Are you seeing a stronger presence of flies, gnats, and mosquitoes in your home and garden? Feel the need to tackle problem pests in your home or garden? This time of year, the warmer Texas weather can bring many unwelcome visitors and these pests have no problem making themselves comfortable in your haven.
Luckily, there is something you can do about it! At Calloway’s and Cornelius, we have a vast selection of plants and products to help keep critters away. With these helpful solutions, you can spend more time enjoying your summer and less time swatting away pesky flies, gnats, and mosquitoes.
Why are insects attracted to your Texas Home & Garden?
Is the buzzing sound of house and fruit flies echoing in your home? At times, it can feel like summer is their vacation time too. They make themselves right at home, ready to snack and explore. Flies breed in moist environments and on decaying organic matter. They are attracted to fruit, spilled drinks, standing water, and garbage cans located by a window or door that you open often.
Gnats are pesky and persistent, not to mention annoying. Fungus gnats are likely your new houseguests. They can be found in shady and moist areas outdoors during the summer and they are drawn to exposed food and moisture in your home.
Mosquitoes love our Texas summers. They thrive in our climate, especially with the presence of rainfall and the warmer temperatures. Mosquitoes are attracted to exposed food, moisture and standing water, and areas of your home and garden that provide protection.
What plants keep the most bugs and mosquitoes away?
Choose a natural form of pest control with plants that repel flies, gnats, and mosquitoes. These insect repellent plants will prevent pests from invading your personal space and add beauty to your gathering spaces.
Ready for relief? Get started today with these 6 plants that keep bugs away indoors and outside in your garden.
1 – LAVENDER
Lavender is a crowd-pleasing herb with a wonderful aroma, but our summer pests loathe its lovely scent. Flies, gnats, and mosquitoes try to keep at a distance from this fragrant plant.
Lavender is low-maintenance and thrives in our Texas sun. Plant your Lavender on a sunny patio in a container or set it near a south-facing window indoors.
2 – ROSEMARY
Rosemary is a popular culinary herb, commonly used in Mediterranean and Italian cuisine. It is a rich source of antioxidants and can be used in soups, salads, with meat, or fish. It is a delightful herb that can also be used as an insect repellent. Flies, gnats, and mosquitoes avoid the strong aroma of fresh Rosemary. You can add a few stems to each place setting as your next gathering as a form of pest control or plant your Rosemary in stunning pottery for a multi-purpose and stylish centerpiece.
Rosemary is a versatile herb with needle-like foliage. It prefers full sunlight throughout the day and thrives in a well-draining soil.
3 – BASIL
Basil is the perfect addition to many of your favorite meals. The fragrance alone can make you hungry, but it will send problem pests packing. It is a great gnat repellent, and it will deter mosquitoes and flies. Basil leaves exude fragrant oils that give off that enticing scent, and it also works as an insect repellent. The odor is far too pungent for flies, gnats, and mosquitoes to tolerate.
Basil is a fast-growing annual herb. It prefers full sunlight and evenly moist soil conditions. Try displaying your Basil near a sunny window as a deterrent against any bugs that may try to enter your home.
4 – MINT
Bring a refreshing fragrance to your home and garden with Mint! Varieties such as Spearmint and Peppermint are also great forms of natural pest control. Mint is an excellent mosquito repellent, and the powerful aroma deters pesky flies and gnats too. The fresh leaves provide the most insect repelling power and they can even repel bugs when dried.
Mint can thrive in shady areas, but it prefers full sunlight. Remember, always use Calloway’s Premium Organic Container Potting Soil when you are planting edibles in containers.
5 – MARIGOLDS
For floral pest control, try Marigolds. Marigolds are extremely useful and one of the greatest allies in our gardens. The bright and lightly fragrant blooms invite friendly pollinators while deterring harmful pests. The distinctive scent works as an effective insect repellent, keeping flies, gnats, and mosquitoes from entering your outdoor entertaining areas.
You will enjoy the colorful, bold blooms of Marigolds from early summer throughout the fall. They should be planted in sunny containers or flowerbeds, and they prefer moist soil conditions for the best growth.
