Uninvited guests: traditional insect repellents in Estonia used against the clothes moth Tineola bisselliella, human flea Pulex irritons and bedbug Cimex lectularius.
Extensive folklore records from pre-modern Estonia give us an excellent opportunity to study a variety of local plant knowledge and plant use among the peasantry in various parts of the country. One important biocultural domain where plant knowledge has been crucial was in the various methods of combating different ectoparasites that cohabited and coexisted with humans and their domestic animals. Some of these methods were widely known (world-wide, Eurasia, Europe, Baltic Rim), while others were more local. Here we discuss ways of reducing clothes moths Tineola bisselliella (Hummel) (Lepidoptera: Tineidae), human fleas Pulex irritons L. (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) and bedbugs Cimex lectularius L. (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) with the help of plants. Various taxa used as traditional repellents have been identified. The use of plants as repellents and their toxic principles are also discussed from a comparative perspective.
Department of Semiotics, Tartu University, Institute of Philosophy and Semiotics, Tiigi 78, Tartu, Estonia. renata@folklore.ee
Renata
R
Sõukand
Raivo
R
Kalle
Ingvar
I
Svanberg
D000818:Animals; D001511:Bedbugs / Q000187:drug effects*; D004957:Estonia; D019448:Ethnobotany / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007302:Insect Repellents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009036:Moths / Q000187:drug effects*; D010944:Plants / Q000737:chemistry*; D005423:Siphonaptera / Q000187:drug effects*
D007302:Insect Repellents