When spring arrives, so do those annoying mosquitoes.
Instead of using chemical insect repellents to prevent mosquito bites, here is a collection of DEET-free mosquito-repellent plants to make mosquito control more natural.
The mosquito bite and the diseases it carries have links to the West Nile Virus and the Zika virus.
Let’s get started with our list of plants that repel mosquitoes. First up!
Basil – Ocimum americanum – the essential oils are extracted and used as a spray in some mosquito repellents. It has also makes an effective repellent when grown nearby.
Bee Balm – Monarda – is a beautiful flowering plant that attracts hummingbirds and, of course, bees. It is also very effective used as a mosquito repellent when the leaves are crushed and the fragrant oils are released.
Cadaga Tree – Eucalyptus torelliana – can repel mosquitoes simply by being planted in an area where mosquitoes are not wanted. The scent from the tree acts as a barrier to repel mosquitoes.
Catmint – Nepeta faassenii – is very effective at keeping mosquitoes away. It is even better than commercial bug sprays at keeping the pests away. Simply, cut off the flowers and boil them to make a spray. Read more…
Catnip – Nepeta cataria – is an effective mosquito repellent. One of its main active ingredients, nepetalactone, was found to be 10X stronger than even DEET in a recent study. It is a good non-toxic alternative to traditional chemical sprays. More…
Cedars – Thuja species – Many repellent products contain cedar oil as one of its active ingredients to repel mosquitoes, keep bugs and other insect pests. More…
Citronella Grass – Cymbopogon nardus – This is one of the best plants that keep mosquitoes away. A mosquito magnet – the Citronella grass plant when crushed releases an oil with a strong fragrance. The oil from the Citronella plant can be placed directly on the skin to act as a natural insect repellent. Citronella oil can also be mixed with other oils and liquids to make mosquito repellants. More…
Clove – Syzygium aromaticum – is a natural mosquito repellent plant you can use as a planting around the yard, or use the oil from the clove to repel mosquitoes quickly. Recipe…
Floss Flower – Ageratum – Coumarin, which is secreted by ageratum, is found extensively in the manufacture mosquito repellents. Mosquitoes find the strong fragrance and odor offensive. Growing well in partial or full sun with requiring rich soil. More…
Garlic (Allium sativum) is a natural way to repel mosquitoes. One way to use it is to cut up garlic and sprinkle it around your outdoor living areas. A yard spray can also be made. Garlic can be mixed with natural aromatic oils to create a mosquito-repelling body spray. More…
Lavender – Lavandula angustifolia – Even though lavender oil is a smell often enjoyed by humans, lavender repels mosquitoes because mosquitoes dislike the scent lavender gives off. It can be planted in gardens, made into oil and applied to the skin, or mixed with other oils to keep mosquitoes away. More…
Lemon Balm – Melissa officinalis – Lemon balm is a herb in the mint family with a variety of uses, including flavoring herbal teas. Make a quick mosquito repellent by crushing a handful of leaves and rubbing them on your exposed skin. Grow them in the garden for easy access when you need them. More…
Lemon Grass – Cymbopogon citrates – contains citronella, a natural oil that repels mosquitoes. Lemon grass is used in Southeast Asia to flavor things such as chicken. In India, it is used as an anti-inflammatory medicine. Lemongrass has a wonderful aroma, so it is often used in perfumes and other toiletries. More…
Lemon Scented Geranium – Pelargonium crispum – can be added to your landscape to allow you access to a natural mosquito repellent. When crushed, the leaves emit a strong lemony smell. The crushed leaves can be spread around your living area to keep mosquitoes at bay. More…
Lemon Thyme – Thymus vulgaris – repels mosquitoes naturally. Mosquitoes tend to hate their citrus. Crush a few parts of this plant and rub it on the body to keep these harmful bugs away. Make sure your skin tolerates the oil before applying it to larger areas of the body. More…
Lemon Verbena – Aloysia triphylla – is a perennial plant you can plant in your garden, doorways, and windows in order to repel mosquitoes. It has a fresh, aromatic lemon scent. The plant’s oils can also be applied to the body to ward off bugs. More…
Mexican Marigold – Tagetes lucida – the scent of marigolds is offensive to most people and mosquitoes. You can grow it in your yard in well-drained soil, or cut the flowers and keep them around the house to keep mosquitoes away. More…
Eucalyptus – Natural oil from the eucalyptus tree repels insects such as mosquitoes, sandflies, ticks, midges, stable flies, and more. Formulas are made to be gentle to the skin. More…
Nodding Onion – Allium cernuum – Juices can be extracted from Allium cernuum via grinding or blending. This juice is highly effective at repelling mosquitoes and can be applied directly to the skin. The allium cernuum is not an irritant and is not known for any sort of reaction. Details…
Mint – Mentha – usually grown in gardens to flavor tea. However, mint also repels mosquitoes, and you can make your own repellent with mint! All species of mint, both wild and cultivated, contain aromatic properties repulsive to insects. More…
Pineapple weed – Matricaria matricarioides – the aroma of pineapple. The weed can be dried or used fresh to prepare an interesting tea. Matricaria matricariodes’ buds can be used to add an interesting twist to salads. More…
Pitcher Plant – Nepenthes alata – it is actually a carnivorous plant that is similar to a Venus Fly Trap. Except for this little beauty, which gobbles up mosquitoes. Simply, plant this in your yard and watch it work. More…
Wormwood – Artemisia – a strong but natural way to ward away mosquitoes. Crush wormwood leaves and distribute them around your outdoor living spaces to help keep these nasty insects away. More…
Rosemary – Rosmarinus officinalis – can be planted in your garden in order to control mosquito infestation. It can also be mixed into various formulas and lotions to serve as a body mosquito repellent. Recipe…
Snowbrush – Ceonothus velutinus – is a plant that can be used in your landscape in order to keep mosquitoes away, but considered a weed in most areas. More…
Sweet Fern (Comptonia peregrina) is a natural herb with many uses. To keep mosquitoes away, you can place some Sweetfern in a fire to keep them away from the fire and the surrounding area. It can also be used as an essential oil spray. More…
Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) is used for a variety of health problems because it helps increase blood and saliva flow. Tansy can be used as a bug repellent around your home. More…
Tea Tree – Melaleuca – We have long used Tea Tree oil on our animals and ourselves. The scent is too strong for bugs to approach, and it also does wonders at keeping bugs away. It is great and natural! But toxic, so be careful. More…
Vanilla Leaf – Achlys triphylla – used by native tribes as an insect repellent. First crush and apply by rubbing mosquito-repellent plants, such as vanilla leaf, on your skin. More…
Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) can be used to repel mosquitoes, but it must first be diluted in water because the plant itself can irritate the skin. Also, you should test the plant on your skin in small amounts first to test for allergic reactions. More…
Stone root – Collinsonia canadensis – is a tall plant that is similar to mint; in fact, it is in the same family. It is easy to grow and can be made into a mosquito repellent when crushed and boiled. More…
NOTE: If growing in pots with saucers – always empty the saucer after watering. Never allow standing water for mosquitoes to breed.