9 Plants That Repel Mosquitoes From Your Home

Warmer weather brings backyard barbecues, beach days and our most famous uninvited guest: the mosquito. These pesky bugs are definitely annoying, but they also pose a big health risk.

The chemicals in commercial bug sprays can be harmful to you and your family. These sprays are also harmful to the environment because they easily get into the air. For a more natural alternative, you can try adding few plants that repel mosquitoes in and around your home.

1) BASIL

Basil brings us delicious pesto sauce and tasty salads, but it can also keep away mosquitoes. This plant naturally emits its aroma, so there’s no need to crush the leaves or prepare it in any way. Basil is toxic to mosquito larvae, so you can put it near standing water to deter mosquitoes from laying eggs.

2) CATNIP

Catnip contains the chemical nepetalactone, which is a strong mosquito repellent and feline attractant. This and other chemicals make it more effective than DEET, a chemical found in most insect repellents. This makes it a top choice among the list of plants that repel mosquitoes. Cats also like to rub and roll around in it, so place your plant in a cat-friendly area if possible. Another thing to note is that catnip is easy to care for, but invasive if planted in a garden bed.

3) LAVENDER

This pleasant-smelling plant can calm your mind after a long day and drive mosquitoes far away. In addition to being a great tea ingredient, lavender can also keep away other flying pests. There are many varieties of lavender, and one may grow better in your climate area than another.

4) LEMON BALM

Lemon balm is frequently used to help reduce stress, alleviate stomach trouble and more. Keep in mind that lemon balm is an invasive species and can take over your garden bed if planted there. This ornamental plant tastes great in soups and other dishes in addition to fighting off pesky mosquitoes.

5) LEMONGRASS

This plant is also known as lemon verbena. Lemongrass has a high level of citral, an oil used in mosquito repellents. This ornamental plant tastes great in soups and other dishes. Pregnant women and new moms should stay away from lemongrass because it has been shown to cause birth defects.

6) MARIGOLD 

Marigolds are popular edging plants for vegetable gardens. These annual flowers have a strong fragrance and taste great in any salad, soup or herb butter due to their light and citrusy taste. Marigolds contain pyrethrum, a compound used in many repellents and sometimes referred to as “nature’s insecticide.”

7) PEPPERMINT 

This fast-grower can easily invade your garden if left unchecked, but it’s not as invasive as other plants in the mint family. Peppermint oil is not only great for repelling mosquitoes, but can also help with relieving discomfort from itchy mosquito bites.

8) ROSEMARY 

This herb is a popular seasoning for many dishes and helps keep several insects away from you and your vegetables. You can also toss some rosemary in a fire for an aromatic insect repellent (just keep close to the smoke). Rosemary oil has great benefits for skin and hair, too.

9) SAGE

Sage is commonly used for spiritual cleansing in different cultures and is often burned in certain rituals. Burning sage is also a great way to keep mosquitoes away!

 source: proflowers