Repel mosquitos with my go-to pretty-smelling flower – and my plant-potting trick will make your life so much easier
NOTHING ruins a relaxing summer’s day as quickly as pesky mosquitos.
A gardening pro shared the sweet-scented flower that repels the pests from your yard.
In her viral video, Stephie (@steph.mariee) revealed her favorite companion plant for deterring mosquitos.
Companion planting refers to including certain crops in your garden for beneficial purposes.
While the reasons include weed suppression, pollination, and providing a habitat for beneficial insects, it can also be used for pest control.
According to the green-thumbed TikToker, lavender is a must-have plant for your garden.
Stephie explained that mosquitos are not fond of the flower’s sweet scent.
She also pointed out that the plant helps to attract pollinators to your garden
“Lavender is going to attract all your good pollinators like bees and butterflies and it’s going to repel mosquitos,” she said.
She encouraged her followers to try the plant, adding that it “looks pretty” and “smells good.”
The experts at Mosquito Magician broke down why the flower works to repel the insects.
“Lavender contains a large amount of a compound called linalool,” they explained.
The pest professionals attributed the plant’s strong smell to this ingredient.
“[It] is an effective mosquito repellent because it overwhelms the insect’s sense of smell, which is also what happens when mosquitos catch a whiff of lavender,” they said.
TikTok users shared their thoughts on the advice in the comments section.
“I want to add lavender to my porch!” wrote one convinced follower.
“I most definitely will be doing as you said, thank you for helping us keep our plants beautiful,” said another viewer.
Plants that repel mosquitos
- Mint
- Rosemary
- Lemongrass
- Catnip
- Marigolds
- Basil
- Lemon balm
- Thyme
- Eucalyptus
- Geraniums
“Spiders hate it too!! Just put a bunch around my porch and lounge area!!” commented a third person.
“It also gets rid of ticks, putting some in my yard,” wrote another TikToker.
Pet owners are advised to avoid the plant as it is toxic to both cats and dogs.
Another social media user shared her four companion plant suggestions for repelling mosquitos.
She also demonstrated the “gentle crushing” technique she uses to make them more effective.
Stephie also showed her audience the easy hack she uses when potting plants.
“This little trick is going to make your life so much easier, you just stick [the plant] in, fill the sides with soil, pull it out, and tada, you’ve got the perfect hole,” she explained.
