Mosquitoes, flies, and other bugs can spoil the relaxing atmosphere of a garden or patio. Plus, they are usually carriers of dirt and bacteria that can cause issues. There are several insect repellents one can buy to drive mosquitoes and flies away, but those chemical-heavy products come with multiple side effects. Instead, growing mosquito and fly-repellent plants is a good idea. Such plants make gardens more fragrant and organically keep pests at bay.
Basil
While basil’s healing properties are well-known, its mosquito-repellent abilities are a little overlooked. The natural oil of basil has an aroma that mosquitoes and flies find repulsive. In addition to the aroma, basil leaves contain compounds that can inhibit mosquito and fly development in their larvae before they can hatch. This helps reduce the number of pests in one’s garden or patio. Basil leaves can be used to heal mosquito bites too. All one needs to do is roll the leaves several times to release their natural oil. Then, one can gently apply the leaves to the area of their skin bitten by the mosquito. Another major benefit of growing basil plants is that they attract pollinators to one’s garden.
Marigold
Generally, marigold is known for its aesthetically pleasing design and color. Another useful attribute of marigold is its pest-repellent qualities. The strong scent of marigold keeps insects at bay. The best aspect of the plant is that it does not take too much space to grow. It is relatively low-maintenance and can give colorful and gorgeous flowers throughout the summer. Apart from being a mosquito repellent, this plant has multiple other qualities as well. For instance, the carotene and carotenoids found in marigolds can be useful for vitamin A production within one’s body.
Catnip
The extract from catnip helps keep insects at bay, making it one of the best plants to repel mosquitoes and flies. The essential oil of catnip is an active ingredient in many organic insect-repellent products. To take out the oil, one does not need to carry out any complicated procedure. All one has to do is crush fresh catnip leaves and stems before applying it to their skin and clothes. While catnip is non-toxic to pets, it can affect the senses and behavior of some species of cats. For this reason, people with pets need to consult a veterinarian before choosing to grow this plant in their lawn.
Lavender
Like basil, lavender is also known to boost pollination in one’s garden. People who grow this fragrant plant around their home will find a profusion of purple flowers growing there because of lavender’s ability to attract pollinators. The most significant quality of lavender is its mesmerizing aroma, which helps repel mosquitoes and flies for about 6 to 8 hours at any given time. The essential oil of lavender creates this strong and pleasing smell.
To get the best results, one needs to plant lavender about 18 to 24 inches apart on the ground to allow them enough space to grow. Lavender requires direct sunlight to develop. Also, one will need to water the plant once or two times per week, depending on the dryness of the soil and the maturity of the plant.
Mint
Mint leaves are popularly used for garnishing. The plant has a unique and fresh smell that people can immediately associate with it. But this scent of mint tends to cause sensory irritation in mosquitoes, flies, and all other kinds of insects, making it one of the best plants to repel mosquitoes and flies. Plus, mint oil found between its stem and flower is known to drive rodents and bugs away. The best part is that it can be grown indoors as well. With enough watering, mint can grow at a fast rate and it can help repel insects even inside one’s home.
Rosemary
This is a herb that can instantly improve the flavor and aroma of any food. People generally use rosemary to add flavor to seafood, poultry dishes, dairy products such as cheeses, and starch-heavy foods like potatoes. Besides this, rosemary has excellent pest-repellent properties. Its scent is known to debilitate the senses of pests and cause irritation. So, growing rosemary in one’s garden is useful to keep the zone free from mosquitoes and flies for a few hours. The plant can grow in multiple ways. It can thrive in a garden, as a part of one’s landscape, or even grow in a window box. Its versatility and insect-repellent quality are two of the main reasons why it is frequently grown by home gardening enthusiasts.
Lemongrass
Citronella oil is an essential element that helps keep insects at bay. Lemongrass mainly contains citronella essential oil, making it one of the best plants to repel mosquitoes and flies. Like many plants on this list, lemongrass is also a great cooking and seasoning agent used in multiple cuisines. Lemongrass extracts are also used as a key ingredient in scented candles and insect repellents due to their ability to keep mosquitoes and flies at bay. To grow lemongrass, one would need well-drained soil and direct sunlight.
Some other plants that also act as strong organic insect-repellents include sage and pennyroyal.
