Bugs love kitchens and it’s normal to find a line of ants on the counter or a stray cockroach scurrying across the floor in search of snacks. But just because kitchen bugs are common, doesn’t mean they’re any fun to deal with. Exterminators are expensive and bug sprays are often laced with harmful chemicals that are worse for you than a few creepy crawlers. But a few common houseplants are known to repel bugs and keep ants, flies, moths and mosquitos from taking over your kitchen.
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.
Read more: This Houseplant Cleans Air 30 Times Better Than a Typical Plant
You may not have considered using houseplants to rid your kitchen of bugs but it could be the all-natural fix for sending insects packing, especially during the warmer months when certain bugs become more present in the home. 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 give off 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. Perhaps best of all, marigolds are an easy plant to cultivate within your home since they require little maintenance and grow quickly.
Lavender
