I don't think anything but chemicals, unfortunately, can control mites.

But pencil shavings might have something in it for other bugs. First there would be tiny particles of charcoal. Isn't that what pencil lead is made of? Or is it just LEAD?

The cedar shavings would keep the dog odor down, probably. I don't know if they would help with fleas or other bugs.

Sometimes these old remedies really work. It wouldn't do any harm to try. But where are you going to find a pencil these days? I have one to mark my music but I bet they are not found in many homes today.

Nancy

Now you have me thinking.... we all know that cedar repels moths, since we have cedar chests, cedar closets, etc. And I'm thinking more along the 'repel' than 'kill' lines on this. I think I'll get some of those cedar things that you can hang in a closet and place some in and around my plants. It seems like a good experiment. And it will smell good for a while...

Pencils were made of cedar at one time, I don't know if that is still true. And I think graphite is a major component of the 'lead'. I love pencils, and buy them at the craft stores. I love the really fancy ones and enjoy using them.

Barbara

Hunh. I just googled 'cedar shavings', and it seems it's not recommended for pet bedding any more because that lovely scent is *toxic*.

It does repell or kill some insects, but the question is, is it worth trashing your lungs and/or liver? :-P

Korina

Cap'n Mal: Well, you were right about this being a bad idea.
Zoë: Thanks for sayin', sir.