Last updated on January 19th, 2025 at 03:39 pm
List of plants that repel mosquitoes. During the monsoon season in the Southwest, mosquitoes are a BIG problem. They appear almost everywhere at social gatherings, work, at home, and inside buildings.
Do these plants really repel mosquitoes
Some people swear by these plants, claiming they’ve noticed real changes, while others say they don’t do much. I haven’t conducted a rigorous scientific study to confirm their effectiveness one way or the other.
What I can do, though, is share my personal experience. Over time, I’ve observed small but noticeable differences when I’ve had them around. It’s anecdotal, sure, but that doesn’t make it any less real to me. Whether it’s the placebo effect or something tangible, I’ll leave that for you to decide.
Keeping Mosquitoes Away
In the growing season, I tend to these plants every day, and they keep mosquitoes and other bugs away. The main question is how near you need to be for them to work. The answer? Very close.
Adding all these plants in a big container and placing them on your patio, backyard, or front porch and expecting to never see a mosquito is unrealistic at best.
The plants listed here aren’t just decorative; they also work as culinary herbs or lush greenery to enhance indoor and outdoor setups.
Plants that mosquitoes do not like
- Basil – Not only is this plant a herb for cooking all kinds of special dishes it can also help repel mosquitoes.
- Catnip – It attracts cats but not mosquitoes. As a herb, It can also help with sleepless nights and anxiety problems.
- Lemon Balm – This is used for cooking and the extract is used for many types of remedies. Anxiety, sleep disorders, and even pain.
- Garlic – Yes, garlic is a good pungent repelling smell for mosquitoes and other insects. I would not spray or rub it on your skin as it might repel more than just mosquitoes!
- Rosemary – All types of Rosemary will help keep mosquitoes away. It is also used for cooking many types of food, especially chicken.
- Peppermint (Yerba Buena) – Mosquitoes do not like the smell of peppermint. Even better if you have peppermint oil.
- Lavender – All types of lavender plants help repel these little flying insects. They also produce a nice little purple bloom during the spring and early summer seasons.
Photos of mosquito-repelling plants
Lemongrass is a fragrant plant that naturally helps repel mosquitoes, keeping your outdoor and indoor spaces more enjoyable and bite-free.
Lavender Plants – Mosquitoes do not like the fragrance of Lavender. There are many types of lavender. English, French, and Spanish lavender are the most common.
Marigolds – A very pungent-smelling plant…at least for mosquitoes they are.
Citronella Plants – These are in the geranium family. Mosquitoes can’t stand the smell of most geranium plants, with Citronella Geraniums being especially effective. Their strong lemon-like scent, often described as fresh and sharp, deters mosquitoes naturally. Unlike chemical repellents, these plants offer a simple, eco-friendly option for keeping bugs away. Plus, they’re easy to grow in gardens, pots, or window boxes, making them a versatile choice for mosquito control.
Rosemary is a good culinary herb and it helps keep mosquitoes at bay. Use them in containers and place them near an entrance for easy access when cooking.
The Peppermint plant (mentha) also called Yerba buena will help repel mosquitoes. This plant also helps with the digestive tract, and makes a good tea. Add it to salads and specialty drinks.
Other ways to repel mosquitoes
Did you know mosquito breeding time is about 2 days? They will lay eggs and the larvae will hatch in two days. Use mosquito dunks to prevent mosquito larvae from hatching. Place them in ponds, barrels, or where water collects.
Use DEET 
to keep mosquitoes off your body. Note; DEET does not kill mosquitoes and is not an insecticide. Using spray mosquito repellents does work well, especially those that contain “DEET” as it works and according to an article at Popular Science, it’s safe to use even on pets. There are rare cases where it has harmed people. But, these are folks who ingested large quantities of DEET. Read the article here.
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