Mosquito-Repelling Plants

Tired of wasting money on synthetic mosquito repellents that just don’t cut it? Implementing natural mosquito-repelling plants around your home can help block mosquitoes' sense of smell and divert their attraction from humans.

Don’t let pesky mosquitoes ruin your backyard activities this summer; discover some effective plants and oils that can provide some much-needed protection.

Five Naturally Effective Mosquito Repellents

This summer, keep those mosquitos out of your yard by filling your garden with these natural repellents:

1. Lemon Herbs

Though lemon-scented plants provide a pleasant aroma for humans, mosquitoes tend to flee areas where these types of plants are grown.

Common lemon-scented plants that ward off mosquitos include lemon basil, lemongrass, lemon eucalyptus, and lemon balm. These herbs produce high levels of citral,​ which mask the smell of mosquito-attracting carbon dioxide.

Oils can be made out of the compounds in lemon herbs, which can then be used as ingredients in candles and lanterns. If you’re searching for mosquito-repelling candles, look for ones that have essential oils from lemon-scented herbs.

2. Peppermint

While peppermint is most commonly known for its use in foods and candies, this subgroup of the mint plant can act as a powerful deterrent against bug infestations.

Oils from the peppermint plant can be applied to skin to repel mosquitoes for short periods of time. Most varieties of peppermint are safe to use around children, and it smells better than traditional bug sprays.

3. Lavender

When it comes to repelling mosquitos, lavender essential oils outshine the common synthetic options. Not only does lavender smell amazing, but it is also known to repel mosquitoes, fleas, and flies. Lavender has the added bonus of attracting butterflies and other pollinators, too.

4. Garlic

Garlic can offer many benefits when added into your garden, especially when looking to deter bugs. Although rubbing garlic directly onto your skin can repel mosquitoes, this probably isn’t a smell you want to be flaunting. Regularly consuming garlic in your diet can have similar mosquito-repelling effects and may be more feasible.

5. Sage

If you are planning to gather around the campfire, an easy way to ward off unwanted mosquitos is to add some sage leaves. When burned, sage releases a scent that is pleasant to humans and repugnant to mosquitos.

While these mosquito-repelling plants can be effective, you may need mosquito relief that is immediate or more long-term. For your neighborhood events or family gatherings, consider a ​special event mosquito treatment​. For long-lasting residential mosquito relief, look into Palmetto Mosquito Control’s ​mosquito misting systems​, and ​contact us​ for more information.