Plants and Flowers That Can Help Keep Mosquitoes Away

Can certain plants really keep mosquitoes away?

Yes, they absolutely can! Too many homeowners think they need to just accept that their yard is a hotspot for mosquitoes. But it doesn’t need to be that way! You can do several things to help control the mosqui

to population in your yard, including growing certain aromatic, mosquito-repellent plants.

They may not completely keep mosquitoes out of your yard, but they can have a big impact.

What Plants and Flowers Repel Mosquitoes?

Any of the following plants can help you reduce the number of mosquitoes in your yard:

• Basil: More than just a popular spice for cooking, basil is actually toxic to mosquito larvae

• Citronella: This helps mask the smell of carbon dioxide from your breath

• Lavender: This can help keep mosquitoes away, as well as spiders, fleas, and moths

• Marigold: This famously pretty flower can keep away any number of insects, as well as prevent rabbits from eating your vegetable garden

While planting any of these does not guarantee a mosquito-free backyard, they can make an appreciable difference.

The 4 Best Mosquito-Repellent Plants for Your Yard

Basil

Who doesn’t love the smell of basil in their cooking? And if it helps you keep mosquitoes away, you will love it even more.

This is effective because basil is actually toxic to mosquito larvae. This means that if you strategically plant it near standing water where mosquitoes lay their eggs, the basil can help destroy the next generation of mosquitoes before they hatch.

Citronella

There’s a reason citronella candles are so popular.

Mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide we exhale. This is their signal that there are humans in the area. However, if you plant citronella around your yard, this can help mask the smell of your carbon dioxide to mosquitoes, which can help hide your presence.

Lavender

This is one of the scents that humans love the most. It’s a popular choice for relaxing scented candles, oils, and bath products. And it turns out it can also remove the stress of swatting mosquitoes all night.

It’s also been known to help repel annoying pests, like: 

• Moths

• Flies

• Spiders

• Fleas

However, simply planting it isn’t enough. You need to break it up to release the essential oils into the air. So you could consider using it to make your own essential oils or potpourri.

Marigold

The secret ingredient in this plant is called pyrethrum, which is a compound that you may find in off-the-shelf insect repellents.

It’s known to keep away mosquitoes and other garden pests like: 

• Aphids

• Thrips

• Squash bugs

Some experts say that it will also help keep certain garden-nibbling animals from having a snack on your property. It may help repel rabbits and deer, while actually attracting friendly pollinators.

Where Should You Plant Mosquito-Repellent Plants?

The good news is that you don’t have to limit them to your garden. You can plant them in the areas where you are having problems, or in a movable container to help problematic areas.

This opens the door for you to use them in high-mosquito areas, such as:

• Your deck, patio, or porch

• In and around doors and windows

• Along paths and walkways

• Any sort of sitting area or gathering place

• High-traffic areas where the kids like to play

But manage your expectations. These plants cannot completely eliminate mosquitoes, but they can help.

Why Plants Alone Won’t Solve a Mosquito Problem

Keeping mosquitoes out of your yard is getting harder in a lot of areas as we see mosquito populations rise and mosquito/tick seasons get longer across North America.

Adding plants that repel mosquitoes can be helpful, but it’s more important to remove the conditions that attract mosquitoes. It’s often about moisture because mosquitoes lay their eggs in water, and they are attracted to damp organic vegetation.

This means you want to clean your rain gutters and remove any dead organic waste (lawn clippings or leaves) that may be sitting in your yard.

Most importantly, you need to eliminate any standing water puddles in the yard. This includes draining your:

• Bird baths

• Patio furniture

• Spare tires or tire swings

• Kiddie pools or hot tub lids

• Garbage cans or recycling bins

Also, if you have standing water on your lawn for hours or days after a rainstorm, you might be dealing with compacted soil or drainage issues in your yard. Solving this will also go a long way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does citronella work if it is planted in the yard?

Yes, it does! The concept is very similar to burning citronella candles. You’re using the scent to disguise your body's natural exhalation of carbon dioxide.

Does lavender repel mosquitoes?

Yes, but simply planting lavender around your yard probably won’t do much good.

You need to crush the plant to release its essential oils into the air. So it might be just as effective to try over-the-counter products like lavender lotions, sprays, or bottled essential oils.

What can I do if these plants don’t work?

Again, these plants can help you repel mosquitoes. However, they won’t be as effective if you have more powerful elements attracting mosquitoes to your yard. And if that’s the case, your best bet is likely to bring in an experienced mosquito control professional.

“We’ve been extremely happy with Mosquito Hero. Their team is professional, reliable, and friendly, and we’ve noticed a huge difference in both mosquitoes and ticks around our property since starting their service. It has made spending time outside so much more enjoyable and worry-free. Highly recommend!” - A 5-Star Google review.

We can help you take your yard back! Click here to get a free mosquito control quote today!