Mosquitos have get to be the most unpopular bug on the planet – and rightly so !
Their peskiness can ruin a barbecue or breeze in the great outdoors faster than you’re able to saycitronella . Bug repellent sprays are n’t always handy and non - lifelike unity are exceptionally bad for both the environment and you .
Luckily there are a fistful of plants that can assist repel mosquito and preserve your summertime garden risky venture .
While many of these plants contain certain levels of citronella and other pest repelling fossil oil , simply implant them wo n’t necessarily clear your mosquito problems . In most example , you ’ll have to rub , oppress or cut these plant so they resign their mosquito - repelling oils .
There are several plants with these mosquito - repelling ability , some even deter other garden pestilence , but there are a few that wo n’t make for at all . Many plants are often advertised as receive mosquito - repelling property , but in most case , there is little to no scientific proof to back up these claims .
7 Plants That Work To Repel Mosquitoes
1. Citronella Grass
True to the name , this clumping perennial pasture turn back mellow amounts of citronella , which as we all know , repels mosquito .
Citronella grass also emits a delicious lemony scent , cause it to often be confound with lemongrass . The couple also look very similar , but they ’re very different works .
Citronella grass does n’t emit its citronella essential fossil oil on its own – it take a bit of service . as luck would have it , you simply need to vanquish or hack a few blades of Gunter Wilhelm Grass , and there you go , citronella oil on the spot . you could scratch these demolish or cut blades directly onto your clothes or pelt .
Being an easy , natural mosquito repellent is n’t the only affair this skunk is adept for . It make quite a instruction in containers and bed likewise , often growing to six feet grandiloquent and four feet all-embracing when fall in the quad . Citronella green goddess is also a great fellow traveler plant to most flowering industrial plant as it deters whitefly with its lemony scent .
It has many uses out of the garden too . In Asia , citronella grass is often used as a spicery and natural medicament . It ’s used to soothe headaches , reduce fevers , and handle lice . It also has anti - bacterial and anti - fungal properties , making it a great natural component for homemade cleaning merchandise .
Citronella grass is a great patio plant that can well be plucked , tailor , and crush whenever a mosquito is buzzing about .
2. Lavender
Lavender has become a garden staple over the twelvemonth . It also emits a delectable bouquet that fill up our gardens and homes , especially when used in gash flower bouquets .
It ’s this decadent scent that puts lavender on this listing . Studies show that its potent scent affects mosquitos in a similar way to DEET ( diethyltoluamide ) , which overmaster them . Not only does their strong odour service deter mosquitoes , but lavender also bear linalool , a type of alcohol that repels these pests .
However , to get the best out of lavender and its super unattackable aroma , it needs to be crushed or dress . Like citronella grass , you’re able to rub lavender directly onto your apparel or pelt . you could also make your own lavender oil color by infusing the bloom in some coconut fossil oil . This homemade lavender oil can be used in homemade candles or apply directly to the hide . For the best mosquito repelling event , you’re able to also pair your lavender crude with some citronella .
Lavender ’s smell does n’t only repel mosquitos . It can also deter moths , fleas , and flies . At the same time , it attracts bee and several other beneficial insects to your garden .
related to Reading : How To set A Lavender Hedge ( & 12 reason Why You Should )
3. Catnip
Thislavender - lookalikeis famous for sending our feline friends into a euphoric frenzy . However , catnip is more than a herb for kat . It has seraphic little flowers with flecks of purple that will add coloring material to your garden in no time .
On top of that , catnip repels several insects , including mosquitos . The chemic compound nepetalactone , which is what appeal cats , deters mosquitos and other pesky summer gadfly .
Recent study have proved that this chemical compound triggers a painfulness or itching receptor in mosquitos , making them bombinate away from your garden after one sniff .
Further studies have found that catnip is as effective as many other synthetical mosquito repellents , including DEET .
Catnip is one of the few flora that dissuade mosquitos on their own . However , there are way to get the most from this handy little herb . you could cut a few trim and spread them around your pushover spot or outdoor sitting area . A catnip atomizer is easy to make , and if you have furry felid , it ’s a double - purpose spray .
4. Marigolds
Marigolds are the gilded criterion when it comes to companion planting and attracting beneficial dirt ball . They ’re also a burnished , strike addition to beds and container garden . And , it change by reversal out marigolds are a marvellous deterrent to mosquitos . They ’re also one of the few works that are most effectual in their works form .
During their natural biological processes , marigolds create chemicals , namely pyrethrum and thiophenes , which are off - putting to mosquito and other summer pests . These chemicals can be brought out when crushing these stunning plant and pass water marigold all-important oil . However , they ’re highly effective sitting in the garden too , often deter mosquito as well as artificial sprays .
Marigolds are peachy growers , often boom in a change of conditions and landscapes . While they mostly reside alongside vegetable temporary hookup , repelling tight hemipterous insect like roundworm , marigold will blithely brighten any space .
5. Mint
Mint is a marvelous addition to any herbaceous plant garden . It ’s a fecund agriculturist and handy for gardener who love to dabble in preparation and beverage experiments . The strong minty scent of all mint varieties wards off mosquito and plenty of other pestis .
The most in effect mint multifariousness is peppermint , as it give off the firm minty fragrance . Studies have also testify that when peppermint is applied locally as an oil colour , it can deter mosquitos anywhere from 45 minutes to two hr .
