7 Common Plants That Repel Termites

Are there plants that repel termites? Yes. Here are some species that deter them effectively.

Some of the most destructive pests you’ll ever encounter are termites. These can cause severe havoc to your property as they feed on just about anything.

Now, getting rid of termites can become a nightmare for many especially when faced with a difficult infestation.

Plants And Herbs That Deter Termites

You’re left at a loss about the most effective termite control method(s) to adopt.

In this article, we’ll be dwelling on natural and effective ways to repel termites. This involves planting termite repellent plants around your property.

Not only does this action deter these pests, but it also serves as a preventive measure for future termite infestations.

Although termites will feed on just about anything, they do not stand a chance against the plants we’ll be listing shortly.

7 Termite-Resistant Plants That Work

However tough termites may seem, their destructive activities can be contained by planting certain plants.

Such plants have been proven to repel them.

They include Vetiver Grass, Catnip, Mint, and Garlic. Others are Marigolds, Scented Geraniums, Daisies, and Sunflowers. Let’s briefly discuss each of these, shall we?

1. Vetiver Grass

Vetiver grass is an ornamental plant that not only keeps termite off your property but also other insect pests too.

What more? The looks of your surroundings are enhanced when this plant is well-tended. So, how exactly does it work? This takes us to our next point;

• How it Works

When it comes to vetiver grass and how it works to repel termites, it all boils down to a chemical compound this plant contains known as Nootkatone.

This is contained in the plant and works to ward off termites naturally. It is also effective against a wide range of insect pests.

• How to Use Vetiver Grass

This low-cost method of keeping termites off your property can be adopted for your property by having it planted around termite-infested areas. When planted, termites find such areas unfavorable.

Not only does this plant provide protection against termites, but it also helps to protect the soil against erosion, and keeps weeds away. Vetiver grass can serve as a barrier while doubling as an ornamental plant.

• Side Effects

Using this perennial plant to repel termites may result in side effects or irritations.

Although there’s a possibility of side effects resulting from its use, it isn’t so common. When allergies are noticed, it’s best to discontinue use immediately while seeking other alternatives as provided here.

2. Catnip

Another plant with a natural insect repellent is catnip. This has been used successfully to ward off difficult termite infestations. The use of catnip for termite control can be done in many ways.

One of them includes planting it around your surroundings including infested areas.

Another effective way is by applying catnip essential oils extracted from the plant onto affected areas. A barrier can also be formed with this oil to keep termites at bay.

• How Catnip Works

This plant is a member of the mint family and gives off a minty scent. Cats are also attracted to their scent.

However, the same scent is detested by termites. Growing a good number of these plants goes a long way in making your surroundings uninviting to termites.

• How it Works

To use catnip as a termite repellent, all you need to do is get a sufficient number of this plant to grow around your home. These aren’t difficult to maintain, yet help in no small measure to protect your home against termite invasion.

• Side Effects

Are there associated side effects with catnip use? It depends on who you ask.

For some users, catnip may have zero side effects. Their experience with its use may all be good. However, this may not be true for others.

In other words, irritations might arise when they use it. For the latter group, it’s best to put a halt to catnip use as a termite repellent.

3. Mint

Another natural pesticide that has termite repelling properties is mint. This can be used effectively in place of most harmful chemicals. It’s also necessary to mention the nutritional value of the mint plant.

So, in what ways can it be used to deter termites from encroaching?

• How Mint Works

Both mint plants and essential oils can be used to repel termites. Mints release a refreshing scent that aids in fresh breath in addition to having a stress-relieving effect on humans.

However, termites are overwhelmed by the presence of this plant and retreat from their surroundings.

• How to Use Mint to Repel Termites

The use of mint for termite management isn’t as difficult as some people think it is. Have as much as this planted around your home’s surroundings to get relief from termite activity.

Before long, you’ll notice a drop in termite activity.

• Side Effects of Mint Use

Some symptoms have been associated with mint usage for termite control.

Not only is this plant used to repel termites but also serves as food. So, users may experience allergic reactions in addition to headaches, rash, and mouth ulcers among others.

4. Garlic

Garlic has several uses which include being used for food in addition to pest control.

Termites are among pests you can easily repel using garlic. The amino acids contained in garlic get converted to allicin which helps stave off termites.

• How it Works

When you notice termites around your fruit trees or crops, your best bet is to deploy garlic the best way possible to help address the problem. When planted around fruit trees or other infested areas, it contains the problem of repelling these destructive insects.

• How to Use Garlic

There are multiple ways to use garlic for termite control. One of them has to do with crushing, blending, or chopping it.

The purpose is to help convert the amino acid contained in it to allicin which releases a pungent odor. This has a repelling effect on termites and keeps them off areas applied.

• Side Effects

Using garlic as a termite repellent may result in several negative situations such as allergic reactions.

This isn’t common to everyone. While some people may notice irritations, a lot of people won’t.

5. Marigolds

Marigolds are annual plants with termite repelling properties that need to be planted yearly.

Asides from serving as a repellent for termites, marigolds are also ornamental plants that help to beautify your surroundings. This added advantage makes place marigolds among the most used plants for pest control.

• How it Works

Marigolds have been tested and seen to be effective in repelling termites.

Although there are counterclaims about its degree of repelling effect on these pests, most agree that it will get the job done by staving off termite presence.

• How to Use Marigolds

Using marigolds to successfully take back control of your property from termite activity starts with planting them around your home.

These colorful plants can be planted wherever you choose to not only enhance the beauty of your home but also bring solutions to your termite problems.

• Side Effects

Some users may experience an allergic reaction to marigold use. Such may result in symptoms like itchy skin, rash, difficulty in breathing, or swelling among others.

Identifying any adverse reactions to marigold’s use should be met with appropriate responses or actions such as seeing medical personnel for advice.

6. Scented Geraniums

As the name implies, scented geraniums come with attractive scents that not only smell nice to humans but also some termite predators.

While scented geraniums won’t repel termites directly, they attract predators that will feed on such termites.

• How it Works

Scented geraniums are known to attract a variety of termite predators such as spiders, praying mantises, centipedes, and ladybugs among others.

When these congregate, termites will have to leave or get killed. This serves as an effective solution to your termite problems.

• How to Use

To use scented geraniums for termite control, you’ll only need to have them planted around your home or affected areas.

This gives your surroundings a refreshing and pleasant scent while inviting termite killers which won’t add to the problem but will rather solve it.

• Side Effects

As with most plants used for pest control, there’s a possibility of side effects resulting from the use of such plants. However, these effects aren’t as frequent or common.

Nevertheless, medical help should be sought when noticed.

7. Daisies

Like scented geraniums, daisies are also predator-attracting plants. This is as a result of the scent given off by the plant. When predators move in, termites will need to move out or face extermination.

This is a creative way of using nature to solve your termite issues.

• How it Works

Daisies work by simply attracting predators through the scent given off. Such scent won’t necessarily repel termites but will attract bugs that will.

Examples of such bugs include centipedes, praying mantises, ladybugs, etc.

• How to Use

To use daisies, simply have them planted around your yard or garden. Not all daisies have a pleasing scent.

Some of these release a stinking smell. Nevertheless, predators still get attracted to it.

• Side Effects

There’s insufficient information detailing the side effects related to the use of daisies. However, it’s necessary to look out for possible irritations and immediately discontinue usage when noticed.

If you’ve read to this point, you’d have learned about the above-listed plants can be used to repel termites. Pick whichever seems best for you and implement it.