Beautyberry -- anyone?? Fly & mosquito control

[Mini Horses]

Walking thru my lower pastures this afternoon I came across a bush that I have seen in several places and often wondered what it was and, more importantly, were those beautiful berries a problem!? Today I broke off a small stem and came in to check it out.

At first I was just going to say "hey, what's this?" Then took the DIY route and found the following info...

Seems to be a proven deterrent for flies & mosquitos. It's pretty out there growing and the bees like it, birds eat it. The leaves are high protein...guess I lucked out. May work with info to make use of the bug issues. Hey, one article says it works with fire ants, too.

Another says evidence of deer bedding in thickets of these, suspected due to bug control.

https://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_caam2.pdf

 

[goatgurl]

I have beauty berry bushes growing on my farm too. I love them but unfortunately the goats do too. very interesting about the insect deterrent. will have to check that out. the berries on mine get darker as they age, do yours?

 

[Mini Horses]

During the season, yes. In Fall they darken, then shrivel. I know mine have arrived via birds...along fence lines. They are pretty and I plan to help them expand in a place or two. Not a thicket but, a few bushes. Bees like the flowers. My goats will probably like them if found, LOL.

Considering putting them where I can benefit from the bug deterrent deal.

 

[Baymule]

We have them on our place. The sheep will eat them, but as a last resort. As long as they have plenty of grass/browse, the Beautyberries are safe. Interesting about the insect repellent.

 

[greybeard]

We have them here, but call them french mullberry & they grow prolifically down in the bottoms. Someone forgot to tell the skeeters, flies, gnats, horseflies deerflies and ticks that these plants are repellants. Only way I've seen them repel anything is if ya cut one into a good leafy switch and keep the bugs off your back like a cow does with her tail.

Back in the 50s-60s, when this county was still open range, and seedticks were everywhere, we called them tickweed. All you had to do was brush up against a bush and your pants leg would instantly be covered with seed ticks.