Plants that can deter insects and wildlife
Few things can upset an otherwise beautiful and relaxing day spent in an outdoor living space more quickly than insects and pests. Whether it’s mosquitoes trying to bite homeowners and their guests, flies looking to land on food, or wildlife leaving trails of excrement throughout a yard, these unwelcome guests can make it hard for people to fully enjoy an outdoor living space.
Some people might be unknowingly inviting insects and wildlife into their yards with the plants they’ve chosen to decorate their properties. But some strategic choices regarding plants can greatly reduce the risk that insects and wildlife show up uninvited.
Preventing deer
Deer are majestic animals but they also can wreak havoc on a property. Deer tend to leave lots of droppings on properties they visit frequently. And the frequency of visits may be governed by the food sources on the property. While the Farmer’s Almanac notes there’s no such thing as a 100 percent deer-proof plant, there are some deer typically avoid, including:
- Boxwood
- Coneflower
- Daffodils
- Flossflower
- Foxglove
- Lamb’s ear
- Lavender
- Peonies
- Russian sage
- Salvia
- Snapdragons
Rabbit-resistant plants
Rabbits are another backyard guest that can be difficult to dislike. With their big ears and small frames, rabbits are undeniably adorable. But they’re also an adversary to gardening enthusiasts because they tend to eat plants without regard for the effort gardeners put into preparing soil and planting beautiful blooms. If rabbits are wreaking havoc in your garden, these plants tend to be less pleasing to them, and it’s worth noting many of these also are among the plants deer tend to avoid.
- Artemisia
- Calamint
- Catmint
- Daffodils
- Flossflower
- Hummingbird mint (agastache)
- Lamb’s ear
- Peonies
- Russian sage
- Sedum
- Thyme
Insects
Scent bears significant influence over biting insects that can make it difficult to enjoy outdoor living spaces to the fullest. The Farmer’s Almanac notes that mosquitoes are drawn to their victims by odors those victims give off, including body odor from sweat. Scented plants can help block the receptors that alert insects to such odors. Such plants include:
- Basil
- Citronella grass
- Lavender
- Lemongrass
- Lemon thyme
- Lemon balm
- Petunias
- Rosemary
Homeowners whose backyards attract both insects and wildlife are urged to work with a local landscaper or garden center to identify how to keep such unwelcome guests away from their outdoor living spaces. While the plants noted above can repel some unwelcome guests, they might attract others. For example, petunias are effective at repelling some types of insects, but they’re also known to attract rabbits. While that doesn’t mean homeowners are helpless, it does mean a multifaceted, professionally orchestrated solution may be necessary.
