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
Want a Strong Immune System? Eat These
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.
14 Plants in the Most Artful, Unique, and Quirky Pots
These perfectly-paired pots and plants will light up any garden.
8 Secret Herbs the Native Americans Used to Cure
Discover the plants the Native Americans used for curing just about any ailment.
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.
Can Sniffing Rosemary 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.
This South African Plant May be the New Cannabis
Is this plant the new cannabis? What will the woolly umbrella plant do for medicine?
8 Ways Your Home is Sneakily Draining Your Bank Account
Since your house cannot talk to you, here are some tips that will reveal the hidden ways in which your house could be costing you more money than it should.
This Memory Technique Could Help You Remember Everything
If you have trouble remembering things, this mnemonic strategy could be just what you're after.
39 Smart Cleaning Tips You Just Have to Try
You can never know enough about cleaning. In This Video you can finds 39 great cleaning tips to make your life much simpler.
HEARING LOSS: How to Keep Your Hearing Strong for Longer
It's not just age that steals away our hearing, but also bad listening habits that damage our ears. Here are 10 tips to help keep your hearing strong.
Guide: How to Effectively Deal with a Dog Attack
These 15 tips will help protect you before, during and after a dog attack.
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.
10 Useful Guides to Help You With Your Clothes
10 useful guides to help you in your daily struggle with clothes.
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.
20 Foods That Should Be Kept Out of the Refrigerator
The refrigerator allows us to keep food fresh for longer, but there are certain foods, such as the 20 here, which are not meant for the cold...
Did You Know That Going Bald Can be a Good Thing?
Although for many men, going bald is their worst nightmare, it's actually associated with numerous advantages. Here are 8 to lift your spirits.
8 Terrific Additional Uses For Rubbing Alcohol!
Unsure about what you're meant to use rubbing alcohol for? Wonder no longer, as we've listed 8 brilliant uses of rubbing alcohol in this article.
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.
Beware! NEVER Put These Things on Your Credit Card
Credit cards might be convenient but there are some cases where you should avoid using them.
Lost a Key and Need to Pick a Lock? Do This!
Need to pick a lock? Here's how to do it.
40 Common Tourist Traps to Avoid on Your Next Vacation!
If you're planning a trip abroad, please be aware of these 40 common tourist scams!
Seniors Living Alone Should Always Have These Items
Want to make life easier on your elderly loved one who lives alone? Check this list.
I Never Knew I Was Doing All These Things Wrong!
28 things we all do daily but somehow still get it wrong
I Usually Wake Up 3 A.M. to Pee. What's The Reason?
Do you find yourself waking up at around 3 a.m. every other night to pee? There’s a reason for it.
Say Goodbye to Your Weeds with These Natural Weed Killers
Trying to find a way to kill your garden weeds without killing your plants? These 8 all-natural weed-killing tips are just what you're looking for!
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.
5 Home Remedies to Banish Mosquitoes From Your Life
Yo won't need to spend another cent on mosquito repellents once you have become acquainted with these natural ones!
How to Remove Chocolate Stains from Your Favorite Material
A chocolate stain can be one of the trickiest stains to remove as it’s known as a combination stain. Thankfully, these tips will help!
An Easy Guide to Preventing and Treating Wrinkles
A simple guide to understanding, preventing and treating wrinkles, plus 2 recipes for anti-aging face masks. Take a look!
4000 Years of History in One Glorious Map
In one incredible map we see thousands of years of history.
This Weird Hack Will Keep Your Cookies Fresh for Days
Keep your cookies fresh for days with this unbelievable, weird hack.
DIY: 6 Methods for Removing Scratches from Eyeglasses
If you wear glasses or know someone who does, you've probably heard them complain about scratches. Now you can fix these scratches with the following 6 tips!
How to Celebrate Christmas Without Going Into Debt
You can be frugal and festive at the same time. We shared some tips on how to save on energy bills and gifts this Christmas.
19 Household Items You Need to Change Now
It's high time you change these household items.
Keep Your House Smelling Amazing with These DIY Tips
These are some of the best and cheapest things you can do to make any part of your home smell nice and welcoming.
10 Smart Ways to Neutralize Any and All Shoe Odors
To combat shoe smells, we've compiled a list of 10 simple solutions that are readily available in most households.
5 Non-Toxic Ways to Rid Your Home of Mold and Mildew
Mildew and mold are pesky household invaders. Discover 5 easy ways to get rid of them using natural ingredients.
10 Foods that Naturally Whiten Your Teeth
There's nothing like a pearly white smile and healthy teeth, and with these 10 wonderful foods, you can achieve these without the need for harsh chemicals!
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.
Our Complete Guide to Peeling Fruits and Vegetables!
Each fruit and vegetable has a different way of being effectively peeled. Our guide will teach you the very best methods!
Imitation Foods Aren’t All Bad – Here Are 6 Safe Options
Imitation foods aren’t always bad. Some of them are actually good, while some are avoidable.
These Useful Vintage Tips from the 1900s Still Work Today!
Not everything changes over time, which is why these vintage solutions to everyday problems are still as useful today as they were in the 1900s!
Guide: How We Use Different Acids for Skin Treatments
Understanding how these acids work and their specific benefits will empower you to make informed decisions about your skincare routine.
Is Your Bathroom as Clean as It Could Be? Probably Not!
Is your bathroom as clean as it could be? Follow these 10 tips to ensure a cleaner bathroom.
A Complete Set of Solutions for Removing Stains!
This stain removal guide will give you 25 excellent tips for removing any kind of stain!
A Clever Trick For Keeping Your Favorite Snacks Fresh
This video will show you a simple trick that will keep your very perishable snacks fresh.
Tip: All You Need to Know About Your Kitchen Knives
This handy quick cheat-sheet for home cooks gives you a quick run-down of what chefs know about their knives, explains the lingo, and gives some great advice!