Wasps can be a nuisance when they invade your garden or home. Though they can be beneficial in some ways, wasps can be dangerous and can sting multiple times. To get rid of wasps and protect your family, there are a variety of plants that can act as natural repellents. Therefore, learn about the best plants that repel wasps and keep your garden and home safe.
In this article, we’ve compiled several plants that can help repel wasps and keep your outdoor space protected.
From plant herbs to flowers, let us give you some of the best plants to repel wasps and how to use them in your garden or yard.
Table of Contents
Best Plants That Repel Flies
Flies can be a nuisance in homes and gardens, but there are a number of wasps repelling plants to solve the problem. From herbs like basil and mint to flowers like marigolds, certain plants are known for their natural fly-repellent properties.
Let’s explore 10 best perennial plants that repel wasps and how to use them to your advantage.
1. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon)
There is lemongrass is a natural wasp repellent due to its strong citrus scent. People love the refreshing citrus aroma from lemon grass.
However, the scent of lemongrass is one of wasp’s repellent abilities. It can be used to deter wasps from entering your garden or home.
To use lemongrass to repel wasps, you can purchase lemongrass essential oil and mix a few drops in a spray bottle with water. Or, simply plant some of them in your garden.
The citrus scent of the lemongrass will mask the smell of your garden, recommended as wasps repellent.
We recommend planting lemongrass in the spring. It’s the ideal plant for container or in-ground cultivation, similar to decorative grasses also lemongrass thrives in warmer climates, so plant it where there is direct sunlight, fertile, well-drained soil, and a pH range of 6.5 to 7.0.
2. Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus)
Because of their acidity and bitterness, cucumber plants are an extremely excellent wasp and bee repellent. However, this plant’s one flaw is that it can be a little trickier to grow than a lot of the other herbs and plants on this list.
If you want to plant these wasp repellent plants, make sure the cucumbers have the appropriate staking. The skins of cucumbers can also work as a strong deterrent if you don’t have enough room to cultivate cucumbers on your patio.
In a propagator, cucumber seeds should be planted between March and April.
However, if your greenhouse is heated, you can start in February, and if you intend to sow the seeds outside directly, you can start in May or June.
3. Marigolds (Tagetes)
Ever heard about Marigolds? This plant can be used to repel wasps because they release a chemical that mimics the scent of pyrethrum, a natural insecticide.
Wasps are repelled by this strong smell, making marigolds an effective natural pest control option. This is a great outdoor wasp repellent for the garden.
Additionally, the bright red, orange and yellow color of marigolds also helps to deter wasps. Use red marigolds for the greatest outcomes because wasps don’t like them at all.
Marigolds are a simple wasp repellent to grow and their seeds are easy to collect.
Spring through mid-summer are the best times to sow young French and signet marigolds. However, because they take longer to mature and flower, tall African marigolds are best planted as soon as possible in the spring (after the risk of frost has gone).
4. Citronella (Cymbopogon Nardus)
The Citronella is non-toxic and is an effective natural and safe way to repel wasps without resorting to chemical sprays or pesticides. The smell of citronella is unpleasant to wasps, and it will help keep them away.
Moreover, this plant can repel wasps indoors and outdoors.
Once all potential for frost has passed and the soil is warm, plant citronella in the spring. Grow this wasp resistant plant in a location with lots of sunlight and well-draining soil.
Although it may be grown indoors or outdoors, it prefers at least six hours of direct sunlight daily, whether it’s by a window or in the sun.
5. Mint (Mentha)
Our kitchen ingredient Mint, is the one of the best potted plants that has a pleasant aroma in the human world, but stinging insects do not appreciate it. Therefore, mint is the best plant wasps-repellent as it gives your patio a pleasant scent while keeping wasps away.
Although they may withstand some shade, mint plants need to be carefully monitored. They may easily take over a garden due to their speedy growth. Mint may spread fast if not controlled, so think about planting it in a container.
In frost-free regions, plant mint in the spring or in the fall, spacing seedlings 18 to 24 inches apart. For a steady supply of sprigs, try planting mint in a pot near the kitchen where you can control its growth.
6. Pitcher Plants (Nepenthes)
This Pitcher plants are wasp resistant that keep your patio clear of wasps for a different reason than the other plants on our list that scare them away with their scent. Because they are carnivorous, pitcher plants entice and consume wasps and other insects.
In the spring, sow pitcher plants. Make sure the ground is defrosted before planting if you’re gardening outdoors. Peat moss, sand, and organic matter should all be present in the soil.
The requirements of these plants can be quite demanding because they like rainwater or purified water. They dislike mineral-laden water. Pitcher plants also prefer direct, full sunlight.
7. Basil (Ocimum Basilicum)
Basil is a fantastic patio plant since it keeps wasps away and has uses in the kitchen. In fact, basil is a fragrant plant that repels wasps. Basil needs access to a lot of sun and moist soil with good drainage if you wish to grow it.
Basil can be planted as early as two weeks after the last frost, when the soil temperature is between 50°F and 70°F—the warmer, the better. It may also be sown in the summer.
To use basil to repel wasps, you can simply crush up some fresh basil leaves and spread them around the area you want to protect. You can also make a spray by boiling some fresh basil leaves in water and then spraying the mixture around the area to be protected.
8. Geraniums (Pelargoniums)
If you are looking for outdoor plants to keep wasps away, then we recommend you to plant geraniums. Geraniums can be used to repel wasps because they contain geraniol, a compound that has a strong smell that wasps find unpleasant.
