The list of plants that repel mosquitoes and other pests is not too long, but it sure does give you a good idea about what to plant around your home. The best part? These plants are all easy-to-grow and widely available as houseplants.
The “what insects does rosemary attract” is a question that has been asked countless times. The answer? None! It’s one of the 21 plants that repel mosquitoes in 2022 (with images!).
Mosquitoes are well-known for being a nuisance. They often swarm about our houses each evening during the hotter months, hunting for whatever bit of us they can get their little paws on. Mosquitoes are not only the nastiest insects on the planet, but they can also be deadly, carrying illnesses like Malaria, West Nile Virus, and Yellow Fever.
Bug sprays and mosquito candles, for example, contain poisonous and otherwise potentially hazardous substances that some people may not want to apply on their bodies or breathe in.
That’s why, in this post, we’ll look at a natural and safer way to deal with all of your insect issues: mosquito-repelling plants. Before we get started, bear in mind that these plants perform best when they’re put near or in the region you wish to keep mosquito-free.
Contents
1. Lavender flowers
Lavender is well-known for its soothing aroma and lovely purple and blue colours, but few people are aware of how effective it is in repelling mosquitoes. Though the scent of lavender is enough to put people at ease, mosquitoes aren’t fond of it and will stay away.
If you really want to scare the mosquitos away, use Lavender essential oil straight to your skin (or mix it with a carrier oil like coconut oil, which also repels bugs) when you’re near your Lavender plants. Other pests that are reported to be repelled by lavender include spiders, fleas, and flies.
Clean Lavender essential oil may be found on Amazon for a reasonable price.
2. Bergamot (wild)
Planting Wild Bergamot is a certain method to attract vividly colored pollinating animals to your home garden while also keeping mosquitoes away. While the aroma given off by the live plant is adequate to deter mosquitoes from straying too near to your garden area, it is most effective when used as an oil applied straight to the skin.
Bumbling bees, fluttering butterflies, and rushing hummingbirds await your arrival… and farewell, annoying mosquitoes
Wild Bergamot essential oil, like many of the plants on our list, may be purchased through Amazon and a variety of health food retailers.
3. Mint
Mint is useful for more than just its cooling impact and tasty tea flavour. There are other sorts of mint (two of which we’ll discuss in further detail later), but for this piece, we’ve chosen to be more broad.
Any plant in the mint family (such as the most common: Peppermint, Catmint, or Spearmint) is effective in repelling pests like mosquitoes. Mosquitoes and other flying insects, such as gnats, are put off by the coolness and pleasant aroma of any mint plant.
Mint plants of all varieties are also invasive and quite simple to establish. If you plant mints in your yard in the open, you may expect them to swiftly take over your garden. They’re also fantastic pot plants that will take over every possible inch of space. The intense aroma of these potted pots would be ideal for repelling mosquitoes from a porch, patio, or any other enclosed outdoor gathering spot.
4. Sage (Burning)
Burning Sage is a simple and efficient approach to keep mosquitos away on evenings when you intend on sitting around a fire. Other insects, such as ticks, moths, and certain flies, will be kept at bay by burning sage. It’s worth mentioning that this strategy only works if you’re standing very next to the smoke.
Of course, you may use Sage essential oil on other parts of your body, such as your wrists, sides of your neck, and ankles. Clean, organic essential oils may be found on Amazon or at any health food shop.
5. Marjoram
Marigolds are beautiful flowers with bright red, yellow, and orange hues. Their hypnotic hues tempt us to grow them everywhere, yet the oils in their leaves (known as terpenes) drive mosquitoes away.
Even the most inexperienced gardener can enjoy these resilient blooms. Marigolds are the excellent plant for repelling mosquitoes and keeping your yard looking beautiful throughout the scorching summer months since they are heat-tolerant and drought-resistant.
Marigolds may be found at your local plant nursery or purchased as seeds on Amazon.
Lemongrass, no. 6
Lemongrass is a plant that has been designated as a mosquito repellent. Though all of the plants on our list repel mosquitoes, this is one of the most frequent and commonly utilized plants for removing blood-sucking insects from homes and businesses. Almost any lemon-scented plant, including mints, should do a good job of making mosquitoes feel unwanted.
The oil present in Lemongrass, called Cintronella, is the key repellent element for these pests, and Citronella candle mosquito repellant can be obtained in most home goods stores.
