There are natural ways to repel mosquitoes without using chemicals. You can deter them by growing certain plants and herbs.
Did you know that mosquitoes have a very good sense of smell? That is why they’re drawn to humans and other animals to feed off them.
So what is it they’re not attracted to?
The plants that will help deter those biting pests are listed below.
1. CITRONELLA
Some people buy citronella scented candles for outdoors to try to keep mosquitoes away. Citronella oil comes from the lemon grass plant.
2. PEPPERMINT
Mosquitoes don’t like mint. If you get a bug bit, you might try peppermint oil to relieve the itch.
Mice also don’t like peppermint. You might place a cotton ball soaked in peppermint oil where you want to repel them.
I always have this fragrant herb in my patio garden.
3. BASIL
Rubbing crushed basil on skin makes a mild but effective repellent against biting insects.
4. GARLIC
Garlic is a member of the onion family. Garlic is toxic when mosquitoes ingest it, scientists say.
You could cut up garlic and scatter it around your outdoor space. Mosquitoes don’t like the harsh smell.
5. LEMON BALM
Many insects don’t like the pungent smell of lemon. Lemon balm happens to be a member of the mint family.
Bees, butterflies and people often love the scent of lemon. I always have lemon balm growing in my garden.
6. LAVENDER
Mosquitoes also don’t like the scent of lavender. They especially don’t like the purple flowers that bloom on lavender.
7. MARIGOLD
As you know the marigold plant has a very strong and distinct scent. Mosquitoes don’t like the strong scent of marigolds.
Marigolds are great companion plants in your garden. They deter beetles from melons.
If you plants seeds or flowers you should choose those grown organically. If you buy from big box stores they typically contain insecticides.
This is bad for both the bees and your garden.
8. CATNIP
It’s not only for your cats. It also repels mosquitoes. A study showed that this plant’s essential oil is about 10 times more effective than DEET when it comes to repelling mosquitoes.
9. ROSEMARY
Rosemary has many uses besides the seasoning of food.
You can put sprigs of rosemary on your outdoor barbecue grill and the scent will waft through your yard, and thus deter mosquitoes from being around it.
10. EUCALYPTUS
Eucalyptus is similar to citronella. This scent makes it difficult for mosquitoes to locate their food source by interfering with their senses.
Eucalyptus is also a wonderful addition to a flower bouquet gathered from your garden when you want to add a bit of texture or greenery.
These are easy ways to deter mosquitoes without having to use chemicals of any variety.
FYI:
You’ve probably wondered why mosquitoes drink blood in the first place?
Actually only female mosquitoes drink blood, while males are strictly vegetarian. The reason why only female mosquitoes drink blood is so that they can nourish their child-bearing bodies.
Blood is full of proteins and amino acids, which makes it the perfect prenatal supplement for growing mosquito eggs. When female mosquitoes aren’t drinking blood, they eat plant nectar just like their male counterparts.
Ivy on catnip! I am curious how that turns out, should be a hoot! I love my chocolate mint , and I hope to get some lemon balm this season.
My daughter has basil, mint, rosemary, lavender and citronella growing in pots in her back patio but none of those have deterred the mosquitoes. Maybe all the rain we’ve had in the DFW area of Texas is to blame.
A great collection of anti-mosquito remedies, Brenda. It used to be that I rarely got bitten by mosquitoes. My blood type is O-negative, but recently, in the past 10 years or so, I have developed the tendency to get mosquito bites and an allergy that makes them develop into horrible blood blisters and then deep, deep sores. I have many scars left from them. Since I have recently been diagnosed with an immune system disorder I think that may be the cause of the severity of my bites. Needless to say I am rather paranoid about getting bitten as I love being outside gardening and digging in the dirt. Anyway, I am certainly going to utilize some of your list of suggestions for repelling those nasty little insects this summer. Thanks for posting them.
Let us know how Ivy likes catnip if you give her some. I guess most cats do although it can make them kind of crazy if they get too much.
Brenda I just wanted to stop by and thank you. You have the kindest heart and I truly appreciate the time you take to read my posts and let me know you’re keeping me in your prayers. This means so much to me.
