Marigolds are a favorite for repeling insects.
When choosing flowers for the garden or container, consider using plants that have the added benefit of repelling insects. Growing these flowers throughout the garden reduces the need for chemical pesticides. The next time you peruse flowers at your local garden center, keep these flowers in mind as insect repellents. Does this Spark an idea?
Catnip
Catnip is a perennial plant native to Europe. This aromatic plant produces silvery leaves with stems that reach up to 3 feet in height. Catnip has small clusters of lavender and white-spotted petals at the end of its long stems. This plant remains remarkably effective at repelling insects such as mosquitoes, aphids, cockroaches, ants, weevils, squash bugs and Colorado, Japanese, and darkling beetles. Since catnip's fragrance is favored by cats, problems with mice, rat and other rodents reduce considerably. Researchers at Iowa State University have concluded the oil extracted from the catnip flower repels mosquitoes 10 times more powerfully than DEET.
Marigold
Gardeners wanting to repel insect pests such as Japanese beetles, Mexican bean beetles, white flies, nematodes, asparagus beetles and tomato worms should plant marigolds throughout the problem area. Marigolds grow up to 36 inches in height and come in a variety of colors such as yellow, orange, gold and red. The blooms of fragrant marigolds, such as French and Mexican varieties, are recommended for use in deterring pests.
Tansy
The tansy is a perennial flower featuring small, button-like yellow flowers on top of long, branched stems. Tansy plants grow up to 6 feet in height. They are considered invasive in parts of the country. Tansy flowers repel flea beetles, ants, flying insects, cabbage worms, Japanese beetles and squash bugs. When planted among fruit bushes, tansy can improve fruit flavor.
Nasturtium
Nasturtium is an edible flower, with a peppery flavor in its flowers, leaves and seed pods. The five-petal flowers of the nasturtium usually are orange, red or yellow. This flower repels insects such as white flies, Mexican bean beetles, aphids and squash bugs, and keeps beetles away from pumpkin crops when planted throughout.
Sage
Sage is a hardy perennial with long stems, bearing clusters of white, blue or lavender-colored flowers. Sage flowers attract beneficial insects such as ladybugs and bees to help pollinate and control insect populations. The sage flower also repels imported cabbage worm, white cabbage moth, root maggots and the carrot fly.
Tags: insects such, squash bugs, bean beetles, feet height, flower repels, Japanese beetles, long stems