Naturally repel bugs this summer!

Warmer temperatures mean being outdoors more and being outdoors more in the summer naturally mean pesky BUGS. Mosquitos, flies and ants are especially bothersome when we are home trying to enjoy a BBQ or family time outside.

We gathered a list of a few plants that naturally repel bugs here:

Basil

repels house flies and mosquitoes

Basil can be grown easily and inexpensively and it is toxic to mosquito larvae.

Lavender

repels moths, fleas, flies and mosquitoes

People love the smell of lavender but mosquitoes, flies and other unwanted insects despise it. Plant in a sunny area!

Catnip

repels mosquitos, flies, deer ticks and cockroaches

Catnip is relatively easy to grow but can become invasive in your garden so be careful where you plant.

Chrysanthemums

repels roaches, ants, Japanese beetles, ticks, silverfish, lice, fleas, bedbugs, spider mites, harlequin bugs and root-knot nematodes

Pyrethrum is the ingredient in chrysanthemums that is used in many commercial insect repellents.

Lemongrass

repels mosquitos

Citronella is the oil found in lemongrass. Plant in a pot or the ground in a sunny, well-drained location.

Mint

repels mosquitos

Plant mint in pots, because it will spread like crazy.

Rosemary

repels mosquitos

Will also protect your vegetable plants!