Plant Smart: A Natural Way to Keep Pests Out of Your Home

From ants to mice, it’s tempting to reach for a chemical quick fix. But in the long run, that can actually make the problem worse and may even pose health risks.

A longer-lasting solution is to use “exclusion” techniques—that is, simple methods that block or seal off entry points—to prevent pests from entering your home. Planting an array of native plants can also deter unwanted guests.

“Native plants support the insects that birds, bats, amphibians, and beneficial predatory insects rely on,” says Mary Phillips, head of the National Wildlife Federation's Certified Wildlife Habitat program. “And as those return, they restore a natural balance, which often means fewer pest problems, less overall maintenance, and more opportunities to enjoy wildlife.”

If you’re looking to create a more balanced living environment, both indoors and out, here are some strategies for a naturally pest-resistant home and yard.

Which native plants are best for pest control?

Yard and garden pest control is really about creating a healthy and diverse landscape of native plants—which, in turn, attracts a diversity of wildlife and beneficial insects.

“In healthy ecosystems, insects are not pests; they are part of a balanced food web," says Phillips. “When we rely on turf and nonnative ornamentals and pesticides, we break that food chain, and pest outbreaks become more common.”

Reducing or eliminating chemical pesticides and harsh fertilizers is another important part of the picture.

“Choosing native plants instead creates a natural balance in a thriving garden that supports natural pest control,” says Phillips.

As a bonus, native plants generally require less water and maintenance once established.

Here are a few species known for their pest-control benefits. But don’t stop here. The greater the variety you plant, the more effective the ecosystem will be.

Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

Purple coneflower's lavender blooms attract birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects—including predatory wasps that help control leaf-feeding pests. The flowers draw butterflies and hummingbirds, and in the fall, the seed heads provide food for birds, while hollow stems can shelter overwintering native bees. Plant along garden borders or in drifts for a prairie-style look.

Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Common yarrow's small, whitish flowers attract lady beetles, hoverflies, and predatory wasps, which prey on aphids and caterpillars such as cabbage loopers. Plant near vegetable gardens or as a drought-tolerant lawn alternative.

Butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)

Butterfly milkweeds support a wide range of insects—such as aphids, ants, predatory insects, caterpillars, beetles, and pollinators—creating a dynamic, layered habitat. “This layered insect activity creates a balanced food web,” says Phillips. It’s also an important host plant for monarch butterflies.

For more native plant ideas, visit the Native Plant Finder for recommendations tailored to your zip code.

How do you seal your home to keep pests out?

Any opening into your home is an invitation for unwanted visitors. Common culprits include gaps and cracks around windows, doors, plumbing, utility penetrations, and the home’s foundation.

Sealing them is often as simple as adding door sweeps, repairing window screens, and filling gaps with caulk, mortar, or expanding foam.

“Exclusion is an essential part of an integrated pest management plan,” says Emma Grace Crumbley, an entomologist with Mosquito Squard Plus. “It’s simple. It’s effective. And for minor issues, it’s also inexpensive.”

When it comes to mammals, mice and rats can chew through materials such as caulk and expanding foam, so it’s important to reinforce openings with metal mesh for any hole the size of a dime or larger. Mesh is also effective for preventing bats from entering attic openings.

For creatures taking up residence under a deck or in a crawlspace—such as opossums and rabbits—install small-holed metal fencing around the perimeter. For the best results, bury it at least 12 inches deep or bend it outward into an L-shaped apron at ground level to deter digging.

All of this may take a bit of extra effort up front, but exclusion—combined with a vibrant yard of native plants—can create a more comfortable, low-maintenance, and healthier home.

There’s also an added upside, Phillips says: “Viewing the yard as part of a larger ecosystem also fosters a sense of connection to nature and improved well-being.”