What’s The Buzz? 8 Plants To Keep Mosquitoes And Other Pests Away

Whether its mozzies, flies or ants, did you know you can stop pests in their tracks with a range of pest-repellent plants? The secret to these plants’ pest-repellent magic is in the oils they produce, which must be released in order for the plant to be effective against pests.

There are a few ways to release these plants’ pest-deterring oils. For a pest-free path, plant near a walkway where the plant will be brushed against. Cut a bunch and hang by a door or window. When doing your yearly prune, you can also dry the plant and place it in sachets or potpourri to repel insects in your home too.

No More Ants

Pennyroyal

Mentha pulegium

The smallest member of the mint family is a versatile, low-growing groundcover that’s hardy and easy to grow. The menthol in the plant gives it its typical minty aroma and the tiny mauve flowers appear in late spring.

Grows to a height of: 15 to 30 centimetres

No More Mosquitoes

Pelargonium citrosum 'Valenii'

Pelargonium citrosa van leenii

This easy-to-grow perennial features mauve-pink flowers and a pleasant citronella fragrance that's strongest when watered at dusk. It’s perfect for a hanging basket and as well as repelling mozzies, it will also deter other pests.

Grows to a height of: 1.2 metres

No More Flies

Tansy

Tanacetum vulgare

This hardy perennial features exquisite fern-like foliage and clusters of bright-yellow button-like flowers. Tansy will help deter flies as well as fleas, cut worm, cabbage worm, ants, mosquitoes and fruit moth.

Grows to a height of: 60 centimetres

No More Dogs

Plectranthus ornatus syn. Coleus caninus

If you want to keep four-legged friends out of your garden, plant this small and quick-growing succulent shrub in the ground or in a pot. The fleshy leaves are complemented by blue-mauve flowers in spring.

Grows to a height of: 12 centimetres

No More Bugs

Passionfruit daisy

Tagetes lemmonii

This small perennial evergreen shrub is easy to grow and hardy. Masses of golden daisy-like yellow flowers - which smell like passionfruit - appear for most of the year, even in winter. The passionfruit daisy also releases a substance from its roots which kills soil nematodes, especially in roses and tomatoes.

Grows to a height of: 30 centimetres

Garlic

Allium sativum

Garlic not only keeps vampires at bay, it keeps bugs away too, plus you’ll have homegrown garlic to enjoy. Plant near roses to help combat black spot. Learn how to grow great garlic.

Grows to a height of: 70 centimetres

Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia

Lavender is a favourite in many Sydney gardens, but did you know its fine silvery leaves are rich with aromatic oils that are a deterrent for moths? Learn more about lavender.

Grows to a height of: 70 centimetres