11. Floss Flower
These delicate purple or blue flowers contain a chemical called coumarin; which is a potent mosquito repellent with a strong aroma. The floss flower is self sewing which makes it a really low maintenance bed or container plant that looks beautiful while helping you avoid mosquito bites. However, this plant is very toxic to both humans and animals if ingested so be sure to keep it away from animals or small children.
12. Garlic
That’s right, your garlic breathe even has the power to repel insects! Rubbing a peeled clove of garlic on the skin will repel mosquito in a pinch but there are other options that won’t leave you reeking of raw garlic. Garlic oil diluted with water can be used as an insect repellent spray for your garden and, when mixed with other strongly scented essential oils and water, can even be used as a body spray. This is the unexpected added benefit of a bulb that already has powerful antibiotic properties and can be used in a wide range of meals across a variety of cuisines for an unmistakable fragrant taste and aroma.
13. Geraniums
This bright flower is a triple threat; its beautiful, fragrant and mosquito repelling! The bush’s strong aroma is repellent to many varieties of insects, including mosquitoes. This bush grows very fast, so soon your garden or window box will be filled with sweetly scented bright flowers and as well as being completely mosquito free. Geranium is a popular essential oil used in aromatherapy and scented candles to promote a feeling of calm.
14. Lavender
Lavender is a magical plant; its beautiful, it smells incredible, you can cook with it and it has a very calming scent. However, it does not have such a calming effect on mosquitoes. The scent of lavender impedes the mosquitoes’ sense of smell, which it relies on to find hosts because mosquitoes find humans by smelling the carbon dioxide we exhale. This can be strategically planted in garden beds or window boxes to keep the mosquitoes at bay. Alternatively you can use it dried in sachets around the house or as an oil in a room spray for a calm and mosquito free environment. Lavender is also a delicious floral ingredient that can be used in desserts for a distinctly floral flavour.
15. Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is a member of the mint family, see point 8, which shares it’s counterparts power to deter mosquitoes. The fresh leaves can be picked and rubbed directly on the skin to release the oils, which acts as an ideal chemical free alternative to mosquito repellent cream and leaves you smelling fresh and delicious. This herb can also be used dried or in oil form for use around the house.
16. Lemon Thyme
Lemon thyme is an edible herb that can repel mosquitoes only when the oils are released, it’s not enough to just plant it nearby but growing it in the garden for easy access as well as a fresh cooking ingredient. By crushing the leaves and rubbing them directly onto your skin you release the oils and create a layer of protection between you and the flying beasts. Lemon thyme oil is also a great addition to natural insecticide sprays for a chemical free bug spray.
17. Marigolds
Marigolds are beautiful ombre ruffled orange or yellow flowers that bloom abundantly in the summer and can even survive frosts. Mosquitoes, as well as many other insects, hate their strong scent, which makes these the perfect flower to plant on the outskirts of your garden to protect your garden from pests and your keep your home mosquito free. An added bonus of these gorgeous flowers is that they can be picked dried and brewed into a tea that has been proven to be a treatment for sore throats, gingivitis, tonsillitis and mouth ulcers.
18. Mint
Mint is an aromatic herb that can be used dried or fresh to ward off mosquitoes. It is most potent in its oil form; which is safe to apply directly onto the skin. The dried leaves are a fragrant addition to potpourri or in sachets in your home that can double as a natural insect repellent. Mint is great to have on hand for both sweet and savoury cooking as well as a flavourant for cocktails and ice tea in the summer.
19. Nodding Onion
Nodding onions are a variety of wild onion with distinctive nodding purple flowers. It has very similar properties to garlic; which, as we have seen previously, is an effective mosquito repellent due to their strong scent. These bulbs can be pressed into a juice or oil, both of which can be applied directly to the skin to keep you safe from getting bitten. These flowers are tiny and delicate so they make a beautiful decorations for your garden while repelling mosquitoes simultaneously.
20. Oregano
One of Italian cuisine’s staple herbs, oregano is not only fragrant and delicious but has some healing super powers. These little leaves contain the chemicals thymol and carvacol, which are also found in thyme. These chemicals are responsible for its antiseptic and insect repellent properties. It can be used both dried, fresh and in oil form. Oregano is a herb garden staple that can be used to season and vegetable or meat under the sun for a distinct fragrant flavour.
