Here is the list of Herbs that Keep Mosquitoes Away for good! Grow them in your home and garden to keep the space free from annoying insects!
If you are looking for a natural solution to repelling blood-sucking insects, consider these exceptional herbs. Crush the leaves periodically to release their fragrant oils into the air!
Herbs that Keep Mosquitoes Away
1. Catnip
Botanical Name: Nepeta cataria
Catnip’s chemical compound, nepetalactone, triggers a paining sensation in mosquitoes and forces them to run away. It’s better than the DEET repellent (a synthetic one)!
How to Use: To use it, put catnip leaves in olive oil and heat them. Then, strain the oil into a dark container. You can apply this on your arms and legs to keep mosquitoes away.
2. Lemongrass
Botanical Name: Cymbopogon citratus
Lemongrass smells like citrus, which mosquitoes hate. It has oils like citronella, geraniol, citral, and limonene that mosquitoes don’t like.
The Way of Using: You can plant lemongrass in your garden or make a spray. To make the spray, boil lemongrass leaves until the water changes color. Let it cool, then put it in a spray bottle. Spray it around to keep mosquitoes away.
3. Lime Basil
Botanical Name: Ocimum americanum
Lime basil smells strong, and mosquitoes have trouble finding people when it’s around. Holy basil (Ocimum sanctum) works, too.
Pro Tip: You can burn lime basil leaves to keep mosquitoes away.
4. Rosemary
Botanical Name: Rosmarinus officinalis L.
Rosemary has things in it that mosquitoes don’t like, like camphor and cineole. It also helps keep away Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which carry diseases like Zika.
How to Use: You can just have rosemary around, or you can burn dried rosemary leaves in your yard. It also helps you relax because of its medicinal properties.
5. Lemon Verbena
Botanical Name: Aloysia citrodora
You must keep the lemon verbena plant near doorways or windows to repel mosquitoes. Its fresh, lemony scent is enough to kick off bugs and other insects from your home.
Directions of Use: Crush lemon verbena leaves and rub them on the exposed parts of your body to make a protective shield against mosquitoes.
6. Pennyroyal
Botanical Name: Mentha pulegium
Pennyroyal leaves have a spearmint-like fragrance, which the mosquitoes hate. It is one of the key components in the formulation of pest repellents.
How to Use: Use crushed stems and leaves of pennyroyal in your house, or keep them in your pocket to repel mosquitoes.
Caution: Be cautious while eating, as large consumption of it can be toxic to humans.
7. Lavender
Botanical Name: Lavandula
Lavender’s fragrance contains the compound linalool, which repels mosquitoes by 93%. The best part is that its fragrance can be enjoyed by everyone while keeping the insects away—moths, flies, and mosquitoes!
Way of Using: Make sachets with lavender foliage, either in dry form or fresh, and keep them near your window, doors, or the areas from where the pesky insects can arrive.
8. Lemon Thyme
Botanical Name: Thymus citriodorus
This herb produces bee-attracting blooms but is also quite potent when it comes to keeping mosquitoes at bay. Additionally, compared to DEET, it has 62 percent mosquito-repelling activity.
How to Use: Plant thyme in hanging baskets around your seating areas, or crush the leaves and rub them on your skin for added effectiveness!
Read here about the best thyme-growing tips
9. Horsemint
Botanical Name: Monarda punctata
Also known as spotted beebalm, this easy-to-grow herb has citronella- an unwelcoming compound to buzzers. Its potent smell can confuse mosquitoes by masking the typical odor of their hosts
How to Use: Apply crushed residue of leaves on your skin or plant in your garden to create a strong olfactory barrier for them.
10. Cherry Sage
Botanical Name: Salvia microphylla
Cherry sage is an impressive 60% efficient at repelling mosquitoes and other insects. It is also one of the easiest herbs to grow.
How to Use: Crush the leaves and rub them on the skin. You can also make a bundle of dried or fresh sage stems and throw them into a chimney or fire pit—the smoke will repel mosquitoes.
11. Hummingbird Mint
Botanical Name: Agastache cana
Also known as anise hyssop, this sweet-smelling herb attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Its licorice smell resists mosquito attraction.
How to Use: Rub the fragrant leaves on the skin to keep mosquitoes away.
Check out flowers that repel mosquitoes (Proven by Science)
12. Rue
Botanical Name: Ruta graveolens
This is one of the best herbs that keep mosquitoes away. Keep it in small pots on a balcony or patio to use its leaves when the mosquitoes attack!
How to Use: Take a handful of leaves, crush them, and rub them on the skin to keep mosquitoes away from you!
Apart from all these herbs, you can also try growing holy basil and neem. Burning neem tree leaves can kill mosquitoes especially.
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