Forget about toxic repellents that can put your family’s health in danger.
We discovered that plants and flowers don’t just clean the air and help you fall asleep, but they can also repel bugs and mosquitoes from your house.
Some of them have a strong scent, and others have a chemical compound that only bugs can smell, but all of them are beautiful and can be both decorative and beneficial to us.
We investigated what plants can be used for repellent purposes so you can add them to your next shopping list.
1. Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums not only have beautiful flowers, but they also serve as a great bug repellent. They produce a substance called pyrethrin, which insects don’t like. You can either plant your Chrysanthemum next to other plants as a form of pest control or pluck its flowers, adding them to hot water to sprinkle on clothes or surfaces to repel mosquitoes.
2. Mint
Mint is often used for culinary purposes, but it can also do wonders when it comes to deterring ants from coming into your home. Just sprinkle some mint wherever you find ants and watch them go away. The strong scent this plant gives off will repel any undesirable bugs. Peppermint essential oil also works.
3. Lavender
Lavender contains a compound called linalool that is a well-known flea, fruit fly, and cockroach insecticide. You can grab a handful of lavender leaves, put them in a spray bottle filled with water, and sprinkle it onto your skin and furniture.
4. Catn
While cats may love catnip, mosquitoes hate it. This plant exhales nepetalactone that has highly effective repellent power. Just leave your catnip in your garden or inside your home and witness the effects.
5. Bee balm
6. Sage
Sage has a natural compound called caryophyllene that can repel mosquitoes and bugs. It’s better activated while hot, so you can throw a few branches of this herb into a fire and watch the insects say goodbye.
7. Rosemary
Whether it’s for cooking or decorating, having a rosemary plant in your home is always a good idea. And to get even more out of it, its flowers have the power to repel any mosquitos in your path. Just add one cup of dried rosemary to a quart of water, boil it, let it cool down, and put the mixture into a spray bottle. You can apply it directly to your skin or pets.
8. Lemon balm
Lemon balm has a good smell thanks to the citronellal compound it has — but bugs don’t like this aroma very much. Crush its leaves so the scent can become stronger, then rub them onto your skin to repel mosquitoes and bugs.
9. Borage
If you grow tomatoes or cabbages in your garden, borages can be your best friend. You can put them next to your vegetable plants, as they can repel harmful insects and hornworms.
10. Basil
The smell of basil is so strong that it can leave our mouths watering and scare away bugs at the same time. Its leaves have 4 repellent compounds, and you only need to rub them for the scent to be released. Put some basil on your windowsills to stop mosquitos from coming inside your house.
