How should wormwood be used against earth fleas? - briefly
Dust the infested soil with finely ground, dried Artemisia absinthium and mix thoroughly to coat all larvae. Alternatively, prepare a strong decoction of the herb, let it cool, and irrigate the area, repeating weekly until flea activity stops.
How should wormwood be used against earth fleas? - in detail
Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) acts as a contact and repellent agent for soil‑dwelling flea larvae. Prepare a concentrated extract by steeping 100 g of dried aerial parts in 1 L of hot water (≈80 °C) for 30 minutes, then filter through fine mesh. Dilute the filtrate to a working solution of 5 % (v/v) with clean water before use.
Application methods
- Soil drench: Pour the diluted solution evenly over infested beds, ensuring penetration to a depth of 10–15 cm where larvae develop.
- Seed‑bed soak: Submerge seed trays in the solution for 5 minutes prior to planting; this coats emerging roots and reduces flea emergence.
- Barrier spray: Apply the solution to the perimeter of planting rows to create a repellant zone that deters adult fleas from laying eggs.
Dosage guidelines
| Plant type | Volume per square meter | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Vegetables | 2 L | Every 7 days for 4 weeks |
| Fruit trees | 3 L | Every 10 days for 6 weeks |
| Ornamentals | 1.5 L | Every 5 days for 3 weeks |
Safety precautions
- Wear gloves and eye protection during mixing and application.
- Avoid direct contact with foliage of edible crops after the last application; wait at least 48 hours before harvest.
- Store the concentrate in a sealed container, away from children and pets, for no longer than 30 days.
Environmental considerations
- Wormwood compounds degrade within 2–3 weeks under normal soil moisture and temperature, minimizing residual toxicity.
- Rotate use with non‑botanical controls (e.g., nematodes, diatomaceous earth) to prevent resistance buildup.
- Test a small soil patch before full‑scale treatment to verify that native beneficial organisms are not adversely affected.
Monitoring
- Inspect soil samples with a hand lens weekly; a reduction of flea larvae by 70 % after the first two applications indicates effective control.
- Adjust concentration or frequency if counts remain above threshold levels.
By following these preparation, application, and safety steps, wormwood can be employed as a reliable, low‑toxicity tool for managing earth‑flea populations in garden and agricultural settings.