https://www.housedigest.com/1053994/how-to-repel-bugs-naturally/
I have a wooden box of essential oils and they get a good workout.
Scroll down the articles as there are other tips for getting rid of spiders, cockroaches and other critters.
I have rosemary in my backyard and have propagated some new plants. I intend to have them in pots at my back door. Mint should always be growing in a pot, if you plant it in the ground it will grow like wildfire and is a nightmare to control, just like ivy. I am still trying to get rid of my ivy that has gotten out of control. I hope that this year I will finally be able to eradicate the ivy. I just want to grow it in hanging baskets.