If you grow plants, you understand that pests can do a lot of damage to them. Insects such as aphids, mealybugs, and other creepy crawlies can hurt or kill your plants. Rodents, as well as other animals, can end up causing all kinds of problems. Many chemical pesticides help eliminate these pests, but many gardeners favor using natural methods.
One way to do this is to plant plants that keep pests away in your garden. These may include plants that naturally keep pests away and plants that attract better bugs, like ladybugs and dragonflies that eat other pests.
Let’s look at a few of the best plants and lawn and garden tips for bugs that will keep them away.
Plants That Repel Bugs
Planting herbs and flowers that ward off pests is one of the excellent strategies to deter insects from wreaking havoc in your garden. The following are a few of the most effective plants for warding off insects:
Lavender
This gorgeous plant is pleasing to the eye and deters insects, moths, and fleas from the surrounding area. If you want to keep insects at bay, plant it along the perimeter of your outdoor dining area.
Catnip
Cats enjoy catnip, but other species, like mosquitoes and other biting insects, avoid it at all costs. However, it will deter pests from your garden if you plant it along the perimeter.
Marigolds
Marigolds are an excellent choice for warding off many insects, such as mosquitoes, aphids, and whiteflies. They are straightforward to cultivate and are available in a wide range of hues.
Basil
Basil is a beautiful herb that benefits from warding off mosquitoes and flies. With the intent to keep the bugs away from the patio or garden, plant them in containers and place them around the perimeter.
Chrysanthemums
These lovely blooms also have the added benefit of warding off pesky insects. This is because they contain pyrethrum, an excellent natural pesticide against roaches, ants, and mosquitoes.
Bug-Friendly Plants
Attracting beneficial insects to your garden that feed on undesirable insects is an additional method for managing pests. Here are a few plants that attract insects that are helpful to humans:
Dill
Not only is dill an excellent seasoning for foods, but it also draws in ladybugs and other helpful insects that help control pest populations by eating aphids and other unwanted insects.
Fennel
Fennel has an excellent attractant to ladybugs and lacewings, both of which feed on aphids and other insects with a soft body, and both consume fennel.
Sunflowers
Sunflowers attract many helpful insects, such as pollinators, butterflies, and ladybugs.
Yarrow
Wasps that prey on caterpillars and other garden pests come to yarrow because it is an excellent attractant for these wasps.
Pest Control in Your Garden
There are a few more gardening ideas that you may use to manage pests in the garden, in addition to growing plants that repel pests and plants which attract helpful insects. These gardening suggestions are as follows:
Rotate your crops
If you grow the same crops in the same area year after year, there is a greater chance that the soil may get infested with pests. You can prevent insect issues by rotating the crops you grow.
Take care to maintain a tidy garden
Pests can conceal themselves in locations such as leaf litter and other trash. Therefore, keeping your garden neat is one of the best ways to ward against pests.
Use the use of companion planting
Grouping some plants can help ward off pests. For instance, an excellent way to ward against pests is to put marigolds beside your tomato plants.
Use natural sprays
Various pest control sprays come from natural ingredients used in the house. For example, you might prepare a spray to ward off insects by combining garlic and spicy peppers.
Lemongrass
Scientific Name: Cymbopogon citratus
Common Names: Lemongrass, Cochin, Mosquito Grass
Overview: Lemongrass is a vibrant, aromatic plant renowned for its culinary and medicinal uses. Its tall, slender stalks and lush, green leaves bring a refreshing citrus scent to any garden or indoor space. Originating from Southeast Asia, Lemongrass is a staple in many Asian cuisines, adding a zesty flavor to soups, teas, and marinades. Beyond its culinary appeal, Lemongrass is valued for its potential health benefits, including its use in teas for digestion and its essential oil for aromatherapy.
This hardy perennial thrives in warm, sunny conditions and prefers well-draining soil. It can be grown outdoors in USDA zones 9-11 or indoors in containers, making it versatile for various climates. Lemongrass requires regular watering, especially during hot, dry periods, but be cautious of overwatering to avoid root rot. Easy to grow and maintain, Lemongrass is a delightful addition to any herb garden.
Key Takeaways
Here are a few essential things to learn from the post:
- Pests can hurt or kill your plants. You can use chemical pesticides to eliminate pests, but many gardeners prefer to use natural methods.
- Some of the best plants to keep bugs away are lavender, catnip, marigolds, basil, and chrysanthemums.
- Basil and lavender keep mosquitoes away, and catnip will do the same for mosquitoes and other insects that bite.
- Marigolds keep mosquitoes, aphids, and whiteflies away, and chrysanthemums have pyrethrum, a natural insecticide.
- Some plants, like dill, fennel, sunflowers, and yarrow, draw in good bugs like ladybugs and predatory wasps that eat other pests.
- Keeping your garden clean and organized can help stop pests from entering your yard.
- Garlic and hot pepper sprays help keep insects away.
- Chemical pesticides should only be a last resort, and gardeners should choose an eco-friendly product.
- Planting plants that keep bugs away around places where people sit outside can help keep bugs away from people.
- Marigolds are easy to grow and are available in many different colors.
- Wasps that eat caterpillars and other garden pests like to hang out around dill and yarrow.
Bottom line
If you’re trying to identify bugs in your garden or other outdoor space, try Plantvine’s guide to identifying and treating common pests.
We have many choices for you to explore, including citronella, lemongrass, lavender, and marigolds. You’ll be able to find plants that meet your needs.
Once you’ve found the plants you want, you can just put them in your shopping cart and pay for them. Our website is easy to use and safe, so you won’t have any trouble shopping there. Also, we ship quickly and reliably so that your plants arrive in great shape and ready to grow.
So why hold out? With Plantvine’s plants that keep bugs away, you can protect your plants and improve your outdoor space. Click here to start shopping immediately and say goodbye to bugs for good.
