Bee balm: The fragrant solution to slugs, ticks, and mosquitoes

Once present in almost every garden, it often loses out to trendier species today. Unjustly so. This small, beautifully fragrant plant deters voracious slugs, mosquitoes, and ticks. You can buy a bee balm seedling for just a few pounds.

Summer is a busy time for every gardener. Plants require regular watering, weeding, and fertilising. However, the worst are pests that often appear in the garden at this time of year.

Among them are slugs, which can seriously damage crops overnight. How can you protect your garden from slugs? Use the power of bee balm to get rid of pests.

Bee balm is a plant from the mint family. Initially found only in North America, it quickly spread worldwide. There are as many as 27 different species of bee balm. Scarlet, spotted, and garden bee balm work best in our conditions.

Depending on the species, it reaches from 2 to even 4 feet in height. It is distinguished by its unusual structure. On long, stiff stems, there are inflorescences covered with white, purple, red, or pink petals.

The plant is straightforward to grow. Provide it with well-drained and fertile soil; remember to water it regularly. However, be careful not to overwater it, which can lead to severe root damage.

Where to plant it? Bee balm thrives in sunny locations but can also be grown in shade. How and what should the plant be fertilised? Opt for organic fertilisers such as biohumus or compost. Perform this procedure in the summer, no more than once a month.

Bee balm's exceptional appearance and ease of cultivation are not its only advantages. The plant emits a beautiful, floral-citrus scent that spreads throughout the garden. This wonderfully pleasant aroma repels mosquitoes, ticks, and slugs.

Plant a few seedlings around the fence, and pests won't even come close to the garden. For example, you can grow it on a balcony in a large pot. This way, you will protect yourself from mosquitoes.