I’ve enjoyed reading over your posts, You’re such a wonderful writer and your words exude a calmness that I appreciate.. I especially like your blog appearance and notice it’s WordPress. For awhile I toyed with switching from Blogger and my son Patrick even opened a wordpress blog for me but there it sits, someplace in the cyber world, uncompleted. Especially now it seems to hard to learn how to navigate. Did you have trouble moving over? Just curious. Patrick was my techie helper and I feel lost without him. I’m sorry we live so far I see your name in my comment section and I wish I could give you a big hug.
thank you dear one for your support during these difficult times.
xo
Leslie aka Gwen Moss
Brenda, thank you for this list! I’m starting to purchase plants and definitely want those that repel mosquitoes. I’m usually a banquet for them and anything I can do to deter those beasts works for me! Love and hugs!
My son and I are type A blood and rarely get bitten. My daughter and husband are type O and get eaten up. We’ve always thought there was something to that. Love the ideas about repelling mosquitoes with plants. By the way, I also love everything you post on this blog. Please never change!
Great ideas; didn’t know catnip deters mosquitos. I planted it one year and had a crowd of feral cats and kittens on my back porch when I went to let my dog out. I had to call animal control when the kittens got their little claws stuck in my wood fence. I was worried the pit bull next door would get the kittens; luckily they left before animal control arrived. I pulled the catnip up so they wouldn’t come back. XX00
I have AB+ blood and mosquitoes love me unfortunately. These are all great tips as they are really bad here in Atlanta. xo Laura
I can imagine. I hope you’re enjoying life there with your family.
A timely post! I live in northeast Florida along the coast and took my dog for a walk this morning along the marsh. The mosquitoes are alive and biting! I will remember to rub a leaf of basil on my arms/legs tomorrow morning before I take the dog for a walk. Lemon balm, peppermint, and catnip are definitely on my list of plants to buy when I go to the nursery tomorrow. I am looking forward to the smell of lemon balm and the peppermint — I forget to purchase these plants because I am usually focused on the new flowers that are displayed at the nursery. Should be fun to watch my cats with the catnip! Thanks for this listing; my legs will most certainly be grateful!
Have a wonderful Thursday.
Herbs are usually cheaper than the flowers too. At my nursery a small pot of annuals is $4.99. But you can get the same size in herbs for about half that.
Wow, great tips, Brenda!! My sweetie grows catnip for his kitty cat Lucy and he brings her one fresh leaf at a time and she goes nuts for it!!! I’d love to see Miss Ivy Lou all doped up on Catnip, ha ha!! Maybe it will calm her down!
I need to get some catnip and see how she reacts.
We have catnip plants in our backyard that just come up every year; we didn’t plant them. Our cat loves it and I give her just a little at a time because she will eat it. Makes her breath smell good! So I am sure Ivy would love catnip. I like the smell of it, too.
thanks for all the info. I’m definitely outside a lot now at the new house. I haven’t seen any around here, but I want to be proactive. Interesting about the catnip plant as a deterrent.
What an informative post. I’ll be planting some of the herbs mentioned here, especially the peppermint. When we are out on our deck in the evenings, we light the torches. We have several spaced around our deck and fill them with the “Tiki Bug Fighter” torch fuel. It comes in a green bottle and absolutely works! You can buy it at Lowe’s or Wal Mart, etc. The mosquitos do not like it. I think I’ll try planting some catnip also. Thanks for the ideas!
Yikes! ‘Skeeters adore me! All great tips you’ve posted.
I’m lucky they do not bite me. Occasionally land on me, but then they fly away.
excellent post!
some of this information i already knew.
I am a Type O Positive and mosquitos, ticks and fleas adore me.!
My sis, a Type A is not vulnerable in any way to any biters!
thanks again!
Lou
I’m O Positive and they leave me alone. Maybe it’s one of the medications I take.
Brenda, I have lemon balm in a container on my deck, as well as rosemary. I bought a new plant this year called cat mint. It is tall and has lavender flowers. Are you familiar with it? I have an old bicycle that I painted aqua and I filled the basket with the cat mint, dusty miller and pink flowers that resemble daisies. It looks so pretty parked under a tree at the edge of my deck. More than one way to garden when the soil is rocky like here on the river. I so enjoy your gardening posts.
I love that idea! I don’t have cat mint but have been thinking about finding some.