Plants that repel wasps and mosquitoes

10 plants to keep pests away |

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Planting wasp repellent plants is a simple but very effective way to keep these pests at bay. Not only will they fill your yard with spectacular color and seasonal interest but their powerful fragrance, while largely appealing to us, is a strong deterrent for these irritating insects.

From cheerful marigolds, chic eucalyptus to creeping pennyroyal, many of these are everyday garden plants and useful herbs. Perfect for incorporating into flavor-packed dishes, drinks, and healing remedies, they can prove hugely beneficial to us and highly deserving of a prime place in our backyards, plus they're great for getting rid of wasps.

Pot them in as flower bed ideas in containers, hanging baskets and window boxes and position them at key point around your yard and home. Surround your outdoor eating and cooking area with containerized herb garden ideas such as basil, mint, thyme and lemongrass and enjoy the convenience of having not only fresh ingredients to hand but a natural wasp deterrent too. A low planter or two at the center of your outdoor dining ideas will afford you peace and calm while you dine in a wasp free zone.

Best wasp repellent plants

Harness the natural power and beauty of these wasp repellent plants so you can sit back and relax undisturbed in your yard this summer.

1. Wormwood

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The charm of wormwood or Artemisia may appear to lie in its fine silver, feathery foliage but did you know that wasps simply can’t stand its astringent scent?

Easy and quick to grow in a sunny, well-draining spot, it’s perfect for surrounding your deck or keeping wasps away from your porch.

Reaching heights of around 2ft (60cm) and with a spread of 3ft (90cm) this hardy perennial forms attractive mounds. It can loose leaves over winter during particularly cold spells but will shoot again the following spring.

Parts of the plant have been used to create the liquor Absinthe but is more commonly known for treating various digestive problems.

2. Mint and spearmint

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Adored by most but hated by wasps, the heady fragrance of fresh mint is hard to beat for sheer summer charm.

Sun and part shade loving, there are many different varieties to grow, each with their own subtle flavor and characteristics. Peppermint and spearmint are two of the strongest mints so are well worth growing to keep wasps at bay.

These herbs will shoot in spring, to reach around 3ft (1m) before dying back to ground level in fall.

One word of warning from the expert gardening team at Crocus , ‘Initially upright, the stems become lax as they grow, and begin to root where they touch the ground, so in time large clumps will be formed. If you prefer to keep them under control, it is best to grow mint in large pots or containers. ’

3. Common thyme

(Image credit: Melanie Griffiths)

It’s hard to believe that the ground-hugging, billowy cushions of thyme are disliked by wasps.

Covered in a mass of tiny white, pink or purple flowers during late spring and summer, this hardy aromatic herb is happy growing in most sunny positions with well drained soil.

Most types of thyme – of which there are over 300 varieties – are happy in USDA zones 5-9 but they do dislike wet and humid environments. Growing thyme in containers is a great way to keep them happy, and near to areas that wasps are attracted to.

It’s also worth knowing that the strongest flavor and scent is held in the young, fresh leaves. So, for the most reliable wasp deterrent, reach for the shears and snip off any old, leggy growth.

4. Marigolds

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Both French and American marigolds possess a strong spicy scent that keep wasps well away. Together with their bold orange-red blooms and reliable nature, they need very little attention and are ideal for planting around borders and crops that are also vulnerable to pests and aphids.

A tender annual, these readily available plants are happiest in sun and will thrive during the warmer months across UDSA Zones 2-11. You can grow marigolds from seed, and keep them flowering – and repelling wasps – for longer by deadheading regularly.

5. Eucalyptus

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Rub or crumble a silvery eucalyptus leaf and you can’t fail to notice the immediate heady burst of menthol. Often used as a decongestant, it’s these powerful essential oils that also keep wasps and many other insects away. Cut branches of eucalyptus can keep insects out of the house, too.

An Australian native, these trees love their roots in free draining but rich or poor soil and their heads in the sun. They do grow large – in excess of 40ft (12m) – and quickly too – up to 3ft (1m) in a year while they are young, but you can prune them hard to reduce their size and promote fresh, fragrant growth. They are also successful in containers.

Choose one that is at least 2ft (61cm) in diameter and be prepared to upsize in a few years. If planting direct in the ground the gardening experts at RHS do advise, ‘With larger-growing species, plant them well away from buildings, as they can dry out the soil, especially heavy clay.’

6. Geranium

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Ever noticed that bright, bold and beautiful scented and ivy-leaf geraniums have an instantly recognizable smell? Known for its energizing effect, the unmistakable fragrance is released as soon as leaves are brushed past or when in a particularly warm and sunny spot.

