If you want a bug and insect-free home and garden, some plants repel bugs. You can choose to include these plants in your yard to keep away bugs and other insects from pestering your garden. The good thing about these crops is the fact that they can also provide beauty to your garden. Their ability to repel insects comes from the essential oil found in these plants. Aside from that, you can make your own insect natural insect repellent oil using these plants. However, it is crucial to consider that the larger the garden, the more plants you need to grow.
The following are the best plants that repel bugs away from your beautiful garden.
1. Marigold
The scent coming from marigolds can repel mosquitoes, lice, and even other animals like rabbits. It is one of the most sought-after and well-loved plants that keep mosquitoes away, so you can place it near your house’s front door to avoid mosquitoes and other insects from getting inside your house. You may also choose to put it at the entrance or back doors of the garden. Include these flower beds with your vegetable garden, so you can stop rabbits and other animals from destroying your plants.
2. Chrysanthemums
Some of the most known insect repellent products in the market use chrysanthemum as an active ingredient because of its effectiveness. If you place it in your garden, you can deter bugs like ants, bed bugs, roaches, spider mites, Japanese beetles, and ticks.
3. Basil
Basil is a famous herb used for culinary purposes, but its scent keeps insects from your vegetable garden. It is one of the plants that keep mosquitoes away, so it is best to place them near your house door. Aside from that, it can offer a relaxing aroma so you can enjoy your garden while keeping a bug-free garden. Homeowners can make their natural repellent spray using fresh basil. Make your spray by pouring 4 ounces of hot water into a container and putting 4 to 6 ounces of basil leaves, and allowing it to steep for more than 1 hour. Remove the leaves and squeeze all the water from the leaves into the water mixture.
4. Lavender
Lavenders are effect plants that repel bugs such as flies, mosquitoes, fleas, and moths. This flower has been used for centuries to provide a sweet scent to homes and clothes. Many love the scent of lavender, but it is very annoying for insects. You can place a fresh bouquet in a flower base inside your home, and you are sure to keep mosquitoes and flies from coming inside. It can add color and life while keeping your garden bug-free.
5. Lemongrass
If you are familiar with citronella as the main ingredient in most scented candles and insect repellent lotion, it comes from lemongrass. The natural oil from the lemongrass can keep mosquitoes and other bugs away from your garden and home. Aside from its gardening benefits, it is also one of the best ingredients for many culinary recipes like soup, and salad and adds flavor to pork and chicken dishes.
6. Mint
The best way to plant mint leaves is in pots rather than growing them in the ground to grow and spread rapidly. Once it has grown in your garden, then it is tough to remove. You can place these plants that repel bugs in pots and put them inside your home or garden. Choose a spot around the garden where insects are most likely to grow. Mint is a popular ingredient in drinks like lemon and tea. One can easily extract its essential oil from its flowers and stems.
7. Rosemary
Rosemary can be planted in many ways that can benefit your garden. Aside from being a plant that keeps mosquitoes away, it is also an ornamental plant that you can cut and shape like a pyramid to give a different appeal to your garden. The leaves and the cuttings from the plant is an effective insect repellent.
8. Sage
Like rosemary, it is a perennial plant that can multiply in patio or landscape beds. If you like camping or grilling outside your home, you can throw some leaves into the fire, and it can ward off unpleasant insects. You can also make your repellent spray using rosemary or mint with sage and apple cider vinegar.
