It’s not going to be amusing to wake up and find out that you have fleas in your home. These little pests might be very small, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t create big problems for you.
Many people have issues with their pets bringing fleas into their homes. You let your dogs outside so that they can handle their business and they’re going to be exposed to things such as fleas while they’re out there.
There could be wild animals that come into your yard occasionally that are carrying things such as fleas and ticks. If your dogs interact with those animals or chase them, then the fleas can easily transfer to your dogs.
Of course, these pests can also just be out in the yard waiting for an opportunity to latch onto a pet. Ticks can be especially dangerous for dogs and are known to be carriers of diseases.
If you want to keep your home safe and protect your dogs, then it’s going to be wise to take certain steps. Read on to learn about plants that are capable of repelling fleas and ticks so that you won’t have to worry so much.
It’s Important to Plant Things That Are Nontoxic
Before moving any further, you’re going to want to understand the importance of finding plants that are nontoxic. Most people who are concerned about fleas and ticks are worried about their pets.
If you have dogs and cats, then you’re not going to want to plant certain things in your yard. Many types of plants are known to be toxic and they could cause harm to your pets.
Dogs can be smart in many different ways, but that doesn’t mean that they won’t do stupid things from time to time. It wouldn’t be too unusual for a dog to try to nibble on a toxic plant, and cats will also make the same mistake sometimes.
There are actually a number of different plants that can repel ticks and fleas. However, not all of them are going to be safe to put in your garden area when you have pets.
The following plants that can repel fleas and ticks are known to be safe for your pets. They’re nontoxic and that means that you can plant them in your yard with full confidence that everything will be fine.
1 – Marigolds
Marigolds are pretty nice flowers that you can plant in your garden. They’re going to look really nice, and they also happen to be incredibly fragrant.
The powerful smell seems to be what helps these flowers to repel pests such as fleas and ticks. If you wish to keep fleas and ticks away from your home, then planting marigolds near your house is an excellent idea.
You’ll also be able to count on marigolds to repel other things from your yard. They’re known to help you get rid of whiteflies, Japanese beetles, and so many other pests.
It’s notable that this is going to be one of the prettier options available to you when you’re looking for a flea and tick repellent. Marigolds do the job while still adding some aesthetic appeal to your property.
2 – Thyme
Thyme is an herb that many people are familiar with, and you might have even used it in your cooking in the past. This is an herb that is pretty easy to grow, and that makes it a good idea for many people who don’t have a “green thumb.”
You can grow thyme in full sun so you don’t have to worry so much about whether you’re planting it in a spot that will be overly harsh. If you can remember to plant it in soil that drains well, then you’re going to have good results.
These plants can be grown in many different areas without it being a problem. You could line your gardens with them, but you could also put them in containers and place them in specific spots where they’re needed.
It might be a good idea to plant thyme in your garden if you need a plant that is easy to take care of. Thyme plants do a good job of repelling fleas and ticks and they won’t take a lot of effort to care for when compared to some other options.
3 – Venus Flytrap
Here’s a bit of an odd idea for controlling the local flea and tick population. You could enlist the help of a Venus flytrap to take care of the pests.
You likely already know that Venus flytraps are carnivorous plants that feed on insects. They need direct sunlight so that they can thrive, and they also love moisture.
It’ll be necessary to live in a warm environment if you’re going to use this idea. Venus flytraps are a bit of an odd plant to keep in your yard, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t work.
They also aren’t going to be plants that will harm dogs or cats. These plants can only eat insects, and you don’t have anything to fear from them.
Some people might find these plants unnerving, but others find them to be fascinating. All you need to know is that it’s an option to consider when you’re looking to quell a flea and tick problem.
4 – Sweet Basil
Sweet basil is another herb option that can work to help you control flea and tick issues. It’s versatile just like thyme, but it will need to be planted in specific spots.
For sweet basil to thrive it needs to be planted somewhere that gets between six and eight hours of sun each day. That means that it likely won’t be practical to put this everywhere in your yard, but it can still be useful.
If you can find a good spot for sweet basil plants, then it’ll do a good job for you. This plant could be a part of your flea and tick control strategy.
5 – Rosemary
Rosemary is a very popular option for helping people to repel fleas and ticks. It’s also a good thing to plant in your yard when you’re trying to repel various other types of pests.
This is a plant that has a very powerful odor that is obvious whenever you get near it. People often plant rosemary near areas where they want to keep mosquitoes and flies at bay.
