For dog owners, summers mean tick and flea season. As if it is not punishment enough to see your furry friend itching and scratching, these parasites are pathogens of various diseases. While you can fumigate your home intermittently and vacuum away insects inside your home, repelling fleas and ticks outdoors is much more difficult. But luckily, if you have a green hand, there are some plants you can use to repel these pesky bugs.

Why use plants to repel fleas and ticks?
It is essential to protect your dogs from fleas and ticks, but using chemicals on them and around the house has the potential to endanger the very pets you are trying to protect. Natural remedies like apple cider vinegar in their drinking water or lemon baths help repel fleas and ticks. But it is not enough because the bugs can come from the garden or cling to furniture. Sowing herbs and plants with repellent properties enable you to create another line of defense against the blood-sucking parasites.

4 Plants to Repel Fleas and Ticks

1. Mint
This herb smells great and works wonderfully in keeping fleas in a garden far away. Additionally, there are various variants, like spearmint, peppermint, and orange mint, all of which have insect repellent properties. You can pinch a few springs and use them in your kitchen. You can use mint oil on your pet’s coat, and you can prepare this essential oil at home if you install mint in your garden. Remember that the herb spreads very aggressively and that most varieties thrive in the shade and need moisture.

2. Basil
Another plant suitable for pest control is basil. It is safe for dogs and cats, and you can grow any variety and use it for its flea repellent properties. Pesto sauce is the most apparent use for basil, but some varieties can be used for tea as well. While keeping fleas away, basil does attract pollinators like bees and hummingbirds. Basil needs abundant sunlight, so find a nice sunny spot where this plant can ward away fleas and ticks.

3. Marigolds
If herbs are not for you, Marigold is the plant you should consider for your yard. Available in numerous colors, from yellow to red to white, this flowering plant grows in various conditions. The best situation for marigolds, however, is sunny, warm places with well-drained soil. You might be glad to know that this plant repels a variety of nematodes, ticks, whiteflies, fleas, and even aphids.

4. Citronella
Lemongrass or citronella is a wonderful plant that insects hate. The scent is pleasant for most, and its leaves even act as an exciting ingredient for cooking. Citronella keeps mosquitos, bugs, ticks, and fleas away. You can easily make lemongrass oil and use it on your skin as well as your dog’s coat. You can also make the grass into a soothing tea. It is a pretty, ornamental herb that can grow just about anywhere. But when planting, keep in mind that citronella needs the sun.