1. Basil
Basil is a great solution for repelling mosquitoes and flies. You can plant this herb near the doors to your home or in outdoor areas. Pests are annoyed with the very smell of this plant and it is sometimes used in insect repellant sprays. Growing basil is extremely easy since you can buy a plant in a container and just plant it in your garden; however, this one-year plant needs a lot of sun and water in order to survive, so be strategic with your placement of it.
2. Lavender
Lavender has been used for centuries to add a sweet smell to homes and clothes drawers. It’s also a wonderful plant for pest control since it can help repel fleas, mosquitoes, and flies. Plant it in sunny areas of your garden or near your house entrance. This plant is easy to maintain since it can basically survive all weather conditions.
3. Citronella
Citronella grass also has essential oils that mosquitoes don’t like. It’s also a good natural repellent for insects that are also annoyed by its smell. This plant can grow up to four feet tall in just one season. It does well in a pot, or in the ground in a sunny and well-drained location.
4. Rosemary & Other Herbs
Rosemary repels a variety of insects harmful to other plants, but most importantly mosquitoes don’t like it. This herb can be grown in containers or in your garden. Insects find rosemary oils unpleasant. Some other herbs you can add to your herb garden in order to repel insects are fennel, parsley, oregano, thyme, or bay leaves. They are all easy to maintain and their essential oils might help when it comes to a pest control.
5. Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum helps to repel a lot of pests, including spider mites, ticks, roaches, lice, and fleas aphids. It’s been used to protect other plants from insects, but you can also use it as a plant for pest control. The ingredient in chrysanthemum flowers that keeps the pests away is pyrethrum. This ingredient is used in numerous indoor sprays and pet shampoos.
6. Petunias
Petunias are sometimes called a natural pesticide since they repel a variety of insects and bugs. They are easy to maintain and are available in a variety of vibrant colors. You can plant them in sunny areas near your herbs or vegetables.
7. Marigolds
Marigolds are used for pest control since the scent from various types repels mosquitoes and aphids. Plant them in sunny areas of your garden. If you have a vegetable garden, you can plant these throughout your garden to provide pops of color.
Please note that while we don’t find this method effective for complete pest control or as a treatment for an infestation, it can be beneficial when combined with other forms of proactive pest control in and around your home. For pest infestations, we always recommend calling a professional exterminator.
Proudly serving the greater Chicagoland area in Illinois and southeast Wisconsin, the professional exterminators at Aerex Pest Control understand the habits of different pests and use that knowledge when developing a pest control program that is best suited to your home and your particular problem. Our technicians are professional, state-certified, licensed applicators.