants to Evelyn. I've also seen the crime

scene - a pot with dirt and a hole ! LOL My cats rarely bother with the catnip

when it's out side but when I bring it in the house - it's an entirely different

story !

Paula ........in Michigan

Coming soon Farm Fresh Soaps & Candles

paula

 

Thank you dear lady. I will check on that tomorrow. I want to have it here

if I can keep the little furry darlings from stealing it. I wouldn't mind them

taking a bite or two occasionally but they take the whole darn plant. LOL

Paws and Smell the Flowers:

Evelyn

www.alternasense.com<http://www.alternasense.com/>

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Is there an agency that you can contact, or catnip police or something. You

know, I even had some in a hanging basket, and they took it too!!!! Must have

been an accomplice in that little caper. LOL

Paws and Smell the Flowers:

Evelyn

www.alternasense.com<http://www.alternasense.com/>

-

Paula Coon<paulacoon

< >

Wednesday, September 22, 2004 8:49 AM

Re: Herb Of The Week - Catnip - Grow your own

mosquito repellent

 

 

I don't think we have any hardware cloth sitting around here, If we do, I'd

bring you some. I'll have to out to the barn & check. I have catnip growing

wild all over my yard and have taken plants to Evelyn. I've also seen the crime

scene - a pot with dirt and a hole ! LOL My cats rarely bother with the catnip

when it's out side but when I bring it in the house - it's an entirely different

story !

Paula ........in Michigan

Coming soon Farm Fresh Soaps & Candles

paula

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Plant catnip inside.

 

Bonnie

 

 

> Chris,

>

> Or anybody that can give me some advice.

>

> I've planted catnip more times than I can shake a stick at and the very

next day the plant, (roots and all) are gone. The neighborhood cats take

the whole darn thing. They don't just eat it, they steal it. Give me some

idea how to keep the little furry darlings from making off with my catnip

plants.

>

> Paws and Smell the Flowers:

> Evelyn

> www.alternasense.com<http://www.alternasense.com/>

> -

> Christine Ziegler<chrisziggy

> To:

< >

> Tuesday, September 21, 2004 11:15 AM

> Herb Of The Week - Catnip - Grow your own

mosquito repellent

>

>

> An Article by Ann Lovejoy for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer

>

> *Smile*

> Chris (list mom)

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I can't keep catnip going outside either. I've tried about everything,

but if it's not my cat it's the neighborhood cat's that will dig

around, scratch down what I've made on cages, I will try rose cuttings

next year...sigh...

C-M

[Guest guest]

Chris,

 

Or anybody that can give me some advice.

 

I've planted catnip more times than I can shake a stick at and the very next

day the plant, (roots and all) are gone. The neighborhood cats take the whole

darn thing. They don't just eat it, they steal it. Give me some idea how to

keep the little furry darlings from making off with my catnip plants.

 

Not sure if this will help with outside plantings

but I grow catnip in the house with 8 felines in and out of the plant room. I

place basil plants around the catnip plants, and they stay away from it. When I

take cuttings I give some to the cats in another room just to throw them off the

scent. Works very time. You could try planting basil together or surrounding

your catnip plants. Also I have seen written somewhere the saying, IF you

transplant it they will know it, IF you sow it they will ignore it. Hope this

helps

Karleen