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What plants do wasps hate


10 plants to keep pests away |

(Image credit: Getty Images / yonka60 )

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

(Image credit: Alamy)

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

(Image credit: Getty Images)

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

(Image credit: Jacky Parker / Getty Images)

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

(Image credit: GettyImages)

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

(Image credit: Getty Images / yonka60 )

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

(Image credit: Getty Images)

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

(Image credit: Markus Spiske / Unsplash)

‘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 

(Image credit: Alamy)

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

(Image credit: Kcris Ramos / Getty Images)

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. 

15 Perfect Plants to Repel Wasps From Your Lawn and Garden

If you like to garden, you probably already know that bees are essential for pollination.

They are valuable in a garden of any kind, be it a vegetable, flower, or herb garden - so we’re willing to put up with the occasional sting every now and then!

But what about wasps - do we have to put up with them?

Wasps can be a huge nuisance in a garden (as well as a benefit - there are some wasps worth having around, particularly if you have pest problems to contend with).

If you’re allergic to their stings, they can be even more frustrating and nefarious to deal with.

Fortunately, there are ways you can get rid of wasps in the garden - and you don’t have to rely on pesticides, either.

Here are 15 plants that repel wasps - and some simple tips for keeping these common pests out for good.

Jump to:

1. Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is technically a tree, and while it’s only hardy in zones 7a through 10, it can help keep all kinds of pests at bay.

It has powerful essential oils that linger for quite some time and are incredibly effective at repelling wasps.

2. Citronella

You’re probably already aware of the pest-repelling benefits of citronella when it comes to flies and mosquitoes.

However, it’s also a powerful deterrent for bees and wasps. It can be grown both indoors and outdoors and is incredibly versatile.

It is hardy in zone 8 through 12 and requires well-draining soil.

3. Trumpet Flowers

For some reason, trumpet flowers tend to be unattractive to bees and wasps alike.

Bees have a hard time extracting the nectar from these plants due to their shape, and they also won’t attract additional flying pests.

There are all kinds of trumpet flowers you can grow to add beauty to your landscape without adding stinging pests.

4. Geraniums


Geraniums are also great at getting rid of wasps. While red geraniums are particularly effective at getting rid of bees, they are also good at preventing wasps.

They prefer to be grown in a location that provides at least four hours of sunlight each day. During the winter, you can bring these flowers inside to continue growing.

5.

Cloves

Wasps hate the scent of cloves. They’re strong and spicy, so you can easily repel these stinging pests by either planting a few clove plants or just sprinkling some whole cloves around your garden.

6. Marigolds


Marigolds are colorful and bright. They are beautiful additions to most gardens, and the species is one of the only colorful plants that won’t attract additional pests.

Although marigolds don’t necessarily ward off nectar-hungry honeybees, they offer nothing to wasps. They’re hardy and require very little care and can be grown for both their ornamental and medicinal value.

7. Thyme


Another planet you might want to consider planting to prevent wasps is thyme. An herb, thyme will add a ton of flavor to your dinner plate while also repelling wasps and all other manners of irritating pests.

It is best grown in a hot, sunny location - ideally one with well-draining soil. Once established (it’s best planted in the spring), it will grow as a perennial for many years thereafter.

8. Basil

Basil plants also reputedly keep pests like wasps away. You can grow it from seed or pick up a pot to grow indoors.

It is perennial in some warmer climates, but for the most part, you'll only be able to keep it around for one season.

9. Garlic


Even garlic can be used to help repel wasps. Garlic has a strong aroma that is unpleasant to most insects, so growing a few of these early summer-maturing plants can help repel pests for good.

10. Wormwood


Wormwood, or artemisia, is known to repel all kinds of pests. It is a powerful insecticide that can be grown to repel pests or harvested for the same benefits, meaning it can be used both dried and live.

Don’t plant wormwood near your edible crops, as it can slow down neighboring plants' growth.

Otherwise, it grows easily in well-draining soil with stable temperatures, typically in zones 4 through 8.

11. Mint

You might love the scent of mint, but most insects hate it. That includes wasps! Mint can be grown in the shade and will come back year after year.

Just be careful where you plant it - this herb is known to take over any area in which you plant it.

12. Cucumber

Cucumbers are perfect for your favorite summer salad (or beauty treatment!), but most wasps and bees hate them. They don’t like the bitterness and acidity in the peels.

You can grow cucumber plants in the garden or simply set out the peels wherever wasps are known to frequent - both techniques are effective.

13. Pitcher Plant


The pitcher plant works a bit differently from some of the other plants on this list. Instead of deterring wasps and bees with their aroma, pitcher plants actually control wasps by trapping and ingesting them. Wasps are lured to the plant, into the flower, inside, which has a slippery surface that makes them slide into a pool of water and then drown.

Pitch plants can be tough to care for - they don’t do well when watered with filtered or bottled water, nor with tap water.

That’s because the minerals in these kinds of water can harm pitcher plants since they’re evolved to obtain minerals from the insects they’ve captured. They also must be grown in high heat and full, direct sunlight.

However, once you’ve gotten the hang of growing them, pitcher plants can be powerful allies in the fight against wasps!

14. Lemongrass

Lemongrass is another plant that can be helpful in repelling wasps. It survives year-round in many climates (including in the South) and has a tantalizing aroma that you’ll love - but wasps will hate. It grows best in full sun.

15. Pennyroyal


Pennyroyal smells somewhat like mint. As a result, bees and wasps alike should stay away. It only grows to less than a foot in height, so it's a good option for containers or other confined growing environments.

It’s easy to grow but does need to be watered frequently, so it doesn’t dry out.

