Flowers That Repel Wasps: Your Guide to Keeping Wasps Away

The Importance of Keeping Wasps Away

When it comes to enjoying the great outdoors, there are few things more annoying than pesky wasps. Not only do they sting, but they can also ruin a perfectly good picnic or afternoon in the garden. Luckily, there are several types of flowers that can help repel wasps and keep them at bay. In this guide, we'll explore some of the best flowers for keeping wasps away and offer tips on how to use them effectively.

Begonias

Begonias are a popular flower that can help repel wasps. They have a strong scent that wasps find unappealing, so planting them around your outdoor living spaces can help keep wasps away. Begonias come in a variety of colors, including pink, red, and white, so you can choose the ones that best match your decor.

How to Use Begonias to Repel Wasps

To use begonias to repel wasps, plant them in pots or hanging baskets around your patio or deck. You can also plant them in the ground in areas where wasps are known to congregate, such as near trash cans or compost piles.

Tip:

If you're planting begonias in the ground, make sure to space them out so that they have room to grow. You don't want them to become overcrowded, as this can reduce their effectiveness at repelling wasps.

Lavender

Lavender is another flower that can help repel wasps. Like begonias, lavender has a strong scent that wasps find unappealing. In addition to its repelling properties, lavender is also known for its calming effects and can help create a relaxing atmosphere in your outdoor living spaces.

How to Use Lavender to Repel Wasps

One of the easiest ways to use lavender to repel wasps is to plant it in pots or hanging baskets around your patio or deck. You can also make a lavender sachet by filling a small cloth bag with dried lavender and placing it near areas where wasps are known to congregate.

Tip:

If you're planting lavender in the ground, make sure to choose a location that gets plenty of sunlight and has well-drained soil. Lavender plants can become waterlogged if they're planted in soil that doesn't drain well, which can reduce their effectiveness at repelling wasps.

Mint

Mint is a versatile herb that can be used in a variety of ways, including to repel wasps. Mint has a strong odor that wasps find unappealing, so planting it around your outdoor living spaces can help keep them away.

How to Use Mint to Repel Wasps

To use mint to repel wasps, plant it in pots or hanging baskets around your patio or deck. You can also make a mint spray by steeping fresh mint leaves in boiling water for several minutes, then straining the liquid into a spray bottle. Spritz the solution around your outdoor living spaces to repel wasps.

Tip:

Keep in mind that mint can be an invasive plant, so it's best to plant it in pots or containers rather than directly in the ground.

Marigolds

Marigolds are a colorful flower that can help repel wasps. They have a strong scent that wasps find unappealing, so planting them around your outdoor living spaces can help keep them away.

How to Use Marigolds to Repel Wasps

To use marigolds to repel wasps, plant them in pots or hanging baskets around your patio or deck. You can also plant them in the ground in areas where wasps are known to congregate, such as near trash cans or compost piles.

Tip:

If you're planting marigolds in the ground, make sure to choose a location that gets plenty of sunlight and has well-drained soil. Marigold plants can become waterlogged if they're planted in soil that doesn't drain well, which can reduce their effectiveness at repelling wasps.

Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums are another flower that can help repel wasps. They have a strong scent that wasps find unappealing, and their bright colors can add a pop of color to your outdoor living spaces.

How to Use Chrysanthemums to Repel Wasps

To use chrysanthemums to repel wasps, plant them in pots or hanging baskets around your patio or deck. You can also plant them in the ground in areas where wasps are known to congregate, such as near trash cans or compost piles.

Tip:

Chrysanthemums require regular watering, so make sure to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Overwatering can cause the plant to become stressed, which can reduce its effectiveness at repelling wasps.

Citronella

Citronella is a popular essential oil that's known for its insect repellent properties. It can be used in a variety of ways to repel wasps, including as a plant or as an essential oil.

How to Use Citronella to Repel Wasps

To use citronella as a plant, you can purchase citronella plants from your local nursery and plant them in pots or hanging baskets around your patio or deck. You can also purchase citronella essential oil and add a few drops to a diffuser or spray bottle to repel wasps.

Tip:

Keep in mind that while citronella is effective at repelling wasps, it's not as potent as some other options. You may need to use multiple citronella plants or a more concentrated form of the essential oil to achieve the desired effect.

Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums are a colorful flower that can help repel wasps. They have a pungent odor that wasps find unappealing, so planting them around your outdoor living spaces can help keep them away.

How to Use Nasturtiums to Repel Wasps

To use nasturtiums to repel wasps, plant them in pots or hanging baskets around your patio or deck. You can also plant them in the ground in areas where wasps are known to congregate, such as near trash cans or compost piles.