Wasps with their super sensitive sense of smell simply can’t abide it and according to the Experimental Perfume Club this is likely due to the chemicals in the oil. ‘The well-known molecules found within geranium oil are citronellol, nerol, geraniol and linalool – many molecules shared with rose and which explains why they carry a similar scent profile!’

Grown as half hardy annuals in zone 9 and below, these plants will flower endlessly through out the summer months and can be seen in wall hung pots, hanging containers and cascading out of window boxes. Deadhead regularly to prolong the show, and learn how to overwinter geraniums to enjoy them again next year.

7. Lemongrass

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Lucky enough to live in USDA zones 9-11 or warmer climes? Then you can add growing lemongrass to your list of wasp repellent plants.

Coming from the sunshine, humidity and warmth of Sri Lanka and southern India this tropical plant has a reviving citrus fragrance that is guaranteed to keep wasps well away. In these zones you can leave lemongrass in the ground all year round – just adding a little mulch for protection in zone 9.

If you live in zone 8 or below, and you are still keen to give this plant a go, then you will have to lift and store the plant indoors over winter.

8. Basil

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‘As humans, we may enjoy the aroma of basil in a rich tomato sauce, but bees and wasps are put off by the fragrance,’ say Ehrlich Pest Control .

You can grow basil from seed, indoors and out. For best results, sow seeds at regular intervals throughout spring and summer.

Basil requires constant heat to grow and dislikes sitting in wet compost, where if left it will quickly rot. The soft and tasty leaves also scorch very easily so make sure your crop is positioned out of direct sun.

Harvest individual leaves by picking them off, rather snipping several plants with scissors, as this will promote fresh, new growth. And learn how to prune basil at the right time to prolong its life.

9. Pennyroyal

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This vigorous and mat forming plant, gives off a strong mentha scent that, when crushed, wasps and many other insects, just can’t stand. Covered with distinctive whorls of lilac in mid-summer it thrives in poor soil and moist conditions but does have the habit of spreading relentlessly. It remains hardy down to 5 to -4℉ (-15 to -20℃).

There are two main types to choose from: European and American Pennyroyal, with the former having the stronger perfume. Leading herb grower and expert Jekka McVicar also suggests to ‘Rub crushed leaves onto mosquito bites to remove the swelling and irritation.’

10. Citronella

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Largely known as an insect repelling candle or oil, citronella is a scented pelargonium with rather attractive pink-purple flowers.

An evergreen, large branching shrub it reaches heights of 5ft (1.5m) and has tooth-edged foliage that smells strongly of lemon.

Hardy in zone 8 through 12, it requires well-draining soil, full sun and thrives happily in open borders and planters.

What is the best plant to keep wasps away?

There are many strongly scented plants that wasps just can’t stand. These include many herbs such as mint, basil, lemongrass, thyme and bay. Some fruits such as cucumber have the same effect but for more decorative deterrents try flowers such as marigolds, geraniums and beautiful foliage including silvery grey eucalyptus and wormwood.

Bear in mind that many wasp repellent plants make for great mosquito repellent plants, too.

How do I keep wasps away from my patio?

Discover some of the aromatic and flowering plants dislike and enjoy growing them around your outdoor living room.

Some of the best plants for hanging baskets and wall top planters can repel wasps: from tumbling ivy to scented leaf geraniums – those with red blooms are meant to be particularly effective.

Pots of aromatic herbs – think thyme, basil and mint are ideal for lining up next to the outdoor grill station or outdoor kitchen. Not only will they help protect the chef from pesky wasps but pep up meat, salad dishes and summery drinks too.

Fill surrounding borders with billowing cushions of silver wormwood and pockets of punchy marigolds to create a stunning fragrant border that wasps will stay away from.

Jill Morgan has spent the last 20 years writing for Interior and Gardening magazines both in print and online. Titles she has been lucky enough to work on include House Beautiful, The English

Home, Ideal Home, Modern Gardens and Gardeningetc.com. Although much of her career has involved commissioning and writing about reader homes and home improvement projects, her

everlasting passion is for gardens and outdoor living, which is what she writes about for Homes & Gardens.

Plants That Repel Wasps | INSECTCOP

Wasps are crucial parts of a healthy ecosystem. They control pest insects and pollinate flowers. However, they are also known for their disagreeable habit of stinging people, some of whom are allergic to wasp venom. Their attraction to sugary substances makes them unwelcome guests at picnics and around garbage bins, where they may sting in defense of their food. For these reasons, some people may wish to keep them away.

They are so useful, though, that killing them is not advised. Here, we will cover several plants you can use to repel wasps. Because, if you make your yard or garden unattractive to wasps, they will simply find a different place to nest and hunt.

