CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — One of the best natural ways to keep pesky mosquitos out of your outdoor living space is by growing certain plants, but some bug-repelling herbs can be harmful to West Virginia.
Here’s a list of some plants that are native to West Virginia and also repel either or both mosquitos and ticks.
Virginia Mountain Mint
Mint, including Virginia mountain mint which is native to West Virginia, can naturally keep mosquitoes and other pests like ticks at bay. However, just growing it might not get the job done; for the best results, mint can be crushed and rubbed on the skin to prevent mosquito bites. Virginia mountain mint is native in West Virginia’s higher elevations, as far north as Monongalia and Preston counties and down to Greenbrier County, and as far west as Marion and Braxton counties and east to the Eastern Panhandle counties like Berkeley. And as an added bonus, you can also eat it.
Wild Basil
All types of basil, including wild basil which is native to West Virginia, can help repel mosquitos. Just the smell of the plant can help keep them at bay. And unlike the basil you’d typically see in a store, wild basil has pink flowers, but you can still eat it fresh or dried.
Bee Balm
There are multiple varieties and colors of bee balm, but its bold, spicy scent makes it a great natural repellent for mosquitos. It is commonly grown in gardens and get larger than many of the more herb-like plants on this list.
Lyreleaf Sage
Although not the most effective type of sage, lyreleaf sage can help repel mosquitos, especially when dried and burned. Lyreleaf is native to most of West Virginia and has small, white flowers on tall stalks. Both the stalks and leaves are also edible when the plant is young and have a minty taste.
Allium (Ramps)
The smell of allium or wild garlic can help repel mosquitos. There are several types of alliums that are native to West Virginia, including ramps, an often celebrated forageable food, and lilydale onion, which is endemic to Virginia and West Virginia and considered “imperiled” in West Virginia. Ramps typically are not cultivated and are foraged to eat in West Virginia, but their pungent smell is good for more than just eating.
Many other non-native plants can also help repel mosquitos, but when planting outdoors, especially if you’re planting in the ground and not in pot, it’s best to use native options. Some plants that are highly recommended for getting rid of mosquitos are actually considered invasive. Catnip, for example, is often recommended as a natural bug deterrent, but it is on the invasive species list in West Virginia.
