According to chef and garden expert Laura Ritterman, pests are repelled by the smell of citrus that lives on your leftover peel, and thus deters them. 'Orange peels are great for your garden, as they can help to add nutrients to your soil – aiding in the growth and maintenance of your plants,' Laura explains.
Did you know that orange peels are chock full of nitrogen? Nitrogen is essential to good fertilizer. When your soil needs a boost, you can add in ground up orange peels. The peels will release the nitrogen and the result is nutrient rich soil your plants will love.
Orange Peels
Also, aphids and ants really do not like the scent of oranges, so you can bury the peels shallowly in your garden soil, or shred pieces of it and scatter that across your garden. Additionally, similar to one of the many uses of eggshells, you can use half of an orange peel to plant a seed!
Although materials like orange peels won't harm the environment while they break down, the ground is an inappropriate place for them. People often rely on animals like squirrels and birds to consume this waste, but the bitter fact is that it rarely happens.
According to chef and garden expert Laura Ritterman, pests are repelled by the smell of citrus that lives on your leftover peel, and thus deters them. 'Orange peels are great for your garden, as they can help to add nutrients to your soil – aiding in the growth and maintenance of your plants,' Laura explains.
Orange peels: It is estimated that orange peels take around 6 months to decompose, although in drier environments like Central Oregon, oranges can last indefinitely.
According to health experts, the peel of an orange is the healthiest part of the entire fruit. It is said that orange peels are rich in flavonoids and many other essential phytochemicals, which offer numerous health benefits. The peel also contains calcium, magnesium, folate, vitamin A and B.
Citrus Deters Ants. According to HomeTipsWorld and their article here, ants really do hate orange peel. Specifically: Did you know, mix orange peels and water, spray the solution outside your home, will prevent ants from coming in.
You can use orange peels to fertilize plants and improve the soil structure. They also provide essential nutrients like potassium, iron, calcium, and citric acid. You can also grind the orange peels with water and nutrient rich liquid soil supplement.
According to The Ashton Homestead, the orange peels contain a natural insecticide called D-Limonene that will repel everything from slugs, ants and fruit flies to dogs and foxes. The smell of citrus puts them off, giving you pest-free plants for (almost) free.
Orange Peels
Many insects are averse to citrus smells, but drawn to sugar. That's why you want to stick to only using the peels — the juice of the orange could attract more insects than the citrus can repel! Simply rub the peel on spaces you think insects might be invading, such as a windowsill or cabinet.
Use chopped up orange peels near your plants
Alternatively, you can chop up (or grind) your orange peels into small pieces. 'Spread these pieces or scrapes near the base of the plants. The pungent smell of orange peels can help deter some pests and rodents away from the plants,' Kevin explains.
Citrus peels will give plants that need a little extra acidity the nutrient boost that they need. Grind dry peels in a food processor and sprinkle the powder over acid-loving plants like nasturtium, blueberries and radishes.
Adding orange peels to your soil will help acidify it. This method is an all natural way to increase the acidity in your garden soil.
Scattered on your garden beds, orange peels will deter slugs and snails from eating your precious produce. Pesky ants are also not a fan of orange.
Household Items
Orange peels help in repelling spiders, and it will not cost you much. The crawling insect is not friends with citrus scents, and it can be the most effective solution for your problem. You only have to cut the peel in chunks and place it inside a container with boiling water.
Placing bits of orange peel or zest around the garden repels flies and mosquitoes. Rubbing orange peel on the skin is a home remedy for preventing mosquito bites.
Cats have very sensitive noses and think citrus smells terrible. Anecdotal evidence suggests that placing fresh orange peels (or the peel of any citrus fruit, according to The Best Cat Page) around your garden or around specific plants can make cats steer clear.
There is a common misconception that “natural trash” such as orange peels, banana peels, apple cores, and shells from nuts and seeds are okay to leave behind on the trail, in campgrounds, or in other outdoor spaces. While these things are natural, they are not natural to the places they are being left.
Does boiling an orange peel destroy its nutrients? Yes, boiling may strip orange peels of some nutrients. However, this depends on the extent to which the peels have been boiled.
Worms breathe through their skin and certain foods will irritate or prevent that process. For instance, the natural chemicals and acidity in citrus peels and onions can kill worms and other microorganisms, which can slow down decomposition rates in your bin.
Mix 1 cup of sugar with 2 cups of water and bring to a low boil. Place peels in the syrup and simmer for 45 mins. Use a slotted spoon to remove the peels from the syrup and set aside on a cooling rack for about 5 mins.
Rotten citrus scraps are a fantastic addition to your compost pile since they are already starting to break down. As such, if your oranges are moldy, do not be afraid to add them and their peels inside the pile.