Does Rosemary Repel Mosquitoes?

If you are skeptical about DEET (the active ingredient in most bug sprays), an organic alternative, like rosemary, might be the perfect solution for you to repel mosquitoes naturally.

Plants and their extracts have been used to subdue insects such as mosquitoes for thousands of years, but DEET took the world by storm after its invention in 1946. Since then, few people have looked back, but maybe more of us should.

In our effort to teach everyone more about the best natural mosquito repellents, we’re taking a look at the Rosemary — yes, the delicious herb used on roasted potatoes — to see if it’s effective at repelling mosquitoes.

Does Rosemary Repel Mosquitoes?

There is a lack of research into whether or not rosemary is a reliable mosquito repellent, but like apple cider vinegar, it has been trusted to keep mosquitoes at bay for countless generations.

The science behind why it might work is a little unclear, but it is commonly believed that the rosemary plant evolved to give off a scent that mosquitoes find unpleasant. This evolutionary trait is most likely to discourage insects from eating the plant.

How to Use Rosemary to Repel Mosquitoes

There are a few different ways you can use rosemary to repel mosquitoes: you can grow the plant, crush the sprigs up, or throw some on the grill to cover a larger area!

• • Growing It – Simply having rosemary growing near an outdoor seating area or in a pot on a nearby table is enough to deter mosquitoes within a small area. This method can help you enjoy an outdoor seating area or get rid of mosquitoes in your home.
  • Crushing or Breaking the Sprigs – To further deter mosquitoes from a desired area, you can crush or break whole sprigs and place them near you in a bowl or on a plate. Crushing or breaking them will cause more of the rosemary’s scent to be released and help deter them from a larger area.
  • Smoldering Sprigs – This is the method recommended for covering a much larger area than the previous methods. To do this, throw a few sprigs on the grill and let them smolder. The smoke produced will act as a barrier to keep mosquitoes away.

The smoldering method is perfect for cookouts, but will be less effective on a windy day.

It is important not to let the sprigs burn because this won’t produce as much smoke, and will last for a significantly shorter time.

• Make a Spray – If you want to use rosemary as a mosquito repellent on the go, this is the way to do it:Boil one cup of rosemary in four cups of water for 20-30 minutes. Once cooled, pour into a spray bottle and apply to desired areas.

What Herbs Keep Mosquitoes Away?

Due to the lack of scientific evidence of rosemary being effective at repelling mosquitoes, it isn’t considered one of the top plants that keep mosquitoes away.

Luckily, our planet is full of plants that are proven to keep mosquitoes away as a safe, natural alternative to pesticides. Some of the best ones include marigold, lemon thyme, and basil.

Repel Mosquitoes with Mosquito Magician

Keeping your home mosquito-free is our number one priority, so with our mosquito repellent products. Take your yard back today!