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Plants That Keep Stink Bugs Away.
When the weather improves, so do the insects. Some of them, such as stink bugs, are not particularly welcome.
If you tread on one of them, a horrible stench follows you about for up to an hour, which is inconvenient. So, how can you keep stink bugs at bay?
The most natural strategy to keep stink bugs away is to plant plants that these insects dislike.
Many plants are naturally repellent to stink bugs.
These Are Some Examples:
Catnip, thyme, lavender, lemongrass, mint, and rosemary are examples of herbs.
Garlic and radishes are examples of vegetables.
Plants with flowers, such as chrysanthemums and nasturtiums
Learn how to repel stink bugs with these plants:
Catnip
The genus and species name for catnip is Nepeta and Cataria, respectively. It is a herb, although people do not eat it.
It was once employed as a treatment for various ailments, but with the introduction of modern medicine, it has fallen out of favour. Nonetheless, some individuals still grow this herb at home, especially if they have a cat. And why is this so? Because they are obsessed with it!
Catnip leaves contain nepetalactone, a chemical that cats find unusually appealing. It functions as a repellant against viruses and insects due to its bitter taste.
Consequently, while cats find it quite appealing, stink bugs do not, the aroma is too solid and disgusting for them, and they don’t want to be near catnip.
The best part about catnip is that it is simple to grow and takes minimal maintenance.
However, remember that this herb can be invasive, so keep an eye on its spread. Otherwise, stink insect infestation will be one of many horticultural issues.
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum was first cultivated in China hundreds of years ago and is now seen in gardens worldwide.
These late bloomers occur in red, yellow, pink, white, and bicolour varieties. There are over 100 different types of chrysanthemums in the United States alone, all of which can be used to repel stink bugs.
Because they are a natural supply of pesticides, these lovely blooms help keep other pests at bay.
Pyrethrin, a naturally occurring chemical found in the seed pods of chrysanthemum flowers, operates by damaging the nervous system of insects.
Pyrethrin is isolated and utilised as a natural ingredient in garden insecticides, repellant sprays, and pet shampoos.
Yet, its synthetic version is potentially hazardous to the environment. As a result, growing chrysanthemums is a very environmentally friendly solution that works well to keep out annoying pests such as stink bugs.
Thyme
Thyme is a culinary herb that is used in a variety of dishes. It imparts a spicy flavour to soups, stews, sauces, and marinades. It is a cooking staple for specific individuals.
Lemon, English, caraway, and more varieties of thyme exist. They all share one characteristic: a rich summertime aroma.
This makes it an excellent repellent for stink bugs.
Thyme is another herb that requires no special care to flourish. It can be grown in the garden or a pot and is also hardy.
It is non-invasive and can be planted near tomatoes, cabbage, or other plants that attract stink bugs in the garden.
Garlic
Whether you like or dislike garlic, you have to acknowledge that it has a pungent odour. Stink bugs, ironically, cannot endure such powerful odours.
As a result, they will never be found in a garden adjacent to garlic plants.
But you don’t need a garden to eliminate these annoying bugs. Garlic can also be planted in pots and kept on the balcony.
You only need a few plants. Besides no longer having stink bugs, you can add fresh garlic to any dish you prepare.
Garlic is one of the simplest plants to cultivate in a container, and 15 plants are generally plenty for an entire year.
Radishes
Certain plants, like radishes, have an unusual scent.. As a result, they do not rank among the top ten most popular vegetables of all time. Radishes get their peculiar odour from methanethiol.
This natural gas is found in plant tissues and is emitted by decaying organic materials in marshes. There have even been reports of a suspected petrol leak being a ruined radish field.
If you dislike radishes, you may dislike their smell as well. But you know what else they despise? Bugs that stink.
In a stink bug infestation, having multiple solutions is advantageous. A stinking garden can sometimes be your best defence against these nasty pests.
And if you enjoy these vegetables, why not satisfy two demands in one go? Radishes are one of the fastest-growing vegetables and can be grown in containers.
Hence, as long as you have a calm, sunny area, you can eat this vegetable as soon as it is ready.
Lavender
In addition to its many other uses, lavender has been utilised for centuries in alternative medicine, cosmetics, and even the kitchen. Lavender is frequently used in landscaping projects due to its lovely colour and aroma.
With a few exceptions, most people enjoy the scent of lavender. Vermin, on the other hand, despise it. We keep lavender sachets in our cupboards and use mosquito-repellent body sprays to deter moths.
