How To Repel Centipedes In Garden

Question From: Lahaina, Hawaii, United States
Q: Aloha, I live in Maui and need a groundcover that will repel centipedes. I have heard mint or rosemary are good, do you have any ideas of what to use or what to avoid.

A: Una, I live in Michigan and am not familiar with plants that grow in your Hawaii. The essential oils of mint and tea tree oil is said to repel centipedes. I would not use mint as a ground cover as it is very invasive and almost impossible to get rid of once it becomes well established. You might try putting a few drops of mint or tea tree essential oil on cotton balls and sticking them about the garden. Best Nancy