There is a wide range of chemical and natural products and no end of age-old tricks for stopping or at least reducing the spring and summer insect plagues. But an efficient and ecological is to use plants with insect repellent properties.

Protected kitchen garden
Aromatic plants are the prime movers in this group. They are essential when your garden contains a small vegetable patch or orchard in addition to flowers and shrubs.

If this is your case, or if you have rose plants, you can try the chive plant, a species that is particularly effective against aphids and fungi. Garlic plants and African marigolds are also useful in the fight against aphids, since they attract their natural enemies: bumblebees. You simply need to plant all these varieties next to the ones you wish to protect.

Ant lines
Other insects that are a major cause for concern in summer are ants. The best plants to combat these unwelcome visitors are lavender, marjoram and mint, whose effect is increased if combined with basil. The latter is the best way to protect tomatoes, while rosemary and sage prevent flies from attacking carrots. Sesame plants are also used against ants and are efficient of placed on the outskirts of vegetable patches and gardens.

Combating impertinent mosquitoes
Scaring off the mosquitoes that prevent us from enjoying the long summer nights is simple. The solution is to plant calendulas and marigolds or aromatic plants such as rosemary and basil. And if the problem is constant invasions of moths, the best option would be to plant lavender, which is even more effective when placed next to rosemary and  basil.

Some of these plants can be used to make potions to combat insects. For example, a lavender-based infusion can be sprinkled on ants, while the fungus that attacks rose bushes can be fought with a horsetail-based solution sprinkled on the plant and surrounding soil.

Easy to take care of and highly resistant
Insect repelling species are all easy to take care of and highly resistant. Nearly all prefer direct sunlight and are not particularly thirsty. Nor do they need much fertiliser, rather, it is best to avoid it altogether as it could affect their natural aromas.

The decorative characteristics of these plants allow you to create attractive compositions. For example, thyme has a pretty violet flower that comes out in summer, while calendulas have even larger varieties with several layers of petals. Depending on your requirements, spearmint and mint can be grouped and cultivated together in the same area or recipient.  Oregon goes well alongside thyme, which can also be grown in the same pot as lavender. A successful plant mixture is flowering plants with aromatic ones, which gives your garden a wild and spontaneous appearance.