Plants that Bully Bugs
It is that time of year when we all want to be outside enjoying the beautiful weather. One problem: the bugs are out in full force too. However, there is some good news. Certain plants can help with that. That’s right; there are plants that you can place around your yard that will help to keep those pesky bugs away.
Peppermint is the first herb you’ll want to plant around your home and garden. Peppermint not only smells great and tastes great in tea and water, but it is also perfect for repelling mosquitoes, fleas and even spiders.
Basil is the next great herb for bug repelling. Plant this yummy herb around your yard, and you’ll not only have fresh herbs for your cooking, but you’ll also be able to repel mosquitoes and kill their larvae.
Citrosum might not sound familiar, but you would probably know it as mosquito plant. It is the plant that produces that pleasant citronella scent that works so well to repel mosquitoes. The candles and chemicals used to reproduce the smell may not be great for you, but the plant in its natural form can be used, or you can make an all-natural topical spray.
Another great herb for the kitchen and for repelling bugs is sage. Sage won’t work so well to repel bugs just by planting it in your garden. For this one, you will actually have to harvest the plant. However, for ages, Native Americans have burned sage for cleansing rituals, and it turns out, it can also cleanse your space of bugs too. So, the next time you light up your fire pit, toss a handful of sage on the fire and enjoy a bug-free, aromatic evening by the fire.
This last one you’ll only want to use if you don’t mind the neighborhood cats flocking to your house. That’s right, it is catnip. This plant contains nepetalactone, a natural chemical that attracts cats. This same chemical is said to be more effective than DEET in repelling mosquitoes, and if you live in an area where you have a cockroach problem, catnip can help with that too.