Nothing ruins an outdoor party faster than pesky bugs, such as flies, mosquitoes or similar. While you may consider hosing down your backyard with insecticide to get rid of the critters, there's actually no need to resort to that. A few strategically-placed plants of a certain type will help you ward off insects, allowing you to dine or party in the outdoors in peace. Below are ten plants that not only will keep the insects away this coming spring - they're also herbs, which will make your next cookout a whole lot tastier!
Plant some petunias near your vegetable garden or in a window box. They need quite a lot of sunlight, so make sure that they'll get it in the spot you intend to plant them in. They are great for repelling squash bugs, beetles and aphids.
Basil contains oil that kills mosquito eggs. Plant the herb in pots in gathering areas, as this will help ward off flies and mosquitoes.
Marigolds are often planted by farmers to keep pests away from their produce. Make sure yours get plenty of sun though - marigolds love it. They'll help keep mosquitoes and aphids out of your backyard.
While lavender is a heavenly scent for human beings, it is disgusting to flies, moths, and mosquitoes. Planting some lavender is ideal if your backyard gets plenty of sun.
The presence of rosemary in your backyard will repel mosquitoes, as well as prevent any vegetable plants you might have growing from becoming infested.
Apart from its gorgeous smell, mint is great for repelling biting insects. Be aware that it's best planted in pots because it spreads like wildfire if left to its own devices.
Catnip contains nepetalactone, and while it may attract cats, it has the exact opposite effect on bugs and can repel them efficiently.
Chrysanthemums contain a compound called Pyrethrin, which is an ingredient found in many commercial insect repellents designed for keeping mosquitoes, cockroaches, beetles, ticks, and silverfish at bay.
Take your pick between chives, leeks, onions, garlic, scallions, and shallots for this one, because they all fall into the allium group. Plant some of these in your backyard, and you'll soon have pretty purple, white or pink flowers blooming atop high stems. The plants will protect your backyard from slugs, flies, and worms. Beware though - alliums are highly toxic to dogs and cats.
Lemongrass contains an oil called citronella, and that's what gives the plant its citrus-like scent. Seeing as it enjoys plenty of sunlight, lemongrass is best to plant in the summer.
More bug-repelling tips
Content and Image Source: Hello Glow
8 Hypoallergenic Indoor Plants for Easy Breathing
We have discovered eight plant varieties that are recommended for growing and will keep allergies at bay!
Easy Tips for Growing Chamomile in Your Home Garden
Love drinking chamomile tea? Now you can grow the wonderful herb in your garden and make your own chamomile tea.
Just a Dash of This Common Herb Can Benefit Your Wellbeing
Learn what health issues peppermint is most beneficial for and how to use this herb to improve your wellbeing right here.
These 15 Powerful Plant Medicines Are Science Approved
The 15 medicinal plants listed in this article all have a whole host of science-backed health benefits.
This Awesome Plant Can Live For More Than 300 Years!
The compass plant can live for over 300 years!
These 7 Superfoods Are My Go-To Herbs to Fight Disease
On the days that I feel tired and run down, or whenever I feel as though I am about to get a cold, or indigestion, these 7 plants never let me down.
12 Myths We've Been Told About Intercourse that Aren't True
It's time to expose some of the myths we've all been told but are actually boldfaced lies.
Cowboy Cures: Saddle Up for Immune-Boosting Home Remedies
Watch this video to learn some useful cowboy cures for a healthy life.
Tea Is Much More Than a Drink. It Has MANY Other Uses!
Tea isn't just for drinking, it's one of the most helpful materials in the house!
Don’t Let Broken Zippers Bother You Again. I’ve Found a Fix!
Don’t throw away your favorite pair of pants because of a broken zipper. Grab and needle and thread and try this easy fix.
Watch This and Become a Knot Expert!
Become a knotting expert with this educational guide. Some of these knots can be life-saving...
WATCH: I Had No Idea Coconut Oil Was THIS Useful!
Coconut oil is a substance you need both in your kitchen and in your medicine cabinet, as you're about to see with these 10 unexpected uses.
9 Tips for Smelling Good All Day Long
Everyone feels self-conscious about the way they smell sometimes. These 9 tips will help you smell good and maintain it during the day.
9 Tips on How to Care for Your Garden During the Winter
Just because winter is approaching, it doesn't mean that you have to neglect your garden. Here are 9 things you should be doing in a fall and winter garden.
Active Stretching: What It Is and How To Do It
Active stretching is a great way to improve flexibility and mobility. Here's how it differs form other forms of stretching and a few useful examples.
