Avoid Pests in Your Garden with These 7 Effective Plants
Natural Bug Repellents for Your Home Garden
Nature has a solution for keeping your home garden pest-free, without the need for chemical-laden store-bought repellents. Several common plants emit odors or oils that insects find unpleasant, making them effective at reducing pest presence in your garden.
Basil is a versatile herb that not only adds flavour to your cooking but also repels mosquitoes, flies, and other bugs. Place it in a warm, sunny location and water it at the base to ensure its survival. Basil aids in preventing flies from landing on food, making it a valuable addition to kitchen gardens and balconies.
Lavender, with its soothing scent for humans, also repels mosquitoes, moths, fleas, and flies. Rubbing lavender oil on exposed skin can act as a personal mosquito repellent. This fragrant plant is also known for its long-lasting blooms and has been used for generations to bring a pleasant sweet scent to homes and clothing drawers.
Catnip is another useful plant in your garden. Known to keep mosquitoes away, it emits odors that mosquitoes dislike.
Citronella (lemongrass) is a well-known insect repellent, containing citronella oil which is widely used in commercial mosquito repellents. It repels mosquitoes and house flies.
Marigolds are insect-repelling flowers that deter mosquitoes, aphids, and whiteflies. They are easy to grow with minimal care and are commonly found in Indian households, although their bug-repelling properties are lesser-known.
Mint is another effective insect repellent, with its strong scent deterring various pests such as flies and ants.
Rosemary and sage are herbs whose odors repel house and fruit flies. They are also effective at repelling insects harmful to plants.
Rosemary plant cuttings and sprays can last a long time in the fridge and are effective insect repellents.
Pitcher plants are unique additions to a garden, but they are difficult to grow in home gardens due to their sensitivity to moisture and sunlight. Interestingly, while they devour bugs rather than repel them, they are still classified as "plants that keep bugs away."
Chrysanthemums are insect-repelling plants, although no specific insects were mentioned in the text. They are known to repel beetles, bedbugs, ants, silverfish, and ticks.
Petunias are popular for their range of colours, low maintenance, and versatility in growing locations. However, contrary to popular belief, they are considered nature's pesticide as they attract various harmful insects.
By incorporating these natural bug repellents into your home garden, you can create a pest-free environment while enjoying the beauty and benefits of these plants.
- To ensure a pest-free outdoor living, consider growing basil in your home garden to repel mosquitoes and flies.
- Lavender, with its pleasant scent and insect-repelling properties, is a valuable addition to any home garden, acting as a natural mosquito, moth, flea, and fly repellent.
- Catnip, known for its mosquito-repelling abilities, is an essential plant in your garden, emitting odors that mosquitoes dislike.
- Citronella (lemongrass), a well-known insect repellent, is easy to grow in pots and repels mosquitoes and house flies with its citronella oil.
- Marigolds, not only colorful but also insect-repelling flowers, are effective at deterring mosquitoes, aphids, and whiteflies, making them a great addition to your home-and-garden nursery for a pest-free lifestyle.
