Whether you’re relaxing in the backyard or enjoying outdoor gatherings, there’s nothing more annoying than ticks flying into your space. These miniature, spider-like pests often go unnoticed and easily attach themselves to humans and pets. Similar to mosquitoes, these pests feed on blood and can leave unpleasant bite marks on our skin, causing it to swell with an itchy, inflamed rash. In extreme cases, ticks can transmit deadly diseases by biting, such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
And if you don’t want to contaminate your garden with chemical-laden sprays, there are some popular plants known to repel ticks and keep them away for good. Very similar to plants that repel mosquitoes either repel fruit flies, the strong scents will actively prevent ticks from approaching your garden. Plus, these plants will make our gardens smell fresh and fragrant.
So, if you want to banish these mini arachnids from your garden naturally, here are 7 plants that repel ticks.
1. lavender
Lavender is loved for its pretty purple flower, as well as the fresh, relaxing scent that fills the air. However, while the lingering fragrance is pleasant for our gardens, it is disgusting to ticks. Interestingly, it contains a non-toxic compound called linalool, which is an essential ingredient found in most insect repellents.
A good tip is to take a generous cutting from a lavender plant, tie it into a small bundle before hanging it in a room. Or fill small bags with dried lavender and place them in places or crevices where spiders may invade your home. If you don’t have access to fresh lavender, you can choose to spray lavender essential oils throughout the house. The powerful, aromatic smell should keep spiders and other pests at bay.
2. Garlic and onion
Found in most kitchens, garlic and onion are often the key ingredients in every delicious and fragrant meal. And while we may enjoy those aromas, they are so repulsive to ticks that they will stay away. This is due to its high amounts of sulfonic acid, which gives off a pungent odor that is a natural repellent.
Use this to your advantage to make a quick and easy garlic repellent. Simply chop a few cloves of garlic and sprinkle around your garden or “problem” areas. Alternatively, mash four or five cloves to make a puree and add it to half a liter of water in a clean spray bottle. Then, spray the garlic solution in areas around the house or garden to repel ticks and other pests such as rats and mice.
If you want to go one step further, you can learn how to grow garlic of cloves in your backyard or in pots.
3. Rosemary
Rosemary can be a delicious aromatic herb to add to your meals, but it is also an excellent tick repellent. This is because ticks do not like the strong, distinctive smell and will stay away.
Fortunately, rosemary is an easy herb to grow both indoors and outdoors, requiring full sunlight and regular watering. Additionally, it is a hardy grass, so it can survive in most conditions, but typically prefers warm, dry conditions. Simply water it, repot it from time to time and your potted plant will last a long time. Rosemary along with sage is also effective in repel deer, spidersand other insects will also actively stay away.
If you plan to grow an herb garden, check out these 7 Best Tips for Growing Herbs Indoors.
4. Wormwood
Wormwood is a perennial herb that is primarily grown as an ornamental plant in the US. These lush green leaves are also known for their strong aroma and bitterness, making it the ideal natural repellent for ticks.
For best results, include wormwood in your garden, within garden borders around patios, in containers, or even in hanging baskets. This can help deter these unwanted pests and keep them away for good!
5. calendula
With their warm orange and yellow flowers, marigolds can really brighten your home and garden. But these pretty flowers also release a strong, spicy odor called alpha-terthienyl, a phototoxin that keeps ticks and other insects away.
What’s more, the root system of marigolds grows deeply and abundantly. Therefore, this pungent odor can also reach deep into the soil, wherever ticks may be lurking. Additionally, marigolds prefer to be planted in full sun and require dry conditions with well-drained soil.
6. lemongrass
Like lemon balm and mint, the scent of lemongrass packs a powerful punch when it comes to keeping ticks away. It contains citronella oil, which can be extracted from the leaves and stem.
This produces an overwhelming citrus aroma, which repels and overpowers ticks. Its aroma is also used in more ways than one: it also prevent mice and rats from invading your home also!
7. chrysanthemums
These colorful flowers work well to add a vibrant touch to any garden, but they also release a potent odor to repel ticks and other pests. This is because its flowers contain pyrethrum, an insecticidal compound that is an effective repellent.
Since chrysanthemums are popular plants, you can easily purchase some at your local garden store and place them around your garden, patio, or porch. In fact, chrysanthemums can commonly be used to repel ants, spiders, fleas, and even bed bugs, among many others. So it’s a super plant repellent!
It’s also worth noting that these flowers are known to be toxic to both cats and dogs, so keep pets away whenever possible.
- Check out 9 plants that repel spiders and keep them out of your home
- Plus, 7 ant-repellent plants to keep your home pest-free
- Or 5 plants that will keep wasps out of your garden
