Bay leaf is used in the kitchen as a natural insect repellent.
Herbs have been used for thousands of years -- before the use of toxic chemicals -- as bug repellents, according to the Planet Green website. Herbs tend to have strong scents that work well to repel bugs that do not like strong smells. As an insect repellent, herbs are used both indoors and out and continue to work when they are discarded to the compost heap by enriching the soil. Different types of herbs are used to repel different types of bugs. Does this Spark an idea?
Mint, Pennroyal and Catnip
Planted around the foundation of the home, mint, pennroyal and catnip will keep out ants. Used as an oil, mint will repel mosquitoes. Pennroyal used alone will also repel mosquitoes, flies, fleas and ants. Catnip is 10 times more effective than the chemical known as DEET for keeping away mosquitoes, according to Planet Green.
Lavender
Lavender repels fleas, moths and mosquitoes. To repel fleas, sprinkle powdered lavender on your pet's bedding. To repel moths, hang a bunch in your closet or sprinkle sprigs in with clothes being stored. To repel mosquitoes outdoors, grow lavender in containers.
Pyrethrum
Pyrethrum is part of the chrysanthemum family. The flowers have been used for centuries as a natural insect repellent, according to the HipHerb website. Planted in the garden, pyrethrum effectively repels ants, mosquitoes and other insects. In the home, the ground dried flowers of the pyrethrum repels roaches, flies, ants, mites and other household insects The plant is toxic to insects but not mammals.
Bay Leaf
Bay leaf will repel weevils in dry food products such as white flour, barley, rice, wheat berries, cornmeal, quinoa and oatmeal. Spreading bay leaves around the pantry will repel roaches, moths, earwigs and flies.
Tansy
The leaf of the tansy plant is added to sachets or can be hung indoors to repel insects such as moths, fleas, flies and ants. Planted in the garden, tansy repels aphids and other insects.
For Mosquitoes
A wide range of additional herbs are also known to be especially helpful in repelling mosquitoes. Mosquito repelling herbs include rosemary, lemongrass, wormwood and basil.
Additional Herbs
As herbs continue to be used as a natural alternative to synthetic pesticides, additional but less well-known herbs are also useful. This includes alecost, chervil, caraway, curry plant, southernwood, rue, santolina, sweet woodruff and melilot.
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