Scents that repel mosquitoes, flies, no-see-ums and unwanted bugs, naturally.
Many of us know that lighting a citronella candle helps keep mosquitoes at bay on warm summer evenings—but did you know that many aromatic herbs also naturally repel mosquitoes, gnats, no-see-ums (which, incidentally, is the most appropriately named bug of all time), and other pesky insects?
We recommend growing these herbs for both their insect-repelling properties and their wonderful aromas. They're easy to grow (yarrow literally sprouts from the sidewalk cracks around our home!) and are incredibly helpful for keeping unwanted insects away during those lovely summer months when we’re spending more time outdoors soaking up nature.
Did you know? You can use our tonic as a bug repellent too? Our Sacred Leaf Tonic contains a thoughtful blend of essential oils that repel unwanted pests while attracting pollinators! In this aromatherapeutic blend you'll enjoy hints of lavender, peppermint and rosemary along with calming chamomile, yarrow, fenugreek and citrus peel.
Our Favorite Insect-Repelling Herbs (and How to Use Them)
Our top picks for insect-repelling herbs include: Peppermint, Lavender, Yarrow, Basil, Lemon Verbena, and Rosemary—and here’s why we love them:
Peppermint
Many people choose to grow mint in a container or pot rather than directly in the ground—its roots spread quickly, much like grass or bamboo!
To use peppermint as a natural repellent, simply cut or tear the stems and leaves, then rub them directly onto your skin. The strong scent helps keep bugs at bay—and if you’re anything like us, a few sprigs will also find their way into your water or summer cocktail for a refreshing treat!
Rosemary
Whether grown on a bright windowsill or outdoors, rosemary is a hardy shrub with delicate bluish-purple flowers. It dries beautifully and can even be burned for its aromatic benefits—check out our 6 Herbs for Burning blog post .
Like peppermint, yarrow, and lemon verbena, rosemary can be rubbed directly onto your skin as a repellent. You can also toss a few sprigs onto a grill, barbecue, or campfire to help keep insects away from your picnic table or campsite.
Lavender
The grandmother herb—beautiful, wise, calming, and healing. Lavender not only repels mosquitoes but also deters moths, fleas, and flies.
It’s also a key ingredient in our Sacred Leaf Tonic, which contains a thoughtful blend of essential oils that repel unwanted pests while attracting pollinators. This aromatherapeutic formula includes hints of lavender, peppermint, and rosemary, along with calming chamomile, yarrow, fenugreek, and citrus peel.
Yarrow
This feathery-leafed friend grows everywhere—from roadside edges to untended fields—starting in early summer through late fall. It’s a key ingredient in both Sacred Soil and Sacred Leaf, thanks to its high mineral content, healing benefits, and pollinator-attracting magic.
Yarrow works not only as a bug repellent, but also as nature’s bandaid—commonly used to stop bleeding and speed up wound healing.
Lemon Verbena
Citronella, the well-known mosquito deterrent, comes from this strong lemon-scented herb. Lemon verbena is especially effective at keeping mosquitoes at bay.
Here in the Pacific Northwest, it grows abundantly in late spring and summer—just in time for those long days outdoors. Thank you, Mama Nature, for taking care of us!
Basil
Not just for topping pizzas or making pesto—basil is a powerful natural insect repellent, especially against flies and mosquitoes. Grow it indoors in a sunny window or outdoors during warmer months. We love adding it to the garden near tomato plants as the perfect companion plant.
*Companion planting is the practice of growing certain plants together to enhance their growth, boost their resilience, and naturally deter pests. A well-known example is the Three Sisters Garden: corn, beans, and squash. In this trio, the corn acts as a support for the beans to climb, the beans enrich the soil with nitrogen, and the squash spreads along the ground to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
DIY Bug Repellent Recipe
Want to make your own? It’s easy! Here we guide you through making a water based spray. If you're planning instead to use an oil based repellent for a roll on application we recommend using organic neem oil as a base. Neem is a powerful anti-fungal, antibacterial, and antimicrobial oil, rich in fatty acids and antioxidants. It promotes wound healing and helps fight skin infections—plus, it's a featured ingredient in our tonics. (We’ve written more about its amazing benefits in our Neem blog post.
Note: You can use Sacred Leaf Tonic as a bug spray on its own—or try mixing up one of these homemade versions
Ingredients:
Choose any one or all of these ingredients for your herb water:
- Lavender
- Rosemary
- Basil
- Peppermint
- Lemon Verbena
- Yarrow
1. Choose freshly picked and chopped leaves (and flowers if using yarrow) for this application or use can use dried herbs too.
2. Boil 2 cups of distilled water and remove from heat. Add 1/2 cup of chosen herbs, stir and cover.
3. Cool covered in the refrigerator for an hour or overnight at room temperature.
4. Strain herb water into a spray bottle, we love our amber glass spray bottle for this application and add 2 teaspoons witch hazel to act as a natural preservative.
5. Apply every three hours when needed!
*Store in cool dark place or the refrigerator for up to a month.
Other plants that are fantastic repellents you can grow around your home and garden include: Lemon balm, catnip, marigold, geranium, American Beauty Berry, Pennyroyal.
Wishing you a beautiful summer!
Be well,
Karina and Team SE