Relaxing outdoors can be a pleasant experience, but uninvited visitors like mosquitoes can cause a lot of annoyance. To prevent these tiny insects from entering into yards, gardens, and other outdoor spaces or even indoors, having a few plants around can work as natural repellents. These plants are perennials, which means they can be grown all the year round. Besides, their fragrant foliage can also help repel other troublesome insects.
Lavender
Many insects and even small animals like rabbits tend to keep away from lavender plants. This is because of the fragrance of the lavender, which is released through the essential oils present in the leaves of the plant. Besides, lavender oil has properties that can disrupt the sense of smell in mosquitoes. So, these insects always stay away from lavender plants. Also, since lavender plants are known to be quite tough and resistant to drought, they are quite low maintenance. All they need is regular sunlight along with proper drainage. While this plant can survive through all the seasons, they generally thrive during warmer months.
Catmint
Also known as catnip, this plant is usually found nearly everywhere. Belonging to the mint family, it is capable of growing in abundance. While the plant is quite easy to take care of, it has to be grown carefully since it can easily invade other areas of a yard or garden. But if cultivated well, catmint can work as an effective mosquito repellent. It has active ingredients that can cause itchiness on mosquitoes, making them flee from the area. In fact, these active ingredients are more potent than some of the chemical-based insect repellents.
Sage
The essential oils in sage work as natural mosquito repellents. A common way to use sage to keep away mosquitoes and other bugs is by burning it. Pluck a few leaves and throw them into a fireplace or fire pit. The plume of aroma that is released will keep mosquitoes away for a while. Besides this, fresh sage leaves can be crushed and rugged off on skin or clothing to prevent mosquitoes from coming too close. Planting sage in pots and using it to edge planting beds is the best way to keep bugs and mosquitoes away from a space. Make sure that the herb grows under full sun and has well-drained soil.
Bee balm
Plants like the bee balm can be useful additions to a garden or a yard. They not only deter unwanted insects like mosquitoes but also attract good ones like butterflies and bees. Also called horsemint or Monarda, this perennial plant can be grown all the year round but its flowers bloom only between mid and late summer. Although the blooming season is in the summer, the leaves of the bee balm are good enough to keep away mosquitoes all through the year.
Mint
This is a perennial herb that repels mosquitoes as well as a host of other common insects including ants and flies. Mint is nontoxic but has a pungent aroma that prevents mosquitoes from entering into the space where these plants are present. The stronger the aroma of mint, the less will the insects be. Besides, this herb is quite versatile as it can be added to meal preps, dips, sauces, juices, and even teas. Another benefit of this plant is that it can be used as natural pest control by drying and crushing the leaves and placing them around the house.
Germanium
There are different varieties of germanium that grow perennially. These are mostly low-maintenance plants ranging over nearly 300 species. They can be grown under different conditions, including partial shade as well as full sun. The plants bloom into flowers of various colors like white, blue, burgundy, red, purple, and pink. Some of these usually bloom between spring and midsummer, while others bloom all through the growing season. Whichever variety is chosen, all geraniums have a strong scent. When crushed, it releases chemicals that work as deterrents against insects and bugs including mosquitoes. Common fragrances include rose, citrus blends, nutmeg, peppermint, cinnamon, lemon, apple and cinnamon. Among these, the lemon-scented ones are the strongest mosquito repellents.
Thyme
Among its several varieties, the red creeping thyme is known to have some strong mosquito-repellent properties. To make the best use of this perennial that repels mosquitoes, simply crush the leaves of the thyme to release some potent essential oils. Rub these crushed leaves on clothing or skin to keep off insects like mosquitoes. Besides this, the stems of the plant can also be crushed and placed all around an outdoor seating area. This will keep away critters and bugs too. Additionally, burning thyme leaves can also provide protection against mosquitoes for about an hour. Apart from red creeping thyme, silver thyme and English thyme can also be planted in pots or used along edges of planting beds to repel mosquitoes.
Wormwood
With its scientific name being Artemisia absinthium, wormwood does more than adding aesthetics to a garden or yard. Most people use this plant to render a silver backdrop for their gardens and yard foliage. But the appealing leaves of the plant also release a potent scent that is toxic enough to keep critters and insects like mosquitoes away from areas wherever wormwood is present.