8 Plants that Help Repel Mice, Spiders & Other Insects

1. Peppermint

• Pests Repelled: Mice, spiders, ants, and mosquitoes.
• Why it works: Mint contains high concentrations of menthol, which has an intensely sharp scent that overwhelms the sensory organs of mice and insects, driving them away.
• Tip: Plant it in pots rather than directly in the garden, as mint spreads rapidly and can easily take over.

2. Lavender

• Pests Repelled: Moths, fleas, flies, mosquitoes, and spiders.
• Why it works: While humans love the soothing fragrance of lavender, pests like moths, ticks, and fleas despise the linalool and camphor content in its essential oils.
• Tip: Place dried lavender sachets in closets and entryways, or grow potted plants near sunny windows and doors.

3. Rosemary

• Pests Repelled: Mosquitoes, carrot flies, and various garden bugs.
• Why it works: Rosemary has a woody, pungent aroma that masks the scents insects use to locate host plants. It is particularly effective as an outdoor patio barrier.
• Tip: You can also dry rosemary sprigs and burn them gently like incense to create an outdoor bug-repelling smoke.

4. Chrysanthemums (“Mums”)

• Pests Repelled: Roaches, ants, ticks, fleas, bed bugs, and spider mites.
• Why it works: Mums contain pyrethrum, a natural compound widely used in commercial insecticides because it attacks the nervous systems of crawling and flying insects.
• Tip: Keep them potted on porches or near entry points where pests try to sneak inside.

5. Lemongrass

• Pests Repelled: Mosquitoes and gnats.
• Why it works: Lemongrass contains citronella, a natural essential oil famous for masking the carbon dioxide and lactic acid odors that attract mosquitoes to humans.
• Tip: Lemongrass thrives in warm, sunny spots and can grow quite large, making it great for outdoor seating areas.

6. Catnip

• Pests Repelled: Cockroaches, mosquitoes, ants, and termites.
• Why it works: Studies have shown that the active compound in catnip, nepetalactone, is significantly more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET in certain concentrations—though it will likely attract every neighborhood cat!
• Tip: Use caution if you have outdoor cats, but placing potted catnip near patio entryways can effectively block creeping bugs.

7. Basil

• Pests Repelled: House flies, mosquitoes, and thrips.
• Why it works: The strong volatile oils released by basil leaves—especially sweet basil and lemon basil—are deeply unappealing to flies and mosquitoes.
• Tip: Keep a pot of basil on your kitchen windowsill to naturally deter flies while keeping fresh herbs handy for cooking.

8. Marigolds

• Pests Repelled: Aphids, mosquitoes, squash bugs, and even garden nematodes (soil pests).
• Why it works: Marigolds emit a distinct, pungent aroma containing alpha-terthienyl, which repels a wide spectrum of above-ground and below-ground pests.
• Tip: Plant marigolds around vegetable gardens or flower beds as a protective border to shield more vulnerable plants.