Mums: Secret Pest Fighters

these chrystanthemums planted last year are now excellent cut flowers because they have long stems I didn’t regularly prune earlier this spring. (charlotte ekker wiggins photo)

Chrysanthemums: Secret Pest Fighters

Every fall, I look forward to planting chrysanthemums. Most folks love them for their cheerful bursts of color—reds, yellows, purples, and whites brightening up the garden when most flowers are fading. But in my garden, mums have an extra job: natural pest control.

Hidden in those colorful blooms is a compound called pyrethrin, which gardeners have been using for centuries to keep bugs in check. It’s so effective that many of the organic insect sprays you see in garden centers today are made from chrysanthemums.

Pyrethrin works by targeting the nervous systems of insects, quickly paralyzing them. That means mums can help keep a long list of pests at bay—aphids, whiteflies, thrips, mosquitoes, ants, even fleas and ticks. It’s one of the reasons I tuck mums around my flower borders and path corners. While they won’t stop every bug, they make the space less welcoming to pests—and more welcoming to me.

My Go-To Homemade Mum Spray

Sometimes, though, I like to take things one step further and make a simple insect spray from the flowers themselves. Here’s how I do it:

• I gather about ½ cup of dried chrysanthemum flowers (fresh petals work too).

• I simmer them in 1 cup of water for about 20 minutes.

• After it cools, I strain the liquid through cheesecloth, then pour it into a spray bottle.

That’s it—a quick, natural spray. I use it on plants where aphids or whiteflies are starting to take over, aiming for the undersides of leaves where they like to hide. The spray keeps for about a week in the fridge, or I’ll freeze little portions in ice cube trays to stretch it further.

A Word of Caution

Because pyrethrin affects all insects, not just the bad ones, I only spray in the evening when pollinators like bees and butterflies are less active. That way, I can target the pests without hurting my garden’s best helpers.

Why I’ll Always Grow Mums

For me, chrysanthemums are more than just autumn’s showiest flowers. They’re part of my garden’s natural defense system—helping me reduce pests while keeping things chemical-free. Plus, they’re beautiful and long lasting as cut flowers. It’s hard to beat a plant that makes the garden look brighter and works quietly behind the scenes to keep it healthy.

So next time you plant mums for fall color, remember: they’re not just a pretty face. They’re little pest-fighting powerhouses, too.

For more tips on gardening, beekeeping, cooking and easy home decor, subscribe to my weekly Garden Notes.

Charlotte

Beating Beetles and Moles

Beating Beetles and Moles the Natural Way

Ever notice that when Japanese beetles show up, moles often aren’t far behind? It’s not a coincidence. The beetles lay their eggs in your lawn, the grubs hatch and chew away at your grass roots, and before long the moles come tunneling through to eat those fat little snacks.

But here’s the good news: you don’t have to fight them alone. Two natural helpers—beneficial nematodes and milky spore—can make a world of difference.

Why They Work So Well

• Nematodes are microscopic worms that patrol the soil and take out beetle grubs (and other pests) fast.

• Milky spore is a bacteria that only targets Japanese beetle grubs. Once it’s in your soil, it spreads and protects your lawn for years.

• Fewer grubs = fewer moles. It’s really that simple.

Benefits at a Glance

• Safe for pets, people, pollinators, and earthworms.

• No harsh chemicals.

• Quick relief from nematodes, long-term protection from milky spore.

• You get healthier soil and a healthier lawn.

How to Use Them

• Nematodes:

  • Best in spring or late summer.

  • Apply in the evening or on cloudy days (sun can harm them).

  • Water before and after application so they can move into the soil.

• Milky Spore:

  • Best in fall, when grubs are feeding actively.

  • Sprinkle in a grid pattern across your lawn.

  • Needs a few seasons to build up, but once it does, it keeps working for up to 10 years.

The Takeaway

Think of nematodes as your quick-response team, and milky spore as your long-term security system. Use them together, and you’ll not only knock back Japanese beetles, you’ll also make your lawn a lot less inviting to moles. Now’s the time - in fall - to apply milky spore.

For more tips on gardening, beekeeping, cooking and easy home decor, subscribe to my weekly Garden Notes.

Charlotte