There aren’t many plants that repel wasps, simply because wasps are pollinators, so many plants produce substances that attract, rather than repel.

However, naturally-repellent plants do exist and include mint, wormwood, lemongrass, citronella, clove, pennyroyal, sage, rosemary, geranium, chamomile, thyme, fennel, wintergreen, and sweet marjoram. Cucumber peels may also repel wasps.

If you want to kill wasps naturally, insectivorous plants will do the trick. We will also cover plants that are advertised to repel wasps but don’t, including eucalyptus, basil, and marigolds.

Naturally-repellent plants

Of the plants that keep wasps away, research has only determined how some of them work. The repellent properties of plants lie primarily in their oils.

Essential oils of spearmint, peppermint, and ginger mint (Mentha arvensis) have been shown scientifically to repel yellow jackets and paper wasps. As have those of the plants mentioned above. Create your own homemade wasp repellent.

In peppermint oil, this may be due to the presence of the chemical menthone, which also repels yellow jackets and paper wasps.

American wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) contains the chemical methyl salicylate, another repellent chemical. In fact, methyl salicylate is responsible for the scent of wintergreen, a scent that resembles that of some mint plants. So, if you’re wondering what scents repel wasps, minty ones are a safe bet.

While wormwood oil kills worms and insects, which explains why wasps would avoid it.

In a study, mixtures of essential oils were found to work better than individual oils. The best mixtures for repelling yellow jackets and paper wasps were clove, geranium and lemongrass as well as clove, geranium, lemongrass and rosemary.

So, while the wasp repellent plants themselves will not be as strong as the concentrated oils tested in the studies, they will still help and should be cultivated in areas where wasp activity is unwanted.

5PH/Shutterstock.com

Cucumber peels

Spreading cucumber peels around may keep pests, including wasps, ants, silverfish, mites, and moths out of certain areas.

Though this property has not been scientifically tested, it is likely due to a bitter chemical within cucumbers called cucurbitacins. In insects that feed on vegetation and detritus, cucurbitacins deter both feeding and egg-laying, which suggests the potential for true repellent properties.

Insectivorous plants

There are three general categories of carnivorous plants: Venus flytraps, pitcher plants and sundews.

They are all capable of devouring wasps. However, they are indiscriminate feeders. Some are even large enough to eat other animals, such as frogs. So, be aware that if you plant carnivorous vegetation, it will eat other insects and maybe even some birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

Venus flytraps (Dionaea muscipula) have leaves with clam-shaped traps at their ends. Within each trap are three trigger hairs. If two trigger hairs are touched or one hair is touched twice in quick succession, the trap snaps closed, and digestive juices break down the plant’s prey.
Pitcher plants (genera Sarracenia, Darlingtonia, Heliamphora, Nepenthes, and Cephalotus) have a different strategy. Their leaves are shaped like pitchers and hold water. When insects fly down into them to drink, they become trapped, drown, and are digested. Finally, sundews (Drosera spp.) have tiny, sticky hairs all over their leaves that trap insects much like flypaper.
Unlike flypaper, sundews secrete digestive juices onto the leaves to break down their meal. One particular pitcher plant in France (Sarracenia sp.) selectively consumes the Asian hornet, an invasive that eats native bees. This pitcher plant doesn’t seem to eat European hornets, other wasp species, or bees.

Non-repellent plants

Finally, in your research, you may run across articles stating that eucalyptus, basil, and marigold are also natural wasp repellants. However, social wasps have been collected from eucalyptus plantations and solitary parasitic wasps have been used to save eucalyptus trees in California from an insect called the eucalyptus long-horned borer.

In addition, one basil species, far from repelling wasps, is especially attractive to them. The flowers of the African blue basil, a cross between the East Asian camphor basil (Ocimum kilimandscharicum) and the common sweet basil (O. basilicum), are favored by pollinators, including wasps. While the camphor basil produces insecticidal substances, these are produced in the leaves as a defense mechanism against herbivores, not in the flowers where pollinators may be harmed.

Marigolds are also known for their attractiveness to pollinators, including wasps, bees, and butterflies.

Conclusion

Despite the benefits wasps provide to our gardens and the planet as a whole, they can become nuisance pests, especially to those with bee and wasp allergies. Here, we present several non-lethal options for controlling wasp populations in your yard or garden (plants that deter wasps, cucumber peels) as well as one lethal option (carnivorous plants). And we also dispel some myths about plants purported to be wasp repellents that may end up attracting them instead.

We hope that this guide proves useful to those hoping to keep wasps away from their patios this summer.

