Tansy plants are herbaceous and are often perceived as weeds. Tansy is native to Asia and Europe but has spread widely to other parts of the world. The plant is very invasive, and you will find it growing on roadsides on its own. Tansy is widely used for landscaping purposes. It also repels various pests which include:
1. Ants
Ants stay outdoors but may often find their way into your house due to unfavorable weather conditions outside or when looking for food. Ants can contaminate food and cause structural damages to your house. Carpenter ants may dig tunnels into the wood to nestle there, damaging your home. Others also bite humans and pets. Some ants may get into the house and leave after some time, while others get in and nestle there.
Some ant varieties are carriers of disease-causing organisms and pose health risks to people. If ants keep on getting into your property now and then, grow tansy as the insects hate its scent and will walk away immediately, they sense it. You can also sprinkle tansy oil around your property to keep them away.
2. Squash Bugs
Squash bugs can cause massive damages to squash plants and pumpkins. The brown to black insects are very difficult to control. They suck sap from plants and produce toxins that result in wilting. Smaller plants may also die from the attack. If you have problems with these bugs, grow tansy around your plants.
Squash bugs hate the scent of tansy and will disappear from your garden. Still, grow squash bugs resistant plants such as butternut and sweet cheese.
If your plants have already been affected, you can spray neem oil on them, as you wait for the tansy to mature.
3. Cutworms
Cutworms can be a nuisance in your garden and are particularly notorious for affecting young seedlings. They also love feeding on vegetables. There are several species of cutworms with a range of colors, from green to black and pink. They can attack the roots and leaves of plants.
Plant tansy in your garden, if the plants are at risk of attack, or have already been attacked.
You can also mulch your plants using oak leaves or spread coffee grounds around your garden, to supplement tansy.
4. Cabbage White-flies
If you are a vegetable gardener, you may have come across white butterflies in your garden. The butterflies may be either large or small white butterflies. While they are very similar in appearance, the large white butterfly is not a pest, since it does not cause any harm to the crops. The small one is the gardener’s enemy.
The cabbage white butterfly does not cause any harm to plants. It lays eggs that hatch to larvae. The larvae then feed on the leaves of cabbages and other vegetables and damage them. The adult butterfly lays pale yellow eggs on the surfaces of leaves. If you notice them on your vegetables, wash them off so that they don’t hatch into the harmful larvae. They usually leave holes on leaves and excrete them.
Grow tansy together with cabbages, or, spray tansy oil on the vegetables to keep away the cabbage white-flies.
5. Moths
Just like the cabbage white-flies, adult moths do not cause any damage to crops. Their larvae are the ones that cause havoc on the garden, as they feed on leaves. Surprisingly, the larvae seem very tiny but can eat a whole loaf in a single day.
Tansy emits smells that moths hate. Having them in your vegetable garden will keep the disastrous insects away.
6. Fleas
Fleas are common during summer and survive on sucking blood from humans and animals. Their bites are also irritating and cause discomfort. Fleas may cause diseases to both animals and people. They can transmit diseases like the plague to humans, and dermatitis to pets. Always vacuum your house during summer if you identify fleas. Grow tansy in containers and place them indoors to prevent the pests from getting into your house.
If your pets have been infested with fleas, there are various products you can use to get rid of the fleas. You can rub coconut oil or bath it with an organic pet shampoo.
7. Mice
Mice can be very disastrous in your garden or home. The pests are very agile, and will always find their way into your house. They feed on plants, as well as other household items. They also destroy structures by eating joining wires. Worse of all, mice can transmit dangerous diseases. They love eating dry seeds, and may also feed on fresh vegetables.
Mice get irritated by the scent of tansy and will keep off areas where tansy is planted. The small black or brown rodents may also make one feel insecure by dropping things as they move around. Grow tansy around your house and garden to keep the rodents away. You can also compliment the control method by adding rodent-proof bulbs in your yard. Still, a mousetrap will also be effective in trapping the rodents, if you place it on their favorite spots.
8. Japanese Beetles
Japanese beetles feed on leaves of plants, leaving them looking like skeletons. At their early stage, the beetles live under the soil, where they can damage the roots of plants. They may attack roses and grass.
Grow tansy in your garden to keep the beetles away. Also, keep your grass healthy by applying the necessary fertilizers, since poorly maintained plants are more susceptible to attack. The beetles do not cause harm to humans.
9. Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes pose a danger to human health as they transmit dangerous diseases. Mosquitoes get irritated by the camphor scent of tansy. Grow the plants around your house to keep off the dangerous bugs.
How to Use Tansy As A Repellant
Growing tansy in the garden or containers will keep the bugs away. You can also make tansy spray using the process below.
What you need:
• Tansy leaves (fresh or dried)
• Container with a lid
• Boiling water
Procedure
1. Place the leaves in a container and add boiling water.
2. Cover the container and let the mixture rest.
3. Use a filter to separate the liquid part, and the leaves remain
4. Pour the liquid in a spray bottle. Add castor oil to make tansy more effective.
5. Spray it on the affected parts of the plant. You can also spray the mixture in the house, to repel mosquitoes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tansy is very toxic and should not be consumed. It might lead to death when consumed in large amounts.
Tansy can grow well on its own without additional fertilizers. But you can still add compost or fertilizers once in a month, to help the plants flourish, especially when growing them for landscaping purposes.
Tansy is very invasive. If you fear it will take over your garden, grow it in containers.
tansy oil is derived from the blue tansy plant. The oil is very beneficial and is used as a skincare product. It is also used in the treatment of some health conditions like asthma. The oil is not toxic like the tansy oil and can be consumed.
