Garden World's Guide To Gardening

Avoid Being Bugged at Your Next BBQ!

June 28th, 2025

Garden World’s Guide to Gardening - Avoid Being Bugged at Your Next BBQ!

With Fourth of July celebrations just around the corner, we wish that meant nothing but sunshine and barbecues. However, bugs seem to always make an appearance this time of year. Did you know there are ways to avoid getting bitten and bugged every time you want to relax outside?

The fragrance of certain plants can actually block the receptors insects use to find us. It’s just another great reason to get a garden going in your backyard, around your patio, or anywhere you like to enjoy fresh air. All you really need to sustain these helpful plants is some good starter fertilizer and to make sure they’re fed every two to four weeks.

So, if you’re getting some unwanted guests during those summer cookouts, try planting some of these simple staples.

Mosquito Plant (Citrosa)

The mosquito plant, Pelargonium Citrosum, also called the citrosa plant or citronella scented geranium, is highly recommended for keeping mosquitoes away. This plant is marketed as being specifically developed to continually give off a mosquito repelling scent.

Lemon Grass

Did you know many mosquito repelling candles and sprays are made from citronella oil? Lemon grass naturally produces this ingredient and doubles as a beautiful grassy plant for walkways and around tables. Alternatively, you can plant it in its own pot and use it wherever your local mosquitos tend to congregate.

Lavender

Despite lavender’s sweet smell being quite popular among people, most insects hate it. Keeping this plant near seating areas will help ward away mosquitos and other pesky flies. A great thing about this plant is that you can use it fresh or dried to get the job done — or even just use the extracted oil. This way you have different options on how you want to decorate while still keeping the pests at bay.

Rosemary

Rosemary is a great addition to your cookout. Throw a few sprigs on the grill as you’re cooking to release its fragrance into the air. It’ll smell wonderful to you and your family but make the bugs fly in the other direction.

Mint

Mint’s fragrance is great at repelling pests like ants, mosquitoes, and even mice. It’s also always a nice addition to any dish, so incorporating it into your barbecue can be beneficial in more ways than one.

Make sure you visit us this weekend and prepare your backyards for Fourth of July BBQs! Pick up bug repellent, BBQ supplies, propane tanks, and more! Let us make your Fourth a little more relaxing!