6 – CITROSA
Citrosa, also known as the Mosquito Plant, is a highly effective insect repelling plant. The intriguing, ferny leaves give off a fragrance reminiscent of citronella. In fact, Citrosa is one of the most popular mosquito repellent plants around. The citronella scent deters mosquitoes and other flying insects.
Citrosa is a fast-growing plant that does best in partial shade to full sunlight outdoors.
What are the best pest control products for your home & garden?
Tackle problem pests with premium products for you, your home, and your garden. Try these fantastic pest control solutions for an insect-free summer.
PERSONAL REPELLENTS
Zone Protects Insect Repellent are personal bug sprays that come scented or unscented. The proprietary formula contains Vanillin for added protection against smaller insects and over 12 hours of protection from mosquitoes, ticks, flies, chiggers, gnats. Zone Protects Insect Repellent contains a DEET-free formula that is non-oily, non-greasy, and non-sticky. It is safe for adults, children, and pregnant women.
EFFECTIVE PEST CONTROL PRODUCTS
For adequate defense, use the best pest control products for your home and garden. Create a barrier to stop pesky flies, gnats, and mosquitoes in their tracks.
- Bonide® Mosquito Beater® RTS is an outdoor mosquito repellent. It is a ready-to-spray formula that should be applied around shrubbery, patios, decks, and other areas where mosquitoes congregate. It is people and pet safe with a pleasant scent.
- Skeeter Screen™ Yard Sticks™ are DEET-free essential oil incense for your outdoor enjoyment. It will help deter biting insects for up to 4 hours while it creates a peaceful “no-fly” zone around your outdoor gathering spaces.
- Summit Mosquito & Gnat Barrier is an effective bug spray with a convenient hose attachment. It can deter pests such as flies, gnats, and mosquitoes for up to 4 weeks. Use on fences, decking, and along the edge of your foundation.
- Summit Mosquito Bits® is an environmentally friendly form of mosquito control. It stops the larval population with corn cob granules coated in BTI, a bacteria toxic only to mosquito larvae. Mosquito Bits can be sprinkled in flowerbeds, containers, or anywhere mosquito larvae might be.
- Summit Mosquito Dunks® is one of the best-selling mosquito control products around. It is non-toxic and pet and family safe. Each dunk contains BTI and treats 100 sq ft of surface water for up to 30 days. Simply, place one in any standing water or fountain.
ZAPPERS, TRAPS, AND BAIT STATIONS
For another form of pest control, zap, trap and lure these pests away from your home and garden.
Skeeter Hawk Premium Zappers are built to last and extremely effective at stopping a variety of flying insects. Their durable and water-resistant designs use UV technology to attract and zap all types of flies, gnats, June bugs, and more.
Try their new Solar-powered zappers and torches! They are recharged via sunlight and have lanterns that provide an inviting ambient glow.
Skeeter Hawk Mosquito Traps are designed for large areas, patios, or for personal protection.
They attract and trap flying insects such as mosquitoes, fruit flies, gnats, and more with its Dual Band LED UV Light and a whisper quiet fan. They have a removeable base for quick and easy clean up.
Bait Stations are a uniquely effective form of mosquito control. Skeeter Hawk Backyard Mosquito Bait Station uses 360-degree UV Light technology and an all-natural insecticide to attract insects and keep them locked in. The formula is chemical free and long-lasting. Each bait station is battery-powered and designed with a dusk to dawn sensor for lighting efficiency.
Spartan Mosquito® Pro Tech is another effective bait station. It doesn’t require batteries or electricity, just warm water! The mosquito population will drop dramatically, and it will be up to 95% controlled for up to 30 days. Place around the perimeter of your landscape to create an effective barrier of mosquito control.
Shop with Ease
At Calloway’s and Cornelius, we have everything you need to enjoy a care-free, pest-controlled summer! Visit us today and explore our entire collection of pest and mosquito control products, insect repelling plants, and so much more! Shop one of our 28 neighborhood stores, serving our loyal customers for over 35 years.
Have questions? Ask our Texas Certified Nursery Professionals; they are here to help!
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