Thankfully, solutions includecitronella candlesand sprays,heavy-duty bug sprays,andmosquito traps.
Here are our top recommendations for plants that repel mosquitos.
Lavender
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
The oil naturally created by the lavender plant (Lavandulaspp.)
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
is thought to potentially inhibit the mosquito’s sense of smell.
Lavender is toxic to dogs and cats.
Mint
The Spruce / Kara Riley
Mint (Menthaspp.)
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
comes in many varieties to suit your preferences.
Any mint will deter mosquitos.
Add one to your outdoor sitting areaor start a collection of mint varieties.
The Spruce / Kara Riley
Mint is toxic to animals.
But all summer long it adorns your patio and keeps pests at bay.
Rosemary prefers to dry out between waterings.
The Spruce / Randi Rhoades
Bee Balm
Fast-growing with bright abundant blooms, bee balm (Monardaspp.)
attracts plenty of desirable pollinators like bees and butterflies.
For best results, crush a few leaves to release the scented oils.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Bee balm has quick-spreading underground rhizomes and grows best in dry, non-humid conditions.
Allium
The Spruce / Leticia Almeida
Alliums (Alliumspp.
These plants can be toxic to humans and pets.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
Beautyberry (Callicarpa Americana)plants are a member of the mint family.
Catnip can be toxic to cats.
This plant can be toxic to pets.
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The substance in marigolds (Tagetesspp.)
that gives them their insect-repelling power ispyrethrum, a substance used in many organic insecticides.
Lantana may be toxic to humans and pets.
The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong
Both types have feathery foliage with a strong, anise-like aroma that deters mosquitos.
The plant is a short-lived perennial but is usually grown as an annual.
Eucalyptus
The Spruce / Cielito Vivas
In their native habitat, eucalyptus trees (Eucalyptusspp.)
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are huge but size does not matter, even a potted eucalyptus works as a mosquito deterrent.
Thyme
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All varieties of thyme (Thymusspp.
)repel mosquitoes butcreeping thymeworks best.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
These low-growing plants are great as ground covers or between stepping stones.
Scented Geranium
Scented geraniums (Pelargoniumspp.)
include many varieties bred for their pungent smell.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Those with a lemon scent are known to be best for repelling mosquitoes and other insects.
Scented geraniums are perennial in warmer climates but are more often grown as annuals.
They are especially popular as potted plants.
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Note that they can be toxic to people and pets.
Ageratum
Floss flower (Ageratum houstonianum) contains the chemical compound coumarin that repels mosquitoes.
It has a pungent yet pleasant odor that mosquitoes avoid.
The Spruce / Cielito Vivas
Leaves tossed into a fire pit will keep bugs away for hours.
Garlic takes about nine months from planting to harvest.
Garlic can be toxic to pets.
The Spruce / Lacey Johnson
Pennyroyal can be toxic to people and pets.
Its minty leaves can also be used to make tea.
They can usually be found on front porches with pumpkins and Halloween decorations.
The Spruce / Almar Creative
They can also repel mosquitos, which is ideal for those fall nights when it’s still hot out.
Mums are available in a variety of colors and prefer consistent watering.
Wormwood
Wormwood (Artemisia artemisiifolia)grows in most poor soils and is drought tolerant.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Wormwood is ideal if you live in a dry landscape and want a natural mosquito repellant.
These plants grow quite large, ultimately spreading up to 4 feet wide.
Keep in mind, they emit a somewhat unpleasant odor which is what deters mosquitos.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Wormwood can be toxic to people and pets.
Elsewhere, grow it as an annual in well-draining soil and in an area that gets full sunlight.
Lemon verbena may be toxic to people and pets.
The Spruce / Kara Riley
The most effective plant-based mosquito repellent is catnip.
The ideal ratio is 20% oil to 80% water.
North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension.
The Spruce / K. Dave
Repellency of Lantana camara (Verbenaceae) Flowers Against Aedes Mosquitoes, Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association.
North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension.
North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Dangers of essential oils.
Texas A&M University.
National Library of Medicine.
The Spruce / Grant Webster
University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources.
North Carolina State Extension.
Mosquito Repellents: Types and Recommendations.
The Spruce / Gyscha Rendy
Mississippi State Department of Health.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
The Spruce / Randi Rhoades