Although lemongrass is edible and both the extracted oil and the entire plant have several health advantages, it has been linked to birth abnormalities in pregnant women. If you’re expecting a child, it’s critical to avoid the oil and avoid eating the plant.
Lemongrass essential oil may be found on Amazon or at any health food shop.
7. Thyme Lemon
As previously stated, nearly any “Lemon” plant can repel mosquitoes. This plant is also hardy, surviving high temperatures and growing in rocky, shallow, or otherwise difficult-to-grow soil. They demand full sun and will grow in any location with consistent, direct light.
To get the most out of the Lemon Thyme’s mosquito-repelling properties, cut a branch off the plant and crush and apply the leaves on your most sensitive body regions (focusing on the arms and legs primarily).
8. Garlic
Because mosquitoes are the genuine vampires, it’s only natural that garlic should keep them at bay. Garlic’s pungent odor makes our lips swim in the kitchen, but it’s also very repellent to mosquitoes, and (luckily) powerful enough to keep the pesky tiny Draculas at bay.
The disadvantage of garlic is that it is most effective in repelling mosquitoes when eaten or applied to the skin, which is not ideal. Slicing open a few bulbs and putting them near your patio or outdoor dining area, on the other hand, may be beneficial in keeping insects away.
Mosquitoes reproduce and lay their eggs in stagnant water sources, such as garbage bins, ponds, streams, and other bodies of water. If you know where your unwelcome guests are hiding, here’s an excellent article on how to get rid of them using garlic.
You may buy garlic essential oil on Amazon or at a health food shop if you feel driven to apply garlic on your skin to keep blood-sucking insects away.
Catmints (#9)
Catmints, often known as Catnip, are unquestionably appealing to cats. Adding catmints to your yard to keep mosquitoes away is a great idea if you don’t mind the neighborhood tomcat and his friends rolling about on your plants.
Because of the chemical nepetalactone, which is present in mint plants, nearly every plant from the mint family is effective in repelling pests — and Catmint is no exception. Keep in mind that catmint is a resilient plant that may take over your garden if you’re not careful, so keep that in mind.
Catnip is available for purchase on Amazon.
Pennyroyal is number ten.
Pennyroyal has been used as a home treatment for diseases and to keep flying insects at bay for millennia. However, you can’t simply sit there and sip Pennyroyal Tea (you edgy, 90’s adolescents will understand). Bruising the plant and inserting it inside your pockets is the greatest approach to keep mosquitos away.
Pennyroyal may be hazardous to babies and pregnant women, therefore it’s important to be aware of this. It’s advised to keep youngsters and pregnant women away from the Pennyroyal plant and any oils produced from it.
Rosemary is number eleven.
Rosemary is a great insect repellent as well as a delightful addition to recipes. Mosquitoes are repelled by the presence of plants. Plus, you won’t have to go to the shop for Rosemary spice again, which is a plus.
If you really want to keep mosquitos away, cut a branch from the plant and bruise the leaves before sticking it anywhere near you while you’re outdoors. You may also apply the leaves to your skin or purchase Rosemary essential oil and apply it to your skin.
Rosemary essential oil may be acquired at any health food shop or via Amazon.
Geranium No. 12
Geraniums are a colorful plant with a wide range of uses. They come in a variety of pinks, reds, oranges, whites, and purples and are very powerful insect repellents. They’re another plant with a lemony scent that, as previously said, is effective in repelling a variety of insects.
Pests will be repelled by simply planting these attractive flowers in your yard and around your outdoor dining area. However, as an added precaution, you may apply Geranium essential oil on your skin.
Geranium seeds and young Geraniums may be found at your local plant nursery, and Geranium essential oil can be found on Amazon.
13. Basil
Basil is well-known for its lovely Italian-enhancing taste and smell. Simply by being planted, this plant is powerful enough to discourage mosquitoes from flashing their arrogant, sharp faces. To keep mosquitoes at bay, there’s no need to smash the leaves and apply the oil on your skin or do anything else.
However, you may stimulate the plant by rubbing your hands, arms, and feet against the leaves, which will make the perfume remain longer. If you’re particularly worried about mosquito bites, you may safely apply Basil essential oil to your wrists and other exposed areas.
