Although some insects are necessary for certain types of plants, others can damage them by becoming a pest that can even make them completely sick.
To keep them away it is not necessary to resort to chemical products that could harm other surrounding plants as well, and contaminate the soil and water. You can repel them naturally, with other plants! Learn which ones and fill your garden with green, taking care of it in an ecological way.
cat mint
Known as Nepeta cataria, this herb is very effective at keeping mosquitoes away. In addition, it tends to spread and climb walls, so it is advisable to plant it in hanging pots and prune its branches if you do not want it to grow with all the splendor it could.
Rosemary
Like other aromatics, Rosmarinus officinalis is not as palatable to insects as it is to people, so it will keep them away while making it a great addition to all your meals.
Note: other aromatics such as lavender, sage or rue also act as protectors against pests.
lemongrass
This species, called Cymbopogon citrates, has a lemony scent that keeps insects away. But you should keep in mind that it is native to tropical climates, so you should take more care of it in cold temperatures, growing it in pots (and moving it indoors) or in a greenhouse.
Wormwood
The pungent scent of Artemisia absinthium will keep mosquitoes away.
Mint
Peppermint oil keeps mosquitoes away and, for people, it perfumes the air, purifying it naturally.
other tips
- If you have problems with aphids, plant lupine, nettle or honeysuckle near the most sensitive species. That will keep them away.
- Chinese carnations or marigolds can be used to repel the whitefly that often affects plants in the garden.
- If you have carrots in your garden, you can plant onions next to them to keep out flies that can attack them.
- Unpeeled garlic in a pot acts as a repellant against certain pests that eat plant leaves.
- Pyrethrum is a species that naturally keeps aphids away.
- If you spread the ashes of the firewood around the cabbages and cauliflowers in your garden, you will keep slugs and snails away.
You can also learn how to make a homemade repellent, insecticide and fungicide; or how to prepare ecological pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides.