10 Garden Plants That Repel Mosquitoes but Are Safe for Pets

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Mosquitoes are annoying and transmit dangerous diseases such as Malaria, West Nile, and Zika viruses. Many people turn to traditional mosquito repellents, which often contain harmful chemicals that can be toxic to pets. However, several garden plants naturally repel mosquitoes and are safe for our furry friends.

Here are ten garden plants that you can add to your backyard landscape to keep mosquitoes away while keeping your pets safe:

Lavender

Lavender is known for its calming scent and natural mosquito-repelling properties. Planting lavender in your garden or using its oil can help keep mosquitoes at bay without harming your pets. Moreover, the beautiful purple flowers will add color to your garden.

Rosemary

Rosemary is the perfect mosquito-repelling plant. Its strong scent hides carbon dioxide and lactic acid that humans emit, making it harder for mosquitoes to locate their targets. Rosemary is also a versatile herb used in cooking and as an essential oil.

Lemongrass

This plant contains citronellal, which is a natural mosquito repellant. Its lemony scent keeps mosquitoes away and makes your garden smell heavenly. However, lemongrass can be a rapidly spreading, invasive plant, so keep it contained.

Marigolds

The delicate floral heads of marigolds make this plant ideal as a mosquito repellant during the height of summer. These plants naturally contain pyrethrins, which have insect-repellent properties. But unlike traditional mosquito repellents, marigolds are nontoxic to pets. They also attract beneficial bugs like ladybugs and lacewings that snack on unwanted pests.

Catnip

Cat owners beware – catnip is known to drive cats wild, but luckily, it has the opposite effect on mosquitoes. Nepetalactone, the essential oil in catnip, is a natural mosquito repellent. Plant some in your garden, or crush the leaves and rub them on your skin for added protection against mosquitoes.

Basil

Basil not only adds flavor to our food but also repels mosquitoes. The strong scent of basil masks the smell of humans and animals, making it difficult for mosquitoes to find their targets. You can also use fresh basil from your garden to make delicious sauces.

Peppermint

Humans love the cool scent of peppermint, but mosquitoes, on the other hand, do not. That’s because the menthol in its essential oil is one of the few things that works to ward off mosquitoes. Even so, it would help if you took caution with peppermint around pets since it can be poisonous to them in large amounts.

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is a mint family member with a strong lemon scent that can repel mosquitoes. Its leaves contain citronellal, which is commonly found in natural mosquito repellents. Plus, its pretty white flowers will add beauty to your garden.

Sage

Sage is another herb with mosquito-repelling properties. Its strong smell masks human and animal scents, making it difficult for mosquitoes to find their targets. You can also use sage as a cooking herb or an essential oil for added protection against mosquitoes.

Geraniums

Geraniums are not only lovely flowers but also help repel mosquitos. They contain geraniol, a compound commonly found in insect repellents. Geraniums are available in different colors and are easy to cultivate, so they are a frequently uploaded gardener choice.