The 5 strongest plants that will protect against insect pests
There are many beautiful members of the Flora kingdom that can protect other plantings from pests. Some are also edible or have medicinal properties, while others bloom beautifully.
No wonder gardeners are so fond of planting these plants in their plots. It’s like the famous commercials – two in one: a gorgeous flower, for example, repels mosquitoes. Or a tasty spice that fights caterpillars.
So what are you, these beautiful defenders?
Ringworm flowers (against wireworms, nematodes, aphids, ants)
Light yellow-orange flowers from the Aster family are unusually popular around the world. Well-known marigolds are a veritable storehouse of beauty and usefulness.
First, marigolds are unpretentious. All you need, you can only sow in the open ground in May and wait for the buds. No complicated care is required. And if you don’t collect seeds, marigolds even grow by themselves. A perfect flower for those who don’t like the mood of plants. Secondly, marigolds are edible, some species are also medicinal. From the dried flowers are obtained a spice – the so-called Imeranta saffron. According to fans of folk medicine, tea from marigolds helps with problems with the gastrointestinal tract.
And finally, marigolds are good at dealing with pests. The fact is that the pungent aroma scares away many insects, which prefer to break from the fragrant flower. The gardener, if not destroy the entire population of pests, then at least significantly reduce their numbers.
[!] Velvet plants should not be planted next to legumes because the roots of the flower release a special substance that suppresses the growth of these plants.
What insects are afraid of velvet flowers?
As noticed by gardeners, these bright flowers repel the wireworm. How often potatoes suffer from this pesky pest. And chemicals don’t help as well as we would like, and in large quantities they are dangerous. One of the best ways to get rid of wireworms is to plant common marigolds along the potato beds. In addition, marigolds are afraid of nematodes, another formidable enemy of potatoes.
Marigold flowers are often planted next to strawberry, cucumber or onion bushes. The flowers save strawberries from the trout beetle, cucumbers from aphids, and onions from bulbs. Malbate avoid ants, which often harm garden plantings.
[!] To protect yourself from insects at the same time as the vegetables, protect the marigolds in the beds. It is important that the marigolds are already in bloom at the time of the insect attack.
In addition to planting flowers in beds, to destroy pests on garden and interior crops helps infusion marigolds. It is made very simply. It is necessary to crush the plant (petals, leaves and even roots will do). Fill half a container with finely chopped marigold flowers and pour warm (about 50 ° C) infusion. After a few days, you can add household soap (40 g per 10 liters of infusion) to the prepared infusion and use against insects.
Water systems with velveteen infusion in the morning with the expense:
- 3 l per 10 m? For vegetables,
- 4 L per bush, for bushes and young sprouts,
- 7 L per adult tree.
Piremarum (from fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, ants)
The chamomile (Persian chamomile, Dalmatian chamomile, Caucasian chamomile), another member of the Asteraceae family, is a truly unique plant. Honeydew contains parthenolide, which is actively used in medicine, and a valuable essential oil used in the cosmetics industry.
Outwardly, the honeydew herb resembles the common chamomile. The main difference is the coloring of the flowers. In contrast to the white chamomile, the native blades shimmer in lighter colors – pink, crimson, red. Such a riot of colors looks great in the flowerbed.
The vast majority of pyrethrum species in the European territory of our country are grown as perennials, so they do not need to be planted annually. In addition, they are very easy to care for.
In addition to beauty, the main value of the plant for gardeners is the ability of pyrethrum to effectively repel pests. This flower is a strong insecticide that was not created by the chemical industry, but by nature itself.
Persian chamomile is especially effective against fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and ants.
The easiest way is to buy a ready-made pyrethrum-based product and treat the garden according to the pests’ instructions. You can also simply plant Persian chamomile next to garden crops. Its smell will scare away uninvited barnacles, and its light-colored inflorescences will beautify the place.
Cress capuchin (against whitefly, aphids, cabbage borer)
The magnificent nasturtium, a member of the herbaceous plants of the nasturtium family, is most often grown as a site decoration.
