Sweater weather is quickly approaching, but some bugs still haven’t packed their bags. One thing you can do to prevent fall pests is adding pest-repelling plants to your home and garden. Some plants have scents that bugs don’t like, so they do their best to avoid them. Check out which plants can help keep pests out of your home and garden this fall.
Dill
Dill is a great option for repelling aphids and squash bugs. This herb can be planted in spring, and it will continue to grow throughout fall. It does best when it receives 6-8 hours of sunlight but will tolerate a little bit of shade. Small yellow flowers will bloom between mid-summer and autumn. It’s tolerant of cool and warm temperatures. If you’re hoping to keep dill around in winter, you can grow it indoors in a container. Not only will dill repel pests, it also attracts certain beneficial insects including honeybees.
Thyme
Thyme is another herb that is known for keeping bugs away. Thyme can be planted in spring or fall, and it helps keep fall invaders, like stink bugs, out of your home. This herb can be grown outside or indoors. Thyme does best with full sun exposure and well-drained soil. This woody herb is drought tolerant, and it won’t spread as quickly as other plants. Its leaves are grayish-green, and small pink or white flowers can bloom. Taking the time to prune thyme will give you the best results.
Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums come in a variety of vibrant shades including yellow, orange, purple, pink, and white. When planted in spring, these flowers will bloom in summer or fall. Chrysanthemums prefer sunny areas with well-draining soil. While they don’t hold up well in standing water, they still prefer soil to be moist. Mulch can help maintain the correct moisture levels in soil. These flowers can repel cockroaches, ants, and bed bugs.
Radishes
If you like growing your own vegetables, radishes are not only tasty but also great at repelling pests. Radishes are known for repelling cucumber beetles. These vegetables are considered easy to grow, and they can be planted in both the spring and fall. They prefer to have full sun exposure. Like chrysanthemums, radishes like moist soil but can’t be waterlogged. Adding mulch can help retain moisture in areas that are dry.
Chives
Chives are another edible option to help repel pests. Ants and aphids tend to avoid areas where chives are planted. Chives grow best in cooler temperatures, which make them perfect for fall. If they are planted in spring, they will begin to bloom in summer with pink, purple, and white flowers. Chives do best in sunny areas with moist soil. They can also attract butterflies, which will help with pollination.
Garlic
Garlic may taste good, but it has a very pungent odor. This makes it great for keeping pests out of your home. Fall pests, like aphids and stink bugs, avoid being near this plant. Garlic is tolerant of cool weather, so it can be planted in spring or fall. It does best when it’s placed in a spot with full sun exposure and well-draining soil. Garlic can also be grown indoors if you don’t have the space for it in your yard.
Adding a few of these plants to your home or yard can help to keep uninvited pests out of your home. You can also use pesticides that are formulated with natural, plant essential oils like our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products. Not only are they effective, they are a more environmentally and family-friendly solution.