Bee balm: The beautiful tick-repellent plant your garden needs

A colorful addition to the garden, the garden bee balm—also known as monarda or bergamot—is a plant that captivates with its appearance and repels ticks. With various colors ranging from burgundy and cream to pink, purple, and yellow, it is a beautiful decoration for any garden.

The garden bee balm stands out not only for its appearance but also for its fragrance. Thanks to its essential oils, it can emit scents reminiscent of lemon, strawberry, or even lavender. These scents attract beneficial insects, such as butterflies and bees, while simultaneously repelling ticks.

The garden bee balm thrives best in sunny or partially shaded locations. Its blooming period lasts from July to September, offering a long time to enjoy its beauty. The soil should be fertile and slightly moist but not overly wet.

Caring for the garden bee balm mainly involves regular watering and pruning. The plant requires more frequent watering on hot days, but you should avoid waterlogging. Pruning after blooming encourages the plant to bloom again. The garden bee balm is frost-resistant and does not require winter covering.

Ticks are primarily dangerous because they can transmit various diseases that pose a risk to the health of humans and animals. Here are some reasons why ticks are considered dangerous:

• Lyme disease - Symptoms may include erythema migrans, fever, headaches, fatigue, and muscle and joint pains.
• Tick-borne encephalitis Can cause flu-like symptoms and, in more severe cases, brain and spinal cord inflammation.
• Babesiosis - Symptoms can include fever, chills, muscle aches, fatigue, and enlargement of the liver and spleen.
• Anaplasmosis - This can lead to symptoms such as fever, headaches, muscle aches, chills, and fatigue.
• Tularemia - This can cause symptoms such as fever, skin ulcers, lymph node enlargement, and pneumonia.
• Other diseases - Ticks can transmit other diseases, such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), ehrlichiosis, and rickettsioses.

It is important to use appropriate protective measures to avoid tick bites and associated risks. These include wearing suitable clothing, using repellents, regularly checking the body and clothing after being in wooded areas, and promptly and properly removing any ticks on the skin.

The garden bee balm is beautiful and practical for any garden. Thanks to its ability to repel ticks and attract beneficial insects, it is an ideal addition for gardening enthusiasts. If you want to enjoy its charms, it is worth planting it now.