Plants That Deter Mosquitoes

Which Plants Deter Mosquitoes?

Plants Claimed to Repel Mosquitoes

People often try to add herbs that deter mosquitoes to their gardens as a natural defense, but only planting herbs and doing nothing else to reduce the mosquito population does little to keep mosquitoes at bay. Some plants said to repel these pests include:

• Lavender

• Mint

• Catnip

• Rosemary

• Basil

• Garlic

• Lemongrass

• Citronella Grass

Myths About Plants and Mosquitoes

While planting herbs seems like a safe solution for a pest problem, simply changing the contents of a garden does very little to keep mosquitoes at bay. The oils derived from their leaves, flowers, or roots may have repellent properties, but unprocessed plants do not deter the pests enough to be considered effective repellents.

Will Oil from Rosemary, Lemongrass, or Lavender Keep Mosquitoes Away?

It may be tempting to think that filling a spray bottle with oil from herbs that deter mosquitoes would be effective. There’s no scientifically proven evidence that extracts from plants like lavender or lemongrass will repel them reliably for an extended period of time.

In addition, people can have allergic reactions to plant oils. Those with sensitive skin may break out in hives or develop a rash.

Citronella Candles and Sprays

Marketed as a plant that deters mosquitoes, citronella products are a popular choice for many people. Candles and repellents appear in stores every summer. Unfortunately, even these items produce mixed results. There’s no conclusive proof that citronella keeps mosquitoes away, especially if the population of mosquitoes is large and made up of aggressive blood feeding these species.

Controlling Infestations

Since home remedies don’t always work, homeowners should seek out more effective means to help manage their population. Contacting Orkin for information about registered and proven repellents and other reliable mosquito deterrents is the best way to handle infestations.