Don't Let Bugs Ruin Your Summer

Summer is a great time for picnics, swimming, hiking and other outdoor activities. But summer bugs and insects enjoy the warm weather as well, and when they bite or sting, it can put a damper on the fun.

Every time you try to have a picnic on the patio in the summer, you are invaded by swarms of flies.  I don't like to use sprays and chemicals, so I discovered a way to combat pesky insects by using plants.

To keep away moths, fleas, flies, and mosquitoes, plant pots of lavender at the entrance of your front door, patio door, and patio or picnic area.  I plant lavender in pots on my front porch at the quilt shop to keep the flies out but also the destruction moths which are enemy #1 to a fabric store.  Even if the lavender doesn't bloom that much, it's just the scent of the plant itself that keeps them away.

What about that endless trail of ants who somehow find a way inside your house each summer?

And how do you keep spiders from building spider webs on your porch, patio area, and even from coming inside?

Plant Peppermint plants in pots on porches, decks, and patios.  Spiders, mosquitoes, and ants hate the smell of peppermint.

Last summer I couldn't find any peppermint plants, so I planted spearmint instead and it works just as well to keep those pesky insects away.

And to keep fleas and ticks from children and pets, plant pots of Rosemary to ward off fleas and ticks.  Add a few blooming plants around the edge of the pot and not only do you have a beautiful patio plant, but also it keeps working all summer keeping unwanted fleas and ticks away.

So plant some beautiful and welcome plants this summer on your porches and patios and keep unwanted visitors away.