With warmer temperatures coming, pests such as ticks and fleas can cause a host of health issues. For keeping your pet and family safe from these  pesku bigs, the best way is to add few plants to your garden. Many non-toxic plants naturally help repel insects out of your yard so that you enjoy your outdoor time without any worries. Here are eight plants highly recommended for preventing fleas and ticks.

1. Rosemary
Rosemary is a fragrant herb and is a good option to keep annoying pests at bay. The strong scent repels the insects and bugs from the plant’s area. The oil from the plant can also be wiped on your pet’s fur for added protection.

2. Lavender
This beautiful purple flower smells great and makes for a perfect addition to any garden. The plant is safe for pets and acts as a good tick-repelling plant for outdoor areas.

3. Sage
To repel blood-sucking pests, grow a sage plant in your yard as a natural flea repellent. Not all sage varieties are safe and while choosing, you can either opt for Common sage or Garden sage or Scarlet sage. It is important to note that the sage plant has a strong scent and might be overwhelming for some people and pets.

4. Wormwood
Originally, wormwood was used to make tea but it’s also an effective repellent for ticks, fleas, and moths. The plant has bright yellow flowers and the leaves of wormwood are aromatic, making it ideal for your garden.

5. Mint
The distinctive minty scent of this herb can drive off insects, ticks, and fleas. Mint can be grown easily even by those who are new to gardening. Plant this herb in pots either indoors or outdoors and get rid of pesky insects.

6. Thyme
Thyme is a great plant not only for the kitchen but also for avoiding ticks and fleas. Thyme is primarily used as a culinary herb in Italian and Mediterranean dishes. The plant’s flowers have small white petals that release a sweet scent that ticks cannot stand making it a natural repellent.

7. Marigold
The yellow-orange flowers give off a strong scent that helps keep pests away. Marigolds do not take a lot of space and can be grown in nearly any condition. Marigolds are an excellent option as a flea and tick repellent while adding some aesthetic appeal to your garden.

8. Sweet Basil
To control ticks and fleas, planting sweet basil is another great option. This herb needs to be planted in a place where it gets sunlight for at least six to seven hours. Sweet basil has a strong scent that will drive away all insects.

These plants are all-natural pest control mechanisms that will not harm your pets and effectively repel ticks and fleas. Plant them in your yard so that your pets and children can spend quality time outdoors.