The Flowers That Wasps Do Not Like

Wasps and other such stinging insects can be an annoyance to home and property owners when the little pests nest in their places of residence or business. Exterminators can be a costly alternative, leading some to solve their wasp problem by planting flowers. Certain flowers have proven track records of repelling wasps and detering wasp nesting by giving off odors that are unpleasant to the insects. Plant these flowers away from your garden so the wasps and pollinating bees can do their jobs.

Absinthe is toxic to humans and insects alike, therefore many home owners line flower beds and shrubbery with absinthe-containing wormwood to deter the insects from coming too close. The scent is too pungent for the pollinating bees to stand,so they keep away, and since wasps feed on the pollinators, they, too, avoid the wormwood. Use cuttings from the wormwood plant or plant wormwood itself away from vegetables, in direct sunlight and in well-draining soil. Note that growing wormwood may hamper growth of other common household plants.

The oil of the eucalyptus plant is a common ingredient in many store-bought insect repellents, so it's a safe bet that wasps don't particularly care for the plant. Eucalyptus trees can grow in nearly any environment as long as wintertime temperatures don't drop below 20 degrees F for an extended period of time. Some homeowners mix eucalyptus leaves with drops of menthol to create a mixture that is easily spread among plants and flower beds as a natural deterrent to wasps, as well as other annoying insects.

Although these herbs give off an attractive scent to humans, wasps and other stinging insects don't particularly care for the smell. Mint and peppermint oil is common ingredient in many repellents and insecticides, plus these plants can grow in nearly any soil and in nearly all conditions. The drawback to these plants is that they need to be pruned quite often due to their high growth rate; if left unchecked, mint plants will rapidly overtake your garden.