Nothing bugs me more than finding fruit flies in my wine, beetles in my flour or ants in a bowl of fresh produce. A thriving kitchen can attract armies of insects, particularly during warmer months, that enjoy our food and drinks just as much as we do.
Exterminators are expensive and bug sprays are often laced with harmful chemicals that are worse for you than a few creepy crawlers. Since there’s no single surefire way to prevent pests from making unwanted appearances in our eating spaces, employing a range of tactics will help slow down insects from taking over.
There’s one simple and inexpensive method to keep bugs at bay that you may not have considered: houseplants.
Not only do the essential oils and chemical compounds of certain flowers, herbs and other houseplants deter creatures from lingering around for long, but some can quite literally kill these six- and sometimes eight-legged creatures. Plus, plants look and smell lovely, adding instant ambiance to any room you put them in.
Below you’ll find a few of the most popular plants to deter bugs from your home and kitchen. For more, see how to keep plants alive for longer and peruse our list of the best places to buy indoor plants online.
Herbs
Marigolds send of a potent scent that not all critters enjoy.
The yellow- and orange-hued flower is so much more than a pretty accent to an oversized pot or home garden — it’s a gnat- and midge-fighting beast that emits a distinct and powerful odor that sends critters scurrying. But perhaps best of all, marigolds are an easy plant to grow within your home since they require little maintenance and grow quickly.
Lavender
