Spring is here and Summer is just around the corner!

That means bugs are coming to visit your outdoor patios and parties. Who invited them? To enjoy the great outdoors outside your home and…

  • Protect you and your family from mosquitos and other pests.
  • Protect your pets from parasites.
  • Protect your lawn and garden from pest damage.
  • Protect your home from rodents.

….here is one thing you can do to naturally keep bugs and pests away from your fun.

Choose plants for your garden and landscaping which will help deter pesky insects from bothering you and your yard.

Here are 5 common varieties of plants which you can add around your property this spring/summer to keep the annoying insects away.

  1. Citronella grass
  2. Lemongrass
  3. Marigolds
  4. Chrysanthemums
  5. Cucumbers

1. Citronella grass

You probably already rely on citronella candles, garden torches, burning oils and incense to fight off the mosquitos during the summer. Citronella is also a natural ingredient in many mosquito repellant sprays and creams. But you may not know about the benefits of citronella grass. Mosquitos avoid the scent of this tall, tropical grass variety. Make your outdoor party or garden patio more pleasant by planting citronella grass around the yard. When planted under the windows or near the door, citronella grass can also deter other flying insects from entering your home as well.

2. Lemongrass

This variety of decorative grass is similar, but not to be confused with citronella grass. Lemongrass thrives in heat and can grow up to 4 feet in height in just one season. As part of the Cymbopogon plant family, it also contains citronella oil, this tall grass is a natural mosquito repellant. This hardy variety can also be put to good use in the kitchen, adding a zesty flavor to many dishes.

3. Marigolds

Marigold flowers have a strong scent that mosquitoes, plant lice, aphids and rabbits will avoid. In fact, they have long been utilized by fruit and vegetable farmers to naturally keep pests from eating their crop. Marigolds are hearty annual plants which are easy to grow in a flower bed or planter. They require a good amount of sun and can thrive alongside many other flower varieties.

4. Chrysanthemums

Also known as mums, these common garden plants can help you keep roaches, ants, beetles, ticks, lice, fleas and mites away from your home. Chrysanthemums are part of the Pyrethrum genus. Extracts from mums, and other flowers in this category, can actually kill many of these insects. In fact, it’s a common ingredient in many residential insecticide products.

5. Cucumbers

Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.

Happy Spring and Summer from the Hippie Chick!