We recently noticed rue at our farmers' market herb stand. Our only familiarity with the plant was from Shakespeare (Ophelia used it in her garland), so we asked our vendor for recommendations. She told us that rue has traditionally been used in folk remedies, but that most people find it too bitter to eat. She also had another intriguing suggestion...
Put it in the kitchen, she said – it will keep flies at bay! So, we grabbed a bunch and found the perfect opportunity to test its effectiveness when we brought home a stem of fresh dates. Hung by the window to ripen, the dates soon attracted a small cloud of fruit flies. We tucked a few sprigs of rue between the fruits and, lo and behold, the flies quickly lost interest. In fact, they disappeared altogether. (One might even say they rued the day they entered our kitchen!)
Although flies hate the strong aroma of rue, fortunately it's pleasant to humans. We will definitely be keeping the herb around our fruit bowls from now on. Have you ever used rue or other herbs to repel kitchen bugs?
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Be very carefull when trying out rue - some people are allegic to it (and I'm not sure about pets). My sister and I are VERY allergic to rue, which we learned when my mother planted it in her herb garden. To my knowledge this is the only thing I'm allergic to.
Many people are allergic to rue, but can handle it briefly and carefully, maybe with gloves. Try not to bruise the leaves or get the sap on your skin. It can also cause photo-dermatitis, sun sensitivity, if you eat it or get it on your skin.
I believe traditionally it is used in egg dishes in Europe (obviously for those NOT allergic).
I have never tried an herbal remedy to fruit flies, but last weekend I put some scotch and dish soap in a small jar, covered it with plastic wrap, poked some small holes in it, and within 24 hours the flies were all in there, dead as doornails.
Emily
I'm told basil keeps insects away. If you're growing them indoors, try placing them near windows and doors. Rubbing lightly on the leaves will release its scent more.
Great tip; thanks for sharing it. And more importantly, what a beautiful jar. I love it.
oh, i wish i would have known this last month when there was a fruit flies party in my kitchen!
If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, stay away from Rue, it can cause a miscarriage. I'm not sure what level of contact is safe, just something to be aware of.
What a great idea! I'm definitely going to give this a try. The only problem is that I live in Quebec, and none of the online translators can tell me what 'rue' is in french! All I get is "se repentir de" which is for rue, the verb.
Anyone have any idea what 'rue' is in french?
I'm not sure what rue is in french, but the latin name for it is Ruta graveolens, which should help you track it down as latin names are internationally recognised.
I feel compelled to add another warning about touching it. I've never had any skin sensitivities at all; then I helped a friend weed a patch of lovely rue which put me in the emergency room with burning, weeping blisters! Maybe rub a tiny bit on your leg and wait a day...
I planted Rue in my summer herb garden and wasn't sure what to do with it. I was planning on adding it to the compost bin it at the end of the season. Perhaps I should try replanting in a small pot that lives on the kitchen counter near the fruit bowl. Anyone have luck growing Rue indoors over the winter? (I have southern exposure in the kitchen).
i don't know about rue, but when i used to live in the northeast (catskill mountain area), i learned a trick: placing bay leaves around your kitchen counters will ward off ant invasions. unfortunately, this does not work in south florida, those bastards are relentless. must be a different species of ant.
Rue is essential in making Chinese sweet green mung bean soup. It's a cousin to sweet red adzuki bean soup/desserts. You add very little rue but without it the flavor just isn't right.
Most Chinese families I know have a rue plant just for this purpose because they're easy to grow but difficult to find a few sprigs to buy in the market. I never knew about it repelling fruit flies, affecting pregnancy, or common allergic reactions to it though! Good to know.
I visited a local rum shop in Barbados, and noticed that there was several clear plastic bags hanging from the ceiling three quarters filled with water, I asked what they where for, and he said it keeps flies at bay, I visited on several occasions, and sure enough I saw no flies, well I am 74 years old and very skeptical, but at home I have a window where flies accumulate, I use fly spray but they keep coming back, so I decided to give it a try, I got a Clear food and Bread storage bag 10in x 14in filled it 3/4 with water, and hung it level the top of the window, it has been there a week now and the flies have disappeared, do not ask me how it works I have not a clue. The man said to change the bag every 10 to 12 days.