10 Plants That Naturally Repel Pests and How To Use Them
By Eco Pest Control Brisbane|January 05, 2022
Pests are the bane of any gardener's existence. They can wreak havoc on your plants and make it difficult to enjoy their beauty. Fortunately, there are many ways to naturally repel pests without spraying pesticides or using other artificial methods that can be harmful to your health and the environment. Here is a list of 10 plants that you might want to consider adding next time you plan out your garden:
#1: Lavender
Lavender plants naturally produce an essential oil with a powerful fragrance when brushed against or crushed. It has been used for centuries in everything from potpourri to soaps and, more recently, insect repellent sprays and candles. Because lavender contains camphor, which acts as a natural insecticide, it is considered one of the best plants for healthy environments. And because camphor helps keep pests away, plant some lavender around your home to keep small insects out of your plants, fabrics, and food.
Mote info about Lavender: How to Grow Lavender
#2: Mint
Mint repels ants by releasing a vapour that smells like an ant trail marker. It also tastes sour to flies, so plant mint near garden areas where you deal with pests. And because it's such a lovely herb for cooking, if you have fruit trees in your yard, consider planting mint among them to help ward off fleas.
#3: Citronella Grass
The essential oil from citronella grass works well at keeping mosquitoes away because they don't like the smell. Gardeners simply plant it near areas that they want to protect from pests. All you need is a small pot or container to get started, and the plant will spread quickly on its own!
#4: Rosemary
Planting rosemary around your home helps keep moths away because the scent of the leaves resembles a pheromone that female moths give off to signal their readiness for mating. Simply having rosemary nearby helps protect plants against moths. When you're dealing with pests in your kitchen, be sure to put fresh rosemary in among your clothing—especially woollens to deter clothes moths from chewing holes in them. Be sure to switch your undergarments every other day, and keep them all in sealed Ziploc bags with sprigs of rosemary for an effective moth deterrent.
More about Rosemary
#5: Citrus Plants
Planting citrus plants is not just good for helping you wake up in the morning -- those lemons and oranges can help keep pests away from your home too! The pungent odour keeps ants out of gardens; if you have pets around, consider planting citron, grapefruit or lemon trees near their outdoor habitats. And use orange peels as an insect repellent while grilling; they work well on ants, flies and roaches.
#6: Roses
Rose bushes not only look pretty and smell good, but they also repel pests and keep them away from your home! Rose oil is one of the most potent essential oils, containing a natural chemical called 1,8-cineole. It has been used for hundreds of years to treat ailments like asthma, arthritis, depression and heart disease, and it can be used as an excellent insect repellent. Simply plant roses near your home to keep flies, mosquitoes, ants or rodents out of your space or put rose petals in sachets around your house to get rid of pests immediately.
#7: Thyme
Thyme contains thymol, which makes it helpful in repelling insects. It is most beneficial in repelling ants and moths, but it is also beneficial in preventing flies from inhabiting your home. Just plant small pots of thyme near problem areas, or make a spray with the herb to apply directly to those areas.
#8: Basil
The smell of basil deters flies from inhabiting your garden plants. Mixing some fresh basil leaves into your favourite pesto recipe can add flavour while you use them as natural pest control methods against the pests which would otherwise dine on your tasty vegetables!
#9: Bay Leaves
Bay leaves naturally Repel silverfish because they don't like menthol, which gives bay leaves their cooling scent. Simply having a few potted bay leaves near your home or in small sachets inside is enough to eliminate silverfish. If you are dealing with more advanced insect infestations, combine a few bay leaves with lavender and mint leaves to create a herbal repellant spray that will help keep pests out of your home.
#10: Rose Geranium
Rose geranium contains citronella-type essential oils that work well as natural pest control measures against mosquitoes. Plant rose geranium outside your window boxes; they also make great garnishes for salads!