It can be nice to have rosemary planted near your porch, deck, and patio so that you can sit there without being bothered by bugs. People also use rosemary to make certain animals stay away from their yards such as deer.
Taking care of rosemary won’t be hard, but you’ll need to plant it in full sun and ensure that it has well-draining soil. It can also be grown indoors when placed in containers.
6 – Garden Sage
Garden sage has the type of odor that you need to send fleas packing. It’s one of the more popular options that people turn to when they have flea problems.
This perennial herb needs to be grown in sandy soil to thrive, and it also needs full sun. You can place it in spots where there will be enough sun so that you can keep fleas away.
Some people place garden sage in containers and move the plants around to spots as needed. These plants do a truly good job of keeping fleas away from your yard.
You might not always find the odor pleasant, but it isn’t exactly unpleasant either. It’s just something that is too powerful for many pests and it makes them want to keep away.
What About Toxic Options?
Below, you’re going to be able to take a look at more plants that can help you to repel fleas and ticks. These options are at least somewhat toxic and can cause your pets problems, though.
In all likelihood, you’re going to want to avoid planting these plants because of the harm that they can do to your dogs. If you don’t have pets, then you might not be so worried about things like that.
Sometimes it’s just good to know what all of your options are. This will help you to come up with the best strategy that makes sense for your situation.
1 – Lemongrass
Lemongrass is something that people plant quite often when they’re trying to keep certain things out of their gardens. It’s a type of plant that can spread pretty fast and it can sometimes be hard to control it to keep it looking nice.
Regardless, you should know that planting lemongrass has the potential to help you to get rid of fleas and ticks. You can plant lemongrass in many different spots in your yard to get good results.
Interestingly, lemongrass is also a plant that can help you to repel snakes. If you want to keep your garden area free of snakes, then this could be a truly excellent option to consider.
If you have pets, then it’s important to know that lemongrass will cause upset stomachs. If your dog or cat eats lemongrass, then it will likely be in some pain, but it shouldn’t die or anything like that.
2 – Lavender
Lavender is a popular thing to plant because people love the scent. There’s a reason why lavender is one of the most popular scents that is used in laundry detergents.
It has a very strong odor that is generally pleasant to human noses. Some animals and many pests find it to be way too powerful and will want to steer clear from it.
You can plant lavender close to any areas where you would like to repel fleas and ticks. This plant does a great job of preventing fleas and ticks from getting too close to your home.
If a pet eats lavender it isn’t going to feel well at all. Dogs and cats that eat lavender will experience stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.
3 – Chives
Chives are another plant that is pretty common when people are trying to repel pests. It’s used to help repel pests such as Japanese beetles, but it’ll work well to help you get rid of fleas and ticks.
Those who have cats and dogs will want to be especially wary of chives, though. Dogs and cats that eat these can have real problems that will scare you.
For example, a cat or dog that eats chives might experience an abnormally high heart rate. The animal might also exhibit signs of weakness.
It’s likely best to avoid planting chives if you have dogs or cats that go outside. There are many other options to consider that aren’t so potentially harmful.
4 – Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums are actually really pretty and some people like planting them simply because they love how they look. You can use them to repel fleas and ticks pretty well, and it might be a good option for those who don’t have pets.
Pets could experience some problems if they happen to ingest bits of the chrysanthemum plant. Dogs or cats that eat chrysanthemums will generally get diarrhea and they’ll also vomit.
If you wish to plant chrysanthemums when you have pets, then it might be a good idea to block the plant off from your dogs. You could use some type of fencing to your advantage to keep your dog safe.
Final Thoughts
Now you know about the various options that can help you to repel fleas and ticks. There are so many different plants that you can place in your yard that will make a difference.
Many of the best plants that you can consider are nontoxic and won’t harm cats or dogs. There are also many plants that repel fleas and ticks that can make dogs and cats sick if they happen to eat the plants.
How you approach this situation will likely depend on whether or not you have animals. Many people who are worried about fleas and ticks are concerned specifically because they have pets, but some properties just have fleas and ticks because they’re common in the area.
Use the information above to your advantage so that you can figure out what to do. You’ll be able to get rid of fleas and ticks on your property and should have a substantially easier time in the future.
Growing up with a mom who filled her home (inside and out) with all sorts of plants, Lisa got her start in gardening at a young age. Living now on her own with a home and yard full of plants (including an indoor greenhouse), she shares all the gardening tips she’s gained over the years.