Some experienced gardeners preserve the green ovaries of nasturtium fruits (they resemble capers in taste). And lovers of folk medicine treat diseases of the respiratory tract, digestion and skin diseases with the flower.
But few people know that beautifully blooming nasturtium can fight against harmful insects. It is believed that the flower is particularly effective against white flies, aphids and white cabbage (cabbage whitefly).
To repel insects from vegetables and berries, plant nasturtium in dense rows along the beds. This will be both beautiful and useful – bright flowers will decorate the garden, and also help reduce the number of pests.
Rain farn (against mosquitoes, mites, fleas, potato beetles, aphids)
Rain farnet, a close relative of marigolds and pyrethrum, coming from the same family of Asteraceae, is most often grown in the European territory of our country and is a weed. However, breeders have developed several flowering varieties that look great in the flower bed.
Raindrop is very unpretentious and is a real storehouse of beneficial substances for humans. It decorates flowerbeds, is used as a condiment in food, is the raw material for obtaining essential oils and can even heal some diseases.
But the rainmaker is completely unattractive to many pollutants. The fact is that insects cannot tolerate the pungent scent of this flower. By the way, some people do not like the distinctive smell of Rainfarn.
Fleas, flies, mosquitoes, and ticks would prefer to stay away from Rainfarn.
To protect your home and vacations from uninvited guests, Rainfarn is planted under the windows on the porch or in the pergola. The number of mosquitoes and flies is reduced, and fleas and ticks stop attacking people and animals.
[!] Since wild rain barn grass is a very fast-growing weed, only cultivated species and varieties of this plant are planted. They retain all the useful properties, but at the same time are not aggressive on the building site.
To remove potato beetles and aphids from the vegetable garden, you can plant a scented flower along the beds. Another option is to prepare a brew from the rain barnyard.
To prepare an infusion of tanza, you need to take about 1 kg of fresh plants or 2.5 kg of dried plants. Grind them and pour 10 liters of water. The mixture insists in room temperature for 1-2 days, then cooked, strained and diluted with water at a ratio of 1: 2 (one part water to two parts of the infusion). The finished product is poured into a sprayer and after a few days you can spray the plants to repeat.
Calendula (from aphids, Colorado potato beetle, nematode, mite)
Calendula or marigolds, beautifully flowering herbaceous plants from the Asteraceae family, are unusually popular with gardeners. This is not surprising: the light yellow-orange flowers are extremely unpretentious and very useful.
Calendula is a strong natural doctor. It treats neck diseases, burns and wounds, effectively fights streptococci and staphylococci. Valuable food colorings are obtained from the plant, and in some countries can even be used, making soups and salads in cooking.
Gardeners and horticulturists especially value calendula as a natural insecticide. The flower effectively fights many pests, such as the Colorado potato beetle, nematodes, and various mites. In addition, calendula is a ladybug, which actively destroys aphids.
To save beds from pests, calendula is planted along the vegetables and berries. Insects are afraid of the pungent smell of the flower and therefore do not touch plants growing next to calendula.
[!] Again from planting calendula next to watermelons, melons and corn. The flower is thought to inhibit the setting of fruit on these plants.
From marigold you can also prepare an infusion that repels pests. To do this, half of the container should be filled with calendula flowers, and then pour them with warm (about 50 ° C) water. The infusion should be sprayed on vegetables if necessary, the procedure is repeated after 2-3 days.
These beautiful and very useful, flowers can be grown on your site. Perhaps they will not completely replace chemical means from pests, but significantly reduce their number on your site.
22 plants that will help protect the garden from pests
These 22 plants will help ward off insect pests in the garden
Everyone who has a garden or is involved in some type of private household has encountered insect pests that, if not countered, can easily leave a crop without a harvest. Many gardeners, especially the inexperienced, run for help to specialized stores to buy there means to get rid of uninvited guests. In the fight against pests there is a good alternative to the so-called chemicals – ordinary plants, which you only need to plant in its place. All you have to do is take your breath away, look at the growing crops along with healthy, succulent greens, and wait for the harvest.
