Natural bug repellent: 11 Herbs and flowers that deter mosquitoes

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A thriving garden is the crowning glory of any homestead. However, this incredible achievement can be marred by the presence of pests like mosquitoes. Thankfully, you can keep your home garden mosquito-free by planting natural insect-repellent plants. (h/t to HomesteadSurvivalSite.com)

What diseases do mosquitoes spread?

Mosquitoes in general only live up to a week, but the females stick around longer – they can live for several months. Despite their short lifespans, mosquitoes must be eliminated to lower your risk of various health conditions.

These annoying and deadly pests carry bacteria, parasites, and viruses in their saliva. Once you get bitten by a mosquito, these pathogens are transmitted into your body.

Mosquito bites can cause life-threatening diseases like:

• Dengue fever
• Malaria
• Several viruses that cause encephalitis
• West Nile fever
• Yellow fever

When SHTF, you may run out of bug spray. Planting herbs and flowers that mosquitoes hate is a better alternative, especially since they don’t contain harmful chemicals like certain brands of insect spray.

Plant one or two of these 11 plants to keep mosquitoes out of your home or garden.

Sage

The aroma of sage will keep mosquitoes out of your house.

Wrap sage it in aluminum foil, wet it, poke holes in it, then add it to a fire to keep your home mosquito-free.

Basil

Basil isn’t just used as an ingredient for pasta and pizza. The herb also has an aroma that mosquitoes hate.

Additionally, basil is toxic to mosquito larvae. Plant basil near mosquito nesting sites with standing or stagnant water to prevent mosquitoes from laying their eggs.

Petunia

Beautiful petunias keep mosquitoes away, but they may attract other pests like caterpillars, slugs, and snails.

Citronella

Citronella is a common ingredient in mosquito-repellent products.

This large, low-maintenance plant can grow in any garden, as long as there’s no frost.

Garlic

Mosquitoes hate the pungent aroma of garlic. (Related: Bye, bye, bugs: 12 plants to keep the bugs away.)

Lemongrass

Lemongrass can grow up to almost five feet tall. The plant tolerates heat very well, but it can wither in frost and colder temperatures.

Keep lemongrass indoors to keep mosquitoes away during winter.

Marigold

Marigolds are beautiful and they also emit an aroma that mosquitoes hate. Like citronella, marigolds contain a natural compound that is frequently used in mosquito repellents.

Lavender

Lavender will attract bees to your garden while also keeping away nasty mosquitoes.

You can also hang dry lavender inside your home or outside your property to keep the mosquitoes away.

Pennyroyal

Pennyroyal repels both flies and mosquitoes. Keep in mind that pennyroyal is highly toxic for both infants and pregnant women.

Rosemary

Planting rosemary in your garden ensures that you have access to a fragrant herb whenever you need seasoning for vegetable dishes. Rosemary doubles as an effective and natural mosquito repellent. Just crush a rosemary sprig and toss it into a fire.

To make the herb smoke all night, wrap rosemary in aluminum foil, wet it, then poke some holes in the foil before adding it to a fire.

Catnip

Catnip contains a mosquito-repellent essential oil known as nepetalactone.

Nepetalactone is another common ingredient used to make insect repellent products.

Planting these natural mosquito-repellent plants all over your garden is not enough. To keep your homestead or garden mosquito-free, get rid of any stagnant water outdoors to eliminate major breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other kinds of harmful insects.

Sources include:

HomesteadSurvivalSite.com

Healthline.com