Protect Your Health and Please Your Senses with These 10 Mosquito-Repelling Plants

Protect Your Health and Please Your Senses with These 10 Mosquito-Repelling Plants

Mosquitos are a pest, and they are dangerous.

Diseases like dengue, Zika, yellow fever, West Nile virus, and malaria are all mosquito-borne. They afflict millions of people around the world yearly, with many suffering an untimely death.

Yet, at the same time, you may be concerned about using chemical insecticides and pesticides to get rid of these insects. These bug-killing sprays often contain stuff that can harm a person's health and the environment.

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Are there any safer and more natural solutions?

Mosquito-repelling plants can be your best friends in this fight against mosquitoes. Their smell is pleasant and even calming to humans, but those nasty insects hate them.

Moreover, these plants can add aesthetic appeal to your home and even protect you while you are gardening outdoors.

Here are your choices of mosquito-repelling plants:

  1. Rosemary. This is a popular herb that adds flavor and aroma to many dishes. But this plant is also excellent in driving mosquitoes away with its unique scent. To protect exposed skin, you can rub it with a few rosemary sprigs.
  2. Basil. This herb enhances the flavors of pasta, pizza, and pesto. But its powerful scent is despised by mosquitoes, whose only passion is blood. You can also use this plant to make an insect repellent spray by mixing 3.5 ounces of fresh basil leaves with a half cup of vodka and a half cup of boiling water. Stir well and let cool before transferring to a spray bottle.
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  3. American beautyberry. The fruits of this shrub are great for making wine and jellies. But the leaves of these plants are an effective deterrent for both mosquitoes and ticks due to the chemical compound they contain, called callicarpenal.
  4. Lemon balm. This plant is hated by mosquitoes because it contains a compound known as citronella. This compound is also present in citronella plants, another effective and natural mosquito repellent. If you cannot find a lemon balm, lemongrass is also a good choice -- the difference between the two is the strength of their lemony odor. Also, lemon balm is best planted in a pot, since it is rather invasive and spreads uncontrolled in a garden.
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  5. Lavender. This is one of the world's most loved flowers, but it is also the most hated by mosquitoes, moths, and flies. Plant it in your garden or use lavender oil on your skin.
  6. Marigolds. Another lovely blossom, yet unattractive to mosquitoes. It is best to plant these flowers in pots and place them in possible mosquito entry points like window sills and doorways. Enjoy the colorful blossoms and atmosphere without buzzing and blood-sucking pests.
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  7. Garlic. Through the ages, this spicy vegetable has been used as a remedy for various ailments. But it's highly efficient too in driving away mosquitoes and other pesky insects.
  8. Citronella. The oil of this plant is often used in scented candles and bug sprays. This is among the best mosquito-repellent flora species. Citronella grass is easy to grow because it is highly adaptable to many types of soil and climates. To optimize its potency, plant it along with other mosquito-repellent plants like lavender. You may also choose citronella geranium, which has the same qualities as citronella grass.
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  9. Catnip. According to experts, this plant's natural oil, known as nepetalactone, is much more efficient than bug sprays that are sold in stores. A word of caution: cats love this plant but catnip is toxic to dogs. So if you have a dog, just choose another plant that is safe for your pet.
  10. Pennyroyal. This is a powerful mosquito-repellent plant, the natural oil of which must be used sparingly. You can plant a few pennyroyals in outdoor spaces where there is seating or a gathering area. You may also opt for mint plants or peppermint plants, which are milder yet still very pleasant to the senses.

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Doris de Luna

For more than 20 years now, I’ve been devoting my heart, energy, and time to fulfilling my dream, which – many people may agree – is not among the easiest aspirations in life. Part of my happiness is having been able to lend a hand to many individuals, companies, and even governments as an investigative journalist, creative writer, TV director, and radio broadcaster.


At home, I spend my free time learning how to cook various cuisines. Tiramisu, chocolate mousse, and banoffee pie are my favorite desserts. Playing with our dogs, Mushu and Jerusalem, is also a special part of my day. And, of course, I read a lot – almost anything under the sun. But what really makes me feel alive is meeting people from various walks of life and writing about their stories, which echo with the tears and triumph of an unyielding spirit, humanity, and wisdom.

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