Spending time outdoors in the warmer-weather months can be enjoyable and relaxing, but not when the mosquitoes come out. If you’re looking for natural solutions to keep these biting bugs at bay, these plants and herbs are the good-looking pest control updates you need in your landscaping this year!

Herbs

Growing herbs is a win-win scenario for flavorful dishes and repelling mosquitoes.

Basil

The oils produced by basil are unattractive to mosquitoes, but if you find that you still get bitten, you can crush a few basil leaves and rub gently on the area to relieve the itchiness.

Lemongrass

If you need some privacy in your yard without installing a fence, try lemongrass. Typically, lemongrass grows three to five feet tall and adds great movement and texture to your outdoor space. It’s like building a wall to keep mosquitoes away! You can also trim down the lemongrass and use it in your cooking to add a crunch.

Rosemary

This often-used herb is great in a variety of dishes and requires little maintenance because it likes to be on the drier side. Mosquitoes hate the smell of fresh rosemary, so be sure to plant plenty this summer for cooking and repelling.

Flowers

These plants are pleasing to the eye, bringing color and variety to your garden all while pushing the mosquitoes away.

Citronella grass

Citronella grass is a classic and well-known mosquito repellent that many utilize by applying directly to their skin or lighting candles containing the plant’s oils. But the citronella plant itself is longer lasting in gardens and gives off a strong scent that mosquitoes despise.

Lavender

Lavender plants thrive when they’re hot and dry, so you can keep them looking perky and purple all season long. Their fragrant, floral smell is used in a lot of beauty products, but what’s better than the real plant itself? Plant near where you entertain to keep the area smelling nice and mosquito-free.

Petunias

Whether in a pot or on the ground, these perennials come in many color varieties that kill multiple pests, including mosquitoes. Petunias love direct sunlight, so you can place them out in the yard or on the deck without worrying about them drooping.