Basil plants and seeds are available at your local plant nursery. Basil essential oil may be found in almost any health food shop or ordered online from Amazon.
14. Peppermint leaves
Plants of the mint family, as previously stated, are particularly effective insect repellents. Crushed peppermint leaves may be put on the skin to repel mosquitoes, although this isn’t essential since the plant itself is enough to keep bugs away. The concentrated oil of the Peppermint plant may also be used to kill insect larvae.
Of course, by applying Peppermint oil straight to the skin, you may be especially diligent in repelling mosquitoes. Keep in mind that if you use too much peppermint, the cooling effect might become unpleasant. It’s recommended not to use peppermint oil on your skin. Instead, rub the oil on the insides of your arms, legs, and neck.
Peppermint essential oil is available at your local health food store or on Amazon.
Floss Flower (number 15)
These hardy plants can withstand both heat and cold and grow in dense clusters. Ageratum, often known as Floss Flower, is an excellent choice for planting along garden border or in rock gardens since it thrives in almost any soil.
Coumarin, a molecule found in Floss Flower, is a frequent ingredient in insect repellents. Mosquitoes are repelled by just having Floss Flower near a porch or planted in close proximity to your house.
Floss Flower seeds are available for purchase on Amazon.
Allium sativum
These brightly colored bulbs may reach a height of six feet and produce vivid flower balls that repel insects. Alliums are hardy plants that can tolerate high temperatures and bloom all summer long. They like full light and are most effective in repelling pests when planted near the house or outside seating area.
They’re also sociable plants that get along with other flowers and edibles. Alliums not only repel mosquitoes, but they also keep Cabbage Worms, Aphids, and Slugs away from your vegetable garden, which is ideal if you have one.
Lantana, no. 17
The Lantana, although its lovely blossoms, may be invasive and take over your garden if you’re not cautious. Lantanas, on the other hand, are fantastic insect repellents. In the early 2000s, a research was undertaken in Africa. Lantanas were planted around the exterior entryway of 90 residences in the research, while 10 homes were left unattended.
Mosquitoes surrounding and inside residences where Lantanas were planted reduced by 56 percent in one mosquito species and by 50 percent overall, according to the research.
18. Mums
Mums, sometimes known as Chrysanthemums, may be grown almost anyplace under direct sunlight. They make excellent pot plants and would look fantastic in a raised garden bed near a house or patio. Chrysanthemums are hardy plants that bloom all year long and can even tolerate cold. They’re simple to maintain, available in a range of lovely colors, and, most importantly, are effective insect repellents.
Tea Tree No. 19
Tea Tree oil has been popular in recent years due to its acne-fighting, contact dermatitis-soothing, and lice-repelling properties. In terms of mosquito repellent, Tea Tree is pretty effective. While the plant itself isn’t particularly efficient in repelling mosquitoes, rubbing the oil onto your skin is a great technique to ensure the insects stay away.
Tea Tree essential oil may be acquired at health food shops or via Amazon.
Petunias (20)
Because of their beautiful, vibrant colors, petunias are a favorite mosquito and bug repellent. Unbeknownst to most people, petunias are really carnivorous plants, which is fantastic news for you (and bad news for pesky bugs).
These flowers may be cultivated in any location with direct sunshine and don’t need much space. Petunias may be grown in garden beds, among culinary plants, in hanging baskets, along landscape borders, and just about anywhere else. They’re quite simple to keep up with and do a fantastic job of surviving in inclement weather.
Lemon Balm (number 21)
Lemon Balm, another member of the mint family, is, of course, an effective insect repellent. Plants that are minty and lemony are excellent at repelling pests, so what better combo could there be than Lemon Balm? Lemon Balm, like other mint plants, is very invasive and can quickly take over any space it is given.
Lemon Balm’s smell alone is enough to keep mosquitoes away, but crushing the leaves and rubbing them on your skin for more protection is totally safe.
Wrap Up
Mosquitoes are obnoxious animals that don’t care how you feel about their blood-sucking habits. Mosquito repellent candles and insect sprays typically contain dangerous chemicals that should not be sprayed on the skin or inhaled. Fortunately, a number of plants (and their oils) contain the same mosquito-repelling properties as store-bought sprays.
We hope you liked our post on the greatest mosquito repellent plants!
The “what insects does lavender attract” is a question that I am unable to answer.
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