Plants that Deter Fleas, Ticks and/or Mosquitos:
CATNIP: This is a perennial herb that is also known as catmint. The oil repels fleas and is the same herb that causes cats to hallucinate. It’s the feline version of the devil’s lettuce, so expect a cat party up in your yard. According to a 2001 press release issued by Iowa State University, catnip is ten times more effective at repelling insects than DEET, the chemical found in many commercial formulas. In addition to deterring fleas, catnip’s essential oil repels mosquitos, cockroaches and, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, termites. Catnip is easy to grow, with little maintenance, and can be dried and spread about for your feline companions.CHAMOMILE: This is an annual herb of the daisy family. It is the same herb that is in the tea you drink. This oil or tea may be used to bathe your pet in as an extra repellant against fleas and rodents. Chamomile is also said to relax the nerves. Recent and on-going research has identified chamomile’s specific anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-allergenic and sedative properties, validating its long-held reputation as an age-old medicinal herb by Egyptians, Romans and Greeks. So after a day of Shiba-shenanigans, it is advisable to kick up your tootsies and throw back a couple of chamomile-and-vodka-laced warm water mugs (research does not show that vodka repels anything except creeps, and only if you throw the empty bottle at them).
CITRONELLA: This oil has been registered as a biopesticide with the EPA since 1948. It is used in wipes, sprays, candles, lotions etc., to deter mosquitos, fleas and various biting insects. This easy-to-grow plant is from the Geranium family and has a fragrant lemon and musk scent. This year it is widely available in the DC area at your local garden center and even big name hardware stores such as Lowe’s and Home Depot. I already bought, split and planted several of them and they are easy to grow!
FLEABANE DAISY: An annual plant with tall daisy-like flowers that thrives in full sun or partial shade. Its flea repellent properties can be traced back to a Roman naturalist’s discovery, hence the name, “Fleabane” (erigeron speciosus). Excellent to grow in your garden to control pests and rub the leaves on your clothes or pets to repel fleas, ticks and mosquitos!
GARLIC: We can’t be certain that garlic deters pouty-pale vampires who sparkle like a prom-queen’s tiara in an open field at high noon from disturbing your slumber (sorry team Edward). But we do know that garlic has been used as an effective repellent to other blood suckers: most notably mosquitos, ticks and fleas. Garlic has been touted to repel bugs via topical and ingested means. Some breeders add a little chopped garlic to their dog’s food. Please note, too much can be damaging to dogs, and garlic can not be safely ingested by cats.
LAVENDER: This sweet smelling, all-purpose insect repellent has proven to be a deterrent to ticks and the oil a method to prevent tick eggs from hatching. Moreover, lavender has a coveted fragrant smell and beautiful sea of purple flowers. Lavender’s essential oil at amounts of 10 to 20 percent lavender showed to perform as well DEET as a tick repellent in a 2007 South African study.
LEMONGRASS: Another powerhouse in the flea and tick repellent universe that has been used for centuries. The lemony scent repels mosquitos and the oil is used to repel a myriad of bugs. This is also a member of the Citronella family and has culinary use in soups or with seafood!
MEXICAN MARIGOLD: This native Central American plant has bright orange flowers and pungent leaves that have natural tick-repellent qualities. This marigold is also great to plant around your vegetable garden to ward off other pests that can wreak havoc on your home-grown food!
MINT: Easy to grow, delicious to taste and a wonderful fresh smell. This plant spreads aggressively so it is best to keep in containers. There are many varieties at your local garden center: spearmint, peppermint, chocolate mint, orange mint, etc., as these are also a great herb to add to food. You can dry them and put on your dog’s bedding as a flea deterrent or in a tea to enjoy yourself for extra flavor and antioxidant punch!
PENNYROYAL: Another member of the mint family, its use as a flea repellant can be traced back to the first century (‘Herb Companion’ Magazine). As the smallest of the aromatic members of the mint family this fast growing herb is best used as a ground cover. Pennyroyal is a shady ground cover with lilac flowers. After drying the leaves and flowers, grind them in a blender and spread the powder outdoors, on bedding or fur. ****WARNING**** Pennyroyal is thought to cause miscarriages in pets and people.
ROSEMARY: This is a woody perennial herb used for centuries as both a culinary herb and a medicinal plant. It is important to get the Rosemary herb (Rosemary Pea or Bog are poisonous to dogs). The Rosemary herb can be used for cooking and is packed with antioxidants. The oil repels fleas, mosquitos and even gnats. Rosemary can be used as a powder, rinse or oil to rub on a collar to repel fleas. Rosemary is an annual in our climate, so pot it and bring it in for winter or plant a new herb each year.
SAGE: Another herb that that can double as a cooking herb and repels fleas and other pests. This is a dense, upright bush that can grow two to three feet in height and is considered the largest plant in the mint family. The blooms also attract butterflies and honeybees.
WORMWOOD: Is among the bitter herbs that have been used to deter insects, including ticks, fleas and moths for centuries. Wormwood grows to about three feet in height and has gray-green foliage. In summertime, it has yellow flowers. The leaves have been used medicinally to relieve digestive disorders and to make tea.
In addition to growing these herbs and plants in your yard or in pots in your home, you can research ways to make sprays for your family and pets, or even use the dried bunches of lavender and rosemary to stuff in your pets bedding along with crushed neem leaves and cedar shavings (ensuring the pets don’t eat their bedding!). Also adding diluted essential oils to their bath water or lightly misting and brushing in natural sprays before a stroll in the park will go a long way to preventing unwanted pests from hitch-hiking their way back into your home. |
