Plants that keep pests away?

Question

I have two beds on either side of my front door. I had to tear out these HUGE prickly bushes so my kids wouldn't get all scratched up. I now have a blank slate and we have had lots of problems with spiders, fleas, and ants so I was wondering if there is anything special, herbs or flowers, I could plant to keep them away from my front porch. Especially the ants and fleas as I have animals. The spiders went away when I got those bushes out so now I really am down to keeping fleas, ants and wasps away from the front door. Any ideas would be really helpful.

I HATE vines and bushes so primarily herbs and flowers you can think of. I live in Upstate South Carolina and it is zone 7 so I would like something drought resistant once established and can handle mostly shade and some sun, they are both shady in the morning and one has full sun in afternoon for about 4 hours, the other just has some sun filtered through the huge tree all day so i guess it is considered primarily shady. Thanks!

Answer 1

The local green pest control companies use a Eucalyptus mulch that helps keep bugs away.  Then you can choose whatever type of plants you like, just be sure to pay attention to how large the plants will grow and plant accordingly.  As far as flowers Marigolds are also used to keeps pests away, but they are an anual plant.  These are commonly used in gardens.  Wax Myrtles, are not the most dense type of shrub, but can be a great filler shrub and get very tall were used by Native Americans as a mosquito repellent, they would take some leaves and rub them on exposed skin it gives off a peppery smell.