Keep These on Your Terrace to Keep Mosquitoes Away

The beautiful purple blooms of lavender naturally repel those tiny winged bloodsuckers, while filling your terrace or balcony with a fresh, calming scent. You can make a candle by placing lavender sprigs in a glass tealight holder alongside a candle, or even weave a lovely wreath. If you prefer a simpler look, just plant lavender in a stylish metal pot and let it do its magic.

Lemon and lemon balm are also plants mosquitoes tend to avoid because of their scent. Try a charming table decoration: line a jar’s side with lemon slices, place a smaller glass filled with water and flowers inside it. For an even more effective repellent, create a floating candle holder: fill a jar halfway with water, add lemon balm, float some lemon slices on top, then place a floating candle and top off with a bit more water. If you have a diffuser, add a few drops of lemon or lemon balm essential oil and let the refreshing aroma fill your terrace.

Eucalyptus is another aromatic plant that bugs, especially mosquitoes, tend to steer clear of. Create stunning table decor by arranging dried leaves on a tray under white candles, or place eucalyptus branches in water-filled jars on your table. You can also craft a striking eucalyptus garland for your wall—either just leaves or combined with twigs, ribbons, or thin leather strips for a boho vibe.

Mint’s sharp, fresh scent makes it one of the best natural mosquito repellents. Plant it in a cute pot on your table or windowsill, or get creative by making your own mint-scented candles. If you love collecting seashells, fill them with a little wax and a wick to make adorable tealights—scatter them across your table for a cozy, mosquito-free atmosphere.

Geranium’s scent is another one many insects prefer to avoid. Since it’s a live flower, decorating options are a bit limited, but you can choose a unique pot to make it stand out. Geranium looks fantastic in woven wicker baskets, alone or paired with smaller flowers. Another charming idea is to plant them in old, worn, or chipped containers or buckets—this adds a cozy, rustic touch to your space.