Plants That Can Keep Bugs Away From Your Swimming Pool
Choosing your poolside plants is as important as keeping your fibreglass pool clean. Wondering why? Bugs on your poolside garden can be a nuisance. Your relaxing day by the pool can be easily ruined by buzzing flies and beetles, crawling spiders, slimy silverfish, ants, and blood-sucking mosquitoes. Not only do bugs sting and bite but dead bugs floating on the pool water are surely not a pretty sight! Additionally, bug bites can cause allergies and sometimes can be fatal too. Children are often scared of creepy crawly insects and they may pose a threat to your pets too.
Careful planning and planting bug-repelling plants can save you from frequent pool cleaning and maintain a healthy poolside ambience. When you have a beautiful and inviting swimming pool in your backyard, you want to make the surrounding area aesthetically pleasing too.
Landscaping with the choicest plants can add a calmer and livelier look to your pool area. Less effort in skimming off bugs from the pool frequently and less number of bugs bugging you sounds great, doesn't it? Keep away mosquitoes and other bugs by planting the right flowering plants and herbs next to your pool. Here is a list of insect repelling plants to help you create a perfect bug-free poolside garden.
Bug repelling flowering plants
Insect repelling flowering plants serve a two-in-one purpose of producing ornamental flowers that add a dash of colour to the poolside along with keeping bugs at bay.
Geranium
Native to South Africa, geraniums are a favourite among gardeners for their beautiful flowers and easy maintenance. Geraniums grow in a wide range of colours and are now found throughout the world. This flowering plant requires little to no care. Not all varieties of geraniums repel bugs. A particular variety earlier known as Pelargonium citrosum has mosquito repelling properties. It produces a smell similar to citronella oil, which helps in warding off bugs.
These lemon-scented geraniums grow well in bright sunlight and soak-up moisture faster than most house plants. But make sure not to overwater your geraniums. They grow well in areas that have plenty of moisture and what can be a better place than your poolside? Planting geraniums on the edges of your poolside landscape will help in reducing the number of mosquitoes in the area. These plants will also adorn your poolscape with pretty, colourful flowers all around the year.
Marigold
Marigolds are among the most well-known insect-repelling plants. They can ward off mosquitoes, cabbage worms, white flies, tomato hornworms, and other pests. Along with that they also attract beneficial insects like the ladybug that kill aphids. Marigolds are no-fuss, easy-to-grow plants that thrive well in full sun. Marigolds come in more than 50 species and belong to the aster family. Different varieties of marigolds offer flowers of different colours and sizes.
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums are cheerful, daisy-like flowers, found in a large variety. Along with having pretty flowers, these plants champion in repelling many kinds of bugs including ants, spider mites, aphids, moths, flies, fleas, and silverfish. The most potent variety of bug repelling chrysanthemum is the dalmatian chrysanthemum. These plants originated in China and have now made their way all over the globe. Chrysanthemums contain organic compounds called pyrethrins that are toxic to insects. These chemical compounds destroy the nervous systems of bugs once they ingest them. These compounds are lethal for insects but are less toxic to animals and birds.
Petunias
Petunias can be a beautiful flowering addition to your poolside garden. Petunias bloom in a range of hues that add a burst of colour to wherever they grow. Known as one of nature’s pesticides, petunias can help in driving away aphids, squash bugs, tomato hornworms, leafhoppers, and other insects. Petunias are fairly easy to grow and can be planted in the ground or in pots.
Bug repelling herbs
Lemongrass
Native to India and Sri Lanka, lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), along with being highly prized for its culinary uses is also well known for its insect repelling smell. Lemongrass can keep away mosquitoes, wasps, and bees. The strong lemon-like scent of the leaves contains bug-repelling compounds at high levels. Lemongrass is a low-maintenance choice and offers a visually striking, ornamental effect near pools. This fast-growing plant with long, slender grey-green foliage needs to be tamed and tidied up or else it may overgrow and multiply quickly. In autumn the leaves may turn burgundy and red adding a splash of autumn colours to your garden. However, if you have pets at home you may want to avoid planting lemongrass by your fibreglass pool. These plants contain cyanogenic glycosides and some oils which may be slightly toxic to dogs and cats.
