Anecdotal evidence suggests that hedge apples can repel ants and spiders.
It is a common belief that hedge apples can repel insects and act like natural pest controllers. This belief comes from old folktales. However, pest control experts agree that there is no scientific evidence to prove this belief and as a result there is no concrete evidence to show that hedge apples do repel insects. In a research conducted by Iowa State University, researchers extracted compounds from hedge apples which repelled insects, but just in concentrated form. Does this Spark an idea?
About Hedge Tree
The hedge tree, also known as Osage orange, is a native to Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. It is a hardy plant and grows easily. It was planted as a fence in many areas. The wood of the tree is very hard and durable. Usually this tree is not used in landscaping because it sheds a lot of fruits, which are green and knobby in appearance and called hedge apples. The tree is considered a nuisance. Some people believe hedge apples are an insect repellent. If you would like to check the truth of that belief, try using hedge apples as a fall decoration around your home. Wear gloves while handling this fruit. The milky sap can cause severe itching and skin irritation.
Uses of Hedge Wood and Hedge Apples
As hedge wood is hard, durable and shrinks and swells less than other types of wood, it is used to make fence posts, furniture and archery bows. Researchers from University of Nebraska claim that dried hedge wood has the highest BTUs when used as firewood. However, burning of this wood causes a lot of sparking, so adequate protection needs to be put between the fireplace and the rest of the room.
Some people slice hedge apples and use them as floral arrangements, as the inside of the fruits is beautiful and esthetically appealing, similar to kiwi fruit. Others claim that hedge apples are effective in repelling different types of insects and mice.
Hedge Apples as Ant Repellent
Pluck four to five hedge apples. Pick them in such a way so that a bit of the branch comes off along with the fruit. It can also have some leaves. A hedge apple measures eight inches in width. So take a bowl that will hold them. Place the bowl on the kitchen counter or in any place where you want to keep the ants away.
To test its effectiveness, place it in an area where you already see ants. The result is seen in about 10 days. The pungent odor from the essential oils of the hedge apple irritates the ants. They will leave your home and go outdoors for fresh air.
Hedge Apples as Spider Repellent
Pluck or buy a bag of hedge apples. Growing these trees in your own yard is a better idea.
Scatter the hedge apples around the foundation of the house. If your house has several cracks on the exterior, then these are the popular spider havens. Drop two or three hedge apples in such places. In a span of two weeks you will notice a visible reduction in the spider population. To avoid recurring spider problem, repeat the process once in three months.
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