Did you know that there are plants you can add to your landscape to help reduce pesky backyard pests? Planting certain herbs and ornamental flowers that are known insect-repellents in your garden or around your patio can help minimize the mosquito madness that comes with living in South Coastal Georgia. The essential oils in many of these plants are often used to make natural bug repellant because insects tend to avoid them. While it won’t completely eliminate pests from your yard, we know that around here every little bit helps, so add what you can to your garden and around the house. Pots of rosemary, mint, and basil on the window sill or on the sun porch will give you the benefit of having fresh herbs to use in the kitchen too!
1. Basil
There’s an oil in basil that kills mosquito eggs. Ward off flies and mosquitos by planting it in pots and placing them in and around gathering areas. Added bonus: use the leaves in salads, and on your margherita pizza!
2. Rosemary
When planted in the garden, potent rosemary will not only repel mosquitoes, it will protect vegetable plants from infestation.
3. Mint (also catnip)
While most people love the smell of mint, biting insects don’t have the same attraction. This natural insect repellent spreads like crazy when planted, so it’s best to use in pots. The nepetalactone that is found to be what draws cats to catnip is the same thing that repels bugs, so let the cats play!
4. Lemongrass
Citronella is the oil found in lemongrass and a well-known and commercially used bug repellant. Lucky for us here in the south, lots of sun is required to grow lemongrass so we may be able to enjoy it in our yards and gardens longer than just the summer months.
5. Lavender
Lavender bouquets are not only beautiful and sweet-smelling ways to decorate rooms, they repel flies, moths, and mosquitoes. Plant these purple beauties in a sunny garden or in pots around the house to ward off pests. The smell also helps with insomnia so place in your bedroom or the bathroom to add some relaxing fragrance to the air.
6. Alliums
Onions, garlic, chives, leeks, scallions, and shallots are all alliums. Surprisingly pretty, the plants grow tall with purple, white or pink flowers. They are great garden protectors because they keep away slugs, flies, and worms, although they can attract months. Be careful around your beloved pets, however, because allium plants, and garlic and onions, can be extremely toxic to dogs and cats.
7. Petunias
Gardeners often plant these bright-colored beauties to repel squash bugs, tomato hornworms, beetles and aphids. They’re almost foolproof to grow, requiring minimal maintenance, and can be planted in gardens or containers in a sunny spot. They made beautiful window boxes and are perfect garden liners too.
8. Marigolds
Colorful and sun-loving marigolds are often used by farmers and avid gardners to keep pests at bay. Their scent is known to keep mosquitoes, aphids, and even rabbits, out of your yard. They can also spur growth of certain plants in gardens, especially roses.
9. Chrysanthemums
Pyrethrins, a compound found in chrysanthemums is known to keep away mosquitoes, roaches, beetles, ticks, silverfish, Japanese beetles, lice, bedbugs, and ants. Because pyrethrums kills flying and jumping insects they are used in most commercially available home and garden insecticides and are commonly found in indoor sprays and pet shampoos.
10. Common Lantanas
Found just about everywhere here and known to spread like wildfire, pretty lantana has the dual benefit of attracting butterflies and bees and repelling mosquitoes. Let it grow!
