Do you know about Plants that Deter Ants? Growing them is a natural way to keep these common insects away from your garden!
Insects can be troublesome, both indoors and in the garden. Using insecticides is not a good idea, especially in flower beds and around your edible plants. So, is there a natural way to keep insects like ants away? Yes! By growing Plants that Deter Ants! Let’s have a look!
Here are the best plants you can grow to keep mosquitoes away!
Plants that Deter Ants
1. Mint
Botanical Name: Mentha
This perennial herb has innumerable benefits, out of which one best perk is it keeps ants away! Grow mint in pots near doors and below windows.
According to this study, Peppermint works the best as its strong smell interferes with the ants’ scent trails, pheromones, and communications.
Learn growing mint indoors here
2. Rosemary
Botanical Name: Salvia rosmarinus
Rosemary makes the home cozy and warm with its aroma—while outdoors, it keeps the garden plants and soil protected from ants, beetles, mosquitoes, and other pests.
Here’s all you need to know about growing Rosemary
3. Thyme
Botanical Name: Thymus vulgaris
Thyme has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties that can stop ants from entering the soil around it. To make it more effective, simply crush a few of its leaves and keep it on the ants’ path.
Learn growing thyme in pots here
4. Lavender
Botanical Name: Lavandula
This self-seeding fragrant herb releases a strong scent that keeps ants away from plants. You can enclose the garden with lavender to prevent ants from attacking.
Here’s all you need to know about growing Lavender
5. Rue
Botanical Name: Ruta graveolens
This perennial herb with thin woody shoots repel ants. The simple trick to keep ants away is by scattering the twigs around plants, and ants will not come around it.
6. Garlic
Botanical Name: Allium sativum
Garlic is an effective deterrent for ants! Plant this perennial around doorways and below windows. It grows well in full sunlight in well-draining soil.
Learn how to make and use garlic water pesticides for plants here
7. Yarrow
Botanical Name: Achillea millefolium
Also known as milfoil or soldier’s woundwort, this shrub-like plant is quite useful in repelling ants. It attracts butterflies and deters many insects, too!
8. Tansy
Botanical Name: Tanacetum vulgare
Tansy is also known as golden buttons due to little bunches of fragrant yellow blooms that appear in the summer. Both leaves and roots drive away ants—sprinkle tansy over plants to repel ants.
Note: Make sure to wear gloves before handling the plant as it is toxic. Also, keep pets and children away from the tansy.
9. Catnip
Botanical Name: Nepeta cataria
Cats love catnip, but ants react completely opposite toward this aromatic herb. Grow this plant where ants are mostly found—doors, windows, or garden areas.
Here’s all you need to know about growing Catnip
10. Wormwood
Botanical Name: Artemisia absinthium
Grow wormwood to prevent ants and save the plants from their attack. The use of dried or powdered wormwood is also helpful in deterring ants. Moths also dislike its smell.
11. Pennyroyal
Botanical Name: Mentha pulegium
Pennyroyal has a sweet aroma and purple blooms. You can use it as a companion for plants that are prone to pest invasion and ants.
Caution: It is toxic when consumed and mainly unsafe for cats and children.
12. Lemongrass
Botanical Name: Cymbopogon citratus
Lemongrass has citronella oil, which acts as a great repellant for ants. Crush the leaves and spread them around the garden plants to deter ants.
Learn growing lemongrass from seeds here
13. Sage
Botanical Name: Salvia officinalis
Sage has become a powerful ingredient in many natural essential oils. You can grow it to repel ants and other insects in your garden.
Learn all about growing sage in pots here
14. Turmeric
Powder of turmeric roots is used to deter ants, which means it’s naturally ant repellant. Grow it in an ant-prone area to see the results. Read more turmeric benefits here!
