13 Plants That Repel Mosquitoes: Keep Those Pesky Biters Away!

In the United States, particularly in the Metro Atlanta region as reported by Orkin Pest Control, mosquito swarms are prevalent. If you’re living in or near this area, or experiencing a surge of these potentially hazardous insects in your county, it’s essential to explore natural methods for repelling them. A list of 13 plants that effectively deter mosquitoes can be found at Natural Living Ideas.

These plants can be planted in pots or directly on your lawn, providing an eco-friendly solution to this pesky problem.

Citronella

Citronella is a surprising omission from many people’s list of mosquito repellents, despite being one of the most common ingredients used in these products. But what exactly is citronella? It’s actually a type of perennial plant or clumping grass that can be grown in your own garden, known for its strong aroma that repels mosquitoes. This unique scent has the ability to mask other smells, making it less likely for mosquitoes to target things they’re normally attracted to.

In fact, the citronella smell is significantly stronger than repellents containing it as an ingredient, making it a great alternative to commercial products. By growing your own citronella, you can have a natural and effective way to repel mosquitoes without having to constantly purchase repellents. The plant itself can grow up to 5-6 feet high, making it a low-maintenance option for those looking to keep the bugs at bay.

Lemon Balm

When it comes to keeping mosquitoes at bay, lemon balm is an effective and low-maintenance option. As a member of the mint family, it’s also known as bee balm or horsemint. One of its greatest advantages is that it’s incredibly hardy and resilient, making it perfect for beginning gardeners who might not have a green thumb. In fact, lemon balm can thrive in shady conditions where many other plants would struggle to survive.

Its rapid growth and slightly aggressive nature mean it’s similar to Kudzu grass or oregano – but with the added benefit of being easier to contain. To keep its spread under control, simply pot it up and enjoy the benefits of a mosquito-repellent plant without worrying about it taking over your garden.

Catnip

The feline equivalent of marijuana, catnip, has a surprising advantage – it can effectively deter mosquitoes from invading your home and feasting on their own fur or human skin. According to a study conducted in 2010, researchers found that catnip is an astonishing 10 times more effective as a mosquito repellent than DEET, a common bug repellent ingredient.

Like lemon balm, catnip is easy to grow for novice gardeners and can be harvested by pinching the growing flower buds and stems as they sprout. This added benefit will surely bring joy to your feline friends, who will appreciate having access to this delightful herb.

Marigolds

The marigold, a resilient and vibrant annual flower, boasts an impressive natural ability to repel mosquitoes. This is attributed to its pyrethrum content, a substance commonly found in insect repellents. The plant’s distinct aroma proves unappealing to pests, making it an effective deterrent. Moreover, planting marigolds alongside tomatoes can help protect the latter from insects that might otherwise devour them.

Beyond their practical uses, these flowers are often admired for their exotic beauty, making them a wonderful addition to any flower bed or planter box. In fact, they’re particularly well-suited as a home plant border, serving to safeguard your house’s perimeter and keep unwanted bugs and diseases at bay.

Basil

Basil’s versatility extends beyond its culinary significance. As a plant, it offers a natural solution for mosquito repellent. For cooks, growing basil eliminates the need to purchase it from stores and ensures a constant supply of fresh herbs. Moreover, it’s a low-maintenance herb that thrives with minimal care. The sweet aroma of cinnamon or lemon basil varieties effectively repels insects, making them an excellent choice for gardens.

With over 100 varieties to choose from, experimentation is encouraged to find the perfect strain for your garden and cooking needs.

Lavender

Lavender, often praised for its captivating purple blooms and calming aroma, may come as a surprise to many that it’s also a reliable mosquito repellent. This dual-purpose benefit makes it an attractive addition to any home, whether as a potted bouquet near a sunny window or incorporated into a rustic decorative setting. By growing lavender indoors, you can not only create a beautiful arrangement but also keep pesky bugs at bay from within your home.

Alternatively, place it in a flower bed to safeguard other plants like tomatoes and potatoes from unwanted visitors. As an added bonus, lavender’s versatility extends to being a delightful herbal tea ingredient, offering a soothing way to unwind.

