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
Bring Positive Energy to Your Home With These Lucky Plants
Feng shui experts say that these plants will bring good luck and positive energy to your home.
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.
8 Hypoallergenic Indoor Plants for Easy Breathing
We have discovered eight plant varieties that are recommended for growing and will keep allergies at bay!
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.
16 Fascinating Plants You Have to See to Believe!
How many of these interesting plants have you seen before?
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.
Cheap and Great Tips for Removing Rust from Any Surface!
Ugly rust will become a thing of the past, using these simple methods to remove it from metal surfaces and even clothes.
Senior Health Guide: Working Out With Weights
Every senior must watch this video.
Increase Your Home's Value with These Genius Tricks
Thinking of selling your home? Here's how to increase it's value.
Got Dark Knees and Elbows? 8 Remedies That'll Help
Put an end to dark knees and elbows with these 8 natural remedies.
Guide: How to Use Rising Interest Rates to Your Benefit
Consider these tips to meet your investment goals when rates are rising.
You Definitely Should Try These Amazing Cleaning Hacks
If blotches and stains are putting an dampener on how the interior of your home looks, be sure to learn these 20 unusual but super neat hacks.
More Seniors Should Wear Smartwatches, Here's Why
Smartwatches aren’t just for fitness enthusiasts; it can make for the perfect gift for seniors. Here’s why…
12 Things Veterinarians Want Pet Owners to Know
To be in the know, you better read the 12 things that veterinarians want to tell you - the pet owners.
FINALLY I Get to Use My Leftover Butter!
The butter you have left in your fridge finally has some great uses for you.
How To Prevent Roaches From Entering Your Home
Learn some useful tips as you struggle to keep roaches out of your home.
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.
Tips and Tricks to Help You Choose the Freshest Vegetables
With the help of these science-based tricks, you will only choose the best vegetables at the supermarket to bring back home.
7 Tips to Maintaining a Life-Long Friendship
Advice from life-long friends about how to maintain a strong friendship.
15 Time-Saving Cooking Tricks to Make Your Life Easier
Try out these various food hacks that are clever and easy and are sure to change the way you eat.
How to Spot a Liar: A Visual Guide
This video will teach you a few things about telling a liar from an honest person - especially if they are politicians...
Know the Signs: The Complete Guide to Body Language!
You can learn a lot about a person’s intent by reading his body language, so find out just what that wink meant with this helpful guide.
Replace These Popular Drinks With These Healthier Ones!
The most popular cocktails contain alcohol and a lot of calories. Thankfully there are healthier cocktail alternatives. Take a look! The most popular cocktails contain alcohol and a lot of calories.
Can't Seem to Find a Good Pillow? This May Be Your One
You may be on the verge of settling for a pillow that is less than optimal for you, but we can suggest an alternative - buckwheat pillows.
Guide: How to Clean Your Car's Side Mirrors so They Shine
This article provides a detailed guide as to how to best clean your car's side mirrors.
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!
You MUST Pay Attention to These Numbers When Buying Fruit
The numbers you see on fruit have much more significance than you think. You can learn everything you need to know about the fruit you're buying from them.
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 Steps That Will Help Break Your Addiction to Sugar!
If you're addicted to sugar, following these 7 steps will help you break this unhealthy addiction.
Psst! Here Are Some Clothes' Tips Few Know About...
These tips will allow you to keep your clothes in as good a condition as new!
Easily Create These 8 Natural Sprays
Eight wonderful recipes to make eight natural sprays that can make your life easier and healthier.
If You Love Dogs, Then Avoid Doing These Things With Them
Even though you love your dog, you might be annoying it with some of your habits. Watch to find out more...
This Weird Hack Will Keep Your Cookies Fresh for Days
Keep your cookies fresh for days with this unbelievable, weird hack.
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.
Who Needs a Professional Cleaner With These Tips?
These stubborn stains can easily be removed with a little guidance.
Ever Notice How All of Women's Problems Begin with MEN?
Ever Notice How All of Women's Problems Begin with Men?
Use This Tip to Slice Onions Safely, Easily & Beautifully
Slicing onions using only a knife is very difficult - and quite dangerous too. But with this amazing tip you'll keep your fingers safe and the slices perfect!
7 Mistakes We Generally Make While Arranging Furniture
Here's a look at some furniture arranging mistakes you should always avoid and how you can fix them.
8 Super Handy Grocery Bag Tips You Have to Try
Whether you prefer paper or plastic, there are enough hacks here to really boost your bag usage. These tips will save you time, money and space. Perfect!
Is Honey Always Better to Use Than Sugar?
Isn't it a good idea to replace the sugar we add to our coffee and baked goods with a healthy alternative like honey? Not necessarily...
Tutorial: How to Grow Roses Using the Stem Cuttings
This tutorial is only a few minutes long, but it gives you a very simple, straight-forward and practical way of growing your own rose bush from stem cuttings.
This Ice Cube Hack Will Keep Your Burger Juicy
Check out these essential tips to ensure a juicy burger.
10 Clever Ways to Eat Less While Staying Healthy
How to eat less and still enjoy yourselves? Here are 10 easy ways to do just that!
Smart! This Is How to Peel a Hard Boiled Egg
You can actually peel a boiled egg without even touching it! That's incredible.
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.
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.
This Military Trick Will Have You Asleep in No Time!
Everyone can experience sleeping problems, especially soldiers and thanks to this military technique, you can now fall asleep quickly...