11 Pest-Repelling Plants for Your Yard

11 Pest-Repelling Plants for Your Yard

The best kinds of pest management are natural and able to be effective without constant surveillance by you. One of these methods is to use plants and flowers as pest control in the yard and home. Since plants just need water and sunlight, they are low-maintenance ways to cut down on the amount of unwelcome pests in the yard. They also provide some beautiful additions to the yard and brighten up the area around the home.

Alliums

Repels: aphids, cabbage worms, slugs, carrot flies

Alliums also refers to a genus of plants beyond the specific plant. It is the genus of scented herbs related to garlic and onion, which includes members like shallots, leeks, chives, and garlic chives. The more  types grow lengthy spikes with purple flower balls, making for a pretty plant to have in the yard. Insects are repelled by the scent of alliums, which makes sense since they are so potent. Their onion odor is actually so strong that it masks the scent of nearby plants, so that pests, like aphids, who love plants cannot detect their smell. So alliums help both people and plants avoid pests!

Basil

Repels: mosquitoes, moths, whiteflies, flies

Basil is one of the most effective plants in repelling pests. It is so effective that it can even kill mosquito larvae prior to hatching. In addition to repelling unwanted pests through its scent, basil attracts helpful pollinators to the area. It also provides a delicious flavor in savory dishes, so it is a win-win to plant in the yard. There are a few different ways to utilize the pest-repelling nature of this herb. One is to plant it specifically near any doors and in the common areas for entertaining. It would help to have the plant in the areas that matter the most. Another beneficial way to use this plant is to rub a leaf on your skin before spending a lot of time tending to the garden or doing yard work. It may feel weird to rub a plant on your arm, but it should prevent insects from bugging you while you work.

Chrysanthemums

Repels: fleas, ticks, spider mites, bedbugs, Japanese beetles, lice, ants, roaches

These pretty flowers are a favorite among pest control experts. This is because they contain pyrethrum, which is a natural pesticide that kills jumping and flying insects. This ingredient is commonly used in many insecticides due to its natural effectiveness. The extracted pyrethrum can actually harm birds and aquatic animals, but the plant itself isn’t harmful to them by simply existing in the same area. Chrysanthemums can be planted as a border in gardens to prevent pests from entering that space and causing problems in your wonderful garden.

Citronella

Repels: mosquitoes

When you hear the word “citronella,” you likely think of the candles of the same name that are found at hardware stores. The candles use the plant’s extract, which is why having the plant itself is also beneficial. It may not be on the same level of the candle, however, since the oils are still in the plant and therefore not released. But it can provide some pest prevention. The citronella plant can also grow huge, measuring to about six feet wide by six feet tall. They require a lot of water and some shade from a tree in order to thrive. Since citronella is toxic to pets, it may be a good idea to skip this plant and stick to the candles if you have a dog or cat who loves to roam the yard.

Lavender

Repels: mosquitoes, flies, fleas, moths

This fragrant favorite among humans is not a favorite among pests. The scent is repulsive to many common pests, which can make it a human’s best friend. It also attracts helpful pollinators, which is obvious if you have ever seen a lavender bush with lots of bees on it. Lavender needs lots of direct sunlight in order to truly thrive. It can also grow tall and wide, so it is best to leave plenty of room around the bush so it can grow freely. Lavender is also useful inside the home as a pest repellent. Keep tied bouquets in various rooms in order to maximize the benefits of repelling pests (and to have pretty flowers everywhere!). 

Lemongrass

Repels: mosquitoes

Even though lemongrass only grows strong in Florida naturally, it is still a useful plant to have in the yard when you can get it. It is also the umbrella term for a larger plant family called Cymbopogon. Lemongrass contains citronella, which explains why it is also great at repelling mosquitoes. It needs a lot of sunlight, and does best either in a pot or in a well-drained area of the yard. Lemongrass is also used in many favorite dishes and treats of humans, since it is not repulsive to us. It is commonly used to flavor savory foods and add a nice citrusy taste in teas. 

Marigolds

Repels: mosquitoes, aphids, cabbage worms, nematodes

These sunny flowers are one of the wonderful plants that provides a couple of benefits in addition to looking pretty. They repel pests with their scent, like most of these, but they also attract beneficial insects, like ladybugs and hover flies. Marigolds release a pest-repellent called limonene, which is known to slow the flight and appetite of whiteflies. The flowers are easy to care for when they are planted in the sunniest areas. But they are susceptible to many different types of plant diseases and issues if they get too much shade. These include leaf spot, root rot, damping off, powdery mildew, and gray mold. Be sure to plant these in the sunniest spots of the yard in order to have the healthiest marigolds. 

