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pesky mosquitos in green grass

The Biology Behind Plants That Drive Away Common Pests

Guest article by Lee Park and Rachael Baihn with natural solutions recommended by Exterior Designs, Inc. Insects in your New Orleans home and yard can drive you buggy. A well-designed landscape includes flowers, plants, and shrubbery that can keep common pests away. Some insects in New Orleans are vital to the ecological balance. But the city has its share of mosquitoes, cockroaches, katydids, stinging caterpillars, crickets, and many others. Blame the heat, humidity, and proximity to Lake Pontchartrain for attracting insects. Bug Biology 101 Most insects have a keen sense of smell — but they don’t detect scents and odors like humans do. Many insects “smell” by using their antennae or other organs. It gives them the ability to sniff out food, potential mates, and to avoid predators. Bugs also produce odors that help them communicate with each other. Many plants are able…

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