7 Plants to Have at Home to Keep Spiders, Flies, and Mosquitoes Away Forever

Some aromatic or decorative plants give off an odor that bothers insects and acts as a repellent. Most often easy to grow, these “anti-insect” plants can provide many services during the summer, when mosquitoes, wasps, flies and other insects have the word to ruin our lives. Rather than using chemical insecticides that are not very environmentally friendly, do not hesitate to use insect repellent plants!

1 – MELISSA

Lemon balm is a perennial plant that should be found in every garden. It has a mild, lemony scent that easily repels flies, mosquitoes and aphids. Plant a few feet in your vegetable garden, but also near the windows and doors of the house and near the terrace. You will thus have peace of mind all summer long.

2 – ROSEMARY

Not only does rosemary add flavor to your dishes, but it also helps repel insects. “It’s another plant that’s perfect for summer because it likes drought,” says Carmen Johnston. “It’s one of my favorite smells, but mosquitoes can’t stand it. You can grow rosemary in pots but you can also plant it in your garden to make hedges. » According to Carmen Johnston, this plant also brings character to floral arrangements. So why not plant it outside to repel insects and for visual pleasure?

3 – LAVENDER

If mosquitoes are attracted by strong odors such as sweet, fragrant creams and the heat of our bodies, they are naturally repelled by flower odors such as lavender.

4 – LEMONSELLA

Credit: 4suisse

An ingredient in many industrial repellent products, such as sprays and candles, lemongrass is one of the most effective plants for keeping insects away from our homes.

5 – MINT

Mint is a natural mosquito repellent. Mint spreads very aggressively in the garden. It is therefore preferable to grow it in a pot, unless you want it to invade the entire garden! Indeed, once well established in a garden, it is very difficult to get rid of it. Mint leaves are commonly used to flavor iced tea and other cold drinks. We often forget it, but know that the aromatic properties of mint leaves are also present in its stems and flowers.

How to use it :

• With little effort, the aromatic oils of mint are easily extracted. Mix these oils with apple cider vinegar and a little cheap vodka (or witch hazel floral water) to make a bug spray.
• To keep insects away from surrounding plants, plant mint in pots and place them in strategic locations in your garden or patio.
• To stimulate the growth of broccoli, cabbage and turnips, simply add a few sprigs of mint to their mulch.

6 – GREEN ANISE

Green anise is a species that resembles a carrot or parsley, but is larger, around 60 centimeters. Its summer flowers are small, white, arranged in an umbel. This is an annual species that must be resown every spring, spacing its plants 30 centimeters apart. This plant loves the sun, rich and light soil. It has an anti-fly action, without us being able to understand the reasons.

7 – OFFICINAL SAGE

Sage, thanks to its very intense aroma, is perfectly able to keep insects away from your garden. It can also be planted in pots and placed in strategic locations. It has medicinal properties, but it is also very effective for flavoring white meats, fish, stuffings, sauces and vegetables.