Page 35 2024 Spring Home and Garden LINCOLN DAILY NEWS April 2024 5. Stay away from boxelder, elm, and zelkova trees and other ornamental trees. The beetles these attract can enter nearby buildings in the fall. One of the safest defenses to deter certain critters and insects is the power of smell. Irish Spring bar soap can be used for more than just washing! This soap gives off a scent that is good to deter mice, rabbits, chipmunks, and deer. Simply cut up the soap bar into chunks and place it in a vented bag such as an old pantyhose or a netted type of bag and hang or place it around the garden. The bigger the pests, the more soap you will need. If the idea of using a bar of soap outside of the shower is a wash, then one can strategically pick certain plants close to the house or around your vegetation. One such plant is mint. You can purchase these in seed packages or as live plants. Some of the most popular are peppermint and spearmint which have the most potent aromas and can double as herbs in cooking. These plants can be integrated around the perimeters, tucked next to pestattracting plants, or even in containers. Other plant deterrents like oregano, parsley, and basil work as well, but do better when crushed or dried and spread around the patio or vegetable garden. Herbs like rosemary have a dual purpose by using them to enhance the flavors of your Sunday pot roast and in or around the garden to keep bugs away. It has a woody scent that discourages insects from taking up residence in your garden. Some other plants that will help to repel insects are lemon-scented plants such as lemongrass, lemon balm, lemon verbena, lemon thyme, or citrus trees. Lavender plants are a part of the mint family and are beautiful plants that are pleasing to the eye, smell wonderful, and also can be used as a living screen to deter mosquitoes, flies, moths, and fleas. Marigolds are beautiful, easy-togrow flowers that emit a strong fragrance that mosquitos find very unappealing, and Chrysanthemums have a natural insecticide called pyrethrin that helps repel ants, roaches, ticks, and fleas, but be cautious around your furry friends as it can be toxic to them. If there is no room for any extra plants, using essential oils on nearby rocks, fence posts, or mint tea bags will work, just not quite as well due to the amount needed and the possibility of dilution of the scent with rainwater or sun drying. Another scent that works well is spicy. You can mix one tablespoon of cayenne pepper for every cup of water and bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain out any solids and pour into a glass spray bottle. Plants can be sprayed from top to bottom and those pesty critters will not want to come back for seconds. Make sure you label this concoction and keep it in a safe place away from children and pets. Another idea to stay in the environmentally safe way is to use expired or rotten egg solids with a little garlic and a dash of vinegar. In 1975 the EPA registered putrescent egg solids Continued --
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