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Belarus News / Garden and Garden

Belnovosti

03.05.2022 07:20

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Buzzing insects benefit by pollinating fruit-bearing plants during flowering. Thanks to this, fruit trees, as well as berry and vegetable crops produce a harvest from year to year.

If insects do not appear due to bad weather conditions, untimely flowering of plants, then the fruits do not set.

Many gardeners try to attract pollinators to their plot, but sometimes there are too many of them, then you have to look for ways to scare the animals away.

Which plants repel bees, bumblebees, wasps:

Photo: Pixabay

1. Crail.

An unpretentious flower can be planted near the entrance to the house, gazebos, outbuildings. The green mass of geranium exudes a special aroma that some insects do not like.

Crail blooms for about a month in June or July, depending on the species. Geranium does not like wetlands, some species are shade-loving, others are photophilous.

2. Rhododendron.

A shrub or tree that blooms with large flowers, takes root well in swampy areas, on mountain slopes, so you can’t call it fastidious.

Rhododendron prefers frequent watering, acidic soil and partial shade. The plant does not survive in the open sun.

3. Mint.

The crop gives off a strong menthol odor that makes it disliked by most pests, as well as wasps, bees and bumblebees.

Mint also repels mosquitoes, flies and annoying midges. Small bushes can be planted in tubs, put on the veranda, balcony.

4. Wrestler.

The plant is found on roadsides, river banks, but only on fertile land. Aconite loves moisture and humus-rich soil. The culture is incredibly poisonous, therefore it is not used even in traditional medicine. If there are children in the family, then it is undesirable to plant a wrestler on the site.

5. Rainbow eucalyptus.

Woody evergreen repels insects, dries the soil and disinfects the air.

It can be safely planted in a damp place, protected from drafts, but only in regions where winters are not too severe. However, eucalyptus grows incredibly fast and grows strongly, it can shade the area with a crown.

If there is an invasion of bees, wasps, bumblebees on the site, then the problem cannot be ignored, because the bite can provoke an allergic reaction.

Author: Elena Gutyro
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6 plants that will save you from insects in the country.

Don't give up a weekend in the country because of bad weather and annoying insects. Our experts will help you with the latter.

Despite the weather, I want to spend the last month of summer in the country. So that insects do not interfere with enjoying outdoor recreation, many do a chemical treatment of the site. But it kills not only mosquitoes and midges, but also butterflies and bees.

Derevo Park specialists offer another solution: plant plants from this list on the site and forget about pests.

Common tansy

Tansy is considered a weed and often grows along roadsides, in fields and lawns. It looks the part: long, almost bare stems, sparse feathery leaves and modest basket-shaped blooms of bright yellow balls.

At the same time, tansy is rich in essential oils and has a lot of useful properties. For example, its aroma repels most insects: mosquitoes, ticks, fleas and flies.

In landscape design: will look interesting in a field-style flower garden.

Salvia officinalis

This fragrant plant has antiseptic and insecticidal effects. A perennial subshrub with branched stems and oblong leaves is adorned with blue-violet flowers that bees and butterflies love but repel mosquitoes.

In landscape design: is quite self-sufficient, it will look good in group plantings or as one of the tiers of a flower garden. It goes well with bulbous - irises, daylilies, tulips, onions.

Hyssop

Branchy hyssop bushes are decorated with lavender blossoms. The spicy leaves have a pleasant anise flavor. Hyssops are edible and can be an excellent decoration not only for the garden, but also for the dining table. These are excellent honey plants that can get rid of unwanted insects.

Landscaping : low maintenance, ideal for a variety of flower garden styles and can be used as a low hedge.

Lemon melissa

Undemanding perennial. The most ancient of aromatic plants with a delicate lemon aroma, for which it is sometimes called lemon mint. Under natural conditions, lemon balm looks like ornamental nettle with small white-pink flowers. Has an insecticidal effect.

In landscape design: we would plant lemon balm in one of the branches of the ornamental garden or in a separate planter on the terrace.

Double Monarda

A plant from the Lamiaceae family with a bright citrus aroma reminiscent of bergamot. Monarda stems are decorated with bright exotic flowers - this is one of the most beautiful plants that repel pests.

Often used in medicinal, culinary and indoor décor applications and in aromatic medleys.

In landscape design: will feel great as a tapeworm, as well as in compositions with astilbe, chamomile, delphinium or echinacea. Usually, after flowering, the inflorescences are removed, but they can be left if desired.

Marigolds

These are small plants with pinnate leaves and double, basket-shaped inflorescences. Thanks to phytoncides, not only mosquitoes and flies are repelled, but also pests from neighboring plants.