A garden adds beauty and interest to your yard or outdoor area. A garden can also have other benefits too if you choose your plants correctly. Did you realize that certain plants can actually repel insects from your yard, and in-turn perhaps your home? When you are planning your garden or looking at additions, consider choosing one or more of these plants that repel bugs and reap the benefits. Here are some types of plants that repel bugs.
Citronella Grass
You’ve probably used citronella candles or essential oil to keep mosquitos at bay during an outdoor party or event. Did you realize that you can get the same benefits by planting the grass? Citronella grass can be grown in a garden setting or in a pot indoors. The plant is not very noticeable, but the effects sure are. One other good thing about citronella is that this grass isn’t considered invasive, as it grows in clumps for easy removal.
Lavender
Another mosquito-repelling plant is lavender. You will appreciate the beautiful purple buds and delicious scent, and the mosquitos will be kept at bay–what could be better than this? Lavender grows best in warm, dry weather, so you may want to keep it on a patio or area that is partially covered to help it grow more successfully.
Nasturtium
The Nasturtium flower is a great fit for California gardens. Not only does it look great, but it will repel bugs that pose a danger to the other plants you may be growing. Due to the mild weather in the area, you can start this growing nearly any time throughout the year. Other benefits to this plant are that it is an annual (so it comes back year after year) and it is actually edible for humans!
Lemon Balm
While actually a plant in the mint family, lemon balm is a great addition to your garden. It has an unmistakable scent that is not appealing to many insects but it does attract butterflies (so keep this in mind when choosing it.) You can grow it in a standard garden, or it also thrives in containers, so it may be a good choice if you are limited in space.
Marigolds
Marigolds are beautiful, bright and unique. They also are a popular choice among farmers to keep insects out of the crops. Marigolds are hardy and easy to start growing, so if you haven’t added them to your garden, now may be the time to do so.
One of the most enjoyable things about gardening is trying new things. Now you have a few ideas for plants that serve dual-purposes. Why not try adding one or more of these to your outdoor space and see if you notice any difference when it comes to insects. In addition, make sure you talk to your pest control professional about pest prevention in your garden too. Here at American Rat Control, we love to help keep your home (and garden) free of invasive pests. We look forward to talking to you.
