10 Plants and herbs That Naturally Deter Pests

Spring is here, and summer is quickly approaching, which means you and your family will probably spend more time outside. While hiring Pestech of Greenville is the most cost-effective and efficient way to keep your yard and home pest-free this season, there are also several plants that will naturally deter pests. In addition to using our quarterly pest management services, we recommend that you add these types of plants around your landscape for increased prevention efforts. 

Here are ten plants and herbs that will help you have a pest-free yard naturally: ​

1. Citronella Grass
If you've ever spent long periods of time outside at night in the summer, you've probably used or seen a citronella candle or torch. Known for its distinct smell, citronella is a natural ingredient used in many mosquito sprays and creams. Planting citronella grass around your yard is an easy way to deter mosquitoes. Citronella grass is low-maintenance and is best planted directly in a sunny area in the ground. 
 
2. Lavender
Not only is lavender beautiful and very fragrant on its own, when planted around your yard it'll also help repel mosquitoes, fleas, flies, and moths. It's a perfect plant for North Carolina as it thrives in warmer areas. It’s also drought-resistant and needs full sun. 
 
3. Rosemary
The strong smell of rosemary naturally repels flies and mosquitoes away from your yard. This herb grows best in containers in hot, dry weather. While rosemary has a woody scent that may smell great to us, it'll keep mosquitoes far away. As a bonus, it can be used as a seasoning when cooking. 

4. Basil
Basil is another popular herb that will keep mosquitoes and flies at bay. You can plant basil in pots, by itself, or alongside flowers. It's important to make sure that once planted, it has good drainage and can get lots of sun. Like rosemary, basil can be used in several recipes, marinades, and sauces.
 
5. Mint
With its pleasant yet distinctive smell, mint is the perfect thing to repel mosquitoes, flies, and even ants. The more pungent the mint is, the fewer bugs you'll have in nearby areas. It's recommended to plant mint in pots rather than in the ground as it spreads quickly. Once planted in pots, you can strategically place them around your deck or patio. Mint is also an excellent garnish for iced tea. 
 
6. Chrysanthemums
Also known as mums, these common plants help repel roaches, ants, beetles, ticks, lice, fleas, and mites. The ingredients in chrysanthemums are so effective that they're used in some of the nation's most commonly available home and garden insecticides. 
 
7. Marigolds
With such a strong scent, marigolds are known to repel mosquitoes, plant lice, aphids, and even rabbits. Marigolds are widely used by fruit and vegetable farmers to deter pests from crops. They require a good amount of sun and can thrive alongside many other varieties of flowers. 

8. Petunias
Petunias are known to repel aphids, tomato worms, squash bugs, and even some types of beetles. Therefore, they are best served to help protect your vegetable garden. In addition, petunias are relatively easy to take care of since they only require weekly watering. They can bloom all summer with full sun.
 
9. Chives
Another popular herb that naturally deters pests is chives. Aphids, certain beetles, and flies are known to turn the other way when encountering chives. Chives do best in full sun but can endure a partial shade environment if needed.
 
10. Catnip
The final plant on this list is an herb, but unlike rosemary or chives, it's not an herb people often eat. As a member of the mint family, catnip repels flies, mosquitoes, deer tickets, and cockroaches. Catnip is very easy to plant and grow, but be careful because it can easily take over your garden. A study done at Iowa State University found that catnip is ten times more effective than Deet, the chemical used in most insect repellants. 

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Pestech of Greenville is here to help keep you happy, safe, and pest-free all year round. Call 252-353-4760 to learn more about our pest control options and find what's best for you and your family. We are honored to be your East Coast Extermination Professionals serving Greenville and all of Eastern North Carolina.