Peppermint

When considering how to keep mosquitoes at bay, peppermint’s unique scent and taste offer a natural solution. Its potent aroma is unappealing to most insects, making it an effective deterrent for unwanted pests. By incorporating peppermint into your garden, you’ll create a bug-free zone that won’t become an accidental haven for these pesky creatures. In addition, crushed peppermint leaves can provide relief from itchy bites by reducing swelling and soothing the affected area.

As an added benefit, the herb’s refreshing minty fragrance will fill your garden with a delightful aroma. You can even incorporate peppermint into your culinary creations, should you desire.

Garlic

While garlic is notorious for its pungent aroma, consuming it won’t necessarily repel mosquitoes unless you’re prepared to endure a strong breath. In fact, eating garlic wouldn’t provide sufficient repellent properties to keep these pests at bay. However, planting garlic can be an effective way to deter mosquitoes, as the planted version emits a stronger and more concentrated scent that’s familiar to many.

For those looking to add natural mosquito repellents to their garden or flower bed, incorporating garlic into your landscape design can provide an added layer of protection. As an added bonus, the planted garlic can serve as a sustainable source for culinary and health purposes.

Pennyroyal

While most people may not be familiar with pennyroyal, it’s a versatile plant that offers several natural benefits. Not only can it function as a bug repellent in times of need, but it also makes for a charming addition to your flower bed, blending seamlessly with other flowers like marigolds. As an added bonus, pennyroyal is an attractive groundcover that attracts butterflies.

Moreover, its unique flavor profile has earned it a place in some culinary traditions, particularly when paired with fish dishes. For those interested in exploring the recipe and learning more about this special plant, research reveals a wealth of benefits waiting to be discovered.

Rosemary

Rosemary’s distinctive aroma makes it an effective natural repellent against mosquitoes and other pesky insects, making it a popular addition to gardens and herb beds. But what’s intriguing is that its sweetness can actually repel these very same bugs, despite being attractive to beneficial insects like butterflies. This disparity in how humans and insects perceive scents is key to understanding rosemary’s dual nature as both a bug-deterrent and a culinary delight.

In fact, its pungent flavor profile is similar to other popular herbs like garlic and basil, making it a staple ingredient in many savory dishes.

Geraniums

To keep mosquitoes at bay, incorporate geraniums into your outdoor space. These flowers are not only visually stunning but also naturally repel bloodsucking insects when planted in a hanging container. The vibrant blooms will cascade beautifully over the pot’s edge, providing an aesthetically pleasing display while simultaneously warding off unwanted pests.

It’s essential to maintain optimal watering conditions for your geraniums.

Overwatering can cause their leaves to turn yellow and rot, so it’s crucial to avoid this scenario. Instead, allow these plants to thrive in dry soil or with extended periods of drought. They are more resilient to dryness than excessive moisture. Simply water the soil directly, avoiding the leaves altogether.

Lemongrass

This versatile plant offers impressive pest-repellent properties, effectively deterring a range of unwanted insects and pests, including roaches, mites, fleas, and mosquitoes. What’s more, its citral oil content gives rise to an intense aroma that is notoriously unappealing to mosquitoes. The strong, concentrated scent stems directly from the plant’s high citral oil levels, which also contribute to its culinary value in many soup-based dishes.

Sage

Sage not only elevates the aroma of your dishes, but it also possesses a unique property that repels mosquitoes. To reap its benefits, you’ll need to cultivate sage leaves in abundance. This will allow you to burn them in your fireplace or use them in organic mosquito-repellent candles, releasing their distinctive scent and keeping those pesky insects at bay.

Conclusion

Mosquitoes are often more than just a nuisance, serving not only as a source of itching sensations but also as vectors for diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. As a result, having access to effective all-natural mosquito repellents is crucial for personal protection. To enhance the potency of these repellents, consider crushing their leaves and applying the oil directly to your skin. Some plants, like lavender and peppermint, not only repel mosquitoes but also offer pleasant aromas.

On the other hand, garlic may be more effective at keeping unwanted pests away if it remains planted rather than being applied to the skin.

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