What’s BUGGIN’ you?

If you are headed out to grab some flowers and outdoor plants this weekend, consider this two-for-one.  Buy stuff that will help fight off the bugs as well as bring color to the backyard.  That’s what I did Friday afternoon.

I grabbed some advice from the pros from a garden website because I’m not that clever.

Marigolds – their scent will deter plant lice, mosquitoes, and even rabbits. Plant these in flower beds near your front or back doors, or even in your vegetable garden to keep rabbits and mosquitoes from harming your plants.

Chrysanthemums – it’s fun to say and it might be the best plant to deter bugs. Ants, Japanese beetles, roaches, bed bugs, spider mites, silverfish, and ticks will stay away if you have some of these around.

Mint – can repel spiders, ants, and mosquitoes.

Basil – will repel mosquitoes and houseflies.  I put mine near my backdoor to discourage them from getting inside and have easy access to basil when you want to cook with it.

Citronella grass – sure it’s an ingredient in mosquito repellents, but it is actually a grass you can put in your garden and planters to keep the flying insects away.

Lavender – gnats and mosquitoes hate the smell.  Plant it near windows and doors so the scent wafts into your home.

Chives – will help keep away the Japanese beetles.

Petunias – you can add color while keeping a variety of pests away.

Bay leaves – will keep away flies and roaches.

Garlic – Known for its health benefits and seasoning, garlic plants deter Japanese beetles, moths and other insects.  Plant it near roses to repel aphids from eating your flowers.

Rosemary – protects your vegetable plants by repelling a wide variety of bugs that will want to feed on the plants you’re growing and plan to eat.

There are so many more plants to check out.  Check it out here!