Geraniums, both annual and perennial, benefit from warmth, so postpone planting in the spring until all risk of frost has passed. Once the summer heat subsides in the fall, you can also plant perennial geraniums.
Try planting perennial geraniums from late fall to early spring in areas with mild winters.
To use geraniums to repel wasps, simply place geraniums in flower pots around areas where wasps tend to congregate, such as near doors and windows or near outdoor seating areas.
The geraniol scent will deter wasps from entering the area.
9. Wormwood (Artemisia Absinthium)
Due to the absinthe it contains, wormwood is one of aromatic plants that repels wasps. Bees and wasps typically avoid it because of its strong aroma, which warns them of any potential threats.
Typically, wormwood is planted in the spring. If you’re starting plants from seeds, plant the tiny seeds on flats and transplant the seedlings into the garden as soon as the last spring frost has passed.
Moreover, direct sunlight and well-drained soil are required for wormwood. Wormwood should be planted with caution because it can obliterate nearby plants.
10. Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus Gunni)
One of the strongly scented plants that can repel wasps is eucalyptus. You can grow eucalyptus in a garden or in containers. Eucalyptus should be planted in the spring and summer so they have time to establish themselves before winter. It requires a huge bit of light in any case.
The eucalyptus plant can withstand drought, so give it a little time to dry out in between waterings.
In addition, the use of eucalyptus oil to repel wasps is an effective, natural method for controlling wasp populations.
Eucalyptus oil has a strong, distinct scent that wasps find unpleasant and, when used in a diffuser, can repel the insects away from an area.
Why Should You Be Worried about Wasp?
You should be worried about wasps because they can sting multiple times and their stings can be painful and cause allergic reactions in some people. Wasp stings can be lethal or extremely painful. Wasp stings can cause anaphylaxis, a severe, potentially fatal allergic reaction, if you are sensitive to them.
In addition, wasp stings can be particularly painful for persons with allergies, young children, the elderly, and domestic pets.
Moreover, they can also build nests in areas that may be difficult to reach, such as eaves and attics, and can be difficult to remove. Wasps can also be a nuisance as they are attracted to food and may buzz around picnics and barbecues.
What Months are Wasps Most Active?
As long as the weather is warm, wasps and other stinging insects are most active from July through the late summer months of August and September. Wasp activity tends to peak in the hotter center of the day and decline in the colder hours between dark and dawn.
Wasps are most active in the late spring and summer months as this is when they are breeding and building their nests. This is also when food sources such as insects and fruit are most abundant.
What Smells will Keep Wasps Away?
Are you tired of wasps invading your outdoor space? Wasps can be a nuisance, buzzing around and often stinging the people and animals in their vicinity.
Fortunately, there are a few simple ways to keep wasps away, and one of them is leveraging the power of scent.
Here are some smells that keep wasps away:
1. Peppermint
Peppermint is a type of mint that has a strong smell and flavor. So, peppermint has a strong smell that repels wasps. Wasps have a highly developed sense of smell, and the strong aroma of peppermint can deter them from entering an area.
The scent of peppermint is also thought to interfere with the wasp’s ability to sense food and nest-building materials, so they avoid the area.
2. Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus has a strong, pungent smell that can be used to repel wasps. Wasps are sensitive to strong smells and will generally avoid areas that have a strong smell.
The smell of eucalyptus is especially potent to them, making it a great natural plant that repels wasps from your home.
3. Citronella
Do you know citronella? this plant smells will keep wasps away because wasps are highly sensitive to smells, and the strong odor of citronella is unpleasant to them.
Additionally, wasps have a poor sense of taste and do not like the taste of citronella. Thus, the smell and taste of citronella will repel wasps.
Final Thought
Plants that repel wasps can be a great way to protect your outdoor areas from these pesky insects. Not only can they reduce the number of wasps around, but they can also be aesthetically pleasing additions to any garden.
With the right selection of plants, you can create a natural barrier that will keep wasps away without the use of any chemicals or other dangerous methods.
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What color plants attract wasps?
Some plants, such as flowering plants, may attract wasps due to their sweet-smelling nectar. Particularly yellow, white, and purple flowers may draw wasps to their pollen and nectar.
Wasps may also be attracted to plants with bright or pale colors, such as lavender and sage. If you love gardening, planting colorful flowers may attract wasps.
Do citronella plants repel wasps?
Yes, citronella plants can repel wasps because they have strong scents. Their strong smell will irritate wasps, which will make them avoid the area.
Additionally, the compounds in citronella oil can also act as a natural insect repellent, which is why it is often used in outdoor candles and sprays.
Do geraniums keep wasps away?
Yes, geraniums (Pelargonium) are amongst some of the ornamental plants that deter wasps. The scent of these beautiful flowers is excellent for driving wasps.
If you are looking for more plants that repel wasps, you can read the article above.
What flower attracts wasps?
Figwort, formerly known as “the wasp flower,” is possibly the most effective wasp-feeding flower of all.
To attract wasps, you may use natural foods they enjoy, even though you can’t stop them from entering your garden. For more plants that repel wasps, please read the article above.
Will a peppermint plant keep wasps away?
Yes, a peppermint plant will keep wasps away. If you have a garden, think about planting some peppermint.
These naturally-repellent plants provide fresh mint for your summer dishes while also keeping wasps away.