But you do n’t have to make your mint essential oil to glean the mosquito repelling benefits of this herb . sassy mint work wonder , and you could easily make a stack spray for yourself or any surface area prostrate to pests . Simply suppress some pot leaves and infuse them in some boiling water . Once it has cooled , strain it and crop up your minty admixture into a spray bottle .
It ’s important to note that some varieties of good deal are not secure to use as a mosquito repellant . While effective , they can be toxic . Pennyroyal is one sight variety in particular that many tot to their list of mosquito repelling plants , but is really toxic . It has adverse effects on human race , cats , and frump , and if consumed at all , can result in dying .
6. Lantana
Lantana is a spectacular flower that lighten up any infinite . It ’s a usual bedding plant , often add to garden for its beauty and ability to appeal hummingbird and bees . However , lantana ’s ability to attract pollinator is not its only superpower . This sensational perennial shrub deters mosquitos better than most plants .
Several studies have shown lantana ’s efficaciousness in repelling mosquito . One bailiwick in particular found that lantanas were highly effective in deterring malaria - carry mosquitos . It further incur that mosquitos that fed on these flora lived short sprightliness and had diminished reproductive success .
This groundbreaking discovery helped researchers find price - effective , born ways to fight the devastating essence of malaria and mosquitos around the populace .
Lantana works well planted in bed , but it ’s best to expose them in mellow - use areas where they can be disturbed . When rubbed or crushed , lantana leaves and flowers give off a strong citronella scent , increasing its ability to dissuade mosquito . you may also cut them and add them to turn out flower bouquets to convey their looker and superpowers indoors .
Another certain - fervidness way to deter mosquito using this industrial plant is to dry them out , trounce the leaves and glow them . Do n’t rub crushed lantana leaves on yourself , however , as its oil can irritate the peel .
7. Basil
Basil is a coarse and popular herb for most , mainly because it mature well and many dish just are n’t the same without it . While basil is n’t grown for its bloom of youth , they add a delicate aspect to the herb garden and attract bee .
What many do n’t know is that this yummy herbaceous plant can deter mosquitoes . sketch in late old age have detect that the compounds in sweet basil were extremely toxic to mosquitos and their larvae . Basil oil is the most efficient in the chore of deterring mosquito , but plain St. Basil the Great leaves are also quite in force .
While other plant may be better at chasing away pesky mosquito , Basil of Caesarea is a corking pick for those looking for a multipurpose plant to add to their herb garden .
Plants That Don’t Work To Repel Mosquitoes
1. Mosquito Plant
Many might eff this variety of scented geranium as the citronella plant , because of its citronella scent . This famous mosquito - repelling fragrance is what cook this geranium a go - to plant for deterring these pestilence . Ironically , however , the mosquito plant does not really affect mosquito .
Despite it smelling like citronella , the mosquito plant arrest minuscule total of the compound , rendering it useless against mosquitos .
While it may be the biggest example of imitation ad in the horticulture creation , this pretty geranium merit a berth in your landscape . It smells delicious and is an easy - pass flora , thriving in a range of weather condition . It also make a great indoor plant .
2. Rosemary
Rosemary is a herbaceous plant garden staple , growing in a mixture of condition and even becoming a go - toedible garden hedging . Alongside its utility in the kitchen , rosemary smells great and gasconade pretty , quaint blue and white flowers during summertime .
Many claim that rosemary ’s strong scent Mary Augusta Arnold Ward off mosquitos , act in a similar way to other pungent plants . Unfortunately , there ’s presently no scientific grounds to back up these claims .
That is n’t to say you should n’t render bestow rosemary to your herb garden . It thrives in most atmospheric condition and grows well on kitchen windowsill for the urban gardener . It might not work to deter mosquitos but it has several other use in both the kitchen and elsewhere .
3. Floss Flower
These pretty flowers are often grow for their fuzzy purplish flowers . Floss Flower is punted as an effective mosquito repelling plant , chiefly because it contains coumarin . This chemical is used in many insecticides and store - bought mosquito repellants .
This may convince many to uprise floss flowers near their window and entertainment areas . However , there is no research to prove that the sum of coumarin within floss flowers are enough to effectively discourage mosquito .
Do n’t let this small reversal hold on you from plant this unique plant in your garden though . It ’s a stunning , eye - catching addition that might stop a mosquito or two from buzzing into your personal house of cards .
4. Garlic
Garlic commonly occurs on lean describing mosquito repelling plant , mainly due to its mordacious odor . Some former wive ’s tales also state that simply squander some garlic can stop mosquito from finding you . Garlic may be effective at keep vampires away , but unfortunately , it has very fiddling force on mosquito .
Some studies have picture that rubbing garlic on the skin does have some achiever in deterring mosquitos . But , the plant itself has no adverse effects on mosquito .
While spreading garlic all over your skin may keep these pesky bugs away , it ’ll be trusted to keep everyone else away too .
This smelly bulb is easily grown for use in the kitchen to season your meals , rather than as a mosquito repellant . Several other plants are far more effective in repelling mosquito , and they smell well too .
summertime is a time for fun and relaxation , not worrying about mosquito . Luckily there are several plants that you may add to your landscape that are highly effective in keeping these critters away . From lavender to basil , you have a range of plants to choose from .
There are a few plants that lay claim to have inauspicious effects on mosquito , but science and inquiry call otherwise . In some cases , there just is n’t enough skill to back up the claims . At the ending of the day , all of the plant life have their place , but some are far better at keeping mosquito away .
