Grow This Pretty Herb With A Sweet Smell For A Natural Wasp Repellent

Stinging insects can ruin the backyard vibe, but pollinators such as honeybees are welcome visitors. Wasps and yellow jackets are the winged critters you want to keep far away. There is a fragrant herb that does double duty, attracting pollinators while deterring pests — Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile).

This white and yellow perennial hails from Europe and Asia, but its strong scent is known to specifically deter wasps from buzzing around your property. And that is a good thing because wasps are known to build nests in the ground, in hollowed trees, and in walls or on sheds. They will bite or sting if they or their nests are threatened. Planting Roman chamomile in your yard will not only add a beautiful pop of color to your flower beds from spring through fall, it will also prevent wasps from building nests near your home. We will look at how to grow this flower so it thrives.

Wasps have an acute sense of smell and studies have shown that they have it fine-tuned for certain foods they crave. Using their antenna, they can detect food scraps in our garbage bins and sweet fruit left out at our picnics. If you have a wasp problem to begin with, it is likely because they are drawn to your home for these reasons.

When it comes to repelling insects, scientists are always looking for ways to use scent as an all-natural pest control solution. In some cases, these scents are unpleasant to insects, causing avoidance. In other cases, the scents cover up smells that bugs would otherwise be drawn to. And in some instances, strong "background" odors interfere with an insect's ability to smell in general.

A 2013 study showed that Roman Chamomile successfully deterred wasps, who dislike a broad range of essential oils. The study looked at 21 essential oils, 17 of which worked to repel wasps. Some of the scents were so strong, they kept the insects away, even when there was a valued food source nearby. Chamomile does not just deter wasps. Its sweet fragrance is also known to drive mosquitoes away naturally.

Roman chamomile is an edible groundcover you know as a type of soothing tea, which uses the flowers and petals of the plant. In ancient times, it was touted as a cure-all for several conditions and symptoms. Today it is used for everything from indigestion to anxiety. 

Of course, in the garden, its main purpose is to add beautiful color and a light, sweet scent that butterflies, honeybees, and other pollinators love. Some describe the scent as smelling of apples. Using this plant in your yard will not only make it a veritable pollinator highway, but it will also quickly add color and visual interest to your beds.

Roman chamomile is easy to care for. It thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 9 and does well in acidic soil that drains well. It prefers full sun for half the day and partial shade for the rest. The plant grows quickly and spreads, reaching heights of up to 3 feet. It performs well as a border plant and deer are not known to eat it.