Quick! Grab Some Steel Wool, and Here's What You Do...
We have compiled 11 tips for various household uses, along with a bonus tip you can use on a field trip.
How To Keep Your Bread Fresher For That Much Longer...
if you're wondering how to make your bread last longer, read the following article and learn about 5 different methods of doing just that!
Has There Ever Been a Substance As Useful As This?
Vinegar has so many different uses around the house! You should always have a bottle of it handy.
A Coffee Filter Can Be the Most Helpful Item in the House...
Don't let their name fool you - coffee filters are some of the most useful things you can have around the house!
Here’s How Men Can Preserve Their Muscle Mass As They Age
Don't feel powerless against the loss of muscle mass that comes with aging - there are steps you can take to counteract it.
Collection: 12 Full Guides to Pet Care!
What can't we feed them? How do we know they're sick? What does their behavior mean? All this and more you'll find in these guides.
This is the Right Way to Load a Dishwasher For Best Results
What's the best way to load your dishwasher? Find out in this guide.
These Easy Fruit Arrangements Are So Refreshing...
A collection of 13 summery delights that will both please the eyes as well as the pallet.
10 Great Money Tips from the World's Most Successful People
People rarely find success by accident. So why don’t you set yourself up for financial success by listening to the following pieces of advice.
18 Must-Know Survival Hacks for Those Tricky Moments
These clever survival hacks can help save your life someday.
How to Clean Your Dishwasher's Filter so It's Like New
Learn not only hot to check your dishwasher's filter, but also how to clean it like new!
GUIDE: Learn 3 Proven Problem-Solving Methods
Your ability to solve problems, or lack thereof, has a great bearing on whether you can be happy and successful. Try these 3 problem-solving methods.
This Handy DIY Project Will Have You Collecting Corks
There are so many useful things you can do with a cork. Start collecting your now!
10 Great Extra Uses for Charcoal Briquettes
Here's how you can put those extra charcoal briquettes to good use at home.
40 Incredibly Useful Things You Can Do with Vinegar
Vinegar is one of the most useful materials in the house...
DO NOT Make These Mistakes When Frying an Egg
For a quick lesson in frying an egg, just watch this vidoe guide.
7 Common Missteps That Couples Over 50 Should Avoid
For couples, the 50s can be the best years of their relationship. Just avoid making these mistakes.
What Are the Best Countries for Retirement in 2022?
These 25 countries are the best at maintaining a secure and comfortable retirement for their citizens.
Guide: Stay Warm This Winter Without that Big Power Bill!
21 creative ideas to warming your house without spending additional money.
9 Ingenious Q-Tip Hacks for Surprising Daily Uses
We bet you never thought cotton swabs could be so handy around the house!
Fake Olive Oil: Here's How You Can Spot It!
If you want to know whether the olive oil you have bought is real or an imposter, here's how you can tell!
A Super-Quick & Easy Method For Removing Labels From Jars
If you use jars for storage, here's the quickest and easiest way of removing pesky brand labels from them. Two ingredients and a few minutes are all you need.
All About Women: 24 Facts About the Fairer Sex
These fascinating facts will probably surprise even our female readers. We gathered 24 facts that we best you've never heard about, and each of them will make you understand yourself and women a bit better.
Never Put Your Phone in These 8 Common Places!
If you care about your cell phone and your health, then make sure you never leave your device in any of these places.
Shoe Discomfort? 10 Ways to Tie Your Shoes that Offer Relief
By lacing your shoes correctly, you can reduce pressure on certain areas of your feet and enjoy a more comfortable run in any pair of shoes
Your Pet May Be Depressed! Watch Out for These Signs
Is your pet behaving weird? it might be depressed. Here are some telltale signs your cat or dog might be suffering from pet depression.
The Best Time of Day to Eat Healthy Foods!
In this article we have outlined the best time of the day to indulge in some of your favorite foodstuffs.
The Secret to Folding a Fitted Sheet!
A fitted sheet seems to be designed NOT to be folded. However, this video will tell you the truth and teach you how to fold it with ease.
How to Clean Your Jewels at Home for Free
Enjoying clean jewels used to be a tedious chore, or an expensive visit to the jeweler's, but this way you can do it at home, for free!
12 Foods You Must Add to Your Diet in Your 40s and Later
In this article, we’ll focus on 12 foods with proven anti-aging effects that are easy to find in stores and even easier to add into your diet
Guide: 11 Ways to Defend Yourself in an Emergency
The basic self defence tips all women should know.
17 Organizing Hacks You Will Actually Use
Get more organized at home with these effective and cheap organization hacks.