It happens to everyone eventually, you look down to the counter and spot ants scurrying around or fruit flies circling the sink. These insect invaders aren’t just aggravating, they can also be a sanitary problem. After all, nobody wants to swat at the air when they’re trying to make dinner. Thankfully, there is an easy way to eliminate those pests without using harsh chemical sprays. All you need is the right houseplant.
Certain houseplants not only add greenery to your space but also release scents and oils that naturally repel common insects. By placing the right plants in strategic spots, you can create a fresher, more inviting kitchen while quietly protecting it from unwanted guests.
You may not have considered using houseplants to rid your home of bugs, but some common herbs and other plants can act as natural repellents. As a bonus, these plants add visual charm to your home and some can be used to add flavor to your cooking or cocktails. Below you’ll find six houseplants known to deter insects naturally.
Read more: This Houseplant Cleans Air 30 Times Better Than a Typical Plant
For more, see the best plants for cooling the air in your home, find out which plants are easiest to keep alive and peruse our list of the best places to buy plants online.
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Herbs
Herbs can do double duty as flavor enhancers and bug repellents.
Potent herbs like basil, mint, sage and rosemary are great for topping spaghetti or making mojitos, but their scent stops insects like house and fruit flies from coming near. Consider lining a sunny kitchen window with a few of your favorite food and drink garnishes. Not only will the bugs stay away, but you’ll enjoy the benefits of fresh herbs year-round and without the hefty price tags found in most supermarkets.
Pro tip: Lemongrass contains citronella oil, which is often used in candles and sprays to repel mosquitos.
Marigold
Marigolds give off a potent scent that not all critters enjoy.
The yellow and orange flower is so much more than a pretty accent to an oversized pot or home garden — it’s a gnat- and midge-fighting beast that emits a distinct and powerful odor that sends critters scurrying. Perhaps best of all, marigolds are an easy plant to cultivate within your home since they require little maintenance and grow quickly.
Lavender
Lavender is soothing for us humans, but not so much for certain insects.
Lavender boasts calming properties that help us drift to sleep at night, but it has the opposite effect on insects like moths and beetles. Snip a few purple stems and incorporate them into an elegant flower bouquet to ward off any unwelcome visitors. You can buy live lavander plants on FastGrowingTrees.com and other sites.
Catnip
Your feline friend may experience an immediate sense of euphoria when exposed to catnip, but roaches and mosquitoes have the opposite reaction. According to scientists, the plant contains an active component that triggers the chemical receptor in insects that causes pain and itchiness. Like humans, when insects feel the slightest bit of discomfort, they tend to retreat and not return to the source of suffering. Amazon sells a four-pack of catnip plants for $23.
Chrysanthemums
Try some Chrysanthemum to slow down common kitchen insects.
This popular flower is an insect’s worst enemy. In fact, a chrysanthemum’s hit list is extensive and includes roaches, ants, silverfish, lice, bed bugs and mites. Keep these away from your pets, though, as they can be toxic when ingested.
Carnivorous plants
The Venus flytrap is the most famous bug eliminator in the plant kingdom.
Lean into the obvious choice and opt for the endlessly entertaining carnivorous plant. Typically, these hungry wonders, like the Venus flytrap, lure in unsuspecting prey with a scent that mirrors delicious fruits and flowers. Once its hairlike lobes, otherwise known as trichomes, are activated, its leaves snap shut and reopen 10 days after the insect has been completely digested. Of course, you’ll need a whole lot of carnivorous plants to tackle swarms, but they make great additions to target the occasional fly or two.
No matter your preference, these plants, flowers and herbs make wonderful (and natural!) additions to a kitchen pest management plan. They also happen to be delicious and/or beautiful. If you’re still not convinced, consider other all-natural alternatives like coffee grounds, essential oils, banana peels, white vinegar and onions. Each has also been proven to stave off an infestation if left out on kitchen counters.
