Common Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare), of the family of Asteraceae, is a plant known for its insect repellent properties. It rises to the fore in terms of efficiency. So let’s see how to use this natural repellent and which undesirables can be kept away with different preparations based on Tansy. Of course, let’s discover the easy-to-make homemade “recipes”.
Tansy against insects and fungal diseases in the garden
This reputation as an excellent insecticide is not new! Our elders used Tansy leaves with which they covered meat products so that they were not invaded by flies. At the time, this solution was legion and everyone resorted to it since the refrigerator did not exist. The fact remains that this plant still renders us great services today since it can be used in the garden for get rid of unwanted insects without chemicals.
Tansy, also called worm grass et slipis the pet peeve of many undesirables.
Purin de Tanaisie:
- mite,
- Aleurode,
- Altisse,
- Codling moth of apples and pears,
- Doryphore,
- Escargot,
- Ant,
- Hoplocampus, a wasp whose larvae cause serious damage to the orchard,
- Slug,
- Different species of flies including cabbage fly and common fly,
- cabbageworm,
- cabbage aphid,
- Sawfly,
- raspberry worm,
- Leek worm.
Tansy decoction:
- Carpocapse,
- mealybugs,
- carrot fly,
- onion fly,
- Imported cabbageworm
- Blackcurrant and gooseberry borer.
Tansy infusion:
- Mites (fruit trees),
- Altisse,
- pear midge,
- Hoplocampes,
- carrot fly,
- seed maggot,
- cabbageworm,
- Aphids (various species).
Finally, note that you should not hesitate to plant near the house and also the dog’s kennel a few tansy plants judiciously placed because it is also an excellent natural repellent against:
- Fleas,
- ticks,
- bedbugs,
- Moths.
Tansy, the gardener’s ally, has very effective active ingredients against insects but also against fungal (or cryptogamic) diseases. Moreover, specialists inOrganic Agriculture do not hesitate.
Prepare a natural repellent with Tansy: the different solutions
Tansy is an excellent repellent and natural antifungal. So let’s go immediately to practice in order to discover the methods of preparing the various essential magic potions, four recipes to know at your fingertips. But be careful, we must first of all specify that we must absolutely use exclusively plastic containers and in no case in metal to develop these preparations but also for their use and storage.
Tansy decoction
Pick 300 g of Tansy stems and leaves, chop them very finely and before depositing them in 100 cl of preferably rainwater. Leave to macerate for 18 to 24 hours. Then bring the mixture to a boil, let boil for a few minutes, lower the heat and when the water just simmers, count 40 minutes without covering before cutting off the heat source. Then count a rest period of 24 hours and then filter. This tansy decoction can be kept for a month in a plastic container that is carefully stored in a dark and cool place.
You can also prepare a decoction of Tansy either with the leaves but with the flowers following the same recipe as above. We then obtain an even more effective potion.
Tansy infusion (for the garden and not for drinking)
All parts of the plant can be used to prepare this infusion. Just boil 200 cl of water (ideally rain water) and pour 600 g of freshly cut then chopped Tansy, and let infuse for 24 hours covering with a lid. At the end of this period, all you have to do is filter to obtain a liquid that you just need to dilute to 10% in water. This infusion of Tansy is to be sprayed on strawberries infested with mites or even in the vegetable garden to put an end to them and the seedling fly.
Purin de Tanaisie
As is the case when preparing any type of liquid manure, it is necessary to have a large quantity of vegetable matter. First of all, 5 liters of water are poured into a plastic bucket and then 1 kg of Tansy is placed there. This mixture must then be covered except during the brewing sessions at the rate of once a day for about two weeks. As soon as you see bubbles, the Tanaisie manure is ready. Before using it it is necessary to dilute it to 20% in water.
This repellent is powerful. It is no longer necessary to treat vegetable plants with this manure in the six days preceding harvest, but despite this precaution, it is essential to wash them well before consuming them.
Maceration of Tansy against fungal diseases in the garden
Here is another tansy-based preparation that acts preventively but also curatively against:
- Mildew,
- Rust (note that Tansy manure is also formidable against rust).
Take 60 g of dry flowers (or, if they are fresh, dry them in the sun) then chop them very finely until you obtain a powder which is poured into a plastic container containing 200 cl of rainwater. Let macerate for 72 hours. It’s ready ! The active molecules of this plant are even better extracted when the container is exposed to direct sunlight throughout the maceration phase.
You can easily grow Tansy in your garden, regardless of the geographical area, since it is a very hardy plant who supports down to -18°C but it quickly becomes invasive. With a height bordering on 150 cm, it also occupies space in width, and each year new shoots develop. This perennial can however be left in place because in addition to repelling insects, it brings a decorative touch to the outdoor space. It is covered, from June to September, with golden yellow flowers grouped in dense heads. When winter approaches, the plant disappears completely to better reappear in the spring.