There are countless insect repelling plants that look good, smell good and naturally deter bugs and other pests from frequenting your yard. That’s exciting news considering Florida is home to around 12,500 different species of insects, all of which could crash your pool party or BBQ this summer. Some of the most common bugs in south Florida include flies, mosquitos and ants. You can tell pests to take a hike by planting the following insect repelling plants.
1. Marigolds
Marigolds are gorgeous and they pack a superpower… the ability to chase away mosquitos without moving a leaf! It’s their distinct scent that keeps the mosquitos at bay. Your best bet is to stick these beauties near entry points for mosquitos, like the doors and windows of your home or along porch steps.
2. Sweet Basil
Sweet Basil tastes great when added to dinner and its strong scent is a natural deterrent for flies and mosquitos.
3. Citronella
Citronella is a pretty ground cover that grows in grassy clumps capable of growing 5-6 feet in height. Citronella happens to be one of the most common ingredients found in bug repellents. It thrives in pots or grown directly in the ground if it has lots of sun and good drainage.
4. Lemongrass
Lemongrass contains citronella oil, which means mosquitos want nothing to do with it. This grass can be used as decorative landscaping and as a delicious lemony zest to dinner. Many Asian recipes rely on lemongrass and it tastes great added to soups, salad dressings and meat dishes.
5. Wormwood
Wormwood has a uniquely pretty silver-green color and a velvet-like appearance. As much as the human eye is attracted to wormwood plants, a variety of pests can’t stand the stuff. Planting wormwood helps deter the presence of flies, mosquitos, moths, ants and mice.
6. Bay Laurel
If mice and roaches are bugging just as bad as the flies, this plant is your go-to. It can repel mice, moths and roaches out of pantries or other closed off areas where critters love to hide. Bonus perk, flies and mosquitoes don’t like the smell of bay laurel either.
7. Lavender
Lavender smells good, looks good and can even help you get a better night’s sleep. But the best part of all is that the bugs hate it. Lavender repels fleas, moths, and mosquitoes for the win. Take some lavender from your garden and hang it in bunches near entry points to your home and you can deter pests from flying inside.
8. Alliums
Flowers from the Allium family are used as a natural insecticide commonly used in vegetable gardens to ward off slugs, flies, cabbage worms and aphids. You have some intriguing options for flowers in the alliums family, for instance Allium Giganteum sprouts beautiful blooms that can reach 6 feet in height. A few small-growing herbs are also classified as alliums including garlic chives, leeks, and shallots.
9. Chrysanthemum
This well-known flower has the power to deter ants, Japanese beetles, lice, fleas, spider mites, ticks and more! Pyrethrum is the natural insect repellant found in this flower. Pyrethrum can kill both jumping and flying insects, hence why it’s commonly found in garden insecticides and other bug sprays.
10. Pitcher Plants & Bug Eating Plants
Some plants don’t just deter bugs… they trap and eat them. The Pitcher Plant is one of these superhero varieties. It lures bugs into its pitcher-like bulb using specialized scents. Once inside bugs slip on the slick interior surface before falling into a pool of water. Once the bug dies in the water from drowning or exhaustion trying to get out, the plant consumes the bug. The Venus Flytrap is another type of plant that eats flies and other insects.