We all know that mosquitoes can be a great nuisance, especially with this warm weather. The good news, however, is that apart from chemicals, there are plants you can use to keep mosquitoes away from your home.
Here are top 10 plants that repel mosquitoes!
- Citronella
This plant happens to be the most common ingredient in mosquito repellents. Citronella is a perennial grass that produces a strong aroma. It is this aroma that keeps mosquitoes away, making it a great choice.
- Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is another great choice for mosquito repellent. Also known as beebalm and horsemint, this plant belongs to the mint family. It grows well in shade and can resist drought. It is very aggressive and keeps mosquitoes out of your home. However, because of its nature there might be a need to contain it in a pot.
- Catnip
Catnip cannot go unmentioned when it comes to the best plants that repel mosquitoes. According to research conducted in 2010, it was discovered that this plant is 10 times effective than DEET. The good thing is that it is very easy to grow and your cats will be happy to have it in the house.
- Marigolds
Marigold is a bright annual plant and a great choice for mosquito repellent. It contains an ingredient known as pyrethrum, an ingredient found in a variety of insect repellents, and it is very repulsive to bugs. The flowers are also beautiful and can make a great flower bed.
- Basil
Do you wish for a double whammy when it comes to protection from mosquitoes? This is not only an easy and quick mosquito repellent but also a fresh herb for all your recipes. Basil comes in a variety of forms but experts recommend cinnamon basil and lemon basil for insect deterring.
- Lavender
Most people know lavender for its lovely purple flowers, as well as its calming and soothing scent. But not many people know that this plant is a natural mosquito repellent! To keep the bugs and mosquitoes away, grow lavender indoors or outside in the garden.
- Peppermint
Many bugs and other insects hate the taste and smell of peppermint, so having this plant around your homestead is a good way to keep the unwanted guests away. In case you get bitten, rubbing peppermint leaves on the wound is a great treatment.
- Garlic
For those people who love Italian food, studies have indicated that eating garlic will not keep the mosquitoes away. However, having garlic plants around you can deter mosquitoes. Ensure that you have some garlic plants in the garden for additional protection.
- Pennyroyal
The gorgeous pennyroyal flower is a natural mosquito deterrent. Ensure that you plant plenty of them in the flower garden so as to make them very effective. This plant is a great ground-cover and also attracts butterflies. A section of people use the plant to flavor various dishes.
- Rosemary
This is one of the most beautiful plants and is mostly used in flavoring of fish or lamb dishes, but it can also be used as a repellent. Besides keeping mosquitoes out of your home, it also attracts butterflies, making it ideal in your flower garden.
