Plants that repel antsare very helpful when these insects roam our garden excessively, roam the plants and nibble on fruit, spoil the lawn with anthills, invade balconies, terraces and for apartments. Instead of using environmentally harmful chemicals against ants, it is worth simply planting the appropriate ant-repellent plants. Here are the7 great plants that ants avoid from afar!
Ant repellant plants
1. Mint (Mentha sp.)
Plants that most effectively repel ants are all species of mint Especially peppermint (Mentha piperita) has an odor that is extremely unpleasant to ants. The main role here is played bymenthol, which has an intoxicating effectMint grows best in semi-shaded and humid places. It can be grown in pots on terraces and balconies, which will also protect these places against the invasion of ants. Despite many advantages, mint has a certain disadvantage - when planted in a garden, it grows very quickly thanks to underground rhizomes and can become a nuisance weed in a short time. That's why you need to monitor its growth.
2. Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)
The secondplant that effectively repels ants from the gardenis tansy. Tansy is a wild plant that can be found in meadows, near roads and fields. Formerly, it was cultivated in gardens as an ornamental and herbal plant. Tansy emits an intense,choking smell, similar to camphor, repelling antsWe can also prepare slurry, infusions and extracts from the tansy herb, which will be useful in the garden to fight other pests (e.g.aphids or onion cream). Like mint, tansy is a highly expansive plant that requires control.
3. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Anotherplant that ants hateis rosemary. Rosemary gives off acamphor aroma, similar to that of pine, which effectively repels ants and other insectsRosemary has a wide culinary use. Grown in a pot on the kitchen window, it will discourage ants from peeking into it. He likes sunny and warm positions as well as light and well-drained soils. In our climate, rosemary does not winter in the ground, therefore it is grown in gardens as an annual plant. However, when grown in pots, it can overwinter indoors and survive for many years, preventing the visit of ants!
4. Marjoram (Origanum majorana)
Garden marjoram is a verywell-known spice and herbal plant that will discourageants from making nests near it.The smell of marjoram is hated by ants. It should be grown in a sunny, wind-sheltered place, in light and fertile soil. It can be planted in the vicinity of vegetable patches, especially cruciferous vegetables, on which it will have a beneficial effect. We can also makeextract from marjoram, which is used to water the ant migration routes and enter the anthillsTo prepare it, add 10 g of dried marjoram herb with 10 liters of water and set aside for 1 day. Use immediately after preparation.
5. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Common thyme is a well-knownmedicinal and spice plant, the smell of which ants hateThyme can grow to a height of about 30 cm, has fine leaves and small purple or white flowers. It can be planted along sidewalks, in flower beds and vegetable gardens, or grown in pots. It gives off a less intense odor than other ant-repelling plants, but is very effective.
6. Narrow-leaved lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender aroma repels many species of insects, including antsFragrances in lavender oils such as linalyl acetate, linalool and cineole are very disliked by ants, and the presence of camphoralso works as a deterrent against mosquitoes and ticksThat is why lavender is very often recommended against various pests. To increase the potency of lavender, plant it with roses. Such a combination will additionally scare aphids.
7. Calendula officinalis
Marigold stems and leaves emita peculiar smell that deters antsand discourages them from making nests in its vicinity. It is an annual plant with orange flowers, a herbal raw material used in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries, but also found in the kitchen as an equivalent of saffron. It does not require high cultivation requirements, it is enough to provide it with a sunny position.Calendula can be grown in flower beds or pots, which are worth placing on window sills and near doors todiscourage ants from entering your home
MSc Eng. Agnieszka Lach