Tip:

Nasturtiums require regular watering, so make sure to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Overwatering can cause the plant to become stressed, which can reduce its effectiveness at repelling wasps.

Geraniums

Geraniums are another flower that can help repel wasps. They have a strong scent that wasps find unappealing, and their bright colors can add a pop of color to your outdoor living spaces.

How to Use Geraniums to Repel Wasps

To use geraniums to repel wasps, plant them in pots or hanging baskets around your patio or deck. You can also plant them in the ground in areas where wasps are known to congregate, such as near trash cans or compost piles.

Tip:

Geraniums require well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight, so make sure to choose a location that meets these requirements. If you're planting them in pots, use a high-quality potting mix that drains well.

Rosemary

Rosemary is a popular herb that can be used in a variety of ways, including to repel wasps. Its strong scent is unappealing to wasps, making it an effective natural repellent.

How to Use Rosemary to Repel Wasps

To use rosemary to repel wasps, plant it in pots or hanging baskets around your patio or deck. You can also make a rosemary spray by steeping fresh rosemary leaves in boiling water for several minutes, then straining the liquid into a spray bottle. Spritz the solution around your outdoor living spaces to repel wasps.

Tip:

Rosemary requires well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight, so make sure to choose a location that meets these requirements. If you're planting it in pots, use a high-quality potting mix that drains well.

Sweet Alyssum

Sweet alyssum is a small flower that can help repel wasps. It has a sweet, honey-like scent that wasps find unappealing, so planting it around your outdoor living spaces can help keep them away.

How to Use Sweet Alyssum to Repel Wasps

To use sweet alyssum to repel wasps, plant it in pots or hanging baskets around your patio or deck. You can also plant it in the ground in areas where wasps are known to congregate, such as near trash cans or compost piles.

Tip:

Sweet alyssum requires well-drained soil and can tolerate partial shade, so make sure to choose a location that meets these requirements. If you're planting it in pots, use a high-quality potting mix that drains well.

Calendula

Calendula is a bright and cheerful flower that can help repel wasps. It has a strong scent that wasps find unappealing, making it an effective natural repellent.

How to Use Calendula to Repel Wasps

To use calendula to repel wasps, plant it in pots or hanging baskets around your patio or deck. You can also plant it in the ground in areas where wasps are known to congregate, such as near trash cans or compost piles.

Tip:

Calendula prefers well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight, so make sure to choose a location that meets these requirements. If you're planting it in pots, use a high-quality potting mix that drains well.

Chamomile

Chamomile is a popular herb that's known for its calming effects. It can also be used to repel wasps, thanks to its strong scent.

How to Use Chamomile to Repel Wasps

To use chamomile to repel wasps, plant it in pots or hanging baskets around your patio or deck. You can also make a chamomile spray by steeping fresh chamomile flowers in boiling water for several minutes, then straining the liquid into a spray bottle. Spritz the solution around your outdoor living spaces to repel wasps.

Tip:

Chamomile requires well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight, so make sure to choose a location that meets these requirements. If you're planting it in pots, use a high-quality potting mix that drains well.

Peppermint

Peppermint is a popular herb that's known for its refreshing scent and health benefits. It can also be used to repel wasps, thanks to its strong odor.

How to Use Peppermint to Repel Wasps

To use peppermint to repel wasps, plant it in pots or hanging baskets around your patio or deck. You can also make a peppermint spray by steeping fresh peppermint leaves in boiling water for several minutes, then straining the liquid into a spray bottle. Spritz the solution around your outdoor living spaces to repel wasps.

Tip:

Peppermint requires well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight, so make sure to choose a location that meets these requirements. If you're planting it in pots, use a high-quality potting mix that drains well.

Frequently Asked Questions About Flowers That Repel Wasps

1. Do flowers really repel wasps?

Yes, certain types of flowers have a strong scent that wasps find unappealing. Planting these flowers around your outdoor living spaces can help keep wasps away.

2. Are there any other natural ways to repel wasps?

Yes, there are several other natural ways to repel wasps, including using essential oils, setting out traps, and sealing up any cracks or crevices in your home where wasps may be entering.

3. Do all types of wasps have the same scent preferences?

No, different types of wasps may have different scent preferences. However, many types of wasps find strong-scented flowers unappealing, so planting these around your outdoor living spaces can be an effective way to repel them.

4. Can I use flowers to repel other types of insects?

Yes, many types of flowers have insect-repelling properties and can be used to repel other types of insects, such as mosquitoes and flies.

5. Are there any downsides to using flowers to repel wasps?

No, using flowers to repel wasps is a safe and natural way to keep them away from your outdoor living spaces. However, it's important to choose plants that are appropriate for your climate and soil conditions to ensure they thrive and remain effective at repelling wasps.