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.
Humans have a lot of delicious aromas that attract mosquitoes. These bugs like the smell of the carbon dioxide emitted from our breath and the compounds emitted in our sweat. Mosquitoes are also attracted to warm bodies, making humans the prime choice for this little critters dinner, especially in the summertime!
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 house.
15 Mosquito Repelling Plants
Some plants listed below, like lavender and mint, emit a soothing scent for us, but a repulsive scent for mosquitoes. If you want to find a natural way to avoid getting bit this season, take a look at the top 15 plants that repel mosquitoes to help you avoid these blood-sucking critters.
These plants work best if placed closest to the area you want to deter mosquitoes. Areas to keep in mind include windows, doors, walkways, seating areas and dining areas. Some plants work better when leaves are rubbed directly on the skin, but this is not advisable for all plants! We’ve noted which plants are safe to do this with below. Consult with a doctor or dermatologist to confirm what’s best for you and your skin.
Some of these plants work best in pots and planters since this allows you to easily move the plants around your home. On the other hand, other plants work better in the garden since they repel multiple types of insects (and therefore they work as a natural insecticide for your garden bed). If you notice that one of your potted plants is outgrowing its current pot, you should take a look at our guide to repotting a plant to keep your mosquito-repelling plant happy and healthy.
Another major way to keep mosquitoes away is to avoid keeping standing water outside. Standing water is a breeding ground for many insects, so try your best to keep stagnant water away from your house. If you must (for example, if you have a birdbath), be sure to empty and clean your container at least once a week. Make sure to take care of all of your plants that repel mosquitoes so you can have a pest-free home!
Since you know how to successfully deter party-crashing mosquitoes, you can now focus on making your backyard parties and summer getaways the best they can be! Consider having a fun garden party filled with fresh and beautiful flowers and some of your favorite mosquito repelling plants.
