Bye-Bye, Fleas! 17 Hero Plants to Keep Your Home Pest-Free

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlighted that there are more than 2,500 species of fleas worldwide, and more than 300 species are found in the United States alone. Flea bites usually cause discomfort, itching, and irritation and may also spread pathogens that could cause potential diseases in humans.

No pet owner likes dealing with fleas; it’s a nightmare. Although chemical repellents work, they usually have strong odors and harsh ingredients. Fortunately, Mother Nature has some tricks up her sleeve—essentially, plants that naturally repel fleas and other pests!

These plants are effective and bring a bit of greenery and fragrance to your home or garden. Here are 17 hero plants, from herbs to flowers, that will help keep fleas out of your life whilst adding beauty to your living space.

Lavender

Fleas hate the scent of lavender, which is always calming to humans. The essential oils in lavender contain the compounds linalool and camphor, which fleas don’t love.

A study published in the journal BioControl found that the essential oil showed insecticidal activity and increased repellency at different concentrations and exposure periods.

Put pots of lavender around your house or garden, or dry the flowers for use in sachets near pet bedding. As an added bonus, lavender tends to help reduce stress for you and your pets!

Mint

Mint makes your iced tea taste good, and it also works wonders at repelling fleas! The strong menthol smell confuses and repels pests so they will stay away.

Grow mint in your garden near entryways or around your pet’s favorite outdoor hangouts. Just beware: It spreads like wildfire, so contain it in pots, or it will overtake your garden.

Rosemary

Cooks love rosemary’s woody smell, but fleas hate it. Its natural oils repel fleas, mosquitoes, and flies.

You can use rosemary in your garden as a decorative plant or crush its leaves to release its aromatic oils indoors. You can even steep rosemary in water to make a natural flea spray for an extra layer of protection.

Lemongrass

Lemongrass contains citronella, a well-known natural insect repellent. Although fleas hate its zesty scent, it’s a fresh, invigorating scent for humans.

Plant it in your garden or pots by the door and the window. Lemongrass oil is also a great ingredient for homemade flea sprays.

Marigolds

Besides being beautiful, marigolds are also powerful pest deterrents. Their flowers give off a scent that repels fleas, aphids, and mosquitoes.

Brock Ingham, an experienced gardener and editor of Bigger Garden, explains that marigolds’ distinctive scent comes from thiophene, which works as a natural insect repellent. Plant them in your garden or your house’s perimeter to create an organic pest barrier.

Catnip

Cats love catnip, but fleas can’t stand it. This member of the mint family contains nepetalactone, a repellant for fleas and other insects.

The best way to keep fleas away is to grow catnip at home in pots or in the garden. You’ll have a flea-free home, and your feline friend will thank you!

Thyme

Although thyme is small, it’s a big gun for knocking out fleas. The compounds found in its oils are distasteful to pests, so it can be used in pest control.

Plant it in your garden or dry its leaves for use indoors. It is a versatile, practical, and delicious herb.

Chamomile

Chamomile tea is known for being a calming tea, but did you know it’s also a flea repellent? Its gentle scent deters pests from getting near it, making it useful for your garden.

A study published in the journal Agriculture finds that the essential oil of chamomile contains compounds like (E)—β-farnesene, germacrene D, and α-bisabolol oxide A that have insecticidal properties.

Dry chamomile flowers and then disperse them around your pet’s bedding. This is a soothing, natural way to keep your space pest-free.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is a powerful flea deterrent because of its pungent, minty aroma. Its leaves can be scattered around the problem area or hung to dry in the near pet areas.

You can also grow eucalyptus in your garden or in pots (it prefers warm climates). Thanks to its antibacterial properties, eucalyptus is a win-win for your home and your health.

A systemic review published in the journal Antibiotics showed that eucalyptus oil has antibacterial activity, which increases when combined with other agents.

Basil

Basil’s uses aren’t limited to pesto; it also provides a natural way to deter fleas! With its strong, spicy scent, basil’s aroma keeps pesky pests away while bringing a fresh scent to your air.

An easy way to repel fleas is to grow basil in pots and leave them on your windowsill or patio. This way, you will also always have fresh basil on hand for your favorite recipes.

Citronella Grass

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that citronella oil is bio-pesticidal with non-toxic effects. Citronella grass is most famous for being a mosquito repellent, but it is also a great flea repellent.

Its strong citrus smell is unpleasant to pests. Plant citronella in a sunny spot, or keep potted plants on your patio. The oils can also be used in DIY sprays.

Sage

Sage is useful for seasoning your turkey and is also a natural flea repellent. It keeps pests away and freshens spaces with its earthy scent.

Plant its stems in pots near doorways or use dried sage leaves in sachets around the house. It’s a functional addition to your flea-fighting arsenal.

Pennyroyal

Pennyroyal, thanks to its powerful scent, is one of the most effective plants for repelling fleas. However, if pets or humans ingest it, it can be toxic, so use it with caution.

You can make it into flea-repellant sachets or grow it in areas your pets can’t reach. Due to its effectiveness, it is a worthwhile (although careful) addition to your garden.

Wormwood

For centuries, wormwood has been used as a flea and pest repellant. It has an effective bitter scent, but it can be toxic to pets, so be careful when using it.

You can plant wormwood in an area where your pets don’t go or make sachets from dried leaves. It is a timeless choice for pest control.

Garlic

The kitchen is not the only place garlic is excellent; it is a good flea deterrent as well! Garlic has a really strong smell, which fleas and other pests dislike.

Grow garlic in your garden or scatter garlic cloves (crushed) around where you have trouble. However, it can be toxic if pets consume it in large quantities.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.