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).

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

  • Lilia
  • June 2, 2022 At 12:22 pm
  • Nice to have a copy
  • Reply

Nice to have a copy

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