Are there indoor and outdoor plants that repel ants naturally? Yes. We’ll be looking at some species in this guide.
Ants are can be found almost anywhere with some species considered more dangerous than others. Some people are allergic to ant bites which can lead to serious health challenges.
Apart from the harm they pose, these creatures can cause significant damage too.
The above reasons are sufficient enough to seek urgent solutions to ant problems. Whatever your reasons are, there are effective ways to get rid of the problem.
One of these involves the adoption of natural means such as preparing homemade killer recipes and growing ant-repelling plants.
The latter is what our discussion will focus on.
Ant Repellent Plants
One of the most reliable and natural means of handling an ant problem is by introducing plants with repellent properties. Now, there are a number of them that are reliable.
These are plants you’ll love to have at home due to the beauty they add to your environment in addition to the scent released.
Popular ant repellent plants include Lavender, Tansy, Mint, Rosemary, Thyme, Garlic, and Marigolds. Stick with us as we discuss their benefits, how they work, and how to use them.
What more? We will also be finding out if there are any side effects attached to their use.
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Lavender
Lavender is a multipurpose plant that offers lots of benefits. Asides from its nutritional value and health benefits to humans, it also serves as an effective repellent against a variety of pests including ants.
Such pests include mosquitoes, fleas, flies, and moths among others.
- How it Works
One advantage lavender plants have in repelling ants is the pungent smell they release. Now, this pungent smell although it repels ants is aromatic to humans.
In other words, the scent is pleasing to humans. It does not matter if these ants are indoor, outdoor, or both. Lavender can be used both indoors and outdoors.
- How to Use Lavender to Repel Ants
Using lavender plants to repel ants is quite an easy process.
You first need to have these planted either in elevated beds or potted. Both of these have their advantages. An ant problem may not only be limited to the outdoors but can also extend into your home.
Potted lavender plants can be placed indoors to help with expelling ants. The scent given off is overpowering to ants and drives them away.
- Side Effects
Lavender may cause skin irritation which may be due to allergies.
Apart from that, it is a safe ant-repellent to use for most people. Lavender plants may also grow too tall (up to your waist level) and spreads easily. But that isn’t much of a problem as long as it gives you the results you seek.
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Tansy
The use of Tansy for ant control though not so popular with a lot of people gives homeowners the desired ant repelling effect they seek.
However, care must be taken when using this plant as it contains toxins that can penetrate your skin. A glove will serve as protection from such toxins penetrating your skin.
- How Tansy Works
Tansy flowers and leaves both serve as great ant repellents. Now, its main repelling characteristics are its smell and bitter taste. Ants will rather keep their distance than stay around such plants.
For it to grow more flowers, tansy plants shouldn’t be overwatered.
- How to Use Tansy Plants to Repel Ants
The best way to use tansy plants to repel ants is by having them planted around your property. However, these plants are quite sizeable and may take up significant space. This can pose a problem for homeowners with limited space.
If this is a dilemma you face, try looking for other options or plant them in a medium-sized pot.
- Side Effects
Severe skin reactions may result from the use of tansy plants as an ant repellent.
Other symptoms resulting from common tansy allergies may include dizziness, stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and restlessness. Urgent medical attention will be needed if any of these is experienced.
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Mint
Whatever variety of mint plants you use, the resulting repelling effects on ants are always significant.
A mint variety such as peppermint gives off a refreshing scent that is pleasant but is hated by ants as your home is marked unsafe and uninhabitable territory.
- How it Works
Mint plants are highly effective against ant infestations due to the aroma they release. This scent is usually too much to handle for ants and they eventually keep their distance.
Additional benefits derived include the pleasing scent permeating your home as well as the beauty these plants add to your surroundings.
- How to Use Mint Plants
All you have to do to gain back control of your home is to introduce these plants. Have them planted in well-drained soils in areas with indirect sunlight. These can be potted too.
For potted plants, consider adjusting or turning the plants in the direction of indirect sunlight to avoid bending.