Mint

Repels: mosquitoes, aphids, mites, ants, squash bugs

Mint and its family members, like sage and peppermint, are all excellent pest-repellents for a variety of reasons. They spread aggressively, which means they can cover a lot of ground with their repellent scent. But this may not be what you want for your garden or yard, so you can always grow mint in pots in order to contain the plant. Mint is also aromatic in all parts of the plant (stem, leaves, flowers), so it is beneficial no matter how small it is. Its biocidal properties, the ingredients that repel and control pests, are good enough reasons to have a pot of this plant in the yard. You can also place sprigs of mint in a garden if you don’t want it to take over the rest of the greenery. Mint provides some delicious flavors to dishes as well, so it is possibly one of the most beneficial herbs available at the nursery.

Petunias

Repels: squash bugs, leafhoppers, aphids, tomato hornworms

These flowers are some of the most effective pest-controlling plants on this list, but for a different reason than the rest of them. Rather than repelling pests by their scent, they actually trap pests and kill them! Petunias have sticky hairs in their stamens, which traps an unsuspecting pest and keeps it there to starve and die. The flower absorbs the nutrients of the insect, feeding the plant and allowing it to grow stronger. Petunias are popular plants to have because of their bright colors, ability to grow anywhere, and little necessary maintenance. Petunias grow the best in sunny areas near vegetables, and they will benefit the greens with their trapping capabilities. 

Rosemary

Repels: snails, slugs, mosquitoes, cabbage moths

This delightful herb is one of the easiest to grow and maintain, making for a perfect excuse to have fresh rosemary in the garden. The strong scent may be pleasing to us, but it is terrible to common pests. It is effective at repelling pests because its odor is so strong, so it is a good one to have around. It can live inside or outside, which provides some additional pest control inside the house if you decide to do that. It can also be easier to add fresh rosemary to dishes if it is already growing in a pot in the kitchen. Rosemary can be grown in containers or directly in the garden, so it is up to you how you want to plant it. 

Thyme

Repels: mosquitoes, tomato hornworm, cabbage moths

This ground-spreading herb is great at providing pest control wherever it spreads. It can also spread in rocky areas, so it is quite a persevering plant. Its pest-repelling properties are best used when the oils are activated by crushing the leaves. Even though thyme is slow to spread, it will eventually cover a large area if watered and left free to grow. It can also have medicinal properties for fighting fungal and bacterial infections, as well as providing antioxidants. Thyme is a very useful plant in addition to being a nice spice in different meals. 

Pest Control

Even if all of these plants are living in your yard, it unfortunately doesn’t mean that pests will never come near. Contact pest control to learn about your options for the types of pests you have, and how to keep them away from your wonderful greenery and home. 

Citations

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Glas, A. (2015, July 22). Gardening best friends: Allium and roses. The Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College. Available at https://www.scottarboretum.org/gardening-best-friends-allium-and-roses/#:~:text=Many%20unwelcomed%20pests%20are%20attracted,a%20common%20pest%20of%20roses (Accessed on March 14, 2022).

Iannotti, M. (2021, October 20). 18 plants that repel insects. The Spruce. Available at https://www.thespruce.com/plants-that-repel-insects-4142012 (Accessed on March 14, 2022). 

Kanuckel, A. (2021, June 3). 10 plants that are known to keep the bugs away. Famers’ Almanac. Available at https://www.farmersalmanac.com/what-to-plant-to-keep-bugs-away-24734 (Accessed on March 14, 2022). 

MasterClass Staff. (2020, November 8). 15 garden plants that repel pests naturally. MasterClass. Available at https://www.masterclass.com/articles/garden-plants-that-repel-pests-naturally#15-garden-plants-that-repel-pests (Accessed on March 14, 2022). 

Oder, T. (2021, May 5). 16 plants that repel unwanted insects (including mosquitoes). Treehugger. Available at https://www.treehugger.com/plants-that-repel-unwanted-insects-4864336 (Accessed on March 14, 2022). 

Thyme. (n.d.). Web MD. Retrieved on March 14, 2022, from https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-823/thyme  

Vila, B. (n.d.). 10 plants to grow for a pest-proof yard. Bob Vila. Available at https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/10-plants-to-grow-for-a-pest-proof-yard-49121 (Accessed on March 14, 2022).