Relaxing outdoors can become stressful if you are plagued by pests like flies, midges and mosquitoes. There are ways to combat this using plants and natural concoctions like garlic and chilli sprays to do the job of pesticides and bug sprays.
There are certain species of plants that repel insects and these have the advantage of always looking good, saving on time and money, and avoiding the risk involved in using pesticides. These plants are usually aromatic, adding to the sensory delights of outdoor spaces. As an added bonus these plants can also be used to make infusions that can be sprayed onto more sensitive species, thereby lending their advantages to their less-fortunate brethren.
The plants
- Use aromatic plants like mint, basil, buchu, lavender, lemon grass, scented pelargoniums and COLEONEMA pulchrum (Confetti Bush) around places where people will sit. They work beautifully if placed where people will brush against them and release their fragrant oils.
- Essential oils are extracted from many of these plants and can be used to make insect repellant oil that’s non-toxic. Try oils from indigenous plants like ARTEMISIA afra (Wild wormwood), COLEONEMA album (Cape May), and AGATHOSMA capensis (Buchu) that are in demand the world over.
- Creeping forms of mint, such as MENTHA requienii (Corsican mint) or MENTHA pulegium (Pennyroyal), planted between pavers or stairs or where people will walk on them will help to repel flies and mosquitoes while scenting the air with a fresh fragrance.
- NEPETA cataria (Catnip) is great for repelling mosquitoes. Plant it near your patio or in the vicinity of garden benches.
- Use plants that have adapted to the conditions they will experience in your garden. Sunlight, rainfall, soil type, temperature and wind should influence plant choice. Locally indigenous plants are usually a good call.
- Don’t let your plants ‘stress out’. Like people, they become more prone to parasites and diseases when they aren’t happy.
- Try ‘companion plants’ like marigolds, TULBAGHIA violacea (wild garlic), AGATHOSMA spp (Buchu) and basil to help keep insects way from insect-prone plants.
- Marigolds are a must in vegetable gardens – the smell repels many insects, and they act as a ‘catch crop’ that will keep nematodes away from root crops.
Other ways to keep pests away
- Do away with things that attract insects: standing water where mosquitoes can breed, doggy-do and leftover food. Make sure that dustbin lids fit snugly.
- Plan the compost heap away from the places where people will want to sit and relax.
- Try rubbing a handful of aromatic leaves on your skin to repel insects. This will be more effective than just having the plants in the vicinity.
- Remember that citronella oil lamps and candles are quite effective at driving insects away. They look pretty, and will help to keep people happy and comfortable in the garden.
Recipes for insect repelling sprays
Pepper and garlic insect spray
This recipe is good for red spider mite, aphids and worms.
- Chop 2 cloves of garlic and cover with water.
- Soak for 24 hours.
- Add a small Jalapeño pepper or a teaspoon of cayenne pepper and leave for a further 24 hours.
- Add 2 cups water and use this mixture as a concentrate.
- To use, mix 10 ml of the concentrate to 1 litre of water and add a drop of dishwashing liquid. Spray onto infected plants.
Quick Garlic repeller
Add half a cup of chopped garlic to 2 cups of water and soak for 2 hours. Strain and use the undiluted liquid to spray onto plants.
Insect repelling infusion
- Collect clippings of aromatic plants – anything with a strong, clean smell should do. If you have any in your garden, khakibos works well.
- Break the clipping and bruise to release the oils.
- Soak in a bucket of water for 48 hours.
- Strain and apply as a spray.
The plants mentioned in this article are not only fragrant and repel insects, but they are also pretty and will add to the beauty of your garden, whether in flower beds or in pots placed around patios and seating areas. Some of them also have culinary and medicinal uses, so there are plenty of reasons to include them in the garden.
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