And do you know what else this purple plant’s smell deters? You read that correctly, stink bugs.
You can use dried lavender or essential oils, although planting this herb is preferable. It not only smells nice, but it also looks great in the garden or on the patio.
You can even keep it inside if it gets enough direct light. A window facing south would be excellent.
Marigold
Marigolds, sometimes known as marigolds, are brightly coloured, tiny flowers that thrive in gardens across the country.
Although they are native to the Americas, they have spread around the world.
Marigolds bloom in hues ranging from white to deep crimson, with maroon highlights. The marigold is the flower that best portrays fall.
Marigolds are grown for more than simply their beauty. Certain pests, mainly stink bugs, are reported to be repulsed by their musky fragrance.
As a result, they are frequently planted near tomatoes, aubergines, peppers, potatoes, and tobacco.
Because these flowers are an excellent source of nectar for butterflies and bumblebees, planting them is a terrific approach to enhancing the population of these pollinating insects.
Marigolds are low-maintenance plants that will bloom even under the supervision of inexperienced gardeners. You can grow them in the garden among your vegetable plants and in containers on the patio or under a window.
These flowers will thrive with six hours of sunlight and well-drained soil. In exchange, they’ll make you happy by keeping those bothersome stink bugs at bay.
Citronella
You’ve most likely heard of citronella. You’ve undoubtedly used citronella candles or spirals to keep mosquitoes at bay. The citronella oil used in these items is derived from lemongrass leaves and stems.
This herb originated in Sri Lanka but is now found practically everywhere. Lemongrass is frequently used as a component in Asian cuisine and tea making.
Lemongrass smells like citrus and lemon with a dash of mint. It is powerful. Thus it is not among the plants that the stink bug enjoys nibbling on.
Besides the fact that lemongrass is planted for its insect-repellant abilities, this plant has other advantages.
This herb contains a variety of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Furthermore, it includes antifungal and antimicrobial chemicals.
If you have constipation, nausea, or stomach infection, a tea made from lemongrass will help you feel better.
You’ll be relieved to know that lemongrass is also simple to grow. The only major threat is frost, and if you’re confident there will be any next winter, you can plant lemongrass as early as spring.
It can compete with other decorative grasses in terms of appearance, but when it comes to selecting plants for your garden, its benefits outweigh its drawbacks.
Mint
Stink bugs despise every herb in the sage family, including mint, the most common plant. This is hardly surprising, given how powerful the aroma of this herb is.
These and other annoying insects stay far away from mint, peppermint, apple mint, and other varieties.
As a result, mint is an ideal companion herb. You can grow it next to your vegetable crops to keep pests away. But it isn’t all.
Because these fragrant plants attract pollinators, planting them meets two needs in one action.
Growing mint in pots has advantages other than establishing a pest-free zone around you. Make tea or mojito, spice up your pesto, and even take a mint bubble bath. The options are limitless!
The most excellent part about mint is that it is easy to grow. In the garden, in pots, in the house, wherever. You can even grow it in a jar of water! It will flower if you give it adequate light every day.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a Mediterranean shrub that the first European settlers brought to America.
It is because of them that we can all enjoy this magnificent herb. Rosemary is an essential ingredient in the kitchen; certain meals would be impossible without it.
It has a distinct, powerful aroma that stinks bugs despise. Other troublesome insects perceive it the same way, so you can rest assured that your rosemary garden is always pest-free.
If you live in a warmer section of the US where winter temperatures do not go below 0 degrees, you can plant rosemary in the yard, and it will grow into a beautiful huge shrub.
Plant it in pots in more excellent locations so you may bring it indoors once temps dip below 0 degrees.
Nasturtium
Nasturtiums are perennial perennials with brightly coloured blossoms. They come in bushy or climbing varieties, which look great in any garden.
And that’s where you’ll find them most of the time. Nasturtium is a popular companion plant because it repels many insects, including stink bugs.
However, it does not have the same impact on bees. Bees, on the other hand, are drawn to these lovely blossoms.
Nasturtiums thrive in containers, even if you don’t have a garden. They can even thrive in window boxes or on walls.
They will offer your property a lovely, romantic appearance if given ample sunlight and irrigation.
The Final Word
When it comes to your primary weapon against stink bugs, you have various options. Strong-smelling plants, such as garlic and rosemary, repel these insects.
Be warned, however, that some of these plants can induce allergies. Hence, before you plant plants in your home, see how you react.
