Spiders Be Gone!
We have talked about how to repel mosquitos which undeniably one of the biggest pains in our summer delight, but here are the plants that can help with the eight legged monsters that fuel the vast majorities of my nightmares from Spring to Fall.
PLANTS THAT NATURALLY REPEL SPIDERS:
LAVENDER:
Everyone loves lavender – aside from spiders, that is. Spiders don’t like the smell of it, so keeping a pot of lavender in your house (in a sunny spot) or on your patio can help to deter them from visiting.
BASIL:
Any variety of basil can keep away spiders, so feel free to keep a few pots around your garden, kitchen, and patio. Not only does it work well against spiders due to its strong aromatic properties, but basil is also one of the most ubiquitous culinary herbs you can grow.
LEMON BALM:
Lemon balm can be just as invasive as mint, so be cautious about where you plant it in your garden.
It’s another strongly scented plant that helps you get rid of insects, including spiders and for added bonus fruit flies also dislike lemon balm. Keep it in your kitchen to deter all kinds of pests
EUCALYPTUS:
Eucalyptus leaves are so strongly scented, it’s no wonder that it’s a plant that keeps away spiders – as well as other bugs and insects. However, growing a full-grown eucalyptus tree in your garden isn’t always an option, depending on your location, so try a dwarf variety if that’s the case.
CHRYSANTHEMUMS:
Chrysanthemums have an insect repelling compound called pyrethrins, which is an ingredient in many natural pesticides. The flowers, not the leaves, produce the repellent that you use against spiders. So, when you see a flower that dies back, remove the dead blossom to encourage more flowers to come out. That’s called deadheading. They need to be grown in a sunny location to thrive.
CITRUS FRUIT:
Even if you don’t live in a subtropical climate, you can still grow dwarf citrus trees, so long as you have a place to store them inside. Spiders don’t like the smell of citrus oil, which is in plants like lemons or oranges.
DILL:
Dill Is a member of the celery family has many uses in the culinary world. It also works to deter bugs, such as spiders, from the area where it’s planted.
LEMON VERBENA:
This plant emits an overpowering scent if the leaves are bruised or damaged. This plant isn’t just a spider repellent; it also deters most bugs and pests because they cannot stand the smell. Plus, having lemon verbena on your property means you have the perfect flavoring for any fish or continental dish.
MARIGOLDS:
Marigolds have a unique scent that not only deters spiders, but it also keeps lice, mosquitoes, and other pests away from your garden.
ONIONS:
If you want to keep spiders out of your garden, try planting onions. Red spiders, often called spider mites, can be an issue in your house and garden plants. Mites feed off of plant’s nutrients, turning leaves yellow and stunting growth. Adding onions to your garden can help to repel spiders, including spider mites, that want to call your home and garden its home.
ROSEMARY:
Spiders find rosemary offensive and leave it alone, which makes it an excellent deterrent. It’s considered a perennial in many climates, and it grows well in pots. Try keeping a pot of rosemary in areas that have spider issues.
MINT:
All varieties of mint, such as spearmint and pennyroyal, help to ward off spiders. You probably can guess why mint works so well – it’s aromatic. As soon as you get close to the plant, you can start to get whiffs of its scent. Put plants near your doors, windows, and patio to keep spiders out. Another option is to sprinkle leaves or sachets of dried mint around your home.
CITRONELLA:
Citronella makes it on every list of spider deterring plants because it’s the source of citronella oil. Planting this around your home is a natural way to ward off spiders. Spiders hate the smell that is created by the acids in the grass.
