Landscaping: 9 Plants That Repel Bugs

It’s officially summertime, and you know what that means: sun’s out, bugs out. As we begin to spend more time in our yards and out in the great outdoors, it is important that we stay aware of those pesky creepy crawlers that could potentially harm both humans and plants. Did you know that you can ward off bugs by simply incorporating a few beautiful, yet effective plants in your landscaping?

Here are 6 plants that “bug the bugs.”

1. Marigolds – While many already have these bright flowers in their gardens as a pop of color, they also act as natural bug repellent. Marigolds have a very distinct smell that is known to repel mosquitos and other pests from the yard, including tomato worms and squash bugs. In fact, the marigold’s natural compound is actually used in many insect repellents that you buy in the stores today.
2. Lemon Grass – Did you know that this decorative grass contains citronella, a natural ingredient that is used in many mosquito repellents? While you can purchase citronella bug-repellent candles, torches, and sprays, you are better off planting your own lemon grass in your yard. It has a stronger, more pungent smell and may do an even better job at telling pesky mosquitos to buzz off!
3. Garlic – We may not be sure of its ability to ward off vampires, but we do know that garlic does a good job of repelling the vampires of the bug world. Planting garlic plants around the garden will repel mosquitos and other garden insects.
4. Lavender – You would think that the beautiful purple flowers of lavender would draw in all kinds of pests, when in reality, it deters almost all of them! Most bugs, aside from bees, hate the essential oils that are found on the leaves of the lavender plant. You can also dry the plant and take it inside of your home to act as a natural bug repellent and pleasant air freshener!
5. Mint – Mint may be a refreshing addition to our drinks and food, but ants and mice absolutely hate it! It is best to plant mint in containers, as it may spread quickly around your landscaping.
6. Petunias – We love using petunias as a lovely pop of color when landscaping, but these funnel-shaped blossoms also act as a repellent of tomato hornworms, aphids, and squash bugs. Their blossoms produce a licorice-like scent that drives bugs away.

For more information on landscaping or to learn about our landscaping maintenance and pest control services, contact the plant experts at PLANTZ today!