Natural Defence Strategy:

These herbs and plants offer us a diverse range of options to create a bug-free outdoor haven, whether you're grilling outdoors or exploring the rainforest. Feel free to mix and match these plants to suit your preferences and conditions. Embrace your bug-free adventures!

Place pots of insect-repelling herbs  in your garden and use them as table decorations. (put labels on them telling your guest what they are and why you have them)

Some plants contain Essential oils that act as nature’s insect repellent, others attract so be careful.

You can get herbs at your local supermarkets or garden centres.

The fragrant smell from herbs is the result of the distribution of small droplets that contain oils.

High temperatures, cause the droplets to become volatile, evaporating the essential oils and turning them into vapours,

If you plant the edible herbs in small pots you can still cook with them but more importantly you can move them around.

Note: if you plan to cook with them too don’t put them where your pet can use them!

Instead of resorting to chemical warfare, let's harness the power of nature itself.

Let's delve into how you can create a herb haven in your garden to keep these unwanted guests at bay, and why this knowledge becomes invaluable when you venture into the rainforest.

1. Lemongrass (Ghanaian: Fɔnkɔ) - The mosquito and house fly repellent. Lemongrass, rich in citronella, a natural mosquito-repelling oil, not only deters insects but also enhances your culinary creations.

2. Basil (Ghanaian: Akuko Besa) - Fragrant and a natural enemy of house flies and mosquitoes. Keep small basil pots around your kitchen and patio doors for both insect protection and culinary delight.

3. Bay Leaf (Ghanaian: Sɛpa or Teasepa) - A fly repellent with healing properties. Strategically placed bowls of bay leaves in your rooms keep flies away, while enhancing your culinary adventures.

4. Dill (Ghanaian: Agye or Aduurin) - Effective against tomato hornworms, aphids, spider mites, and cabbage loopers. This versatile herb elevates both your cooking and insect control efforts.

5. Fennel (Ghanaian: Osuanua or Funwaa) - The foe of aphids, slugs, and snails. Fennel's medicinal and repellent qualities make it a valuable addition to your garden.

6. Garlic (Ghanaian: Ahwiɛ) - A mosquito repeller. Plant garlic strategically to ward off insects without harming your plants.

7. Rosemary (Ghanaian: Nsusua Kɔnsuo) - The bane of mosquitoes and various insects. Chefs adore rosemary, while insects despise it. Grow it in containers, herb gardens, or landscaped beds.

8. Lavender (Ghanaian: Nkruma nkɔso or Lavender) - A moth, flea, fly, and mosquito repellent. Lavender's sweet fragrance keeps pests at bay, and its oil can serve as a mosquito repellent for your skin.

9. Lemon Thyme (Ghanaian: Suro wura nkɔso or Lemon Thyme) - A mosquito repellent. Bruise the leaves to release its mosquito-repelling compounds. This hardy herb thrives in sunny locations.

10. Mint (Ghanaian: Ntunsu or Mint) - A mosquito repellent. Grow mint in pots to prevent it from spreading. Use its leaves for refreshing mint tea, and place containers strategically in the garden for insect control.

11. Oregano (Ghanaian: Oregano) - Deters mosquitoes, cabbage butterflies, and cucumber beetles. Versatile oregano serves as a defence against moths and ants too.

12. Sage (Ghanaian: Salikɛ or Sage) - Keeps mosquitoes at bay with its strong aroma. It's a perennial plant suitable for planters or landscaped beds.

13. Marigold (Ghanaian: Amɔlade) - Adds vibrant colours to your garden and repels aphids, mosquitoes, and other flying insects with its distinctive scent.

14. Chrysanthemum (Ghanaian: Akumosu) - Contains natural insect-repelling pyrethrum. Plant chrysanthemums in your garden to deter various insects.

15. Citronella (Ghanaian: Citronella) - Known for mosquito-repelling properties, citronella plants or candles emit a lemony scent that effectively deters these pests.

16. Tansy (Ghanaian: Tansy) - Repels ants, flies, and mosquitoes. A hardy perennial plant that can be a valuable addition to your garden.

17. Pennyroyal (Ghanaian: Pennyroyal) - Another mosquito-repelling herb. You can plant it or use its essential oil as a natural insect repellent.

18. Catnip (Ghanaian: Catnip) - Attracts cats and repels mosquitoes, making it a useful addition to your garden.

19. Eucalyptus (Ghanaian: Eucalyptus) - Eucalyptus trees or oil deter flies and mosquitoes. The oil is versatile for DIY insect repellent sprays.

20. Neem (Ghanaian: Neem) - Neem leaves and oil possess natural insect-repelling properties, commonly used in traditional remedies.

 

These herbs and plants offer us a diverse range of options to create a bug-free outdoor haven, whether you're grilling outdoors or exploring the rainforest.

Feel free to mix and match these plants to suit your preferences and conditions. Embrace your bug-free adventures!

Place pots of insect-repelling herbs  in your garden and use them as table decorations. (put labels on them telling your guest what they are and why you have them)

Some plants contain Essential oils that act as nature’s insect repellent, others attract so be careful.

You can get herbs at your local supermarkets or garden centres.