By Julie Christensen
There ’s nothing that ruin summertime fun faster than a swarm of mosquitoes , flies or hornets , yet most chemic solutions are scarcely appealing . Mosquito repellent are gummy , oily and smelly , and the chemic compound DEET has been regain to be toxic for fry . Citronella candles work with limited effectiveness .
Fortunately , many plant are natural pest repellant . These plants usually have fickle oils or warm sweetness that deter blighter . The plants can be used not only to scare mosquitoes off the patio , but to dissuade bugs in the garden , as well . Here , we ’ve included a round - up of our favorite , hard - working plant for your pest - free garden .
Catnip (Nepeta cataria).
Caterpillar commonly jazz this , but mosquito do n’t . Catnip , a member of the mint family , contains the substantive oil , nepetalactone . A study conducted by the U.S. Department of Forestry Service found that nepetalactone is more effective at dissuade mosquito than DEET . just of all , catnip spring up easily with almost no maintenance . Plant it in fond tone to full sunshine . Like all member of the mint family , it can become invading in cool , dampish conditions . burn it back annually to keep it under control . If you have a cat who relishes it , protect it with razzing netting or a basket .
Lime basil (Ocimum americanum).
This edible herbaceous plant has a slight calcium hydrate smell that deters mosquitoes and other insect . Grow it in moderately fertile , damp soil in full sun . Pinch back the leaf to encourage compact increment .
Rose-scented monarda
What if the pleasing aroma of roses deterred pests ? Rose - scented monarda is a repeated plant that produces the chemic compound , geraniol . This compound smells like roses , a pleasing scent to humans , but one that mosquitoes avoid .
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris).
You think thyme was just for flavoring soup and roasted wimp , but turns out it ’s an effectual mosquito repellent . This perennial herb exhaust essential oil that are as effective or more good as DEET , fit in to a study at Seoul National University in Seoul , South Korea . The vegetable oil go as long as DEET too .
Insect pests can quickly have havoc in the vegetable garden , but some strategical planting can keep them at bay tree . Here are a few suggestions from Cornell University Cooperative Extension .
The image of foresighted , straight rows of vegetables , such as those find in Mr. McGregor ’s garden , has remained with us for many years , but it ’s hardly the most efficient way to garden . A individual crop develop in gravid sum in one area is a bit like a Ne snack counter signaling , beckon the pests that fee on that crop . The garden that immix up crops and intermingle them with redolent herbs and blossom is much more confusing to insect , and much less alluring .
To make the most of pest - deterring plants , spread them throughout the garden . Since some insects overwinter beneath the filth , it ’s a good estimate to splay crops so they do n’t grow in the same daub twice . Floating row covers is another constituent strategy that bars pests from ever defecate their elbow room into your luscious garden .
For more information on organic pest control and pest-deterring insects, visit the following links:
Companion Plantingfrom Cornell University ExtensionUse Plants for Pest Controlfrom the University of Illinois Extension
Julie Christensen learned about garden on her gramps ’s farm and mother ’s vegetable garden in southerly Idaho . Today , she lives and gardens on the high plains of Colorado . When she ’s not digging in the shite , Julie writes about food for thought , education , parenting and gardening .
