pepper sprays are repellents, aren't they?

I'm skeptical about the effectiveness of pepper sprays. If they are effective, why doesn't everyone use them? Do you?

I suspect the idea of pepper sprays is based on anthropomorphism -- that those who use them are repelled by hot things. I am attracted to hot peppers, so I think insects will like them too. That's my anthropomorphic take on the subject.

But it is an example of the repellent approach to insect control and I would be interested in trying it if I can be convinced it might work.

Jim

Repellents have been used with limited effectiveness. There is research evidence that many plants produce reactive chemicals that act as repellants. However, in most cases a "Breach" in the effectiveness of the repellant allows for significant damage to the crop.

My grandparents used to dust their cole crops with lime powder just to make the crop less desirable to the pests. However when the crops were harvested they usually still had a few worms and that white slime permeated throughout. Newer products like BT are safe and unnoticed for human consumption but paralize the gut of the worms that begin feeding on the crop. Now tell me that ain't neat.

By the way, Deet has lately come under fire as unsafe to apply directly to skin. Is it really safe?

I don't think that DEET is really safe, but the misery of being eaten alive (which carries some risks, too) sometimes out outweigh other safety considerations. Here next to the Missouri with the historic flood last year I went through a lot of cans.

I also did the higher-concentrated DEET that you SOAK your external clothes with (when they're not on you), allow to dry, and then wear only while doing outdoor work, washing as rarely as possible. I think that is preferable to always putting it on the skin.

Why limit to insecticides and repellents though? Why not talk about totally safe barrier methods like agricultural fleece? Agribon, anyone? I use it on my cucumbers until they get to flowering stage.

Thanks for the input.

DEET is just an example of a repellent. I'm not advocating it.

Jim

My idea of a repellant is to capture the offending bug, puree them in my garden blender, and mix them with a safe spray. This method has been used for years, and makes sense to me. The other effective repellent strategy I use is by planting aromatic companion crops along with the attractant ones - marigolds are often used for this, alliums work with soil-born pests, and fennel and dill are good against flea beetles. The best approach is to utilize as much diversity as possible, including beneficial insects and sticky traps and pheromones as well as the repellant arsenal and garden fabrics.

On your person, nothing works like mosquito netting. Here in coastal Maine, we have blackflies, followed by mosquitos, then deerflies, all of which are painful and annoying and in some people can cause dangerous reactions. With the additional danger of Lyme disease, West Nile Virus, and others, including rare cases of malaria still in the US, the most effective approach for humans is to cover your skin well. I wear large old white long-sleeved dress shirts when working in the garden that I buy at Goodwill, and have a wide-brimmed hat with mosquito netting that is tucked inside the collar.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bug off!

Isn't that the basis of some companion planting techniques? Somewhere recently I saw someone mention planting garlic/onions between squash plants to deter squash bugs. No idea if that works, just an illustration of what I meant. But yes, repelllents would be nice!

I've seen freshly cut mint repel an ant stream pretty effectively.