Wormword as insecticide?

Question

I read in a herb book that wormword makes an excellent pesticide...has anyone tried this and if so...what is the best way to make it and how well does it work?

Answer 1

Wormwood leaves contain absinthin a substance which can be toxic to other plants. The absinthin will wash off the leaves and leach into the soil interfering and stunting the growth of plants in close proximity to the wormwood. Because of this do not use wormwood tea as a spray on small plants or seedlings, only on more established plants & I'd be cautious about using it on edible plants. For best results spray directly on the target insects or use dried wormwood cuttings spread on the soil in the garden as an pest deterrent. http://www.ghorganics.com/Wormwood.html

In companion planting, because of the secretions of its roots, it exerts an inhibiting effect on the growth of surrounding plants. It helps control weeds & should be grown at the edge of gardens. It'll repel insect larvae & is used to repel fleas, moths, green flies, snails & slugs.

It can become invasive, so plant just one plant to the back of your garden & you'll have plenty of anti-pest mulch material for years to come.
http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20070511/MOUNTAIN05/70510029&SearchID=7328084568606

I got a beautiful yellow & green variegated wormwood plant called "Oriental Limeight" from Home Depot last yr. & I just trim some off & spread it around my ornamental plants as a mulch.
It grew lots of runners & new plants sprouted up all around it this spring. http://www.hampshirefarms.com/product_page.asp?id=724

Here's how to make the pesticide spray:
http://www.augustinus-gymnasium.de/schulhof/e/wermut_3.htm
Good luck! Hope this helped.