Re: [CH] Re: Aphids & Whiteflies

Keith Stephenson (keith@stephensonk.freeserve.co.uk)
Fri, 14 Jan 2000 11:30:54 -0000

Chris. in my experience cats hate citrus smells, chopped up orange peel
(1/2"
squares) scattered around the plant, or in/on the pot, should keep them
away. This needs repeating often as the pieces lose their smell as they dry
out.

Another 'trick' popular here in the UK is to half fill a clear glass bottle
with water, lay this on its side alongside the plant. The reflections in the
bottle of the water surface is meant to unsettle the cat, the jury is out on
this one.

Your cats may be 'different', siamese  are noted for this!!!!. try waving a
piece of peel under ones nose and see if it likes it.

Regards Keith

----- Original Message -----
From: Chris Meredith <merc@innocent.com>
To: D. Gibson <jongleurdg@earthlink.net>; <chile-heads@globalgarden.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 11, 2000 5:09 AM
Subject: Re: [CH] Re: Aphids & Whiteflies


> I took your advice and used the Citrus oil, unfortunately I  now need
> something to keep my Siamese cats away from the plants.
> Yes these are the same duo that decimated my seedlings earlier in the
year.
> I have(had) an Habanero plant that was actually
> experiencing growth after bringing it inside for  the winter. it did get
> infested with either whiteflies or aphids so I used the Citrus oil.
> I was washing the dishes tonight and noticed that all the leaves except
one
> had fallen off. I pointed it out to my wife and she made
>   the comment that I would "never learn" . I chased her down to find out
> what she meant and she said that she found the cats Happily
>   munching on my plants this a.m,.
>
> so you ask where is this leading to  well ..... does anyone have any
> recipe's appropriate for the situation? I have seen recipes for many
exotic
> food including Girl Scout's I now need one for a 15 yo Blue point Siamese
> and a 15 yo seal point and a recommendation for an a appropriate wine
>
> I was unaware the cats like citrus
>
> -Chris
>
>
>
> At 07:45 AM 2/9/00 -0600, D. Gibson wrote:
> >Karen, for peppers try NEEM or citrus oil sprayed on
> >the plants to kill insects, or a combination of both of
> >these substances.  Do not use more than 2 ounces of
> >citrus oil (aka d-lemonine) per gallon of water as it
> >would burn the plants.  One or two ounces of citrus oil
> >is generally acceptable.  Follow label directions when
> >using NEEM.  Avoid using citrus oil on tender plants in
> >the hot sun.
> >
> >The above recommendations may work on whiteflies, but
> >you might like to add beneficial nematodes to the soil
> >in the containers to control the whiteflies.   Are
> >whiteflies the ones that breed in the wet potting
> >soil?.  If so, letting the soil dry out between
> >waterings could be beneficial.  Perhaps I'm thinking of
> >fungus gnats.
>
>