Warm summer nights will be quickly upon us, and if you are like most people, you don’t want to share your patio with pests. Flies, mosquitoes, and other common pests can all be a problem this time of year causing you a lot of itching and a lot of annoyance. Instead of fighting them off with chemical sprays, why not try to repel them naturally?
Our favorite solution for getting rid of bugs and rodents is using pest repelling plants to ward them off. The best thing about using plants to repel pests is it’s 100% natural, so there’s no harm, and you add more beauty to your garden.
Here’s our list of best plants that repel pests & insects:
Marigolds
The oils found in marigolds are used in many household mosquito repellents. Plant these colorful flowers in your borders and beds around your patio and you can keep away those nasty pests easily and beautifully. They may even keep rabbits away from your plants.
Rosemary
Repels mosquitoes and a variety of insects harmful to vegetable plants. Rosemary is available in various forms. Plants can be grown in containers on a patio and shaped into ornamental pyramids, grown in herb gardens or planted in landscaped beds, where some varieties can grow quite large.
Rosemary’s oils are as delicious to home cooks who use herbs as they are unpleasant to many insects. The plant itself and its cuttings are effective repellents. You can make a simple repellent spray by boiling 1 quart of dried rosemary in a quart of water for 20 to 30 minutes and then straining the liquid into a container at least a half-gallon in size that contains a quart of cool water. Put a cap on the combined liquid and store it in the refrigerator. Add the repellent to small squirt bottles as needed when going outdoors. Discard the remaining repellent in the refrigerator when it no longer has a strong telltale smell of rosemary.
Citronella
Most people are familiar with citronella and know that it’s a common ingredient in mosquito-repelling products. What they aren’t aware of is that citronella is a beautiful perennial grass that grows in clumps 5 to 6 feet tall and emits a strong aroma. It is easy to grow and the scent is more powerful than manufactured repellents, making it an effective plant to add to the yard to keep mosquitoes at bay.
Catnip
Though catnip is an herb, it’s one that people usually don’t eat. Cats love it, of course. A member of the mint family, it contains a chemical called nepetalactone, which attracts cats but repels insects such as mosquitos, flies, deer ticks and cockroaches. Essential oils from catnip can be used to make a DIY natural insect repellent spray like this one.
Catnip plants are relatively easy to grow. You can plant from seeds or as plants outdoors in the spring or fall. It grows to 3 or 4 feet tall and blooms small lavender flowers. Be careful, however, as catnip can become invasive and take over your garden.
Lavender
Lavender is the perfect flower to plant if you want to make sure your yard stays pest-free. It is especially great for repelling ticks. Plant it in your flower beds where it will quickly spread and leave the yard smelling amazing.