The Ultimate Insect-Repelling Garden: Six Plants Bugs Hate

Constantly stocking your home with citronella candles and bug spray can get tedious. Instead, keep the pests away with plants that add fragrance to your space and spice to your recipes. From basil that decorates your pizza to mint that flavors your tea, this summer you can grow your favorite plants while repelling your most detested pests. 

Garlic

Garlic’s pungent smell is a natural repellent for carrot flies, cabbage worms, slugs, and aphids. Not to mention, it adds heaping flavor to your summer recipes. 

Basil

Easy to grow and a breeze to maintain, basil repels house flies and mosquitoes. Place the pots around your space to form a protective barrier. 

Dill

Dill can keep away spider mites, squash bugs, and aphids. Just don’t plant it near your tomato plants, as it’s known to attract tomato hornworms.

Mint

The essential oils found in mint are natural mosquito repellents, with studies showing that catnip oil (an oil in the mint family) is more effective than the chemical DEET. 

Thyme

With the tendency to repel cabbage loopers, whiteflies, tomato hornworms, and corn earworms, you’ll want to set aside some time to plant this aromatic herb. 

Bay Leaves

Bay leaves not only season your soups and stews, but also repel flies, cockroaches, and ants. The best part? You don’t have to plant it — just sprinkle the leaves around your garden. 

Here to Help

We may not be known for having a green thumb, but we can help you get rid of unwelcome bugs. Get in touch with our experts for all your pest control needs.