HERBS CAN BE USED IN MANY WAYS.  THEY ARE USED MOST OFTEN IN COOKING OR FOR HOME REMEDIES.  SOME HERBS FURNISH DYES AND MANY OTHERS ARE USEFUL IN COSMETIC PRODUCTION OR THE MAKING OF POTPOURRIS.  BUT EQUALLY IMPORTANT ARE THE HERBS THAT REPEL INSECTS AND PESTS.

Because of the harmful effects of chemical insecticides and bug sprays, herbs are a healthy alternative in the fight to control insect and pest infestations.  Certain herbs are known to repel moths, ants, fleas, and even rodents.  The following herbs are natural repellants.

CATNIP is a native plant of Europe.  A perennial with heart-shaped leaves, it gorws from one to three feet in height.  Catnip requires a sunny location but will tolerate poor soil conditions.  To start catnip it is best to sow the seed directly int he ground instead of transplanting.  This will allow the herb to become well-rooted before the cats in the neighborhood find it.

Why plant catnip and risk becoming the local hangout for all the cats in the neighborhood?  Because rats hate catnip almost as much as cats love it.  If a house is infested with rats, a thick planting of this herb against the walls will quickly elimiante them.  Rats positively will not cross a planting of catnip.

Another problem for many homemakers is the sudden invasion of ants.  They may number only a few stray insects, but more often the entire colony marches into the house in single file maneuvers.  Plant TANSY around the base of the house where ants are coming in.  Tansy grows to a height of three feet so reduce the stalks by half in May or early June.  The leaves have a fern-like appearance and the plants produce bright golden flowers.  They exude a pungent odor which repels the ants.  Tansy leaves strewn about the house are an effective repellent as well, which is good news for pet lovers.  A note of caution, however, tansy ingested in excessive quantities could be dangerous to your pet.

SAGE and BLACK WALNUT leaves are also effective in discouraging ants.  Lay some fresh or dried leaves on window sills, in garbage pails, or around baseboards where ants crawl into the house.  The Pennsylvania Germans use branches of Southernwood in their cupboards and pantry shelves to keep ants out of food.

SOUTHERNWOOD'S French name is GARDEROBE, which means guardian or protector of clothes.  The dried stems of SOUTHERNWOOD protect clothing from moth infestations.

The sweet glad, more commonly known as CALAMUS in the United States, originated in India and grows along the banks of lakes and streams.  This is one of the herbs mentioned in the Bible.  The calamus has thick rhizomes and the white insides smell like lemon leaves.  The rhizomes are more powerful when dried than fresh and are often stored with furs to prevent moth damage and with books and papers to guard against insects.

To repel moths, homemakers can hang bunches of fresh herbs in closets or place them in drawers.  Fresh herbs laid directly on clothing may cuase spotting or staining.  Try using WORMWOOD, TANSY, SANTOLINA, or SOUTHERNWOOD, all of which are effective in repelling moths.  These herbs can be dried and crushed by lightly sifting through the fingers so as not to pulverize them into powder.

Store the crushed herbs in small bags made from any light-weight material.

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