Do you want to enjoy being outdoors but get annoyed with insect attackers? You can protect yourself with plants that repel flies and mosquitoes. Their power comes from the scent they give off when you crush their leaves. Pests instinctively avoid the odor and move on to a less offensive target.
While you might be tempted to deter bugs by rubbing the juice on your skin, that could lead to a rash. Instead, opt for essential oils made from insect-repelling plants like mint and lavender.
We’ve listed thirteen of the best plants that repel bugs. Grow them in your garden or keep them close by in containers. Not only will they keep biting insects away, but they will also make your home more beautiful, too.
Beautiful Plants that Repel Flies and Bugs
While this list concerns plants to help keep flies and other bugs away, you can also take the opposite tactic to eliminate unwanted insects. Growing carnivorous plants that feed on flying insects benefits you and the plants. It’s also fascinating to watch.
Nasturtium Easily Repels Flies
Nasturtium flowers taste like pepper, and they have ten times the vitamins of lettuce. Many gardeners raise nasturtiums among cucumbers and squash because they are a delightful garnish for meals and they also keep pests away from other plants in the garden.
Growing nasturtiums in containers or on trellises is easy. And they give off a scent that repels aphids, beetles, loopers, whiteflies, and squash bugs. Just make sure they have plenty of sun and water, and they will create a protective zone wherever they thrive.
Basil Must Be Crushed to Repel Flies
Basil won’t repel flies and mosquitoes unless you crush its leaves. It’s the vapor from its juice that turns away predatory insects. But that’s not a problem because you can harvest the leaves to put in salads, soups, and sandwiches.
Some gardeners make an insect repellent spray by steeping basil in boiling water and then adding vodka to the mix. It’s not wise to spray that on your skin, but you can treat a picnic table or other outdoor furniture with it.
Lavender
Lavender is a sweet-smelling plant that keeps moths, flies, fleas, and mosquitoes at bay. And its magic works even after you’ve picked the flowers and dried them.
Historically, many people kept lavender sachets in her clothing drawers to keep bugs away.
This pretty purple plant is simple to grow as long as you have well-drained soil with plenty of sunshine. And you can use its fresh blossoms in sauces and desserts and dried flowers for tea.
Lemongrass Contains Citronella Oil
The citronella oil that repels mosquitoes comes from lemongrass. While bugs hate it, humans love eating this tasty citrusy plant. Many Asian dishes call for its distinctive flavor.
If you want to grow lemongrass, you’ll need a warm climate with full sunshine and plenty of water, as well as fertile, well-drained soil. Harvest it as soon as its stalks are a foot tall.
Use lemongrass or another similar plant for how to get rid of roach infestation in the yard or beneath your house. Plant it at the base of your home to keep these unwelcome bugs from coming in and for repelling them from your yard.
Lemon Thyme
Lemon thyme of the thyme family is another citrus-flavored herb that repels insects. But to achieve that effect, you’ll need to bruise its leaves.
Pick a few sprigs, crush them, and let them sit nearby while you enjoy the sunset on the patio. Then take them into the kitchen to add to a marinade.
Thyme is a tolerant plant that grows well in rocky soil with partial shade and only rainfall for water. It makes a pleasant garden border or season ground cover with its tiny green leaves.
Mint – Amazing Plant to Repel Flies and Mosquitoes
Mint, whether spearmint or peppermint or any of the other varieties, keeps mosquitoes away and is a natural wolf spider repellent. Its stems, leaves, and flowers all contain the aromatic oil that repels bugs of all kinds. It’s one of the best natural ways to repel crickets and a host of other bugs.
However, mint spreads quite quickly through your yard, so plan on keeping it in pots or even hang plants from your porch, as long as they are not in the ground.
On the other hand, its ability to grow aggressively means you only need to give it minimal care. Keep its soil moist and partial to full sunlight. Then you can enjoy adding mint to your drinks and your desserts all summer long, as well as to keep kissing bugs away. Freeze mint leaves to have during the colder months, too.
Rosemary
Rosemary is delicious to humans and disgusting to mosquitoes. To take advantage of its ability to repel pests, you’ll need to release its scent. That’s why you may have more success with essential oil or a homemade repellent spray than the plant alone.
Rosemary is one of the most popular shrubs that can grow up to four feet tall. You can trim it into decorative shapes. Its leaves make poultry, lamb, and even Mexican salsa delectable.
Lantana camara
Lantana camara comes from Central and South America, but it flourishes in gardens around the world. It grows so fast that it’s considered a weed in Asian countries. And it’s also toxic to livestock. So why would you want Lantana in your yard?
For one, scientists proved that Lantana, or Wild Sage, protected against the malaria-carrying Anopheles mosquito in Kenya. Its leaves fight fungal infections and extracts from the plant cure respiratory illnesses.
Not to mention, Lantana doesn’t need much water and its colorful blooms attract butterflies, too. It’s one of the amazing plants for bees, as well. Lantana looks like fast growing bushes, it grows so quickly. Add it to the garden or a hanging planter.
Marigolds Keep Flies Away
Did you know that marigolds are perennial plants that repel mosquitoes? Marigolds can also predict the weather! If their blooms don’t open in the morning, it’s because it’s going to rain during the day.
Marigolds also have a unique scent that deters mosquitoes, aphids, squash bugs, and rabbits that might eat your vegetables.
Plus, extract from Calendula Officinalis of the marigold family treats eczema and skin infections. And if you dry the flowers, you can make a tea to soothe an upset stomach.
Chrysanthemums – Amazing Bug Repellent Flower
Chrysanthemums are the secret ingredient in flea shampoos and sprays as well as insecticides. This innocent-looking blower contains pyrethrum, a chemical that repels and kills mosquitoes, ticks, spider mites, roaches, and more. Dalmatian chrysanthemums are especially potent.
You might want to grow mums among your other plants, not just put them in pots around the porch. And if you collect the blooms and let them dry, you can use them to make your own home remedies for flies.
We’re glad nature provides pleasing solutions like these plants. We hope you enjoyed our article about plants that repel flies and bugs, so please share the information about these bug-repelling plants as much as you like on Facebook and Pinterest.