Wasps, known for their distinct appearance and sometimes painful stings, are not welcome guests in many outdoor spaces. While there are various methods to deter these insects, one natural approach to consider is planting specific plants that can help keep wasps away. By incorporating these botanical companions into your garden or outdoor area, you may be able to maintain a wasp-free environment without relying on chemical pesticides or traps. Let’s explore some of the most effective plants you can cultivate to deter these buzzing insects.
key Takeaways
- Planting certain herbs and flowers can help keep wasps away from your property.
- Peppermint, citronella, eucalyptus, and basil are effective plants for repelling wasps.
- Lavender, marigold, and wormwood can also deter wasps due to their strong scents.
- Planting mint around your outdoor seating areas can help keep wasps at bay.
- Wasps dislike the aroma of geraniums, so including them in your garden can be beneficial.
- Creating a barrier using plants such as wormwood, Tansy, and Texas Marigold can deter wasps from entering specific areas.
- Leaving some open areas in the garden can prevent overcrowding and reduce the presence of wasps.
- Avoid planting fruit trees near areas where you frequently spend time to prevent attracting wasps.
- Regularly maintaining and pruning your plants can help reduce wasp activity.
- It is important to note that while these plants may help deter wasps, they do not guarantee complete elimination of the insects.
What Plants Can I Grow to Repel Wasps?
Wasps can be a nuisance, especially during the warm summer months. If you’re looking for natural ways to keep these buzzing insects away from your home and garden, planting certain types of plants can help repel them. Here are some plants that are known to deter wasps:
Mint
Mint, with its strong and refreshing aroma, is an excellent natural deterrent for wasps. Planting mint around your home and garden can help keep these stinging insects at bay. The scent of mint is overpowering to wasps, making them less likely to venture near.
Lemongrass
Lemongrass is another plant that repels wasps. Not only does it add a pleasant citrusy scent to your garden, but it also acts as a natural wasp deterrent. The strong scent of lemongrass confuses and repels these stinging insects, making them less likely to build nests in the vicinity.
Lavender
Lavender is not only a beautiful flowering plant but also a natural wasp repellent. The strong and sweet aroma of lavender is highly disliked by wasps, causing them to stay away. Planting lavender in your garden or placing potted lavender plants near windows and doors can help keep wasps from entering your home.
Geraniums
Geraniums are not only colorful and attractive but also effective in deterring wasps. These flowering plants emit a strong scent that wasps find unpleasant. Planting geraniums in and around your garden can make it less enticing for wasps to hang around, reducing the chances of encountering these stinging insects.
Marigolds
Marigolds are known for their vibrant colors and strong fragrance, which can help keep wasps away. The odor of marigolds is disliked by wasps, making them less likely to invade your garden or outdoor spaces. Consider planting marigolds in pots or along the borders to create a natural barrier against these pests.
Pennyroyal
Pennyroyal, a member of the mint family, is a natural wasp deterrent. Its strong menthol-like aroma repels not only wasps but also other insects. Planting pennyroyal in your garden or near seating areas can help create a wasp-free zone, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors without worrying about stings.
Additional Tips
In addition to planting these wasp-repellent plants, there are a few other measures you can take to keep wasps away. Avoid leaving open food or drinks unattended, as these can attract wasps. It’s also a good idea to seal cracks and crevices around your home to prevent wasps from building their nests. If you’re dealing with an existing wasp nest, it’s best to contact a professional pest control service to handle the situation safely.
FAQs
What plants can help to keep wasps away?
There are several plants that can help repel wasps and keep them away from your outdoor spaces. Some recommended plants include mint, basil, thyme, eucalyptus, lavender, and marigolds. These plants contain scents that are known to repel wasps and can be planted in gardens, flower beds, or in pots around your outdoor seating areas to help deter them.
How do these plants repel wasps?
Plants like mint, basil, and thyme produce strong scents that can repel wasps. These scents are not pleasing to the insects and can confuse or deter them from coming too close. Eucalyptus is another effective option, as its strong odor can also help keep wasps away. Lavender and marigolds, on the other hand, have the added benefit of attracting beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies, which can help pollinate your garden while deterring wasps.
Can planting these repellent plants completely eliminate wasps?
While planting these repellent plants can help reduce the presence of wasps in your outdoor spaces, it is important to note that they may not completely eliminate them. Wasps can still be attracted to other food sources or nesting locations, so it is important to take additional measures to make your outdoor area less appealing to these insects. This can include properly disposing of food waste, sealing trash cans, and keeping outdoor areas clean and free of food debris.
How should I plant these repellent plants to keep wasps away?
You can plant these repellent plants in various ways to keep wasps away. Consider planting them near outdoor seating areas, entrances, or in flower beds and gardens surrounding your outdoor spaces. You can also place potted versions of these plants on patio tables or near doorways to create a barrier against wasps. It is recommended to plant these plants in sunlight and in well-draining soil for optimal growth and effectiveness.
Are these plants harmful to other beneficial insects?
While these plants are helpful in repelling wasps, they are generally not harmful to other beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies. In fact, some of these plants, like lavender and marigolds, can attract these pollinators, which are essential for a healthy ecosystem and garden. However, it is important to note that some plants may attract bees, so if you or someone in your household has allergies to bee stings, it is advisable to consult with a professional before planting these repellent plants.
Types of Flowers for Pollinator Gardens
Perennials
Perennials are flowering plants that live for more than two years. They are an excellent choice for a pollinator garden, as they provide a consistent and reliable source of nectar and pollen. Some popular perennial flowers for pollinators include coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, asters, and bee balm. These flowers are not only attractive to bees and butterflies but also add color and beauty to your garden year after year.
Annuals
Annual flowers are plants that complete their life cycle within a year. They are a great option for creating a vibrant and colorful pollinator garden, as they bloom quickly and abundantly. Some popular annual flowers for pollinators include zinnias, sunflowers, cosmos, and marigolds. These flowers are easy to grow and provide a continuous food source for bees and butterflies throughout the summer months.
Native Wildflowers
Native wildflowers are plants that naturally occur in a particular region or ecosystem. They are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions, making them an excellent choice for a low-maintenance pollinator garden. Native wildflowers provide a valuable food source for local pollinators, as they have evolved together and rely on each other for survival. Some examples of native wildflowers include milkweed, goldenrod, coneflowers, and lupines.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, planting specific types of plants can help to keep wasps away from your outdoor spaces. Plants like mint, basil, thyme, eucalyptus, lavender, and marigolds contain scents that deter wasps and can be planted strategically to create a barrier against these insects. However, it is important to note that planting these repellent plants may not completely eliminate wasps, and additional measures such as proper waste disposal and cleanliness should be taken to make your outdoor area less appealing to these pests.
When considering what to plant to keep wasps away, it is also important to be mindful of other beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies. Choosing plants like lavender and marigolds, which attract these pollinators, can contribute to a healthy ecosystem and garden. By incorporating these repellent plants and other pollinator-friendly flowers into your outdoor spaces, you can create a beautiful and pest-free environment for you to enjoy.