If you’re looking for a plant that will deter bees and mosquitoes, you can try a few different types of herbs. Thyme, Clove, Peppermint, and Rosemary are just a few of the many choices available. Each of these essential oils has different characteristics that can help keep these pests away. Listed below are some of the best ones to use.
Rosemary
Some plants are reputed to repel mosquitoes, such as rosemary. But is this really true? Is there scientific proof for this? While all plants have their place, some are more effective than others. Here are some ways to use them. Choose an outdoor plant that has a strong scent to ward off mosquitoes. These plants are best placed in areas where people are likely to spend time outdoors.
If you’d like to keep the mosquitoes and bees at bay, you should plant rosemary. The odor is quite strong, which is what attracts these insects in the first place. Adding a little rosemary essential oil to your garden’s flowerbeds can also help. These plants contain a powerful chemical, andromedotoxin. This chemical deters most pollinators. Another natural method is using cinnamon. The fragrance of cinnamon can be applied to plants to repel mosquitoes and bees.
Although most bees are spooky-looking insects, they usually don’t sting. Rosemary’s flowers are also attractive to mining bees. Although these bees are smaller than honey bees, they aren’t aggressive if you’re far away from their hives. Honey bees are the most common type of bees in the world. These bees collect nectar from flowers to make honey.
Another method is to boil rosemary leaves. The rosemary leaves contain essential oils, which make them effective insect repellents. Mint infusion can be made by boiling crushed mint leaves and water. Then, it’s strained. Once the infusion cools, pour it into a spray bottle. Apply this repellent liberally, and the insect population will disappear. This method is incredibly effective, so try it for yourself!
Thyme
If you’re looking for ways to repel mosquitoes and bees from your yard, thyme plants are the answer. Their special oils and scents make them repellent to bugs and spider mites. Creeping thyme is particularly effective at repelling mosquitoes. Since the plants can grow without disturbance, the oil they produce is invisible to predators. Bees also find thyme plants attractive.
Lemon thyme, for example, is a perennial plant that produces bee-attracting flowers in summer. It’s hardy in USDA zones five through eight and tolerates a range of conditions, including dry soil and air pollution. Lemon thyme grows well in pots and is a good choice for a front border or herb garden. It’s also an effective repellent of bees and mosquitoes when applied to skin. Lemon thyme is best rubbed on the skin. Just make sure that you test the plant’s tolerance first.
Another great thing about basil is that it’s a versatile plant. Basil doesn’t require much maintenance and grows well in sunny spots. However, basil needs to be bruised before it releases its chemicals. This herb is not for everyone, however, and you should consult a dermatologist before applying it directly to your skin. It may irritate sensitive skin, so be careful if you’re pregnant.
Another plant that repels mosquitoes is scented geranium. This plant is recommended by BBG, NYBG, and PlantShed. This plant’s fragrant leaves and flowers smell similar to citronella grass. Although geraniums are not ideal for cold climates, you can try growing them in pots or containers. And they can survive in low-humidity conditions if you prune them regularly.
Clove
Did you know that clove repels bees and mosquitoes? It has the same effect on insects as DEET, the active ingredient in most insect repellents. However, clove requires five times more concentrated extracts to have even moderate repellency. Researchers from the University of Wisconsin tested clove essential oil on mosquitoes, revealing that it had superior repellency. This repellent should not be applied directly to the skin, as it can cause irritation or stain clothing.
When applied to the skin, it acts as a natural insect repellent. Citronella Grass is a known mosquito magnet. It releases an oil that has a strong fragrance. Citronella oil can be applied to the skin as a natural insect repellent. For more effectiveness, use it as part of a mixture with other oils or liquids. Another effective insect repellent is lemon verbena, a perennial plant with an aromatic lemon scent. This oil can be applied to the body to repel mosquitoes and bees.
The National Institutes of Health reported a decline in bee populations. This decline is attributed to many factors, including decreasing reproductive rates. Luckily, essential oils can help to reduce this number. Although it can be effective in keeping mosquitoes and bees away, it will also compromise the beauty and maintenance of your yard. There are many risks associated with permanently eliminating bees. That’s why it’s crucial to use a natural product that won’t harm them.
If you’d like to use an all-natural insect repellent, you can also mix some cloves with lemongrass, geranium, or thyme. The smell of these plants repels wasps and mosquitoes. Diffuse essential oils on the plants around your yard to keep the wasps away. Another natural solution is a mixture of lemongrass and cucumber. It’s effective for repelling bees and wasps.
Peppermint
If you have a flower garden, you probably know that peppermint plants are excellent repellents of bees and mosquitoes. Not only are these plants attractive, but they also repel insects that attack vegetables. Rosemary is available in many forms, from cuttings and flowers to full-blown herb gardens. Not only are its oils and leaves delicious to cooks, but they are also great repellents. You can even make your own homemade spray by boiling a quart of dried rosemary.
Mint is a natural repellent for mosquitoes and bees. While most humans enjoy the fresh, minty smell, most insects cannot stand the scent. Rats and bees don’t like the odor of peppermint either, and they’ll be kept away by the scent. Peppermint can also keep away ants, fleas, ticks, and even rats. Just be sure to plant it in a pot or planter.
If you have a garden with a lot of standing water, this is a good plant to have. Standing water can attract mosquitoes and mosquito larvae, which hatch into adult mosquitoes in 12 days. To avoid mosquito breeding, it is best to remove all sources of standing water. Standing water can be found in clogged gutters, birdbaths, leaking faucets, old tires, or saucers underneath potted plants.
In addition to plants, you can use citrusy flowers to repel mosquitoes and bees. These plants have a lemony scent and are great for flower beds. They also make attractive edging plants. Among the best choices for plants that repel bees and mosquitoes are petunias. These plants are easy to grow, low maintenance, and have a pleasant scent.
Geranium
If you want to keep insects from visiting your garden, then one great way to reduce their number is to plant scented geraniums. They have a strong, citrusy scent that repels bugs. However, these geraniums do not actually repel insects, and the amount of citronella found in them is very minute. Even so, these plants make a great indoor plant, as they are easy to grow and do well in a variety of conditions.
In addition to repelling bees and mosquitoes, geraniums have a scent that is highly attractive to these insects. Since their flowers are highly scented, they can be kept indoors during cold nights or transported to an indoor location during the summer. They will grow well in containers. Those with a green thumb should consider using mint as a repellant as well.
You can buy a spray that contains citronella, which is also very effective at repelling insects. You can also buy a geranium that has citronella in it. This is known as ‘citronella’. These geraniums can be purchased from a gardening center or at a local nursery. When buying a spray, make sure to test it on a small area before using it on your garden.
Many gardeners also want to grow certain plants to repel wasps and bees. Bees and wasps can be dangerous, and their stings can be painful. Some plants are natural repellents, such as wormwood. Mint and citronella can also work as repellents. So, what can you do to protect your garden from these insects? It’s easy!