Newletter filler & act

[Pennie 26]

Hi

I received these fro Farmer's Alamac;

The top part might be good to use as a newsletter filler or trivia questions. The receip might make a good activity to do with your res. or put it in the newsletter. Later Pennie

 

August is the time when some summer bugs are still at their best (or worst, as the case may be!). Herbs can be used for pest control. Dried wormwood, yarrow, santolina, tansy, mint, and lavender are traditional moth repellents. If you find unwanted creatures in your kitchen, don't reach for the poison. For example, discourage ants trailing in and out with sprigs of pennyroyal or wipe your counters with vinegar. If it's your pet that's bothered, try putting a drop of lemon oil or oil of rosemary on its collar for flea control.

 

 

The Fly and the Flea

 

Under ideal conditions, 336 trillion houseflies could develop from a single pair in one April-to-September season-just nine generations-if they all survive.

 

A fly beats its wings 200 times a second, three times faster than a hummingbird.

 

Fleas can jump 150 times their own length, vertically or horizontally. This is equivalent to a human jumping almost 1,000 feet!

 

Fleas consume 15 times their weight in blood each day.

 

 

Herb Vinegar

ONE OF THE simplest recipes for using herbs is this 19th-century hint for making flavored vinegar: Pour plain vinegar over herbs in a bottle and let it sit for a month in the sun. What could be easier?

A more refined vinegar can be made by taking approximately 1 cup of fresh herbs (basil, tarragon, or thyme, for example) and placing them in a clean quart jar. Heat vinegar just to the boiling point and pour it over the herbs, filling the jar to the top. Seal and store in a cool, dark place for at least three weeks for the fullest flavor. Strain the vinegar into 2 pint bottles and add a fresh sprig of the herb. (Use decorative bottles if you're planning to give these as gifts.)

You can use a single herb in plain white vinegar, or try a medley of herbs in other vinegars (such as cider vinegar or red or white wine vinegar). Here are a few suggestions to get you started, but feel free to experiment and invent your own blends: white vinegar with tarragon leaves, basil leaves, and peeled shallots; sherry vinegar with fresh rosemary leaves, minced horseradish, or chopped dried chilies; red wine vinegar with sage, parsley, and shallots.

[Sara 0]

Wow -- great article there. Timely too .... our poor pooches have been infested and we're fighting pests tooth and nail! We have a huge flea and tick population due to all those lovely rains (and more coming LOL).