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 these annoying insects!
If you are looking for a natural way to keep blood-sucking pesky insects at bay, then here’s an exclusive list of the best Herbs that Keep Mosquitoes Away. Grow them for surprising results!
Learn how to use olive oil and Aloe Vera for mosquito bites here
Herbs that Keep Mosquitoes Away
Before you grow these Best Mosquito Repellent Herbs, keep the fact in mind that you have to crush their leaves every once in a while to let the fragrance of their oil sway in the air. This is what keeps mosquitoes away.
1. Catnip
Botanical Name: Nepeta cataria
Catnip has a nepetalactone chemical compound that makes it one of the best mosquito repelling plant. The odor of this herb is 10-times more powerful for repelling mosquitoes than DEET.
How to Use
Fill a jar with olive oil, add chopped catnip leaves, and shake well. Keep it in a cool dark place for 6-8 weeks, and use it as a mosquito repellant spray, you can also rub it on exposed skin for protection.
2. Lemongrass
Botanical Name: Cymbopogon citratus
Citronellol and geraniol compounds that are found in these plants are the most effective in repelling mosquitoes.
How to Use?
- Crush the leaves in your hands and rub them to your skin for repelling mosquitoes.
- Boil lemongrass leaves and some water in a container until you see some color. Now let the solution be like that overnight. The next day, transfer this in a mister and spray it around your house, this will reduce mosquitoes and make your place smell like some resort.
3. Lime Basil
Botanical Name: Ocimum americanum
The citrus and pungent smell of lime basil works best in driving mosquitoes away. You can also grow holy basil (Ocimum sanctum).
How to Use
Burn some lime basil sprigs along with a handful of its leaves to make your home free from mosquitoes.
4. Rosemary
Botanical Name: Rosmarinus officinalis
The intense aroma of this herb not only boosts the flavor of cuisines but also helps in getting rid of nasty insects. Fragrant rosemary leaves and blooms are great at repelling mosquitoes.
How to Use
Simply burn some dried rosemary leaves in your yard—the smoke will repel mosquitoes.
5. Lemon Verbena
Botanical Name: Aloysia citrodora
You can keep the lemon verbena plant near doorways or window for repelling mosquitoes. Its fresh lemony scent is potent in kicking off bugs and other insects from your home.
How to Use
Crush leaves of lemon verbena, and rub them on the exposed parts 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.
7. Lavender
Botanical Name: Lavandula
The scent of lavender contains compound linalool, which repels mosquitoes by 93%. The best part is, its fragrance can be enjoyed by everyone while it keeps the pesky insects away!
How to Use
Crush lavender flowers and leaves and steep them in olive or coconut oil. Keep it at a dark spot for 4-5 weeks. You can apply the solution to your skin to keep it moisturized and safe from mosquitoes.
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. As compared to DEET, it has 62 percent of mosquito repelling activity.
How to Use
Crush the leaves and rub them on your skin.
9. Horsemint
Botanical Name: Mentha longifolia
Also known as spotted beebalm, this easy-to-grow herb has the same mosquito repelling properties as citronella. Also, it possesses an intense aroma that confuses mosquitoes, hence they stay away from the plant.
How to Use
Apply crushed residue of leaves on your skin and keep it safe from mosquitoes.
10. Baby Sage
Botanical Name: Salvia microphylla
Cherry sage holds an impressive 60% efficiency at repelling mosquitoes and other insects. It is also one of the easiest herbs you can 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, hummingbirds. The licorice smell of the herb deters mosquitoes.
How to Use
Rub the fragrant leaves on the skin to keep mosquitoes away.
12. Rue
Botanical Name: Ruta graveolens
Another good herb that you can grow to keep pesky insects 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, and rub them on the skin to keep mosquitoes away.
Apart from all these herbs, you can also try growing holy basil and neem. Especially, burning neem tree leaves can kill mosquitoes.
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