How to Keep Wasps Out of the Garden

Unfortunately, there aren’t that many plants that keep wasps out of the garden. Although the options listed above can help, you may not be able to totally rid your garden of wasps by planting these options.

It’s a great start, though - and if you plant several of these, there’s a good chance they’ll work together to repel wasps and other pests entry.

You might also consider planting some nonflowering plants, like evergreen shrubs and other foliage plants. Since they have significant blooms, it will help prevent stinging insects from populating your property. There are, of course, insecticides you can use, but you need to be cautious about using these since they can often harm necessary pollinators.

Otherwise, consider growing these 15 plants that repel wasps. You’ll be happy to get rid of your wasp problem - and without chemicals, to boot!

news, garden, insects, tips, cottage, garden and kitchen garden

Belarus News / Garden and Garden


Belnovosti

03.05.2022 07:20

[email protected]

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. nine0015

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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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all ways to scare away dangerous insects

nine0002 Wasps are not just annoying insects. They are dangerous with bites that cause painful reactions on the skin and deterioration of well-being. Therefore, owners of country houses and summer cottages will find useful information about what wasps are afraid of. Such knowledge will help to avoid unpleasant meetings.

Outdoor Wasp Repellent

The list of means of how to scare away wasps in nature and in the open air is quite extensive. From it, you can choose the appropriate method in a particular situation.

Smoke

Observing changes in the behavior of flying insects after lighting a fire, one can find the answer to the question of whether wasps are afraid of smoke. From his appearance, they disappear, because they cannot stand his pungent smell.

How is it applied in practice? An outdated method is to fumigate rooms when lighting a portable stove. But today it is not used due to the risk of fire and the need to ventilate the building for a long time. In addition, the smell eats into wood, furniture and fabrics, so fumigation can only be used in brick non-residential buildings. nine0003

On the other hand, at a picnic or at a similar kindling of a fire, wasps will be scared away, and it will be possible to rest calmly. The effect will be enhanced by adding wood and needles of spruce or pine to firewood: when burned, they emit strong-smelling substances, the aroma of which wasps cannot tolerate.

Water

Many are interested in whether wasps are afraid of water, because the liquid is always at hand. All flying insects do not like drops of moisture that fall on their wings, because they interfere with their flight. For this reason, in rainy weather it is almost impossible to see wasps: they hide in their hive or in other secluded corners. Therefore, if during bathing they appear near a person, you can try to splash water on them. Spraying from a spray bottle, if one is at hand, will also have a short-term effect on the enemy. nine0003

But water in the fight against wasps is mainly used to destroy beehives located close to the ground. You can pick up a bucket or other similar container, the diameter of which exceeds the size of the nest, and put it on the bottom for 5-10 minutes. The hole in the wasp house is located at the bottom, so the inhabitants, with quick actions, will not have time to get out. When the water fills the hive from the inside, its inhabitants will begin to die. After that, you can separate the nest from the surface to which it is attached, and destroy it. The place of attachment is treated with an insecticidal solution or potassium permanganate. nine0003

Before approaching a hornet's nest, you must protect yourself: wear tight clothing so that no exposed skin is left, including gloves and a mosquito mask.

Another way to use water against wasps is to knock the nest into a bucket of boiling water. So the death of insects occurs much faster.

Plants

There are also flowers and herbs that repel wasps. These plants include well-known to everyone:

  • mint and lemon balm;
  • basil;
  • wormwood;
  • various types of geraniums.

Their wasp smell produces an effect because they contain strong smelling substances, primarily essential oils. For a person, they are either pleasant or neutral. But the insect, most likely, will prefer to fly around the garden with such plantings.

Plants against wasps will also bring other benefits: mint and lemon balm make wonderful teas with a calming effect, geraniums are a popular decoration for flower beds and balconies, and basil is added as a spice to various dishes. nine0003

Common harmala belongs to the little-known plants repelling wasps. Especially its insecticidal properties are noticeable if you set fire to a bunch of grass. If you throw it into the fire, then the insects will not be afraid. True, this plant can be found mainly in the hot steppes in the east of Europe and Central Asia.

Chemicals

What other smell repels wasps? These dangerous insects do not like liquid combustible materials: gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel and solvent. The pronounced "aroma" of these chemicals is not liked by a person, moreover, it can cause toxic poisoning of the body. Therefore, they can only be used as a deterrent for spraying nests on the street or in non-residential premises (garages). nine0003

There is a high probability that the swarm will not want to coexist with the smell and will go in search of a better place. Most individuals can even die when poisonous vapors enter the body through the respiratory system.

To drive wasps out of the nest with gasoline, kerosene, or thinner, the following plan of action must be followed:

  1. Take a suitable spray bottle and fill it with flammable liquid.
  2. Spray the hive from below so that more of the substance gets on the lower part around the hole: this will make it easier for foul-smelling vapors to enter the nest. nine0060
  3. Move to a safe distance and wait for the wasps to leave their home.
  4. If no insects fly out, too little liquid was used. The procedure can be repeated.
  5. When the nest becomes free, it is removed and burned.

It is important not to forget about fire safety. Due to the risk of fire, combustible materials are strongly discouraged from treating nests in wooden buildings.

When burning the nest, you should also be careful: because of the impregnation, it will quickly flare up, so the destruction is carried out in an open area. It is better to have a supply of water or sand on hand in order to put out the fire in an emergency. nine0003

Ultrasound

Immediately after receiving a positive answer to the question of whether wasps are afraid of ultrasound, various companies began to produce ultrasonic repellers. They can be used both in the house and in the garden. Ultrasonic waves are safe for humans, while wasps will not dare to approach their source.

But there is a downside: ultrasound will also drive away beneficial insects.

Learn more