Nobody likes dealing with unwanted pests, whether it’s a mosquito buzzing in your ear, ants marching through your kitchen, or flies ruining that perfect summer day. Chemical repellents can be effective, but their nasty smells and questionable ingredients are part of the deal.
Here is where natural herbs come into play. Natural herbs will keep the bugs at bay, smell good, are safe for your family and pets, and many can be grown relatively easily at home.
In this article, we will discuss the top 11 natural herbs to repel insects and find out why these natural herbs are such a great alternative to chemical-filled repellents.
Why Use Natural Herbs?
Chemical bug repellents work very well, but they are made from DEET, synthetic fragrance, and other irritating ingredients that may irritate skin and/or breathing and can harm the environment. As compared to chemical repellents, natural herbs are a safer and more eco-friendly alternative. It is because they:
- Smell nice (unlike chemical sprays).
- Are non-toxic around kids and pets.
- Can be grown from home, saving you money.
- Can be cooking ingredients or part of home decor.
If you want to keep bugs at bay naturally and effectively, try using the following natural herbs to repel insects. You’ll definitely thank me later.
11 Main Natural Herbs To Repel Insects and Bugs
Not all plants are effective at keeping bugs away. Only a few particular herbs release scents that most insects dislike and serve as great options for repelling pests without chemical methods.
For your convenience, we have created a long list of easily available insect-repelling herbs along with their effectiveness, which insects they repel, and how to use them around the home or garden. So, let’s begin.
1 – Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus (especially lemon eucalyptus) is one of the most popular and effective repellents for mosquitoes. The oil’s fragrant odor masks the attractant odors that draw bugs toward you. Apply crushed leaves to your skin (using a carrier oil to dilute) or hang dried eucalyptus near the window.
Insects Repelled: Mosquitoes, flies, ticks
2 – Lemongrass
Because of the citronella content, lemongrass is also a well-known bug repellent. If you plan to utilize the lemongrass as a bug repellent rather than an ingredient in your tea, just plant it in your yard and let it do its work. Moreover, you can put lemongrass oil in a refillable diffuser, and keep your home insect-free all the time.
Insects Repelled: Mosquitoes, flies
3 – Rosemary
Your rosemary plant is not just for beautifying the food, but you can also use it to deter bugs. You can burn dried rosemary sprigs to make a good insect repellent, or plant rosemary in your outdoor seating area to keep insects and bugs away from your place.
Insects Repelled: Mosquitoes, flies, cabbage moths
4 – Lavender
As pleasant as the scent of lavender is to us humans, it’s terrifying to all the bugs that we’d rather not have around. You can either sprinkle dried lavender leaves around the house to deter the moths, or apply a little lavender essential oils onto your skin to deter the pesky mosquitoes from biting you.
Insects Repelled: Mosquitoes, moths, fleas
5 – Peppermint
Peppermint’s strong minty aroma is another natural bug repellent. The cool menthol odor floods insect receptors and makes them run away. In the home, people often use cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil next to their windows, or add a few drops to water in a spray to repel ants and flies. In the garden, interplanting peppermint (or its cousin, spearmint) can confuse mosquitoes and flies.
Insects Repelled: Spiders, ants, mosquitoes, ticks, moths
6 – Sweet Basil
Sweet basil isn’t only for pesto, it also has pest-repellant powers. Having a pot of basil on your picnic table can keep flies and mosquitoes at bay. Every time you water/trip over the plant, it releases its oils into the air, and in effect, the protection grows. Try rubbing a leaf between your fingers (then rubbing on your arms) as a quick bug deterrent rub.
Insects Repelled: Flies, mosquitoes, asparagus beetles
7 – Citronella
Citronella is one of the most popular plants that repel mosquitoes. If you want to deter mosquitoes in your backyard while you entertain, plant the fragrant citronella grass near where you are seating people. You can also just take your citronella pots that are often sold as outdoor plants, and simply crush a leaf or two when the bugs are out. The oils from the leaves will quickly deter insects.
Insects Repelled: Mosquitoes, flies
8 – Sage
Sage is not only a good seasoning item for your Thanksgiving turkey, but this fragrant herb is also one of the most potent insect repellents. In fact, a study found that simply having a potted sage plant nearby offered about 32% protection against certain mosquitoes. Just light a bundle of dried sage, smoke it well, and allow it to fill your living space. This will repel flying insects while making your space smell clean and fresh.
Insects Repelled: Flies, mosquitoes, moths
9 – Lemon Balm
Lemon balm has a very strong citrus smell that most bugs do not like. You can simply crush the leaves in your hand and rub it on any exposed areas of skin to prevent insect bites. You can also plant this around your dwelling’s doorway as a barrier.
Insects Repelled: Mosquitoes, gnats
10 – Calendula
Calendula, or a version of marigold, is also an insect repellent, not only from the plants, but it can also help bring pollinators into your yard. Calendula does well in repelling asparagus beetles and tomato hornworms, and these are two pests that have a sweet tooth for garden greens.
Insects Repelled: Aphids, tomato hornworms, whiteflies, mosquitoes
11 – Garlic
The smell of garlic can help deter bugs. If you want to make your own garlic spray, blend a clove of garlic with water in a blender, and from there, you can spray the whole perimeter of your garden or patio.
Insects Repelled: Mosquitoes, ticks, aphids
Conclusion
If you’re looking for safe, effective, and affordable ways of repelling insects, try natural herbs. For this, you can place a few pots of bug-repelling herbs around your patio or under your windowsill, or you can take a handful of leaves and make a simple spray using essential oil(s).
It is safe to say that if you use natural herbs to repel insects, it will help remarkably decrease exposure to chemicals for your family and promote a healthier ecosystem for your garden. Try them and enjoy a bug-free place every day.