Mosquitoes are not only a nuisance, but they can also carry diseases such as West Nile virus and Zika virus. While there are many commercial insect repellents available, some people prefer to use natural alternatives that don’t contain harsh chemicals. One such option is to use herbs that repel mosquitoes.
Here are 12 herbs that can help keep mosquitoes away:
- Citronella: Citronella is perhaps the most well-known mosquito-repelling herb. It has a strong, lemony scent that mosquitoes find unpleasant. You can plant citronella in your garden or use citronella candles or essential oil to repel mosquitoes.
- Basil: Basil contains compounds that mosquitoes find unpleasant. You can plant basil in your garden or crush the leaves and rub them on your skin to repel mosquitoes.
- Lavender: Lavender has a calming scent that can repel mosquitoes. You can plant lavender in your garden or use lavender essential oil to repel mosquitoes.
- Peppermint: Peppermint has a strong scent that can mask the smell of humans and repel mosquitoes. You can plant peppermint in your garden or crush the leaves and rub them on your skin to repel mosquitoes.
- Lemon balm: Lemon balm has a lemony scent that mosquitoes find unpleasant. You can plant lemon balm in your garden or crush the leaves and rub them on your skin to repel mosquitoes.
- Rosemary: Rosemary has a strong scent that can repel mosquitoes. You can plant rosemary in your garden or use rosemary essential oil to repel mosquitoes.
- Sage: Sage contains compounds that mosquitoes find unpleasant. You can plant sage in your garden or use sage essential oil to repel mosquitoes.
- Catnip: Catnip contains a compound called nepetalactone that is 10 times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET, a common commercial insect repellent. You can plant catnip in your garden or crush the leaves and rub them on your skin to repel mosquitoes.
- Lemongrass: Lemongrass has a strong lemony scent that can repel mosquitoes. You can plant lemongrass in your garden or use lemongrass essential oil to repel mosquitoes.
- Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus contains compounds that can repel mosquitoes. You can plant eucalyptus in your garden or use eucalyptus essential oil to repel mosquitoes.
- Garlic: Garlic contains compounds that can repel mosquitoes. You can plant garlic in your garden or crush garlic cloves and rub them on your skin to repel mosquitoes.
- Thyme: Thyme contains compounds that mosquitoes find unpleasant. You can plant thyme in your garden or use thyme essential oil to repel mosquitoes.
In conclusion, there are many herbs that can help repel mosquitoes and prevent them from biting you and your family. Consider planting some of these herbs in your garden or using their essential oils to help keep mosquitoes away.
