Unfortunately, a pest rarely comes alone. By feeding on the host plant and excreting honeydew, aphids attract ants to make matters worse. However, the Lavendula does not know this problem. Its aroma is repellent to the animals. This makes it possible to use the purple-colored plant to protect other plants from infestation. In this guide, the gardener will find helpful tricks from border borders to lavender oil to combat pests naturally.
The type of lavender is crucial
The Lavendula plant actually drives away pests such as ants, aphids or fleas with its scent. However, the effect depends on the intensity of the smell. In this regard, the stricter the scent, the more effective Lavendula is. Accordingly, the new cultivars usually have the typical, very distinctive scent of lavender in order to keep parasites away. Three types of the plant occur naturally and are divided into further sections. Since most of them are not winter hardy and for this reason cannot be cultivated in this country, only a few species are of interest to the German gardener. These include in ascending order of fragrance intensity:
The woolly lavender
(Lavandula lanata), Section I.- has silvery, hairy leaves
- not hardy
- subtle fragrance
The real lavender(Lavandula augustifolia), Section I.
- very often found in home gardens
- rather short stature
- flowers pink, white, dark purple or bluish
- is used for oil extraction (considered the most expensive lavender oil because it has the purest scent)
- smells delicate and mild
The butterfly lavender(Lavandula pedunculata), the Crested lavender(Lavandula stoechas L.) and the Green lavender(Lavandula viridis), Section III
- only hardy up to -5 ° C, therefore only intended for the bucket
- bloom purple
- smell sweet and slightly like camphor
The French lavender / tooth lavender(Lavandula dentata), Section II
- has serrated leaves
- all blue colored flowers
- especially suitable for the bucket
- rather rare variety
- very aromatic, resinous fragrance
The Speiklavender(Lavandula latifolia / Lavandula spica) section
I.- has long flower stalks
- forms numerous branches
- is used for oil extraction (Speik oil, very productive)
- Can only be cultivated as a container plant, as it is sensitive to frost
- smells very strongly of camphor
Note: When buying a lavender that is supposed to be used to drive away vermin, the gardener is best guided by the color of the flower. Purple-flowered varieties usually have a stronger, more potent aroma. In addition, the location is also crucial. The plants smell more fragrant in the sun than in partial shade.
Fight vermin in the garden
Growing lavendula in the garden is probably the most natural way to drive away lice, fleas and ants. A mixed culture is particularly recommended, in which the plants benefit from each other. Thanks to its attractive flowers, lavendula is a decorative border and also makes a good ground cover in cottage gardens. However, the gardener should note that not every plant feels comfortable near the purple herb. Lavendula demands dry soil and a lot of sun. The popular combination with roses is therefore controversial. It is also important that Lavendula is in full sun so that it can fully develop its essential oils. According to experience reports, it has already happened that aphids have moved from a rose to the herb because its fragrances were too weak. In order to effectively prevent pests, the gardener should therefore choose varieties that are as intensive as possible, such as spear lavender.
Tip: In the case of unsuitable plant neighbors or simply for a change in the blooming violet the gardener can also use strongly fragrant herbs such as savory, sage, thyme, oregano or mint
To fall back on.Fight vermin in the house
Since the honeydew-producing lice attract ants, it is primarily the plant pests that need to be combated. As a result, the ant problem usually resolves itself. But what if, for example, food smells attract the insects? Ant trails in the house are not only annoying, but also unhygienic. In the bed or on the terrace, the intensely fragrant Speiklavender is the first choice. However, since it hardly reminds of the lovely scent of lavender, but rather smells very strong, it is rather out of place in the apartment.
The use of lavender oil is therefore recommended for closed rooms. High-quality essences are available in almost all drugstores or health food stores. The gardener puts a few drops in water, fills the liquid into a spray bottle and uses it to spray furniture or fabrics. He should apply the scent especially on the windowsill so that the insects don't even get into the apartment. If you have a lavender plant in your garden, you can also make the fragrance yourself:
Making lavender essence
- harvest dry lavender flowers (a handful is enough)
- Pour boiling water over them
- let it steep for a couple of hours
- strain and intercept the brew
Tip: The gardener can also add the liquid to the irrigation water and use it both indoors and outdoors to water the plants.
Garden with foresight and benefit twice
The gardener does not necessarily have to process the stems of the lavender into oil. It is also possible to use the dry stems for mulching rose beds. This not only prevents aphid infestation, under favorable conditions Lavendula even sows itself.