No one wants to be an insect magnet. Unwanted insects are annoying, and that’s why they’re called unwanted for a reason. If your house has been suffering from gnats, mosquitoes, pesky bugs and many more, then you might have resorted to engaging in chemical warfare just to fight them. But do you know that you can repel unwanted bugs and insects in a natural way? According to professionals of tree trimming Phoenix and tree maintenance, you can use insect-repelling plants to save you from the trouble. What are these plants? Check them out below.

1. Basil

If you’re suffering from mosquitoes and house flies, basil plant is the best to repel them. Just put the plant in a container and place them in outdoor areas or house doors. You’re already familiar with basil because it’s used in salads and chicken recipes, but they’re also great as an insect repellent spray. You can make your own spray by mixing 4-6 ounces of fresh basil and 4 ounces of boiling water. Let the leaves steep for a few hours and remove the leaves. Make sure that the moisture of the leaves is squeezed into the mixture. Add 4 ounces of vodka and store in the refrigerator.

2. Lemongrass

Lemongrass also repels mosquitoes. The lemongrass contains natural oil called citronella. Lemongrass is familiar to most of us because it’s commonly used in pork and chicken dishes. It can also be planted in a well-drained location with enough sun. Most of Asian dishes and recipes have lemongrass in them. Aside from its useful culinary purposes, lemongrass is effective in repelling mosquitoes.

3. Mint

Another effective insect repellant herb is mind. The aromatic properties you can find in its leaves can be extracted and combined with cheap vodka and apple cider vinegar. Such mixture will become an effective mosquito repellant. You can also put the containers strategically on the areas where insects usually roam.

4. Alliums

The allium plant is an effective and broad-spectrum insecticide whose flower heads grows up to 6 feet tall. This plant is effective when it comes to repelling insects that attack vegetable gardens. These insects are aphids, slugs, cabbage worms and carrot flies. If you have carrots, cabbage, potatoes, tomatoes, broccoli and peppers in your garden, you would surely benefit from this natural insecticide.

5. Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums are not only great as plant ornament; they can also repel ticks, silverfish, Japanese beetles, roaches, harlequin hugs and ants. Chrysanthemum has an ingredient called pyrethrum that’s responsible for repelling the mentioned insects. Pyrethrums are so effective that they are being used in almost all insecticides for both garden and home use. But it also comes with risks that you should know about.

6. Petunias

Petunias are attractive flowers with a purple color. Not only they are attractive, they can also repel tomato hornworms, aphids, leafhoppers, asparagus beetles and squash bugs. Petunias don’t require too much maintenance, and they can grow almost everywhere. You can grow them hanging baskets, containers and garden beds.