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Autumnal Wasps Pose a Risk - Discover 7 Natural Plants that Deter Wasps, Enhancing Your Garden's Safety

Protect your outdoor events from harmful wasps this summer and fall by growing these wasp-repelling plants in your yard and container garden.

Fall Wasps Pose a Threat Early On - Discover 7 Natural Plants That Deter Wasps in Your Garden,...
Fall Wasps Pose a Threat Early On - Discover 7 Natural Plants That Deter Wasps in Your Garden, Enhancing Backyard Safety

Autumnal Wasps Pose a Risk - Discover 7 Natural Plants that Deter Wasps, Enhancing Your Garden's Safety

Repelling Wasps with Fragrant Plants: A Guide

Wasps can be a nuisance during the warmer months, but there are several plants that can help keep them at bay. In this article, we'll explore some of the best wasp-repelling plants and provide tips on how to use them effectively.

Spearmint and Citronella: Natural Wasp Repellents

Spearmint, with its minty scent, and citronella grass, due to the presence of citronellal, are both effective at repelling wasps. You can find spearmint seeds on Amazon, while citronella grass can be purchased from Colonial Creek Farm Nursery through the same platform. Rubbing crushed leaves of mint or citronella on your skin, or setting pots close to where you sit, can help keep wasps away, although it's not a foolproof method.

Lavender and Marigolds: Fragrant Deterrents

Lavender, with its flowery oils, particularly linalool, and marigolds, due to the presence of thiophenes, are also known to repel wasps. Lavender grows well in sun and sandy soil, and flowers from July onward. Marigolds, with their bold orange blooms, are in bloom from June to October and can be grown in full sun and average soil. Both lavender and marigolds can be found at Walmart or your local garden center.

Eucalyptus: A Cool Flair and Wasp Deterrent

Eucalyptus, with its sharp oil eucalyptol, acts as a wasp deterrent. This tree grows up to 6-8 feet tall and its silvery leaves can add a cool flair to your landscape. Eucalyptus does best outdoors in USDA zones 8-11, but can be brought indoors in the winter in a pot, such as this one from Fast Growing Trees.

Wormwood: A Potent Wasp Deterrent

Wormwood, with its bitter leaves containing absinthin, is a potent wasp deterrent. It grows well in full sun with rocky soil raked smooth, and spreads out to 2-3 feet in size. You can find wormwood for sale at Walmart.

Tips for Managing Wasps

  • Cleaning up food debris and sugary beverages around your patio is critical to discouraging wasps.
  • Hosing down the inside of trash and recycling bins is a good idea during this time of year to discourage wasps.
  • Creating a DIY yellowjacket trap or purchasing a ready-made trap from Amazon can help manage aggressive wasps.
  • Pennyroyal mint, with its minty whiff from the chemical pulegone, repels wasps. However, it's toxic to consume around children and animals, so exercise caution when using it. Pennyroyal seeds can be found at Walmart or your local garden center.

Plants for Repelling Wasps in Germany

In Germany, basil, lavender, mint, lemon balm (Melissa), and scented geranium ('Moskito-Schocker®') with a lemon-like aroma, are known to keep wasps at a distance effectively.

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