Nasturtium
A herbal plant species, nasturtiums are easy-to-grow plants that bear cheerful yellow-orange flowers. Their vibrant blooms and edible leaves make them an excellent addition to gardens including your poolside landscapes. Some varieties of nasturtiums are trailing and climbers whereas some are bushes. These plants repel bugs like whiteflies, some beetles, squash bugs, aphids, and cabbage loopers. They not only protect themselves from bugs but also keep other plants safe from insects by producing an airborne chemical.
Lavender
Lavender is a popular herb well known for its beautiful flowers and health benefits. The plant species is native to northern Africa and the mountainous area of the Mediterranean. They belong to the mint family, Lamiaceae. Perennial lavender plants can live up to twenty years. Pretty, purple aromatic flowers grow on the tip of long spikes. The small evergreen shrubs have grey-green leaves. Lavender flowers represent grace, purity, devotion, serenity, elegance, refinement, and calmness. These flowers will not only add beauty but will keep insects away from your poolside with their fragrance.
Mint
Bright green, refreshing mint plants are easy to grow and are excellent insect repellents. The strong smell of these herbal plants repels ants, flies, aphids, whiteflies, cabbage moths, varieties of beetles, and squash bugs. When mint is growing in your poolside garden you can pick them while cooling in your pool and use them in your dips, and cocktails too!
To Conclude
At the end of the day, the foremost important thing is to choose your pool wisely. Fibreglass pools make great additions to homes due to their easy installation, sturdy build, and low maintenance characteristics. However, don’t overlook the benefits of your poolside plants. Select plants that will make your poolscape area darn good and prevent harmful bugs from spoiling your relaxing day by the poolside.
Plants That Can Keep Bugs Away From Your Swimming Pool
Choosing your poolside plants is as important as keeping your fibreglass pool clean. Wondering why? Bugs on your poolside garden can be a nuisance. Your relaxing day by the pool can be easily ruined by buzzing flies and beetles, crawling spiders, slimy silverfish, ants, and blood-sucking mosquitoes. Not only do bugs sting and bite but dead bugs floating on the pool water are surely not a pretty sight! Additionally, bug bites can cause allergies and sometimes can be fatal too. Children are often scared of creepy crawly insects and they may pose a threat to your pets too.
Careful planning and planting bug-repelling plants can save you from frequent pool cleaning and maintain a healthy poolside ambience. When you have a beautiful and inviting swimming pool in your backyard, you want to make the surrounding area aesthetically pleasing too.
Landscaping with the choicest plants can add a calmer and livelier look to your pool area. Less effort in skimming off bugs from the pool frequently and less number of bugs bugging you sounds great, doesn't it? Keep away mosquitoes and other bugs by planting the right flowering plants and herbs next to your pool. Here is a list of insect repelling plants to help you create a perfect bug-free poolside garden.
Bug repelling flowering plants
Insect repelling flowering plants serve a two-in-one purpose of producing ornamental flowers that add a dash of colour to the poolside along with keeping bugs at bay.
Geranium
Native to South Africa, geraniums are a favourite among gardeners for their beautiful flowers and easy maintenance. Geraniums grow in a wide range of colours and are now found throughout the world. This flowering plant requires little to no care. Not all varieties of geraniums repel bugs. A particular variety earlier known as Pelargonium citrosum has mosquito repelling properties. It produces a smell similar to citronella oil, which helps in warding off bugs.
These lemon-scented geraniums grow well in bright sunlight and soak-up moisture faster than most house plants. But make sure not to overwater your geraniums. They grow well in areas that have plenty of moisture and what can be a better place than your poolside? Planting geraniums on the edges of your poolside landscape will help in reducing the number of mosquitoes in the area. These plants will also adorn your poolscape with pretty, colourful flowers all around the year.
