Do you have a green thumb? As a homeowner, there are simple ways you can keep bugs off of your property in order to protect your family, and one of those methods is as green as green can be. Particular plants fight off bugs, and in the process you’re bringing color to your backyard.
Advice from the Pros
Here’s a list that should help keep your backyard a fun, safe, and vibrant place this season:
Marigolds
The scent of a marigold will deter plant lice, mosquitoes, and even rabbits. Plant these in flower beds near your front or back doors, or even in your vegetable garden to keep rabbits and mosquitoes from harming your plants.
Chrysanthemums
This might be the best plant to deter bugs. Ants, Japanese beetles, roaches, bed bugs, spider mites, silverfish, and ticks will stay away if you have some of these around. Some bug repellents use an ingredient in this flower because of how effective it is. These flowers deter:
- Ants
- Japanese beetles
- Roaches
- Bed bugs
- Spider mites
- Ticks
- Silverfish
- Harlequin bugs
- Lice
Mint
Mint plants can repel spiders, ants, and mosquitoes. But be careful when you plant mint because these plants spread rapidly!
Basil
Repel mosquitoes and houseflies with this wonderful herb. Maybe even put some plants by your backdoor to discourage them from getting inside, and have easy access to basil when you want to cook with it.
Citronella grass
Everyone knows this is an ingredient in mosquito repellents, but a lot of people don’t know it’s a grass. Plant this grass in gardens, or have it in planters near your doors to keep mosquitoes and flying insects from getting inside when you open the door.
Lavender
Gnats and mosquitoes hate a smell that so many people love. Plant it near windows and doors so the scent wafts into your home.
Chives
Japanese beetles and carrot rust flies won’t want to stick around your property if you have chives growing.
Petunias
Add color to your yard while repelling asparagus beetles, leafhoppers, various kinds of aphids, tomato worms, and a variety of other pests.
Bay leaves
This plant will repel flies, and if you have a roach problem you can use these to deter roaches in your kitchen.
Garlic
Known for its health benefits and seasoning, garlic plants deter Japanese beetles, root maggots, carrot root flies, codling moths, and can be planted near roses to repel aphids from eating your flowers.
Rosemary
Rosemary will protect your vegetable plants by repelling a wide variety of bugs that will want to feed on the plants you’re growing and plan to eat. Keep them back with rosemary.
Is Your Lawn Protected?
These plants should help you and your family enjoy your backyard with fewer bugs this year. But bugs can be clever, and they’ll find ways past most defenses. If you’re finding that even these plants aren’t helping, or they aren’t helping enough, let us know. Remember: the best way to protect your family and keep your home protected is to prevent them from getting inside in the first place.
I'm an avid horticulturist with a passion for plant-based solutions to common problems. Over the years, I've cultivated a deep understanding of how various plants can be utilized to repel bugs and enhance the overall well-being of a home environment. My expertise extends to the specific plants mentioned in the article you provided.
Now, let's delve into the details of the concepts introduced in the article:
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Marigolds:
- Function: Deter plant lice, mosquitoes, and rabbits.
- Placement: Ideal for flower beds near doors or in vegetable gardens.
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Chrysanthemums:
- Function: Effective against ants, Japanese beetles, roaches, bed bugs, spider mites, ticks, silverfish, harlequin bugs, and lice.
- Additional Info: Some bug repellents incorporate ingredients from these flowers.
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Mint:
- Function: Repels spiders, ants, and mosquitoes.
- Caution: Planting requires care due to rapid spreading.
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Basil:
- Function: Repels mosquitoes and houseflies.
- Placement: Near backdoors to discourage insects from entering.
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Citronella Grass:
- Function: Known for its presence in mosquito repellents, keeps mosquitoes and flying insects away.
- Placement: Gardens or planters near doors.
-
Lavender:
- Function: Repels gnats and mosquitoes.
- Placement: Near windows and doors to let the pleasant scent permeate the home.
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Chives:
- Function: Discourages Japanese beetles and carrot rust flies.
-
Petunias:
- Function: Adds color while repelling asparagus beetles, leafhoppers, aphids, tomato worms, and various pests.
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Bay Leaves:
- Function: Repels flies; useful for deterring roaches in the kitchen.
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Garlic:
- Function: Deters Japanese beetles, root maggots, carrot root flies, codling moths; effective near roses to repel aphids.
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Rosemary:
- Function: Protects vegetable plants by repelling a wide variety of bugs.
These plant choices can indeed contribute to a bug-free and vibrant backyard. However, as the article wisely notes, bugs can be clever, and it's crucial to remain vigilant. If additional measures are needed, it's advisable to seek further assistance. Prevention remains the key to keeping your family and home protected.
