There are many benefits to having a garden [1], but when bugs try to take over, it's never a good situation. Whether your garden is located next to your deck and attracts mosquitoes [2], flies, and other unwanted pests to your social area or it's the feeding ground to aphids, mites, and all sorts of creepy-crawly things, there are some natural ways to keep pests out [3] without resorting to chemicals — and plants are a great place to start. Believe it or not, fighting off bugs with certain plants is a practice that's been used for decades, and there are a whole bunch of plants that can do the trick. Lemon balm and garlic, for example, produce smells that ward off mosquitos, flies, and beetles. If this natural approach to a bug-free garden appeals to you, have a look at the insect-repelling plants, ahead.
Basil
Keep flies and mosquitos away by placing basil in your outdoor space. Not only is its smell incredible but fresh basil tastes delicious in almost all cuisine.
Basil Plants
Basil Plants [5] ($50 for 3)
Bay Leaf
Whether you use bay leaves in your soups and spaghetti sauces or choose to keep them dried around the house to repel insects like ants, cockroaches, and fleas, they're a great plant to have and grow.
Bay Leaf Plant
Bay Leaf Plant [6] ($20)
Catnip
The chemical in catnip may attract your neighbourhood cats, but it'll certainly repel mosquitoes, ticks, cockroaches, and flies. Just be careful about planting catnip directly in your garden, as it has a knack for spreading quickly.
Catnip Plant
Catnip Plant [7] ($7)
Chives
Chives's edible flowers not only taste delicious in our food but they are a great bug repellent to carrot flies, Japanese beetles, and aphids.
Chive Plant
Chive Plant [8] ($6)
Chrysanthemum
When it comes to keeping bugs out of your garden, chrysanthemums are the pick for you. Pyrethrum, the chemical found in these flowers, repels ants, Japanese beetles, roaches, bed bugs, spider mites, ticks, lice, and more.
Chrysanthemum Plant
Chrysanthemum Plant [9] ($36)
Dill
Not only does dill repel aphids, squash bugs, spider mites, cabbage loopers, tomato hornworms, and other pesky bugs, its leaves and seeds add a delicious flavour to food.
Dill Plant
Dill Plant [10] ($7)
Fennel
Fennel repels aphids, slugs, and snails and is yet another delicious herb used in cooking!
Fennel Plant
Fennel Plant [11] ($7)
Garlic
We already know that garlic has a ton of health benefits, is a great seasoning, and can keep vampires away come Halloween [12]. It's also important to note its bug-repelling effects, too, as garlic can successfully repel Japanese beetles, root maggots, carrot root flies, snails, and more.
Garlic Plant
Society Garlic Live Plant [13] ($22)
Lavender
As much as we love lavender's fresh fragrance, bugs like mosquitoes, flies, fleas, and moths do not (woo hoo!). Place lavender in a cute pot outside or near your garden, and if you want to go the extra mile, rub its oil on your skin to ensure those pesky insects won't touch you.
Lavender Plant
Lavender Plant [14] ($20)
Lemon Balm
To utilise lemon balm's repellent properties, simply pick some of its fresh leaves, crush them between your palms, and rub them on your exposed skin. These plants are extremely hardy and can be kept outdoors or indoors, so you can have them all year! Just be careful not to plant lemon balm directly in your garden, as it's an invasive species and can take over your garden bed.
Lemon Balm Plant
Lemon Balm Plant [15] ($8)
Lemongrass
Just to be clear, lemongrass is the name for plants in the Cymbopogon family, which includes citronella (and we all know how good citronella is at repelling mosquitos). There's no need to buy every citronella candle that exists when you have a plant that'll do the job for you. Simply place lemongrass in a sunny dry location and watch it work its bug-repelling magic.
Lemongrass Plant
Lemon Grass Plant [16] ($9)
Marigold
Not only are marigolds beautiful to look at but they're a great bug repellent. Use these plants to keep mosquitos away, as well as to prevent nematodes (a small worm) from damageing the roots of your vegetable plants.
Marigold Plant
Marigold Plant [17] ($20)
Mint
Mint is great for not only garnishing drinks but repelling bugs, too! It's a fantastic mosquito, ant, and spider repellent. Place it in a container as it can run rampant in a garden, and put it where the bugs are!
Mint Plant
Mint Plant [18] ($7)
Nasturtium
Whiteflies and aphids can damage the leaves, stems, fruits, and roots of your vegetable plants. To keep them at bay, its best you plant some nasturtiums. Nasturtiums' bright leaves attract and trap these bugs, so you can ensure your vegetable plants stay safe all season.
Nasturtium Plant
Nasturtium Plant [19] ($20)
Oregano
Aside from dashing it all over your Italian dinners, Oregano's bug-repelling properties are one worth harnessing, as it's a repellent to many pests.
Oregano Plant
Oregano Plant [20] ($30)
Parsley
If you're growing asparagus, it's best to plant some parsley to repel the potential asparagus beetles your garden will attract. Plus, you can garnish parsley all over your meals for a delicious taste.
Parsley Plant
Parsley Plant [21] ($30)
Petunia
Not only will these flowers brighten up your garden but they'll successfully repel tomato worms, aphids, beetles, and a slew of other garden pests.
Petunia Seeds
Petunia Seeds [22] ($13)
Rosemary
Ah, another great plant to cook with. Rosemary's oil tastes delicious in homemade meals and repels mosquitoes and vegetable plant-loving insects like a boss — a win-win for both your garden and your taste buds.
Rosemary Plant
Rosemary Plant [23] ($9)
Sage
Sage is commonly used for spiritual cleansing, but it's also helpful in keeping mosquitoes (and ticks) from getting too close for comfort. The smell of sage is what repels the bugs, but hummingbirds love it! Plant sage in your garden, or keep it in your home for cleansing purposes.
Sage Plant
Sage Plant [24] ($15)
Tansy
Tansies grow fast, and paired with cucumber and squash plants, they can ward away some of your garden's worst enemies.
Tansy Seeds
Tansy Seeds [25] ($10)
Thyme
Thyme's highly aromatic leaves are known to repel whiteflies, cabbage loopers, cabbage maggots, corn ear worms, tomato hornworms, and more.
Thyme Plant
Thyme Plant [26] ($30)
Venus Flytrap
Venus flytraps eat small insects that land inside its leaves and are great plants to pot outside on your deck or near your garden to keep bugs away.
Venus Fly Trap Seeds
Venus Fly Trap Seeds [27] ($3)