And these helper plants not only protect their future crops, but are also useful as a food supplement or as a natural medicine. So what are these miracle plants? Just take a look.
Basil
Photo: Getty / Tetra Pictures
Flies and mosquitoes really dislike the smell of basil. If you’re sick of these citrusy insects, you can safely take this smelly system as an ally. Also, fresh basil is almost a staple ingredient in almost every kitchen in the world.
2. laurel leaf
The bay leaf is not only useful in soups or sauces, but also as an insect repellent, such as ants, cockroaches and fleas. It is enough to spread it fresh or dry in the house or plant it in your garden. Therefore, every decent housewife should have and grow a bay leaf.
3. Catnip.
The chemical in catnip can attract neighborhood cats but repels mosquitoes, ticks, cockroaches and flies. Keep in mind that catnip tends to sprout a lot.
The medicinal effects of peppermint are equally valuable. For example, because of its calming properties, it helps relieve anxiety and improve sleep. And it is also excellent for relieving colic, flatulence and even stomach pain. It is used for bronchitis and asthma, chicken pox or measles. – There is a long list to go over.
4. Spring onion shoots
Photo: Getty/Johner Images
The edible inflorescences of spring onions are not only tasty, but are also a great defense against carrot flies, Japanese beetles and aphids.
5. Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums are a great choice for those who want to ward off pests from the garden. The chemical pyrethrum contained in these flowers destroys ants, Japanese bugs, cockroaches, bed bugs, spinning mites, mites, lice and more.
Chrysanthemum flowers are also used to make tea, which helps relax the nervous system. The flowers are also added to bath water, which is used as a cosmetic because they are great for nourishing the skin, hair and nails. Chrysanthemum is also useful for treating certain diseases.
6. Dill
Photo: Getty / Olha Khomenko / Eyeem
There probably isn’t a single garden plot without dill. Fresh dill goes in salads, and ripe umbrellas go in cucumbers with vinegar. And sprinkled young potatoes with dill! Mmmm, yummy! But dill is necessary not only as a condiment for dishes. It also gets rid of aphids, pumpkin slugs, spider mites, coal grit, tomato hornwort and other pesky insects.
7. Fennel
Fennel is similar to dill, but looks a little different and smells more like anise. This sweet smell alone deters aphids, snails, and nuisance insects. Fennel seeds are often used in the kitchen as a condiment, and its tubers are even served as a garnish. In India, fennel is brought to the last meal, as it is believed to give breath freshness.
8. Garlic
Photo: Getty / Barbara Rich
Hardly anyone needs to be informed about the health benefits of garlic – it’s a well-known fact. Garlic is also a popular spice in the preparation of various dishes. But no less valuable are its pest repellent properties. The smell of garlic is not tolerated by Japanese beetles, root magic, carrot root fly, snails and other pests.
9. Lavender
Photo: Getty / Baraa Jalahej / Eyeem
Unlike humans, insects such as mosquitoes, flies, fleas, moths and mites cannot tolerate the smell of lavender. Therefore, this fragrant plant should be near you. And when you go out in nature, just apply lavender oil to your skin and then no bloodsucker will come near you.
10 Melissa
If you pick a few fresh leaves of lemon balm, rub them in your hands and rub them on your skin, then you can do without buying products, because lemon balm is a natural protection against mosquitoes, which does not cause allergic reactions and is therefore certainly suitable for children. Melissa has a very pleasant aroma, so it is often put in tea. It is also very undemanding, so it can grow anywhere. The only thing is that it sprawls a lot. So if you do not want thickets of this plant, you need to limit the freedom of its “movement”.
Lemon grass
This is a plant with a subtle citrus aroma. The essential oil of lemon grass has many positive properties: analgesic, antiseptic, antipyretic, astringent, etc. In addition, lemon grass is good as an insecticide. And all you have to do is plant it in a sunny, dry place to keep it away from pesky insects.