If you're looking for a natural solution to pests, take the time to research and purchase plants that repel them. You'll be amazed at how effective they are! With these 10 plants in your garden or yard, there's no need for harsh chemicals with harmful side effects. Your family will thank you when they can enjoy their outdoor space without worries of getting bit by pesky insects.
#1: Lavender
Lavender plants naturally produce an essential oil with a powerful fragrance when brushed against or crushed. It has been used for centuries in everything from potpourri to soaps and, more recently, insect repellent sprays and candles. Because lavender contains camphor, which acts as a natural insecticide, it is considered one of the best plants for healthy environments. And because camphor helps keep pests away, plant some lavender around your home to keep small insects out of your plants, fabrics, and food.
Mote info about Lavender: How to Grow Lavender
#2: Mint
Mint repels ants by releasing a vapour that smells like an ant trail marker. It also tastes sour to flies, so plant mint near garden areas where you deal with pests. And because it's such a lovely herb for cooking, if you have fruit trees in your yard, consider planting mint among them to help ward off fleas.
#3: Citronella Grass
The essential oil from citronella grass works well at keeping mosquitoes away because they don't like the smell. Gardeners simply plant it near areas that they want to protect from pests. All you need is a small pot or container to get started, and the plant will spread quickly on its own!
#4: Rosemary
Planting rosemary around your home helps keep moths away because the scent of the leaves resembles a pheromone that female moths give off to signal their readiness for mating. Simply having rosemary nearby helps protect plants against moths. When you're dealing with pests in your kitchen, be sure to put fresh rosemary in among your clothing—especially woollens to deter clothes moths from chewing holes in them. Be sure to switch your undergarments every other day, and keep them all in sealed Ziploc bags with sprigs of rosemary for an effective moth deterrent.
More about Rosemary
#5: Citrus Plants
Planting citrus plants is not just good for helping you wake up in the morning -- those lemons and oranges can help keep pests away from your home too! The pungent odour keeps ants out of gardens; if you have pets around, consider planting citron, grapefruit or lemon trees near their outdoor habitats. And use orange peels as an insect repellent while grilling; they work well on ants, flies and roaches.
#6: Roses
Rose bushes not only look pretty and smell good, but they also repel pests and keep them away from your home! Rose oil is one of the most potent essential oils, containing a natural chemical called 1,8-cineole. It has been used for hundreds of years to treat ailments like asthma, arthritis, depression and heart disease, and it can be used as an excellent insect repellent. Simply plant roses near your home to keep flies, mosquitoes, ants or rodents out of your space or put rose petals in sachets around your house to get rid of pests immediately.
#7: Thyme
Thyme contains thymol, which makes it helpful in repelling insects. It is most beneficial in repelling ants and moths, but it is also beneficial in preventing flies from inhabiting your home. Just plant small pots of thyme near problem areas, or make a spray with the herb to apply directly to those areas.
#8: Basil
The smell of basil deters flies from inhabiting your garden plants. Mixing some fresh basil leaves into your favourite pesto recipe can add flavour while you use them as natural pest control methods against the pests which would otherwise dine on your tasty vegetables!
#9: Bay Leaves
Bay leaves naturally Repel silverfish because they don't like menthol, which gives bay leaves their cooling scent. Simply having a few potted bay leaves near your home or in small sachets inside is enough to eliminate silverfish. If you are dealing with more advanced insect infestations, combine a few bay leaves with lavender and mint leaves to create a herbal repellant spray that will help keep pests out of your home.
#10: Rose Geranium
Rose geranium contains citronella-type essential oils that work well as natural pest control measures against mosquitoes. Plant rose geranium outside your window boxes; they also make great garnishes for salads!
If you're looking for a natural solution to pests, take the time to research and purchase plants that repel them. You'll be amazed at how effective they are! With these 10 plants in your garden or yard, there's no need for harsh chemicals with harmful side effects. Your family will thank you when they can enjoy their outdoor space without worries of getting bit by pesky insects.
