Please suggest container plants that repel mosquitoes?

Danielle Segev
by Danielle Segev

Hi everyone,


I am wondering which container plants are the most effective at repelling mosquitoes, and how can I use them to keep my outdoor space and home free from these pesky insects.


Is there a way to use container gardening to create a natural barrier against mosquitoes? Do you need to plant them in a certain way, or is it enough to simply place the containers strategically around your outdoor space?


If anyone has had any success with this I would love it if you could your tips and tricks, so I can enjoy a mosquito-free summericon

Container plants that repel mosquitoes

  11 answers
  • Marigolds, Basil, Rosemary, Lavender, and Citronella

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on May 14, 2023

    Basil, Borage, Calendula, catnip, chives, dill, garlic, hyssop, mint, onions, oregano, parsley, sage, and thyme.

  • Dee Dee on May 14, 2023


    The chrysanthemum, or mum, catnip, peppermint, chives. Lantana and feverfew

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on May 15, 2023

    Lemongrass, citronella, basil, marigolds, anything with a strong scent works well.

    Also, if you are willing to put a bit of an investment up front I would highly recommend a Dyna-Trap. I purchased one 4 years ago, turn it on every spring and run to October in Alabama. After 2 years, I didn't have many bugs at all.

    Another thing I have found that is great is "no more bugs". It has a woodsy scent but leaves no sticky residue on your skin. It's what I spray myself with before I cut grass or do yard work - especially at my parents' home.

    • Danielle Segev Danielle Segev on May 20, 2023

      Thank you Kathy, I am going to look into this Dyna-Trap and "no more bugs" to help with my mosquito issue

  • Cheryl A Cheryl A on May 15, 2023

    here are some plants that work

    Marigold

    Catmint

    Rosemary

    Basil

    Bee Balm

    Mint

    Sage

    Allium

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on May 17, 2023

    Use strong smelling plants such as Rosemary, Lavender Lemon Balm, etc.

  • Dee Dee on May 17, 2023

    I just learned something and am trying it. Spray your eaves with WD40 and mosquitoes and wasps are supposed to stay away. I just now did that, we will see if it works. It was a hint from WD-40.

    • Danielle Segev Danielle Segev on May 20, 2023

      This sounds very interesting, who would have thought WD-40 to repel mosquitoes? I am going to give this a try, thanks!

  • Deb K Deb K on May 20, 2023

    Hi Danielle, hope this helps you out.


    Lavender


    Basil


    Rosemary


    Catnip


    Lemongrass


    Marigolds


    Lemon balm


    Mint


    Allium sativum

  • Nadlou Nadlou on May 20, 2023

    Lemon grass, rosemary, lavender. I am going to plant my lemon grass in some larger pots and place them around my patio.

  • Dee Dee on May 21, 2023

    I tried the WD 40 method, and it seems to be working. No mosquitoes or wasps on my patio. I have a front porch that I am going to spray probably tomorrow.

  • As it turns out, it's the oils in the plants that repel mosquitoes, so unless the oil is released, plants won't necessarily repel them unfortunately. We use mosquito coils and a Thermacell which keeps our deck quite mosquito-free.