Marigold
Marigolds are among the most well-known insect-repelling plants. They can ward off mosquitoes, cabbage worms, white flies, tomato hornworms, and other pests. Along with that they also attract beneficial insects like the ladybug that kill aphids. Marigolds are no-fuss, easy-to-grow plants that thrive well in full sun. Marigolds come in more than 50 species and belong to the aster family. Different varieties of marigolds offer flowers of different colours and sizes.
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums are cheerful, daisy-like flowers, found in a large variety. Along with having pretty flowers, these plants champion in repelling many kinds of bugs including ants, spider mites, aphids, moths, flies, fleas, and silverfish. The most potent variety of bug repelling chrysanthemum is the dalmatian chrysanthemum. These plants originated in China and have now made their way all over the globe. Chrysanthemums contain organic compounds called pyrethrins that are toxic to insects. These chemical compounds destroy the nervous systems of bugs once they ingest them. These compounds are lethal for insects but are less toxic to animals and birds.
Petunias
Petunias can be a beautiful flowering addition to your poolside garden. Petunias bloom in a range of hues that add a burst of colour to wherever they grow. Known as one of nature’s pesticides, petunias can help in driving away aphids, squash bugs, tomato hornworms, leafhoppers, and other insects. Petunias are fairly easy to grow and can be planted in the ground or in pots.
Bug repelling herbs
Lemongrass
Native to India and Sri Lanka, lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), along with being highly prized for its culinary uses is also well known for its insect repelling smell. Lemongrass can keep away mosquitoes, wasps, and bees. The strong lemon-like scent of the leaves contains bug-repelling compounds at high levels. Lemongrass is a low-maintenance choice and offers a visually striking, ornamental effect near pools. This fast-growing plant with long, slender grey-green foliage needs to be tamed and tidied up or else it may overgrow and multiply quickly. In autumn the leaves may turn burgundy and red adding a splash of autumn colours to your garden. However, if you have pets at home you may want to avoid planting lemongrass by your fibreglass pool. These plants contain cyanogenic glycosides and some oils which may be slightly toxic to dogs and cats.
Nasturtium
A herbal plant species, nasturtiums are easy-to-grow plants that bear cheerful yellow-orange flowers. Their vibrant blooms and edible leaves make them an excellent addition to gardens including your poolside landscapes. Some varieties of nasturtiums are trailing and climbers whereas some are bushes. These plants repel bugs like whiteflies, some beetles, squash bugs, aphids, and cabbage loopers. They not only protect themselves from bugs but also keep other plants safe from insects by producing an airborne chemical.
Lavender
Lavender is a popular herb well known for its beautiful flowers and health benefits. The plant species is native to northern Africa and the mountainous area of the Mediterranean. They belong to the mint family, Lamiaceae. Perennial lavender plants can live up to twenty years. Pretty, purple aromatic flowers grow on the tip of long spikes. The small evergreen shrubs have grey-green leaves. Lavender flowers represent grace, purity, devotion, serenity, elegance, refinement, and calmness. These flowers will not only add beauty but will keep insects away from your poolside with their fragrance.
Mint
Bright green, refreshing mint plants are easy to grow and are excellent insect repellents. The strong smell of these herbal plants repels ants, flies, aphids, whiteflies, cabbage moths, varieties of beetles, and squash bugs. When mint is growing in your poolside garden you can pick them while cooling in your pool and use them in your dips, and cocktails too!
To Conclude
At the end of the day, the foremost important thing is to choose your pool wisely. Fibreglass pools make great additions to homes due to their easy installation, sturdy build, and low maintenance characteristics. However, don’t overlook the benefits of your poolside plants. Select plants that will make your poolscape area darn good and prevent harmful bugs from spoiling your relaxing day by the poolside.
