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Natural garden pest repellents and butterfly attractants

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Real Estate Broker/Owner with Sands Realty 210-414-0966 Texas License #0331413

Some garden predators are repelled by the same herbs that attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

Mints plants repel ants (great for vegetable gardens!), aphids, cabbage moths, fleas, and many others. At the same time it attracts earthworms which are "a gardener's best friend."

To attract a wide variety of butterflies and hummingbirds, plant some of these around your garden: bergamont, dill, and fennel.

ARTEMISIA Snakes don't like artemesia or common wormwood. Artemisia also repels aphids, flea beetles, flies, moths, slugs, and snails.

BASIL is one of the best summer-growing herbs. It's scent drives off flies, mosquitoes, and other pests.

HOREHOUND repels blister beetles.  These beetles can invade your tomatoes. 

LEMON BALM can grow rapidly but it deters mosquitoes and contains citronella.  

COPPER CANYON DAISY is a heat/sun-lover deer and whiteflies are said to hate.

PARSLEY is pretty and helps keep vegetables healthy and bug-free. It's edible, too.

RUE Use around the vegetable garden as a general bug and pest deterrent.  

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 We serve all of San Antonio, including the cities of Alamo Heights, Terrell Hills, Shavano Park, Hollywood Park, Hill Country Village, Bulverde, Garden Ridge, Schertz, Cibolo, Converse, Universal City.

We serve ALL neighborhoods, including Stone Oak, Encino Park, Cibolo Canyons, Deerfield, Rogers Ranch, Sonoma Ranch, Steubing Ranch, Canyon Springs, Alamo Ranch, Champions, Stonewall Ranch, The Dominion, and more.

 

 

 

Comments (11)
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Steve Shatsky
Dallas, TX

Hi Shirley... I love fresh basil.  It tastes so much better fresh off the plant.  Even better than the fresh stuff you buy at the store!  Who knew it had this other beneficial quality?

May 31, 2009 06:54 PM
Larry Bettag
Cherry Creek Mortgage Illinois Residential Mortgage License LMB #0005759 Cherry Creek Mortgage NMLS #: 3001 - Saint Charles, IL
Vice-President of National Production

You're talking in a language that I don't understand.  In spite of that, I'm bookmarking this b/c my wife is starting to get into this stuff.  Thanks Shirley.

Jun 01, 2009 01:26 AM
Dale Baker
Baker Energy Audits and Commercial Properties Inspections - Claremont, NH
New Hampshire Relocation Real Estate Information

Howdy there Shirley

We have many of the planted in our gardens, around the yard. One funny thing. In the time that I've lived here now. I have not seen one snake anywere. I know they have them here. I have lived in one State that had no snake's and that is Hawaii.

Sure do like your list of plants to use!

God Bless America

Jun 01, 2009 01:27 PM
Sharon Richards
Kirsten Realty Tampa Florida - Tampa, FL

Shirley - I Love my herb garden which I use in many of my recipes.  But, I did not know that some of herbs repel certain bugs.  Very interesting.

Jun 01, 2009 01:58 PM
Shirley Parks
Sands Realty 210-414-0966 - San Antonio, TX
Broker, 210-414-0966, San Antonio TX Real Estate

Hi Sharon, I like using these natural plants instead of bug sprays.

Hi Dale, Do they have snakes in New Hampshire?  It can get pretty cold there.

Thanks, Larry.  You're a doll.

Hi Steve, Fresh grown veggies and herbs always taste best!

Jun 01, 2009 02:31 PM
Dale Baker
Baker Energy Audits and Commercial Properties Inspections - Claremont, NH
New Hampshire Relocation Real Estate Information

Howdy there Shirley

They do have snakes here. There are even rattlesnakes here. I just have not came along one yet.

There is a mountain just south of here in Hinsdale, New Hampshire. Called rattlesnake mountain, theres a Wal-Mart next to it. That has at times had a rattlesnake or two come in to that store. And in Charlestown, theres a hill called rattlesnake hill.

God Bless America

Jun 01, 2009 03:34 PM
Gail MacMillan
Titusville, FL

Good Morning Shirley....this is good stuff to know.  The next time I RE-DO my garden area I will incorporate some of these plants.  I'll also remember you as the PlantLady when I run into trouble.  Thanks for the great info :-)

Jun 02, 2009 12:11 AM
Trey Thurmond
BCR Realtors - College Station, TX
College Station , Texas Homes

Shirley

We have a huge bed of two kinds of mint right under our kitchen windows. When we water it smells so fresh so you can open the windows and "deodorize " the kitchen...glad to now now it also helps keep pests away. Great information!

Jun 02, 2009 02:52 AM
Sandy Shores FL Realtor®, Melbourne Real Estate
M & M Realty of Brevard Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Brevard County Real Estate, Florida's Space Coast

Hi Shirley, Well, I certainly learned something that I wasn't aware of. I didn't know any of these!  Thanks for the great tips.  I'll have to try some of them out. Now I know who to turn to when I need help with my gardening. Thanks!

Jun 02, 2009 01:19 PM
Not a real person
San Diego, CA

Thanks for helping to spread the gardener's non-chemical garden remedies.

Jun 04, 2009 07:31 PM
Liz Flint
Century 21 Hardee-Team Realty - Houston, TX
Houston\Tomball Realtor (832)816-8066

I love hummingbirds and butterflies, I'll have to try some of the plants you suggested.

Thanks, Shirley

Aug 08, 2009 11:57 AM
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Shirley Parks

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We serve all areas of San Antonio, including Alamo Heights, Alamo Ranch, Boerne, Bulverde, Castle Hills, Champions, Cibolo, Converse, Deerfield, The Dominion, Encino Park, Fair Oaks Ranch, Garden Ridge, Helotes, Hill Country Village, Hollywood Park, Inwood, Leon Springs, Monte Vista, Northwest San Antonio, North Central San Antonio, Northwood, Olmos Park, Rogers Ranch, Schertz, Shavano Creek, Shavano Park, Sonterra, Stone Oak, Terrell Hills, Universal City, Ft. Sam Houston, and Randolph AFB. We proudly assist clients in every price range throughout the greater San Antonio metropolitan area as well as across the nation.

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