Fleas are a menace to any household. These tiny bloodsuckers infest pets and cause a great deal of irritation. Planting a few flea-repelling plants can help keep fleas at bay. The plants are a natural way of repelling fleas and also taking care of existing flea infestation. Selecting and placing the plants in the right place can do wonders. Most of these plants are fragrant herbs, whose strong smell prevents fleas from entering your premises:

1. Flea preventing plants

Here are some plants that are garden-friendly and help naturally prevent flea and tick infestation:

• Chamomile

This herb calms down flea activity.

• Citronella

Besides naturally warding off fleas, citronella is a good mosquito repellent as well.

• Chrysanthemums

This beautiful flowering plant emits a natural chemical called pyrethrum that repels fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. Decorate vases with chrysanthemums to keep the inside of the house tick free.

• Eucalyptus

The aroma from the eucalyptus tree doesn’t appeal to fleas. Moreover, its leaves are waxy so fleas and ticks find it hard to thrive on them

• Marigold

This is a plant with beautiful flowers which can be used as décor in flower arrangements. Its scent acts as a powerful flea repellent. It naturally prevents flea and tick infestation.

• Mint

The smell of mint is soothing to humans, but it is too strong for fleas. Most members of the mint family keep fleas away.

• Rue

This plant has been used since ancient times to keep fleas away. Spraying water seeped with rue was a common practice to keep fleas away.

• Sage

This easy-growing plant which is big provides wide coverage in the garden area. It belongs to the mint family. The powerful smell prevents fleas and insects from coming into the garden.

Some of the other herbs and plants which can be planted to keep fleas at bay are catnip, fleabane daisy, fleawort, lavender, lemongrass, and wormwood.

2. Placement of the flea- repelling plants

Some of the areas which can be considered to plant are – near the foundation, fences, and compound walls of the house. Placing these plants here prevent fleas from entering the house. Ensure that you don’t plant any invasive plants and damage the building structure.

• Around the house entrance

You can plant in the front porch and back patios and sit-outs. Besides warding off fleas they will enhance the ambiance with their fragrances.

• Near windows

Plant flea repellent plants near windows. Keep potted herbs in window sills. Fleas can jump high enough to enter through windows, so keeping potted replants and repellent herbs in vases will help deter them from entering.

• In areas where your pet moves around
  Fleas live on pets and use them for their blood supply. Keeping fleas off your pets, once they are infested is a tough task. Try minimizing infestation by planting flea-repelling plants to minimize fleas in the area. Care should be taken not to grow those plants which are toxic to dogs and cats. Some of the toxic plants which should be avoided are citronella, eucalyptus, fleawort, rue, sweet bay and wormwood.
  Plant the invasive species of plants in pots so that they can be placed where you need them, without spreading.

As you can see most of the above herbs and plants can be used for decorative purposes or cooking. They are multipurpose. Also, note that none of the plants will kill fleas, they only keep them in control by preventing them from entering your premises. It is not a foolproof method, only a safe substitute for chemical treatments.