- Side Effects
Are there associated side effects with mint use?
There isn’t. However, there is still a possibility of allergic reactions to this plant. It must be stated though that such rarely happens. If it does happen, you should seek medical advice immediately.
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Rosemary
Rosemary is yet another plant with ant repellent properties. This herb has been used successfully to not only deter ants but also a wide range of pests. What more? It is quite easy to cultivate and maintain.
Apart from its pest repelling properties, a rosemary plant is also used for food.
- How it Works
Rosemary is an aromatic plant; though not as mint or lavender. Still, it gives you control over your pest issues.
The ant repelling property of this plant is mainly attributed to its scent. This is pleasant and while you enjoy a sweet-smelling home, ants have a hard time coping and ultimately leave.
- How to Repel Ants Using Rosemary Plant
Expelling ants the natural way can be explored by using the rosemary plant. The most effective way to tackle your pest issues is by introducing these plants or having them planted around your home.
When potted, you can place it on your window sill and porch areas as well as anywhere ant activity is noticed.
- Side Effects
Rosemary plants pose no significant harm and can be used with no fear.
However, some users may develop allergies to rosemary which will result in irritations. For such, medical attention should be sought without delay.
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Thyme
Apart from its nutritional value, thyme also serves as an effective ant repellent with a wide range of benefits.
This plant is best grown in indirect sunlight and well-drained soils. It is an evergreen plant that can be used in a variety of ways for ant control
- How it Works
Thyme has an aromatic scent that is pleasing but disliked by ants and other pests.
Using this factor, you only need to have it planted around areas with ant issues. The scent is usually too much for these pests to handle, thus pushing them to exit your surroundings.
- How to Use Thyme
As an effective ant repellent, this plant can be used in several ways. One such involves crushing its leaves. Thyme leaves when crushed release more of the scent which is overwhelming to ants.
Another common method involves planting it around or close to infested areas.
- Side Effects
Although thyme is one of several plants with both dietary value and pest repelling properties, there may be associated side effects.
Such allergies include the possibility of skin allergies, which may aggravate respiratory issues due to thymol which is its main constituent. There is also the possibility of having headaches.
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Garlic
Garlic is a widely popular plant with nutritional value. Asides from its nutritional value, this plant also serves as an effective ant repellent. The main characteristic of garlic plants is the pungent smell given off.
Now, this smell is disliked by ants and serves to keep them at bay.
- How Garlic Works to Repel Ants
Garlic plays a crucial role not only as a food ingredient but also as a pest repellent. Its pungent smell is all you need to use against ants to have them leave your home.
Garlic should be planted in well-drained soil and sunny location for optimal growth.
- How to Use Garlic
Planting garlic around your property will serve the purpose of keeping ants at bay.
One of the easiest methods to gain back control of your home is by having it crushed to enhance its pungent scent. The scent released cannot be ensured by ants, thus leading to an exodus out of your property.
- Side Effects
Side effects associated with garlic use include skin rash, foul odor, headache, and possible vomiting among others.
You’ll need to pay close attention to identify any abnormalities and seek medical advice as fast as you can.
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Marigolds
This colorful plant contains ant repelling properties you can take advantage of. When potted, consider moving them indoors during the cooler months and bringing them out when the temperature is warm.
- How it Works
This plant contains ant repelling scents that serve to ward them off constantly. For this to be effective, it will be necessary to have them planted around ant-infested areas of your home.
- How to Use
Using marigolds for ant control isn’t difficult at all.
You’ll need to introduce them by planting them around infested areas as well as around your home’s perimeter. This serves as a constant guard against ants and other pests.
- Side Effects
Although an allergic reaction to marigolds is unlikely, it shouldn’t be entirely dismissed. In other words, there’s still a possibility of developing allergies.
These are a few of several plants having ant repelling properties. More plants include lemongrass, basil, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Others are oregano, wormwood, rue, feverfew, cumin, and catnip.