Bugs are annoying and can cause much damage wherever they are, so I know you’re here to learn how to keep bugs away naturally with herbs. Look no further because this article has you covered!
We often use sprays or chemicals that keep mosquitoes away to eliminate these annoying bugs. Even though these methods work, they can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, and allergic reactions.
Given the potential adverse effects of utilizing insecticides, we believe that using herbs is the best alternative for maintaining high accuracy.
Many great herbs can help keep bugs away. Some of the top 8 best herbs for this purpose include;
- Basil
- Citronella
- Bay Leaves
- Mint
- Garlic
- Lavender
- Catnip
- Chrysanthemum
Using these plants in your home can help keep your environment clean and free of pests.
This article will tell you everything you need to know about the 8 best herbs that keep bugs away. So, what are they? Let’s find out!
Top 8 Best Herbs That Keep Bugs Away
Herbs are a good way to keep bugs away. Herbs can be used in many different ways, and each has benefits.
This section will discuss the top 8 best herbs for keeping bugs away, so let’s get right to it.
1. Basil
Basil is the first herb on our list because of its effectiveness. If you have flies or mosquitoes in your house, basil is the plant you need.
Basil is a good way to keep bugs away; its smell keeps insects, especially flies and mosquitoes, from returning.
Furthermore, you may plant basil in your yard, place it on window sills, or boil the leaves and convert it into a spray repellent by combining it with vodka, but you must take precautions to avoid it getting into your eyes, mouth and nose.
In addition, the essential oil of basil may be used to relieve the pain caused by wasp stings and other insect bites.
2. Citronella
Citronella is a grass-like plant with a lemony scent that can grow to six feet.
It is one of the most common ingredients in insect repellents because of its ability to keep insects at bay.
Citronella is thought by professionals in the field of pest control to be effective in warding off mosquitoes, which are often regarded as among the most harmful insects in the world.
3. Bay Leaves
Bay leaves are one of the greatest pest control herbs, with high accuracy in repelling cockroaches.
We all know cockroaches are among the most dangerous pests because they can spread diseases like salmonellosis, typhoid fever, cholera, and dysentery.
As the saying goes, “prevention is better than cure,” thus, we recommend having this herb in your houses and gardens to repel cockroaches and other pests!
4. Mint
Mint is one of the most powerful natural deterrents against white cabbage moths, ants, rats, flea beetles, fleas, and aphids.
If you want to, prepare a spray out of these mint leaves, then spray it all over your yard to help keep the insects away from your house.
However, since mint can quickly and aggressively grow in a garden, it is best to put it in a container instead of the garden itself because it is more difficult to control after it has started growing.
5. Garlic
Most of the time, garlic is used in cooking, but it also has other uses. Garlic effectively wards off insects, including carrot flies, aphids, larvae, snails, moths, and others.
However, if you have rabbits, you must keep this garlic away since it is very toxic to them.
The popular belief is that eating garlic may keep mosquitoes away, but this has not been scientifically proven.
When you keep garlic around, it gives off a smell that can keep mosquitoes away, making your home safer and healthier.
6. Lavender
Lavender is a wonderful herb that produces lovely, aromatic flowers and is also a powerful insect repellant.
Furthermore, many cultures worldwide have used lavender for ages as a natural perfume for the home and linens.
Although most people enjoy the aroma of lavender, it is highly toxic to insects such as moths, fleas, flies, and mosquitos.
You may also produce an essential oil out of lavender that you can apply to your skin to avoid mosquito bites.
7. Catnip
According to research, catnip is one of the best ingredients for making insect repellents, even more, effective than Deet (the most common active ingredient in insect repellents).
Catnip repels insects such as cockroaches, fleas, mosquitoes, and many others.
The only disadvantages of catnip are that it is highly toxic to cats and that if your cats eat too much catnip, it can cause health problems in cats, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and dizziness.
8. Rosemary
Are you looking for a herb that can grow in warmer climates? Rosemary is the herb for you. The herb is simple to grow and reappears when the spring season arrives.
Naturally, the strong scent of rosemary can keep flies and mosquitoes away from your home. Rosemary can also effectively repel slugs, beetles, mosquitoes, and more.
You can make potted rosemary that you can place on windows to keep insects away. The herb can also be planted in your garden, which is perfect for your scenery.
Conclusion
Bugs are a common menace in the home, and herbs are a natural bug repellent that can help keep you and your home free of these pesky creatures.
However, this article revealed eight of the most powerful and effective herbs scientifically shown to repel insects.
It is up to you to test each one to see which one works best for you, and by following this simple procedure, you can reduce the damage that bugs can do to your home while also keeping yourself and your family safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Naturally Keeps Bugs Away?
Bug-repellent oils include lemongrass, citrus, peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree, citronella, catnip, and lavender.
These oils can be mixed together to create a simple anti-bug potion. In a small spray bottle, combine 1 cup of water and at least 25 drops of oil, then spray around your garden or home
What Plant Do All Bugs Hate?
Bugs hate many things, but one of the most hated is plants. Bugs, in our opinion, despise marigolds because they have a unique odor that repels mosquitoes and other garden pests.
In addition, a natural substance found in marigolds is utilized in several insect repellents.