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
Sniffing Rosemary Can Help Improve Your Memory
For hundreds of years, Rosemary has been thought to improve memory. A study carried out by researchers from Northumbria University has shown that it does.
A Guide to Identifying and Treating 8 Common Lawn Problems
Discover 8 common problems in gardens and lawns and how they can be treated
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.
How to Revive Your Plants to Shiny Green Again
To help you out, we've put together a comprehensive guide that covers eight signs of plant sickness and provides solutions to restore their health and beauty.
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.
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.
Senior Health Guide: Working Out With Weights
Every senior must watch this video.
10 Great Extra Uses for Charcoal Briquettes
Here's how you can put those extra charcoal briquettes to good use at home.
How to De-Ice Your Freezer and 11 Other Practical Tips!
How to find something you lost, how to find pipes under your floor and more handy shortcuts everyone should know.
Spruce Up Your Dinner Table With These Napkin Techniques
Holidays are always a time of cheer. Spruce up your dining table with these 8 easy-to-try napkin techniques.
5 Different Christmas Plants and How to Care for Them
In this guide, you'll find some tips on how to keep it alive throughout the season, and how to maintain it for next year.
Hate Cough Syrup? This Home Remedy Works Even Better!
This natural home remedy for a bad cough is just as effective as cough syrup!
Learn to Solve 7 Common Appliance Problems All By Yourself
The washing machine, the fridge, the dishwasher - these are the home appliances that make our lives that much easier. Here are 7 common problems we have with our home appliances that we can easily fix ourselves.
Struggling to Wake Up Early? Here are 8 Habits to Avoid
Do you do any of these bad habits in the mornings?
27 New Life Hacks and DIY Ideas For Your Home
Here are 27 fresh DIY ideas chosen especially for our crafty readers, with some handy wellness tricks sprinkled through the video as well
How Observant Are You? Can You Spot What's Wrong Here?
So how's your observational skills and eye for detail? Can you identify what's wrong with this picture? See if you can spot all 21 mistakes.
Incredibly Interesting Facts and Figures About the World
These facts and figures about the world are the most interesting you have ever read.
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
The Psychology of Decision Fatigue and How to Avoid It
Follow these tips to start making smart decisions quickly.
A Better Way to Tie Your Gym Shorts or any Drawstring
Here's a nice new knot for you to try that is both incredibly strong and easy to do.
14 Creative Uses For Old Wire Coat Hangers
Coat Hangers are not just useful for hanging your favorite clothes in the closet, they are handy in so many other ways too!
We Bet You're Not Aware of These Real-World Facts
Don't miss this random collection of interesting real-world facts from the world over that you are unlikely to have heard before
Give Old Furniture a New Lease of Life with These Tips
Give your old furniture a new lease of life with these 14 tips.
20 Ways to Use Lemons You Never Knew About
Lemons are so wonderful - have you ever tried any of these uses?
If You Defrost Your Meat Like This, Stop Right Now!
Here are eight common defrosting mistakes that you really need to stop making right now!
This is One Useful Oil You Always Want to Keep Around
This article will share six different and particularly effective uses for sesame oil, which make it clear why every home should have this essential ingredient.
DIY: Make Your Own Wall Stencil in 8 Easy Steps
Get a designer look for half the price. This easy DIY guide will show you how to make a beautiful wall stencil in 8 easy steps.
Say Goodbye to Neck and Back Pain with These Super Tips
These top tips from chiropractors will enable you to put back and neck pain firmly in the rearview mirror.
WATCH: Grow Your Very Own Tomatoes Using This Method
Watch this video to learn how to grow your very own luscious and juicy tomatoes from the comfort of your own home.
7 Basic Winter Travel Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
These are the missteps you want to avoid when traveling in the winter.
These 6 Secrets Will Ensure You Look Divine in any Photo
This fantastic guide will reveal some basic errors that people make in photographs and how to improve them, ensuring you look great every time!
This Memory Technique Could Help You Remember Everything
If you have trouble remembering things, this mnemonic strategy could be just what you're after.
Dating as a Mature Adult May Seem Intimidating, But It’s Easy!
Tips and advice for single people above the age of 40.
WD-40: Here Are 12 Fantastic Uses You Never Thought Of
This is why you always need to keep a can of WD-40 on your property!
9 Genius Ideas For Keeping Your Food Fresh For Longer
These great and simple storage tips will help you keep your food fresher for longer, and save you some extra trips to the grocery store!
Clear a Clogged Drain Without Using Any Chemicals
The clogged drains of your house don't always need chemicals. These natural homemade cleaners provide great results, too.
Solve Common Issues With Your Clothes Using These 20 Tips
Keep your clothes in perfect condition with these nifty tricks!
This is How You Keep Your Marriage Strong & Life-Long!
Here are 12 ways you can keep your marriage long-lasting, strong, full of love and support.
Used Teabags Don’t Belong in the Trash! Use Them Like So
If you’re a regular tea-drinker, then hold onto your teabags after each cup and make good use of them at home with these tricks.
These Tips Will Make Your Grocery Shopping a Breeze!
Grocery shopping alone can be a stressful task. Learn the tricks of how to do your shopping with ease, even if you have kids around.
Cleaning Guide: The Correct Way to do Daily Chores
We could all do with a couple of life-savers every now and then. Check these out!
Spectacular Potted Plants At Home Take Just 11 Easy Steps!
Plants are both beneficial to our health and make our homes look better. Here are 11 easy steps to having fabulous potted plants in your home.
Start Managing Your Time Right With These 5 Techniques!
Even the most organized people find themselves with little time on their hands throughout the day, but with these techniques, you can get it all done!
This Little Kitchen Tool Can Do Wonders for Your Skin
we have compiled a list of ten exercises that can help reduce, eliminate, and prevent wrinkles on your facial skin.
If Food Has Ever Stuck To Your Pan, You Need This Tip
This video gives you 4 tips that ensure no food will ever stick to any of your pans.
These Tricks Have Helped Me Become Smart About Cleaning
12 tips and tricks to clean your house and maintain your furniture and appliances with ease
There's a Secret Trick to Understanding Chinese...
This brilliant lecture will teach you the basics of Chinese