Skip to content

What Are the Best Plants to Keep Mosquitoes Away?

Mosquitoes find hosts to feed on using their sense of smell. This means that strong fragrances can work as a natural mosquito deterrent. Certain plants and herbs can have their oils extracted and used to deter mosquitoes as well.

It’s important to work with a professional mosquito exterminator on top of using plants in order to repel mosquitoes reliably.

Lavender planted on porch

Plants that Repel Mosquitoes

Certain oils from plants can help to repel mosquitoes. For that reason, it can be beneficial to plant a garden with different kinds of plants that can aid in creating mosquito repellents. Some notable plants include:

  1. Citronella. Often labeled as “mosquito plants” in big-box stores, this leafy plant is actually a type of geranium. Citronella oil can be most effectively extracted from citronella grass, though.
  2. Lavender. Lavender oil’s fragrant smell can help deter mosquitoes by preventing them from locating hosts.
  3. Marigolds. Marigolds emit a scent that helps to deter mosquitoes. They are a great addition to a garden because they are easy to grow and also prevent aphids, whiteflies, and other pests.
  4. Rosemary, thyme, & basil. Similar to lavender and marigolds, these fragrant herbs emit a smell on their own that works to keep mosquitoes away.

Do Mosquitoes Feed on Nectar from Plants?

Mosquitoes primarily sustain themselves on plant nectar, not blood. Male mosquitoes don’t feed on blood at all; their diet consists of nectar, plant sap, and honeydew. Female mosquitoes only feed on blood to prepare their bodies for reproduction. So, like many other insects in your garden, mosquitoes are sustaining themselves primarily on nectar from flowering plans.

What Scents Actively Deter Mosquitoes?

Female mosquitoes use their keen sense of smell to pick up on carbon dioxide emissions, which are released when people exhale. This means that strong scents and fragrances of many sorts can work to repel mosquitoes by confusing them. Perfumes, citronella candles, and other natural scents can keep you safe from mosquito bites around your home or garden in Lubbock TX.

What Are The Best Plants to Keep Mosquitoes Away? Serving Lubbock, Plainview, Levelland, Wolfforth

Lubbock County | Hale County | Hockley County | Crosby County | Garza County | Lynn County | Terry County | Lamb County | Floyd County

Lubbock | Plainview | Levelland | Wolfforth | Idalou | Slaton | Littlefield | Post | Tahoka | Brownfield | Floydada | Crosbyton