12. Ringworm flowers.
Photo: Getty / Raung Binaia
Ringworms or marigolds not only serve as garden decorations, but are also great for selling insects, especially mosquitoes. They also help resist nematodes (small worms) that damage the roots of vegetable plants.
The medicinal properties of marigolds have long been used in medicine. These flowers can fight helminths and fungi, have diuretic, decongestive and diaphoretic effects and more.
13. Peppermint
Photo: Getty / Tobias Titz
Peppermint is perfect for garnishing drinks and desserts. Did you know that mosquitoes, ants and spiders are afraid of mint? Just put it in an open container with these unpleasant insects and you will not tolerate such a neighborhood. By the way, from mint you can make a light soft drink, vitamin syrup, oil (for headaches, runny nose, cough, etc.) and even alcoholic beverages such as wine or liquor.
14. Capuchin cress.
Photo: Getty / Matthew Ashmore / Eyeem
White flies and aphids can damage the leaves, stems, fruits and roots of vegetable plants. To ward them off from their plantings, they plant nasturtiums. The bright leaves of these flowers pounce on these insects and catch them, so you don’t have to worry about your crops with these helpers. All the above-ground parts of the plant are medicinal. It is used in herbal medicine for general immunity strengthening, treatment of pneumonia and bronchitis, dilated blood vessels, bleeding gums, etc.
15. Oregano
Photo: Getty / Ayimages
Many pests hate oregano, so it doesn’t hurt to have it as a natural defense in your garden. Well, the fact that oregano is regularly on the table of Italians, known foodies, speaks for itself about its taste.
16. parsley
Photo: Getty / Jack Nobre / Eyeem
If you grow asparagus, we recommend planting parsley next door to deter asparagus bugs. Also, parsley is ideal for decorating dishes. Good for your bones and immune system. It is high in micronutrients, which is essential if you are deficient in calcium, zinc, phosphorus, iron or magnesium. However, people with hyperoxaluria should use it with caution because the oxalate it contains can increase the risk of kidney stones.
17. Petunia
Petunia flowers will not only beautify the garden, but also successfully deter tomato cutworms, aphids, bugs, and many other garden pests.
18. Rosemary
Rosemary is wonderful to cook with. But its repellent properties are just as convincing, because it repels mosquitoes and insects that like to feast on vegetables. So not only as a protector of your garden but also as a healthy snack, rosemary is a win-win.
19. sage
Sage has been known since ancient times. The range of uses is wide: in medicine, pharmacology, cosmetics and even as a condiment. Well, tell me, who as a child did not gargle with decoction of sage or did not eat lozenges with sage for coughs? Its fragrance gives a lingering aroma that mosquitoes and ticks can’t stand. Plant sage in your garden or keep it at home and no mosquito will dare show its nose.
20. Tansy
When combined with cucumbers and gourds, tansy helps deter some of your garden’s worst enemies, namely nematodes, Colorado potato beetle, mites, mice, ants, etc. It is also “rejected” by aphids, asparagus crackers and hawksbill caterpillars. Thus, with tansy you can do without chemicals. Agree, a worthy alternative.
In addition, tansy is an excellent remedy for a variety of ailments, from gastritis to kidney inflammation.
21. Thyme
No self-respecting culinary expert can do without this spice, because thyme not only enriches the taste of the dish, but also gives it unusual flavor notes, which allows you to prepare a masterpiece from ordinary products.
And in the garden thyme has its own “mission”: it helps to repel whiteflies, cabbage beetles, cabbage worms, earworms, tomato hornworms and many others.
22. Venus flycatchers.
Venus flycatcher is a predatory plant that feeds on small insects that live on its leaves. Therefore, if you plant this plant in your garden, pests will “bypass” it.
Unfortunately, nothing is known about the medicinal or other useful properties of venus flycatcher, so it is not collected for food or medicinal purposes.
