Peppering -- a method of Pest Control                                          

Peppering is a technique suggested by Rudolf Steiner to reduce the incidence of weeds, insects and rodents. The term 'peppering' refers to the ash produced using this method of pest control, which is then sprinkled over affected areas.

Peppering is a very powerful tool, which should only be used as a last resort. Because its effect is to eradicate something completely from a treated area, it does nothing whatsoever to establish or maintain a healthy balance in the interdependent ecological systems of the animal or plant world. The whole matter of making peppers of weeds, insect pests and rodents is very much in the experimental stage.

What is given here are guidelines for those interested in using this technique, based on suggestions given by Steiner, as well as research done by Maria Thun and biodynamic farmers in New Zealand. In India, interest in peppering for weeds is most common.

Peppering for Weeds
Seeds which are ripe and viable should be burnt at Full Moon or when the Moon is in Leo (Simha) constellation.

The seeds are put into a small tin and placed in a very hot fire. If seeds are not available, gather the roots of rampantly growing weeds and burn them in a very hot fire.

The resultant ash is mixed with fine sand or wood ash and spread over the affected land or potentised to a D6 or D8 and should be spread at Full Moon, several times in the year if needed. The potentizing can be done by a homeopath.

This can also apply to burning runners of the roots of such weeds as couch grass or the bindweed (morning glory) and then spreading the ash over the affected area.

Information on Peppering for insects and rodents is found in BD "Recipes"