From the start of spring through the end of autumn, nature comes back to life. Plants grow, flowers bloom, fruits ripen… and insects wake up and begin to slink around everywhere. Or, while they cause no harm (except in a few cases), having insects in the home isn’t necessarily pleasant. Fortunately, nature also offers solutions to this problem.
Some plants repel insects, while others attract them
Insects have their preferences: some attract them, others repel them. And this is crucial information to know to avoid an invasion of tiny critters inside your home. Because if there are natural-leaning products to deter insects, nothing does more for the planet than a 100% natural method that is also decorative: houseplants.
A repellent plant for every insect you want to keep out of the home
Nasturtiums, to repel flies and gnats
Naturally, the choice of plant will vary depending on the insects you want to deter. For flies, abundant in summer though absolutely not dangerous, nasturtiums will have a repellent effect. And it also works on gnats.
The geraniums and citronella, against mosquitoes
For one of the most bothersome pests of summer, mosquitoes, citrus-scented plants are ideal. Geraniums or simply citronella will repel them and help you avoid being bitten.
Lavender, against ants, moths, and fleas
The lavender is also effective, and it has another advantage: it repels ants, but especially moths and fleas. This is why in the South, people place sachets of dried lavender in closets!
More: mint, sage, and the ever-present lavender against ants
For the ants that have a nasty tendency to skitter all over the house in search of food for the colony, mint, sage, and the eternal lavender will be an effective way to tell them not to come to your place.
The croton and the aurora: prime insect-repellent plants
Lemon-scented geranium, thyme, basil, lavender, and also croton, aurora, are therefore ideal repellent plants for warding off insects in your home. And as you’ll have noticed, some can also be used in cooking, which is far from being a negligible advantage…
