Plants that naturally repel mosquitoes are one of my favorites to talk about this time of year.

We are full on into summertime here in the US. BBQ’s, beach, and outdoor fun. And with summer comes the bugs – everything from mosquitoes to fleas to those awful biting black flies. Bugs bring the bites and the bites bring the uncomfortable itching. We are constantly searching for protection.

While we are trying to keep those terrible chemicals & pesticides off our food and out of our body, we have few commercial bug spray options that aren’t made with bad chemical ingredients like DEET.

So what alternatives do we have?

7 Plants That Natually Repel Mosquitoes and Biting Insects

Here are some plants you have have in your garden or in pots that can be effective in keeping bugs away.

#1 Lemon Grass (aka citronella grass)

Containing citronella, it is the original bug repelling plant with a lemony scent. Lemon grass is a pretty ornimental grass that can be planted just about anywhere. To help deter mosquitoes with its strong fragrance, plant lemon grass along walkways and in locations close to seating areas. You can also plant in containers and move around your patio or to create a privacy screen.

#2 Lemon Balm

A member of the mint family, lemon balm has a rich, lemony scent, not a fresh minty scent. It is a natural repellent because it contains a high level of citronellal, a compound which mimics the well-known herbal repellent citronella oil, simply crush a handful of lemon balm leaves in your hand and rub them on your exposed skin. Grow the plants near your backdoor or in your garden, where the leaves will be handy when you need them.

#3 Lavender

WIth it’s lovely scent and beautiful flowers, lavender is a garden must. The lavender blooms from June – August, high mosquito time where I live, and it’s scent repels best when rubbed onto your skin.

#4 Catnip

By sake of its name you know cats loved catnip but did you know that mosquitoes hate it. This fragrant plant, a cousin to mint, contains a chemical called nepetalactone, which is both a feline attractant and a useful repellent. Some studies are showing it could be more repelling than DEET and definetly not as harmful. It can be crushed and rub on your skin. Beware if you grow it, your cats love to roll it it too. Hang your pots out of reach and don’t get to upset if cats are crushing the plants in your garden, they can’t help it. 🙂

#5 Marigolds

Marigolds are a great companion for vegetables gardens because the aroma is particuraly hated by aphids as well as mosquitoes.

#6 Mint

Mint is one of the common oils used in many repellent oils. It smells wonderful when the winds blows it around and helps to keep mosquitos at bay. You can also crush the leaves and rub on your skin to repell or double as an itch reliever too.