Basil leafs

Basil is one of the plants that repel pests and flying insects. Its leaves contain four effective mosquito repellents - estragole, citronellal, nerolidol, and limonene. The fragrant herb is also very effective at repelling flea beetles, cabbage worms, tomato hornworms, ants, flies, and aphids.

Mint yree

Some plants from the mint family are insect-repelling plants. Spearmint and peppermint plants deter mosquitoes, spider mites, and flies, while pennyroyal mint repels fleas and ticks. These mint plants are a great addition to vegetable gardens and flower beds.

Chrysanthemums flowers

Chrysanthemums are plants that repel bugs like Japanese beetles, cockroaches, ants, spider mites, bedbugs, fleas, silverfish, lice, and harlequin bugs. Chrysanthemum is an effective mosquito repellent because it contains pyrethrum.

Alliums flowers

The allium family includes onions, chives, garlic, shallots, and leeks. An example of allium plants is the Allium giganteum, the giant onion, which grows up to six feet tall. It is a popular ingredient in Southeast Asian cooking. Allium plants repel pests like slugs, cabbage worms, carrot flies, Japanese beetles, aphids, ticks, and cabbage loopers.

Catnip leafs

Next on our list of plants that repel pests is catnip. Catnip is a member of the mint family that repels bugs but attracts cats. It contains a compound called Nepeta cataria, which deters mosquitoes and insects by triggering a chemical receptor that causes the sensation of pain or itching8.

Citronella grass

Citronella grass is a perennial grass native to the tropical areas of Asia. Farmers grow it commercially in Sri Lanka, Java, India, Indonesia, and Burma to produce candles, soaps, and insect repellents.

Marigolds the best flowers

Another plant that repels bugs is the marigold. Gardeners testify that the marigold effectively repels whiteflies in a tomato garden. However, until 2019, there was no scientific evidence to support this claim.

Thyme trees

Various thyme species work effectively against mosquitoes and other insects. Research shows that thyme essential oil is the most efficient way to prevent mosquitoes7. Essential oils of Thymus broussonetii and Thymus maroccanus destroy the larvae of common house mosquitoes, honeycomb moths, and yellow fever mosquitoes.

Rosemary trees

A rosemary plant contains essential oils like geraniol, linalol, burneol, and sineol. These fragrant oils are efficient insect repellents.

Lavender flowers

Lavender is a plant with purple flowers. Lavenders deter mosquitoes through the fragrance we all love and cherish. You can place a dried bouquet of lavender to keep these insects out if you can plant lavender in the sunny spots around your home.

Dill beautiful flowers

Dill is an annual herbaceous plant often used as a companion plant in gardening. Farmers use it to protect crops from pests because it is tall enough to impede their movement. There are various species of dill, like the Mammoth, Fern leaf, Dukat, Long Island, and Bouquet dill.

Floss flower

Floss flower contains coumarin, a compound commonly found in insecticides. Mosquitoes and other insects don’t like the plant’s scent, so they avoid it at all costs. Floss flowers are an excellent addition to your garden because they bloom blue, pink, and white throughout winter and fall.

Nasturtiums flower

Nasturtiums repel squash bugs, whiteflies, and many beetles, including asparagus beetles. They release an airborne chemical that deters insects and pests from attacking them and other plants in the area. Thus, nasturtiums are the best plants to put at the edge of a vegetable garden.

Venus flytraps

Venus flytraps are carnivorous flowering plants. The plant is native to South and North Carolina. You'll find it growing in acidic soils stripped of all its nutrients. It feeds on flying insects, ants, beetles, spiders, and grasshoppers.

Lavender flowers

Lavender is a plant with purple flowers. Lavenders deter mosquitoes through the fragrance we all love and cherish. You can place a dried bouquet of lavender to keep these insects out if you can plant lavender in the sunny spots around your home.

Lavender flowers

Lavender is a beautiful and fragrant addition to your drought-resistant plant collection. Found naturally in the dry sandy soil of the Mediterranean, lavender has naturally evolved to grow with minimal water, says Awot. "Lavender can easily be grown in containers both outdoors and indoors, meaning you can bring it indoors during cold winter months to prevent damage and prolong the life and your enjoyment of the plant," she says. "Lavender is also pollinator-friendly, while helping to repel pests such as mosquitos, fleas, and ticks."

Lavender oil

This extremely popular oil offers a plethora of advantages. This soft flowery aroma might aid in relaxation and sleep. Furthermore, breathing it in has been shown to aid with headache relief. Using the oil may help relieve irritation and swelling from insect bites.

There are just a handful of recognized adverse effects. Nausea, headaches, chills, and vomiting are some of the symptoms. If you have an intolerance to it, it might also irritate your skin.

Lavender flowers

Lavender is a plant with purple flowers. Lavenders deter mosquitoes through the fragrance we all love and cherish. You can place a dried bouquet of lavender to keep these insects out if you can plant lavender in the sunny spots around your home.

Dapper Lavender Butterfly Bush

Butterfly bush is a pollinator-friendly plant that will welcome bees, butterflies, and birds to your garden. For a low-growing variety, try Dapper Lavender Buddleia (Buddleia davidii 'Buddaplav'). "A rounded, compact habit makes this Buddleia a perfect fit for a variety of uses," says Pullen. "Light purple flowers are formed in early summer and continue to re-bloom into the fall. Spent flowers are hidden by new blooms, reducing the need for deadheading."

English Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia)

Type: Herbaceous perennial
Zones: 5 to 8
Dimensions: 2 to 3 feet tall, 2 to 4 feet wide
Growing conditions: Full sun; dry to medium, well-drained soil

Lavender flowers

Lavender is a beautiful and fragrant addition to your drought-resistant plant collection. Found naturally in the dry sandy soil of the Mediterranean, lavender has naturally evolved to grow with minimal water, says Awot. "Lavender can easily be grown in containers both outdoors and indoors, meaning you can bring it indoors during cold winter months to prevent damage and prolong the life and your enjoyment of the plant," she says. "Lavender is also pollinator-friendly, while helping to repel pests such as mosquitos, fleas, and ticks."