Before we get started on the list, here’s a fun fact: The average human body contains 10 pounds of blood, while certain mosquitoes can smell one drop of blood from more than 50 meters away. Yikes! Mosquito repelling plants are great additions to your home if you want to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes. Here is a list of the best mosquito repelling plants that you can use as an alternative to bug sprays and lotions. Are you looking for the best plants to repel mosquitoes? Mosquitoes are one of the most annoying pests around. They can make being outside unbearable, and even ruin your trip. You can’t always avoid them – they’ll find you even when you’re resting inside. So your main goal should be to keep a number of plants that repel these blood suckers in your house, garden or patio.

Natural Plant Mosquito Repellent

The human body contains many natural repellents that make us less aware of insect pests.

• Chemical repellents, such as DEET, can be harmful to the environment.
• Natural repellents such as citronella, eucalyptus, and lavender are great alternatives to chemical ones.

Natural plants that repel mosquitoes include peppermint, lemon grass oil (lemon eucalyptus), lemongrass oil (citronella), cedarwood essential oils (cedarwood), rosemary essential oils (rosemary).

Humans produce an organic chemical that repels certain insects.

You may not realize it, but humans produce a chemical that repels certain insects. In fact, we all have the same natural scent: carbon dioxide (CO2). As soon as you exhale, CO2 becomes part of the air around us and can be detected by mosquitoes looking for food sources.

Carbon dioxide isn’t the only human-produced chemical mosquitoes are attracted to; lactic acid and octenol—two other chemicals found in sweat—also attract these pests. While these three substances may seem like they’d make great mosquito repellents on their own, they don’t work well alone because they’re so similar to what mosquitoes naturally seek out in their environment anyway. However when you combine them together with plants like citronella grass or lemon balm (to name just two) then you’ll have yourself a solid botanical repellent!

Safety data is available only for dogs and cats, but the effectiveness of these repellents remains unproven in humans.

While eucalyptus and citronella are used in commercial repellents, safety data is only available for dogs and cats. The effectiveness of these repellents remains unproven in humans.

Eucalyptus oil contains cineole (also known as eucalyptol), which is an active ingredient in many commercially available mosquito repellents. It can be toxic to pets when ingested, so if you plan on trying this DIY method with your dog or cat, be sure to keep it well out of reach.

Repellent only works for a few hours because mosquitoes are attracted to body heat, which dissipates over time. Side effects include nausea and vomiting if ingested directly by the user or their pet animal(s). Repellent only works on certain types of mosquitoes; some species have been found immune due to their ability to detect CO2 from exhaled breath rather than lactic acid from perspiration on skin surfaces where DEET may be applied

There are many natural ways to repel insect pests from your yard.

There are many natural ways to repel insect pests from your yard.

• Planting Marigolds, Basil, Mint and other aromatic herbs

Plant Marigold and other aromatic herbs such as Rosemary, Lavender and Peppermint around your home. These plants all have strong scents that will mask the smell of humans which can attract mosquitoes.

• Planting Citrosa (Lemon Grass) or Lemongrass at least six inches apart in small pots filled with soil (not potting mix). Water regularly in a sunny area until established for about four months before moving outside where they thrive in hot climates. You can use citrosa as an indoor plant too!