Mosquito Repellant Plants

8 Best Plants To Keep Mosquitoes Away

• Basil.
• Citronella.
• Lavender.
• Lemon Balm.
• Lemon Thyme.
• Marigolds.
• Rosemary.

Do mosquito repellent plants work?

But do mosquito-repelling plants actually work? Sadly, not exactly. “Currently, the scientific community doesn't recognize any plants that effectively repel mosquitoes,” says entomologist Elmer Gray, with the University of Georgia. “The idea is that certain plants contain essential oils that keep mosquitoes away.

What plant do mosquitoes hate the most?

11 Plants & Herbs That Naturally Repel Mosquitoes

• Citronella. Chances are, you've heard of this one before- it's one of the most common ingredients in most mosquito repellents.
• Lemon Balm. ...
• Catnip. ...
• Marigolds. ...
• Basil. ...
• Peppermint. ...
• Garlic. ...
• Pennyroyal.

What naturally keeps away mosquitoes?

Catnip, peppermint, lavender, sage, rosemary, citrosum, lemon balm, and basil are all great at keeping mosquitoes away. And as an added bonus, their delightful scents are sure to spruce up your garden.

What kills mosquitoes the best?

Use an indoor insect fogger or indoor insect spray to kill mosquitoes and treat areas where they rest. These products work immediately, and may need to be reapplied. When using insecticides, always follow label directions. Only using insecticide will not keep your home free of mosquitoes.

Why do mosquitoes not like lemongrass?

In any case, citronella and lemongrass are used extensively as a natural mosquito repellent. Both of them contain the compound citronella that helps to mask the scents that mosquitoes rely on to target hosts which is carbon dioxide and lactic acid.

Does lavender actually repel mosquitoes?

Therefore, although lavender oil does repel mosquitoes, its effectiveness may be enhanced when used in combination with other oils such as geranium. Lavender oil (like all essential oils) should be diluted with a carrier oil before using on the skin to avoid irritation.

Do citronella plants really work?

Simply having a citronella plant in your garden won't deter mosquitoes. Some gardeners swear that it works, but studies have found that it doesn't. Even if you plant a whole garden full of citronella plants, it still won't be enough to have a repellant effect on mosquitoes.

What smell do mosquitoes hate?

Certain Natural Scents Mosquitoes are turned off by several natural scents: cinnamon, peppermint, cedar, citronella, lemongrass, patchouli, catnip, lavender, and more. Find a favorite, and use it when you want to spend time outside.

How do I mosquito proof my yard?

Here are some steps you can take to mosquito-proof your yard.

1. Plant Mosquito-Repelling Flowers. The most common and popular mosquito-repelling garden plant is the marigold.
2. Eliminate Standing Water. ...
3. Invite Bats Into Your Yard. ...
4. Keep Your Gutters Clean. ...
5. Treat Wet Areas. ...
6. Spray & Trap. ...
7. Use Repellent Devices.

How do I permanently keep mosquitoes away?

Follow these tips to repel and control mosquitoes and help prevent future problems.

1. Kill and Repel Mosquitoes.
2. Kill mosquitoes in the air. ...
3. Light candles or lanterns. ...
4. Set mosquito traps. ...
5. Spray on personal repellents. ...
6. Prevent Future Mosquito Problems. ...
7. Clean up debris. ...
8. Plant mosquito-repelling plants.

What are mosquitoes most afraid of?

Mosquitoes hate the smell of lavender, citronella, clove, peppermint, basil, cedarwood, eucalyptus, peppermint, lemongrass and rosemary. They also hate smells such as smoke, for further insight, see our exploration on, does smoke keep mosquitoes away?

What essential do mosquitoes hate?

Many natural scents that are appealing to humans actually repel mosquitoes, including lavender, peppermint, basil, and eucalyptus. Many of these scents can be worn as an essential oil on your skin to help keep these pesky pests from biting you.

What eats mosquitoes the most?

Natural Mosquito Predators

• Gambusia Affinis. Gambusia Affinis is also known as the mosquitofish, is a live-bearing American fish that is utilized by some mosquito control districts across the country as a very effective predator of mosquito larvae.
• Purple Martin. ...
• Bats. ...
• Dragonflies. ...
• Damselflies.

Which is better lemongrass or citronella?

A completely different plant, the Cymbopogon (lemongrass) genus, produces the perfumed oil. Citronella plants (or Pelargonium citrosum) are commonly thought to be the best at repelling mosquitos. However, Lemongrass (or Cymbopogon) is superior.

Do lemons stop mosquitoes?

Do lemons repel flies and mosquitoes? YES! Citrus is a natural pest repellent and citrus essential oils are used in most homemade pest sprays.

Does rosemary repel mosquitoes?

Garden Design adds, “Rosemary is an herb that many of us are very familiar with and their woody scent is exactly what keeps mosquitoes as well as cabbage moths and carrot flies away.”

Do mosquitoes hate peppermint or lavender?

Mosquitoes hate peppermint much like wasps and other common pests. Lavender – Lavender is not only an effective mosquito repellent, it's also touted as a powerful ointment to relieve itchy mosquito bites. This oil has a pleasant floral scent and is the safest choice for children.

What colors do mosquitoes hate?

So, if you're looking to avoid the itchy bites, researchers at the University of Washington say to avoid colors like cyan, orange, red and black. Instead, you should focus on wearing colors mosquitoes ignore like white, blue, green and purple.

What oil do mosquitoes hate?

Citronella (Cymobopogon nardus) is an ingredient in many repellents. This oil is also high in citronellal and geraniol, both of which repel bugs. Products that have the right amount of citronella can be as effective as DEET when properly combined with other essential oils.