Among the insects attracted to lemon balm are tachinid flies, hoverflies and parasitic wasps. It is also said to repel mosquitos if you rub it on your skin. Lemon balm can work as a pest repellant. These blue flowers will bring ladybugs, lacewings, parasitic mini-wasps, bees and butterflies to your garden.
What does lemon balm attract?
When lemon balm flowers, it brings in bees and butterflies and other beneficial pollinators. (Check out other plants I recommend to attract pollinators here.)
What does lemon balm deter?
Lemon balm repels mosquitoes and gnats. Commonly grown as ornamental border plants, marigolds are hardy annual plants which have a distinctive smell which mosquitoes, and some other insects, find particularly offensive. Marigolds contain Pyrethrum, a compound used in many insect repellents.
Are flies attracted to lemon balm?
What makes lemon balm so effective as an insect repellent is its high levels of a compound called citronellal. So rather than using toxic chemical repellents, just place a lemon balm plant in your home to repel insects. Sage’s strong smell and oil both act in repelling mosquitoes and flies.
How do you use lemon balm as an insect repellent?
For a quick mosquito repellent, simply crush a handful of lemon balm leaves in your hand and rub them on your exposed skin. Grow the plants near your backdoor or in your garden, where the leaves will be handy when you need them.
Does lemon balm attract bees?
Lemon balm is a great plant to use as a border to a garden because not only will it emit its fragrant lemony odor when brushed, but it will attract bees into the garden.
Does lemon balm repel ants?
Lemon Balm
This member of the mint family emits a clean lemon scent. Mosquitoes don’t like it. Neither do flies and ants.
Does lemon balm repel spiders?
Lemon Balm And Use For Detering Insects
The plant has a strong aroma and helps get rid of insects, particularly spiders, in your home. Lemon balm is also unappealing to fruit flies. It will deter pests if you keep them in your kitchen.
Is lemon balm toxic to dogs?
Lemon balm, known scientifically as Melissa officinalis, is a non-toxic herb that can be used on dogs, cats, and even horses. As a supplement for your dog, lemon balm has many benefits that may help with several different conditions.
Does lemon balm repel fleas?
Lemon Balm to Repel Fleas (Melissa officinalis)
This plant is a good repellent for mosquitos, and can make a great extract for a bug spray. Fleas, ticks, and mosquitos all hate the smell and taste of citrus-smelling plants, and they won’t go near you or your pet if they smell lemon balm around you.
Does lemon balm deter moths?
You can use bay leaves to repel flies, moths, mice, earwigs and roaches. It doesn’t even matter if you don’t have fresh bay leaf plants, you can use dried bay leaves to get the same results! Lemon Balm: Lemon balm is a plant that is in the mint family, and produces a strong lemony odour that many pests hate.
What plants do flies hate the most?
Plants That Repel Flies, Mosquitoes and Bugs
- Petunias. Petunias are sometimes referred to as nature’s pesticide because of how well they repel leafhoppers, asparagus beetles, aphids and squash bugs.
- Marigolds.
- Lavender.
- Basil.
- Lemongrass.
- Nasturtiums.
- Floss Flowers.
- Lemon Thyme.
What plants will keep flies and mosquitoes away?
7 Plants that Repel Bugs and Mosquitos
- Citronella. This may not be a surprise considering citronella is a popular ingredient for natural mosquito repellents, patio candles and more.
- Lavender.
- Marigolds.
- Nasturtiums.
- Rosemary.
- Basil.
- Mint.
Is lemon balm invasive?
Lemon balm is part of the mint family, and spreads just like mint and become very invasive.
Does lemon balm spread?
Lemon balm does not spread by underground runners like mint. It will increase in size, though, making a bigger clump in the garden each season and sprouting from seeds that develop from inconspicuous flowers.
Does lemon balm repel wasps?
Lemon balm is another widely praised wasp repellent plant that many gardeners love to grow. Not only is it incredible at keeping wasps away, but there are tons of different ways to use it.
What grows well next to lemon balm?
Companion Plants for Lemon Balm
Companion plants include dill, basil, squash, broccoli, cabbage family, cauliflower, hollyhocks, melons, angelica, nasturtiums, squash, tomatoes. Its beautiful flowers attract beneficial pollinators, and the leaf’s strong aroma deter pests such as cabbage moths, mosquitoes, and gnats.
Is lemon balm aggressive?
Lemon Balm
Spreads aggressively by rhizomes and self-seeding, but makes an attractive filler and background, especially variegated varieties.
Does lemon balm grow back every year?
Winter growing: Cut back lemon balm in fall leaving just 2 inches of stem. The plant may freeze back to the ground in winter but will re-grow from underground roots and renew itself in spring.
Why you need lemon balm in your garden?
Lemon Balm Repels Annoying Bugs
This herb has the ability to repel ants, mosquitoes, and flies with its high amount of compounds that resemble the scent of citronella.
Do cats like lemon balm?
– Lemon balm: Melissa officinalis is not only a cat favorite, but this herb also makes a wonderful tea and emits a lemon-like fragrance.