Bugs have a habit of showing up in your home and yard. Planting insect-repelling plants can help prevent pests. There are some plants that have fragrances that bugs dislike. Strategically adding these to your garden and in your home can help keep bugs away. Check out a few plants that can help you when stubborn pests want to invade your space.
Basil
Basil is an effective solution for repelling mosquitoes, houseflies, asparagus beetles, whiteflies, and carrot flies. Growing basil is easy since you can buy pre-contained basil plants to plant in your garden and elsewhere. If you plant this herb near doors and other outdoor areas, you’ll annoy pests. Be strategic in your placement of basil since it is a one-year plant, and it needs plenty of sun and water to survive.
Peppermint
Peppermint exudes a powerful fragrance that many pests, including ants, mosquitoes, spiders, aphids, squash bugs, whiteflies, flea beetles, and cabbage loopers, strongly dislike. Peppermint spreads easily, so you can grow it in a pot indoors or outdoors to help contain its growth. Peppermint needs plenty of water and partial to full sun.
Lavender
Lavender has been known for centuries to add a sweet, soothing aroma to homes and clothes. It’s also excellent for pest control since it helps repel fleas, moths, mosquitoes, flies, and even scorpions. The lavender plant is easy to maintain since it is known to be able to survive all weather conditions, though it particularly thrives in the sunny areas of your garden and near entrances to your home.
Mint
Mint is not only delicious in your tea, it also helps to repel aphids, mosquitoes, flies, cabbage moths, and even ants. You can plant mint indoors and lay sprigs of mint among the plants in your garden that you want to protect. This way mint won’t spread and take over the garden, but the sprigs need to be replaced often. Catmints, including catnip, have been found to be more effective than DEET in repelling mosquitoes and ants.
Rosemary, Thyme, & Other Herbs
Rosemary aids in keeping away mosquitoes, flies, cabbage moths, snails, slugs, carrot flies, and other species of pests that are harmful to plants. Rosemary can be grown in containers or in your garden. Thyme, parsley, fennel, oregano, and bay leaves are other herbs that can help repel insects. These herbs are fairly easy to maintain. Make sure they receive enough sunlight and water, and they will be happy.
Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums come in a variety of colors. They are known to ward off many pests including cockroaches, ants, bed bugs, and ticks. These flowers can help protect your plants in the fall. If you plant them early in spring, they should bloom throughout summer and fall. They do best in sunny areas and when placed in well-draining soil.
Petunias
Petunias are known to repel a variety of pests. They are available in a variety of bright colors including pink and yellow. Their upkeep is easy. They need sunshine and well-draining soil. These flowers look great near your herbs or vegetables, as border plants, or in containers.
Marigolds
Marigolds have a scent that helps to repel mosquitoes, aphids, ticks, fleas, and other pests. They do best when planted in sunny areas of your yard. These flowers can add a splash of color to your garden. Not only can marigolds help to deter pests, they can also help attract pollinators.
While these plants, herbs, and flowers can help deter pests, planting them alone is not a complete way to treat for pesky bugs. Check out our guide for other things you can do to help rid your home, yard, and garden of pests.
What are your favorite ways to get rid of pests naturally from your home, yard, and garden? Post a comment. We’d love to hear from you!
