8 Mosquito Repellent Plants

By Jesse Alaniz | May 10, 2019

Mosquito Repellent Plants

As the warmer months come closer, mosquitoes will start to become a more prevalent problem. Although mosquitoes are attracted to the sweat and body odor of humans, they are discouraged by certain strong scents that grow naturally in certain plants. With the risk of contracting the many diseases and viruses that mosquitoes spread, finding a solution to keep these pests away is key. Luckily, mosquitoes are deterred by a plethora of plants that can easily be planted in your yard, such as Basil or Catnip.

 

Want to know more about the plants that can easily be planted to discourage mosquitoes? Here are 8 plants that keep mosquitoes away from you and your property:

Basil

Selective focus image of some green basil plants in an old terracotta pot.

  • The basil herb is one of the best plants to repel mosquitoes due to the pungent smell that it gives off.
  • Basil likes to have good drainage, be kept damp, and needs lots of sun to thrive.
  • Crushing a handful of leaves or rubbing the oils on your skin is the best way to use basil as a repellent. However, it is still effective in its live state.

Lavender

Violet lavender field

  • Mosquitoes do not enjoy the scent that lavender gives off and will avoid the plant as much as possible.
  • Planting a lavender plant in your garden will help to control the mosquito population around the surrounding vicinity.
  • The most effective way to use lavender to repel mosquitoes is to rub the plant on your skin to release the oils.
  • This mosquito repellent plant can grow up to 4ft tall, needs full sun to prosper, and thrives in warmer areas.

Marigolds

Orange marigold flowers.

  • Marigolds are an annual flower that is easy to grow and emits a smell that keeps mosquitoes away.
  • The plant has the capabilities of growing up to 1.25ft.
  • This natural mosquito repellent plant contains Pyrethrum, a compound that is often used in insect repellents.
  • Is commonly referred to as “nature’s insecticide”.
  • As an annual flower, these plants can be potted and placed near entrances of homes or near common mosquito points to act as a barrier.

Catnip

A close up of a Giant catnip

  • Catnip contains a chemical called nepetalactone. Although it is a strong feline attractant, it is also a strong mosquito repellent.
  • This chemical is considered to be more powerful than DEET, a chemical commonly found in insect repellents.
  • Catnip is easy to care for and can grow up to 5ft tall. However, it can be invasive if planted in a garden bed.

Pennyroyal

A close up of a Pennyroyal plant

  • Pennyroyal is a strong mosquito repellent that also deters a variety of other insects.
  • The best way to use this mosquito plant is to crush the leaves and stems and place them in your pockets.
  • This plant can grow up to 1 foot and needs full sun to prosper.
  • Make sure to not consume the plant’s oils, as it can be toxic to humans.

Rosemary

Rosemary mosquito repellent plant

  • The live plant and cuttings from the Rosemary plant both help to repel mosquitoes. However, when burned, rosemary is more efficient. Make sure to stay within a good distance of the smoke to reap the repellent benefits.
  • Rosemary has a distinctive woody smell that is pungent to mosquitoes and is considered an evergreen perennial herb.
  • This plant strives in hot and dry weather but can be placed within containers indoors and still survive.

Scented Geraniums

A close uo of a Pelargonium plant

  • This plant is one of the more popular mosquito-repelling plants to use.
  • Scents range from pine to coconut, but the citrosa geranium has a strong lemon scent and has been dubbed as the “mosquito plant.”
  • Scented geraniums are fast-growing plants that like sunny, warm, and dry climates. However, they can be grown in colder climates if placed in planters and constantly pruned.

Lemongrass

A close up image of a Lemongrass plant

  • Lemongrass is also known as lemon verbena.
  • This plant has a high level of the natural oil citronella, which is an oil that is used in a lot of mosquito repellents.
  • Lemongrass can grow up to 4ft tall and 3ft wide.
  • While this plant is only hardy in South Florida, Lemongrass will need to be planted annually everywhere else.

If mosquitoes are a common pest to your area, knowing the plants that are a natural mosquito repellent is key. From using crushed Pennyroyal to planting Lavender in your garden, using these natural plants is a good first step to reducing the mosquito population.

 

However, if you want a more permanent solution to get rid of mosquitoes around your property, contact the BugMaster! We provide mosquito service every 3 weeks and take care of general pest control needs as well.

 

Posted in Mosquitoes