Why Mainers Should Keep Orange Peels Outside Their Doors

As off-the-wall as it may sound, if you’ve been throwing away your orange peels in Maine, you may want to think again.

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You know how you usually toss out the peel when you're done with an orange? Maybe you do it even before finishing the fruit. It's just what you've always done, right? But hold on a second!

It seems those orange peels might actually be really useful, especially for us Mainers.

We've talked about how tossing fruits and veggies out of your car is a big no-no. Some think banana or orange peels will quickly decompose, but that's just not true for these store-bought fruits. These peels actually break down very, very slowly.

Plus, discarded food by roads might lure animals closer to the highways, risking the animals' lives and drivers'.

So, why is tossing peels out of your car different from putting them around your house?

Well, a recent article published by MSN discusses the various uses of orange peels, highlighting their benefits beyond just being discarded.

The article suggests using orange peels to make candied oranges or essential oils and mentions their effectiveness in repelling insects like mosquitoes, cockroaches, and houseflies.

The article refers to a 2001 study that found orange peel extracts to be effective insect repellents and a 2023 study recommending leaving orange peels around outdoor spaces to repel mosquitoes. It suggests the use of orange peels as an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional bug sprays.

Additionally, the high limonene content in orange peels acts as an insecticide, affecting insects' respiratory systems. MSN suggests lining your patio with orange peels or rubbing them on your skin to repel mosquitoes.

So, apparently, using orange peels as a natural insect repellent for mosquitoes and other bugs on your patio, and around your house, and in Maine, we know a thing or two about mosquitoes and how much of a pain they can be.