Summer is the season for soaking up the sun and enjoying the warmth, but it also brings the unwelcome guests of flies and mosquitoes. These pesky insects are most active during this time, making it difficult to enjoy the outdoors. While chemical sprays can be effective, they can also be harsh and harmful to the environment. A safer and more natural solution is to use plants that naturally repel flies and mosquitoes.
Adriana Camilleri, a pest control expert from the gardening website Hoselink, recommends using plants as an environmentally friendly way to keep bugs away. “When controlling these pests, it’s important to understand why they hang around,” she explains. “They’re not purposely trying to pester us, but are merely going about their natural activity. Knowing the plants these insects dislike is valuable knowledge we can use to help keep them at bay.”
Here are five houseplants known to deter flies and mosquitoes:
Lavender
Lavender, with its beautiful purple flowers and calming fragrance, is a favorite among humans but a strong irritant to flies and mosquitoes. Its scent contains oils like linalool and linalyl acetate that interfere with an insect’s sensory perception, making it difficult for them to find food or humans to bite. Adriana suggests planting lavender in sunny areas near your garden entrance or front door to reduce the number of bugs entering your home.
Marigolds
These bright orange flowers add vibrant color to your home and garden while acting as a natural insect repellent. Marigolds contain pyrethrum, a compound that affects the nervous system of flies and mosquitoes, even killing them if they get too close. For best results, place marigolds in sunny areas near your home or plant them in your garden alongside roses or vegetables.
Pennyroyal
This small plant with its strong minty aroma is a natural deterrent for both flies and mosquitoes. It contains pulegone, a compound that overloads an insect’s sensory receptors, preventing them from navigating their surroundings. Pennyroyal is best planted underneath or around other plants and crops in your garden, providing a natural insecticide to keep pests at bay. However, it’s crucial to note that pennyroyal is poisonous to animals and humans if ingested, so keep it away from children and pets.
Lemongrass
Lemongrass is known for its thick stalks and strong citrusy scent resembling lemons. It contains high concentrations of citronella, a powerful compound known to deter mosquitoes. Citronella interferes with a mosquito’s ability to detect humans to bite, while its pleasant scent also keeps flies away. Plant lemongrass in outdoor seating areas or near a patio, or place it next to a window as a houseplant to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.
Basil
Basil, a popular herb used in cooking, is also an effective insect repellent. Its pungent aroma, especially from the leaves, deters flies and mosquitoes. It’s easy to grow in pots or containers, making it ideal for placing near windows or doors to keep pests away. Basil’s versatility makes it a great addition to your garden and kitchen.
By incorporating these natural insect repellents into your home and garden, you can enjoy the beauty of summer without being bothered by pesky flies and mosquitoes.
