Strong-smelling herbs repel garden insects so you don’t have to resort to pesticides. Mix up this recipe for a bug-battling concoction from author Annie Berthold-Bond.
Natural Insect Repellant
Makes 4 cups
1 head garlic
2 cups boiling water
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
2 cups water
1. Peel and mash garlic. Place it in a pint-size lidded jar and cover with boiling water. Screw on lid and let sit overnight.
2. Strain out garlic pulp. Add 2 cups water, oil, and liquid soap to the garlic infusion; stir to mix.
3. Set aside half the infusion to freeze and use another time. Pour the rest into a spray bottle.
4. Spritz on leaves, stems, and ground in infested areas. (Discard any leftover spray; it won’t keep unless frozen.)
From Better Basics for the Home by Annie Berthold-Bond (Three Rivers Press, 1999).
