It’s mid-summer, and those annoying mosquitoes are getting out of control. Enjoying your outdoor patio or deck without them constantly buzzing and biting on you is almost impossible.
While you may want to try several temporary mosquito repelling tactics, from sprays to burning candles, mosquito repelling plants can be placed around your yard to help minimize their presence.
By growing and placing these mosquito-repellent plants around your yard or home, the mosquitos will be repulsed by the strong smells, preventing them from going anywhere near your home.
Here’s a look at the best natural insect-repellent plants to help you get a grip on this mosquito problem and enjoy your outdoor space.
Peppermint
While many use peppermint for their morning tea or evening mojito cocktail, peppermint is believed to have mosquito-repelling effects. It has a powerful, strong, refreshing scent that mosquitoes dislike.
The strong scent may mask the mosquito’s ability to locate its targets, making it harder for them to find and bite you.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm has a pleasant, lemony scent that can create a beautiful aroma in your garden, but it is very unpleasant for mosquitoes. This perennial can be grown in pots or directly in the ground, making it suitable for gardens of all sizes. Lemon balm can be invasive, so it’s best to plant it in a pot so it doesn’t overtake your herb garden.
Lavender
Lavender has a beautiful, rich purple color with a comforting scent. Not only does lavender add beauty and fragrance to your garden, but it also acts as a natural mosquito repellent.
The strong aroma of lavender is highly disliked by mosquitoes and gnats, making it an effective deterrent. Lavender are common garden plants that thrive in a sunny spot and can be grown in pots.
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Citronella
Citronella grass is likely the most popular type of mosquito repellent – most commonly used in candles and insect repellent products. And there is a good reason for this.
The essential oil extracted from citronella emits a strong citrus fragrance, which masks the scents that attract mosquitoes. By planting citronella in your garden, you can create a barrier that deters mosquitoes from entering your outdoor space.
Marigold
Marigold plants are bountiful, rich, colorful flowers that can repel mosquitoes. These hardy flowers are easy to grow and require full sun to bloom.
Whether you choose the classic orange and yellow marigolds or the more unique varieties, such as French marigolds, incorporating these flowers into your garden bed will beautify your space and help keep mosquitoes away – but butterflies and other insects will gravitate towards it.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus plants have some of the most amazing scents. Beyond its scent and medicinal uses, it also can repel mosquitoes.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a popular culinary herb that is not only great for cooking meals, but it also has a mosquito-repelling power. The strong fragrance of rosemary is a natural deterrent, keeping mosquitoes away from your garden.
Rosemary might be most effective when burned on a fire pit or grill. Rosemary thrives in sunny locations with well-drained soil. By planting rosemary in your garden, you can enjoy its culinary uses and benefits while creating a mosquito-free environment.
Geranium
Geraniums are colorful flowering plants that add beauty to your garden and help repel mosquitoes. These plants produce a unique scent that mosquitoes find unpleasant, making them an effective natural deterrent. Geraniums are easy to care for and grow well in pots or gardens.
Geraniums are most effective when crushed or rubbed against the skin as the geranium leaves emit chemical compounds that mosquitoes despise.
Catnip
Mosquitoes despise the smell of catnip, thanks to a chemical called nepetalactone. This chemical is both a cat attractant and an insect repellant. While it is excellent for repelling mosquitoes, cats are attracted to it, so expect those neighborhood cats to find their way into your space.
Basil
Like rosemary, basil plants are not only the perfect herb for cooking, but they are also efficient at repelling mosquitoes. Place this mosquito-repelling plant near the patio deck or any other outdoor space where you spend the most time.
Tamara White is the creator and founder of The Thrifty Apartment, a home decor and DIY blog that focuses on affordable and budget-friendly home decorating ideas and projects. Tamara documents her home improvement journey, love of thrifting, tips for space optimization, and creating beautiful spaces.
