MOSQUITOES: Those darn blood-suckers can make time outdoors be a lot less enjoyable. Farmers’ Almanac has some advice on some plants that will help you keep the pesky bugs away from your home.

Lavender works well as a natural bug repellent, and is a beautiful and aromatic plant.

“The strong scent of lavender is disliked by many insects, including mosquitoes. Plant lavender in pots or in your garden to enjoy its fragrance and keep bugs away. Bonus: lavender attracts bees and butterflies, making it a great addition to any pollinator garden.”

Basil is another plant of choice, unpopular with mosquitoes, moths and flies. Thyme makes a good ground cover for rocky areas, and isn’t tolerated by mosquitoes.

Mint, lemongrass and alliums are also good for driving away bugs.

Mint, however, should be used sparingly and watched carefully, because it does spread aggressively and can take over a planting area. Plant it instead in pots and place it near doorways.

Lemongrass is packed with citronella, one of the best known alternatives to chemical repellents. It can be crushed and rubbed on the skin — test a small area first, making sure you don’t react.

As for alliums, Farmers’ Almanac says, “This member of the onion family is known for tall spikes that produce gigantic balls of purple flowers (although there are also smaller varieties). Alliums are one of the best defenses against a variety of pests, including cabbage worms, aphids, carrot flies, and slugs, as they dislike the smell.”

Chrysanthemums can be used as a border around a house, keeping out all kinds of pests — bedbugs, fleas, lice, roaches, ants and more. The plants contain pyrethrin, a natural insecticide, that repels ticks, spider mites, Japanese beetles and other garden pests.