[Stoves] MUST <WOOD OR> CHARCOAL BE A CAUSE FOR CONCERN?

[Crispin Pemberton-Pigott]

Dear AD

This is a valuable observation. 

It surely means that a carefully chosen pair of plants could cover a wide spectrum, and also that beneficial insects could be protected. Interesting implications.

I am more optimistic about Richard's evaporation of briquettes 'on deck' than burning something. It seems the mozzie killing involves smoke or evaporant than combustion products. A clean fire doesn't leave much. 

Regards
Crispin

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Dear Crispin,
let me add some information to the natural insecticides in plants. There are about 100,000 species of insects that feed on plants. If you looked at any one plant species, you don't find 100,000 insect species feeding on it, but only about 4 or 5. This means that all plant species have evolved their own insecticides, which protect them from about 100,000 insect species, except for those handful that have evolved immunity to that particular phytochemical. Even pyrethrum and neem have their own insect pests. Since the natural insecticidal chemicals in plants differ from species to species, the insect species found on each plant species also differ. Thus one never finds the pests of mustard on tomato, or those of tomato attacking cotton. wheat, or sunflower. One can thus use practically any plant as a source of insecticides, which would kill or repel all insects except for the ones that have developed immunity to the chemical defences of that particular plant species.  
Yours
A.D.Karve