Mosquitoes are not simply irritating biting insects — they’re also carriers of numerous life-threatening diseases such as Malaria, West Nile Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and Dengue fever.
Like it or not, mozzies are always going to be around as they can breed in the smallest of containers and puddles. Personal repellents are good but the best solution is to repel them using nature’s gifts.
Most repellents contain harmful chemicals that can pose a risk to human health, particularly to young children. Some of these chemicals have been linked to cancer, reproductive toxicity, and endocrine disruption. There are safer, more natural alternatives available that can be just as effective at keeping mosquitoes away such as investing in garden plants.
If you’re looking for garden plants that can help keep mosquitoes and other troublesome insects at bay, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve gathered some of the most effective mosquito-repelling plants to help you make the best choices for your home and garden.
There are a number of different plants that have been shown to be effective at repelling mosquitoes, so you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. Some of these popular plants include citronella, lemongrass, basil, and garlic.
These plants will add colour and texture to your garden as well as provide herbs for your kitchen! With these plants, you won’t need to buy bug zappers. You will keep the mosquitos away for free and in a safe way!
As a bonus, some of these plants are also excellent fly repellants. Rub lavender or rosemary around door and window openings. You’ll love the fragrance but annoying insects are repelled by it!
As a bonus, some of these are also excellent fly repellants. Rub lavender or rosemary around door and window openings. You’ll love the fragrance but annoying insects are repelled by it! Tansey is another excellent fly repellent.
Contents
Eliminate the use of harmful mosquito repellent sprays by growing these beneficial plants…
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Basil
Basil is one of the many plants that can be used to repel mosquitoes. It is reported that the scent of basil is particularly effective in keeping mosquitoes away.
This is because this plant contains certain ingredients known as eugenol, linalool, and beta-caryophyllene. Some of these ingredients help them away, while others actually kill them.
In addition to basil keeping mosquitoes away, these plants are also known to repel pests like white flies, aphids, and Japanese beetles.
Garlic
Garlic is also a great option when it comes to plants that can be natural mosquito repellant. One way to use it is to take a clove of garlic and wrap it in a cloth. Then, place the garlic near a window or door to keep mosquitoes out. The strong smell of garlic will deter mosquitoes from entering your home.
Mint
Mosquitoes hate mint and they hate it a lot. Mint is also a natural insecticide and can kill mosquitos on contact. You can use mint leaves, mint oil, or even mint tea to keep these insects away.
Rosemary
Rosemary, the herb, is not only an attractive ornamental plant and an excellent addition to any garden, but it also has some interesting medicinal and culinary uses.
For instance, you can use rosemary to repel mosquitos if you plant it around your home. Another interesting use for rosemary is for cooking. Rosemary is a popular flavouring for lamb and other meats.
Lemon Thyme
Lemon thyme is my favourite herb. It smells like lemon and tastes like thyme, and is a lovely addition to any garden. But lemon thyme is also a great repellant. Just rub some lemon thyme leaves on your skin and the mosquitos will stay away!
It is best to use lemon thyme leaves rather than the oil from this plant, as the oil takes a long time to dry, and you won’t have time to get dressed or out of the house before the mosquitoes come back. Lemon thyme oil does, however, make a great addition to an outdoor mosquito trap.
Lemon Grass
Lemon grass oil is a natural mosquito repellent that can be used to effectively repel mosquitoes and other insects. When used correctly, lemongrass oil can provide long-lasting protection against these pesky pests.
Citronella
Citronella candles are often promoted as a natural, alternative mosquito repellent. Citronella is the oil of citronella grass, a tropical plant that releases a citrus aroma when burned or crushed.
It is also used in candles and other products to deter a mosquito.
Lavender
The smell of lavender is said to be a natural mosquito repellant. So if you are planning on going camping or hiking and want to avoid being bitten by those pesky bugs, make sure you bring some lavender with you.
You can either bring some lavender flowers or you can make lavender sachets to place in your sleeping bag. You can even place some lavender in your tent to repel insects.
Marigolds
Although not a common practice, many people put the flowers of the marigold plant in their garden to keep mosquitoes away. These flowers are in the same family as the tomato, potato, and petunia.
Aregatum/Flossflowers
Aregatum or floss flower (Aregama) is one of the plants that is commonly used to repel mosquitoes.
It is a flowering plant and is commonly found in the Western parts of India. In recent years, the plant is being used as a mosquito repellent.
Horsemint/Beebalm
Simply dab it on your skin, rather than applying directly to your clothing. It will smell like honey, but it’s not sticky, and it won’t stain.
Wormwood
Wormwood is a herb whose leaves and stems are used for medicinal uses, but it is also a natural insect repellant. It smells quite bitter and should be kept in a sealed container separate from other edibles.
Being a herb, it is very unlikely that it will be harmful if eaten by mistake. Simply crush up some wormwood leaves and put them in a small muslin bag and hang it in the area you wish to protect against insects.
What plant would you like to have in your home to keep mosquitos away?
