Insects infest the outside and inside of your home throughout the summer, especially in warmer areas. Instead than spraying insect repellants that contain a lot of hazardous chemicals, there are other ways to protect oneself from insects, such as planting various garden plants and herbs.
Here is a list of plants and herbs that you may add to your home to keep pests at bay:
- Lemongrass — lemongrass has a citrus-like odor that repels pests, and what better citrus plant to utilize than lemongrass?
- Basil – this herb repels insects and may be used to flavor a variety of foods, including salads and pizza.
- Lavender – Lavender may be used to repel fleas, flies, mosquitoes, and mot
- Lemon balm – Lemon balm, like lemongrass, has a citrus scent that repels
pests. Lemon balm may also be used to produce a delicious tea. Keep it in a pot to
prevent it from spreading. - Peppermint – Because insects dislike the fragrance of peppermint, putting it in
your home will keep them away. Plant them in a container since they may grow
quite invasive if planted in a garden. - Marigolds – These attractive flowers may be planted in your house or yard and can
help repel insects owing to the pyrethrum chemical that they contain. - Rosemary – this herb is commonly used in meals, particularly those including meat.
Aside from the excellent flavor it adds to a meal, rosemary may keep pests at bay. - Agastache cana (mosquito plant) — with its long stalks and little purple blooms, this
plant resembles lavender. Mosquitoes are repulsed by the odor of the agastache cana plant.
Pesticides’ Toxicology:
Pesticides and insect repellants contain poisonous compounds that are lethal to insects. All of these substances are harmful to humans to varying degrees. The toxicity of a substance varies depending on the product and the mode of exposure, such as touching, inhaling, or ingesting.
Each product is labeled with a signal word that indicates its toxicity. That is not to say that the lower toxicity goods are not toxic. Why use these treatments when you may use a natural-based solution, such as the plants described above, to repel pests from your home or garden? Remember, if you suspect a product contains toxins and do not want to expose yourself to them, always choose natural.
Sources: npic.orst.edu