Some insects can be very annoying especially when they cause destruction in your other plants or skin issues in your family. Fortunately, there are ways to fight back against these pests without using any chemical spray. You can just simply find the right kind of plant that helps repel pests.
These plants contain essential oils that help you make your own bug repellent. Read here to learn more about which types of plants can effectively prevent pests in your home.
8 Plants That Ward Off Pests
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Basil.
Basil helps repel house flies and mosquitoes. You can plant it in containers and place it in outdoor areas. You can also use fresh basil to make a repellent spray by boiling fresh basil leaves, then mixing with vodka to use when going outdoors.
It’s beneficial for mosquito control as it contains mosquito-repellent volatiles like estragole. This natural volatile removes the mosquito’s ability to detect targets. Other volatile compounds that are used as repellents are citronellal, limonene, geraniol, and nerolidol.
You can also simply crush fresh basil leaves to release the oil, and use it to stop the bite from itching. Keep a bottle of basil oil in your first aid kit to treat stings and other bug bites.
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Lavender.
Lavender adds a sweet fragrance to homes and clothes, but flies, moths, mosquitoes, and other insects hate it. According to studies, lavender oil has a 93% repellent rate for indoor mosquitoes. It’s one of the most preferred insect-repellent due to its visual appeal. Other flowers are also protected when surrounded by lavender due to their chemical composition. You can place tied bouquets to keep flies outdoors or place dried lavender around your home. Plant it in sunny parts of the garden and near your entryways to keep those areas pest-free. You can also use lavender oil on your skin as a mosquito repellent. Other benefits include better sleep as it has a calming effect.
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Lemongrass.
The citronella oil found in lemongrass helps keep mosquitoes away. It can also be used as an effective repellent against flies. Lemongrass is easy to grow and produces a large number of leaves in a single growing season annually. Keep in mind to check first for allergies before applying lemongrass oil to your skin. If it causes an allergic reaction, it’s not a good option for you (neither are any plants with citronella oil). You can plant lemongrass near your balcony or windowpanes to ward off pests. You can also add lemongrass-based products like citronella candles for extra measure.
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Lemon Thyme.
This herb can grow on dry or shallow soil as long as it’s placed in a sunny area. To effectively repel pests, you must bruise the leaves to release the chemicals. Do this by cutting off a few stems and rubbing them in your hands. Keep in mind that thyme oil can irritate your skin if you’re allergic to plants in the mint family. Test for allergy by rubbing crushed leaves on an area on your forearm to ensure that there are no side effects. Pregnant women should also avoid using thyme oil.
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Mint.
This plant’s aromatic oils can be combined with apple cider vinegar and vodka to create a mosquito repellent. It can also be easily grown as it spreads faster, and helps other veggies grow when used as mulch. Place containers of mint in your patio to help keep the area insect-free. You can also simply rub the leaves on your skin when heading outside to keep mosquitoes away.
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Rosemary.
Rosemary helps repel a variety of insects that are harmful to other plants. It can be grown in containers or herb gardens to ward off pests. The plant and its cuttings are effective repellents. You can boil dried rosemary that you can use as a repellent spray. You can tell that it’s time to discard it when it no longer has the smell of rosemary.
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Chrysanthemums.
Chrysanthemums help repel silverfish, lice, bedbugs, and ants. It contains pyrethrum, which can effectively kill insects. However, pyrethroids – compounds synthesized from chrysanthemums – have harmful effects on the environment. Make sure you plant chrysanthemums in your garden and just rely on their natural pyrethrum to eliminate their potentially harmful effects. Plant them closely to plants that are usually targeted by bugs. You can opt to plant a row of them as a border to serve as protection.
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Marigolds.
The scent of marigolds is used to repel nematodes, aphids, and even rabbits. They release limonene that can slow down whiteflies as they fly around certain plants. When planted in your flower beds, they can spur the growth of some plants. They are easy to grow in sunny areas, but they can have mildew, gray mold, or leaf spots.
These plants will help beautify your yard, as well as provide you with natural solutions as pest repellents. Using these plants will reduce the usage of harmful chemicals to repel insects, which can lead to a pest-free and healthy environment.
