Spices Can "Season" Pests to Death
Herbs and spices used to flavor food are also green alternatives to synthetic pesticides, scientists say. Oils from thyme, rosemary, mint, and other herbs and "killer spices" are gaining favor among farmers as alternatives to synthetic pesticides.
Sprayed onto crops like any garden-variety pesticide, the plant oils repel insects, similar to how chili peppers can repel elephants. Other oils kill pests outright, the study says.
Originally intended for the perfume and food-flavoring industries, the killer-spice oils are already available wholesale and may be headed to retail shelves if the new use catches on, the researchers say.
The all-natural pesticides should be inexpensive too, Isman reasons, since they're already in widespread use as wholesale perfume ingredients and flavorings for food. Companies are already working to bring the spice oils to retail shelves for farmers
