Can Osage orange (horse apple) repel pests?

Question

ForwardPlant Team · Accepted Answer

While Osage orange (Maclura pomifera) is often cited in traditional remedies for pest control, scientific evidence directly supporting its efficacy as a broad-spectrum insect repellent for practical agricultural or home use is largely anecdotal or inconclusive. Some studies suggest certain compounds in its wood or fruit might have mild insecticidal or repellent properties against specific pests, but these are not consistently effective across all species or in all applications. Therefore, relying solely on Osage orange for pest management may not yield desired results.

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