8 Plants that Help Repel Mice, Spiders & Other Insects

While no plant can guarantee a 100% pest-free home simply by sitting on a windowsill, many plants contain essential oils and compounds that insects and rodents find highly offensive. Using these plants as part of an integrated pest management strategy—placing them near entryways, in gardens, or using their dried leaves in sachets—can help deter unwanted guests naturally.

Here are 8 powerful plants that help repel mice, spiders, and other insects:

1. Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

Repels: Mice, rats, spiders, ants, and mosquitoes.
Why it works: Rodents and spiders rely heavily on their acute sense of smell to find food and navigate. The incredibly potent menthol compound in peppermint overwhelms their senses and is highly irritating to their nasal passages.
How to use it: Plant peppermint in containers around the outside of your home (do not plant it directly in the ground unless you want it to take over your entire yard, as it is highly invasive). Indoors, soak cotton balls in peppermint essential oil and place them in cabinets, garages, and near doorways.

2. Lavender (Lavandula)

Repels: Moths, fleas, flies, mosquitoes, and mice.
Why it works: While humans generally love the calming scent of lavender, pests strongly dislike the high concentration of linalool found in the plant. It acts as a natural neurotoxin for many smaller insects.
How to use it: Plant lavender in sunny spots near entry doors or dry the flowers and tie them into sachets to hang in closets (to ward off moths) or place in pantry corners.

3. Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

Repels: House flies, mosquitoes, and spiders.
Why it works: Basil contains compounds like estragole and eugenol, which are toxic to many insect larvae and highly repellent to adult flying insects.
How to use it: Keep a potted basil plant on your kitchen counter or windowsill. Not only will it deter flies and spiders, but you’ll also have fresh herbs for cooking. For outdoor protection, plant basil near your back door or patio.

4. Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)

Repels: Mosquitoes, cabbage moths, carrot flies, and cockroaches.
Why it works: The woody, pungent aroma of rosemary comes from oils like camphor and 1,8-cineole. These oils interfere with the respiratory and olfactory systems of many insects, making them flee the area.
How to use it: Rosemary thrives in hot, dry climates. Plant it in your garden or keep a potted one on a sunny patio. To repel bugs at an outdoor gathering, toss a few sprigs of rosemary onto the barbecue grill; the smoke will drive mosquitoes away.

5. Catnip (Nepeta cataria)

Repels: Mosquitoes, cockroaches, termites, and mice.
Why it works: Catnip contains nepetalactone. Research from Iowa State University found that nepetalactone is actually up to ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET (the chemical used in most commercial bug sprays). Mice also detest the smell and will avoid areas where it is present.
How to use it: Plant catnip around the perimeter of your home. Be warned: if you have outdoor cats in the neighborhood, they may roll around in it and crush the plant. You can also dry the leaves and place them in small mesh bags in areas where mice are a problem.

6. Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum morifolium)

Repels: Roaches, ants, Japanese beetles, ticks, silverfish, lice, fleas, bedbugs, and spiders.
Why it works: Chrysanthemums contain a naturally occurring chemical called pyrethrin. Pyrethrin is a neurotoxin that attacks the nervous systems of insects. In fact, it is so effective that it is often extracted and synthesized for use in commercial household insecticides.
How to use it: Keep potted mums on your front porch or patio. Plant them in your garden to act as a natural “guard dog” for the rest of your vegetables and flowers.

7. Citronella Grass (Cymbopogon nardus)

Repels: Mosquitoes, flies, and spiders.
Why it works: You likely recognize citronella from the scent of outdoor candles and torches. The plant itself is a type of lemongrass that produces a strong, citrusy oil that masks the carbon dioxide and lactic acid scents that attract mosquitoes to humans.
How to use it: Plant citronella grass in large pots near outdoor seating areas. Because it grows quite large (up to 6 feet tall), it can act as a living privacy screen and bug barrier.

8. Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)

Repels: Spiders, dust mites, mice, and rats.
Why it works: Eucalyptus leaves contain eucalyptol, a compound with a sharp, medicinal, cooling scent. Spiders absolutely detest the smell and will avoid corners where it is present. Rodents also find the strong menthol-like scent overwhelming and will steer clear.
How to use it: Hang fresh or dried eucalyptus bundles in your shower (the steam releases the oils) or in your closets. To keep spiders out of specific rooms, place a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil mixed with water in a spray bottle and spritz around window frames and baseboards.

A Few Important Tips for Success:

Placement is key: For indoor pest control, focus on “entry points.” Place these plants or their essential oils near doors, windows, garage corners, and kitchen baseboards.
Pets warning: If you have cats or dogs, do your research before using essential oils or bringing new plants into the house. Many plants (and especially concentrated essential oils like eucalyptus and peppermint) can be highly toxic to pets if ingested or absorbed.
Combine with cleaning: These plants work best as deterrents. You must still seal cracks in your walls, fix leaky pipes, and keep kitchens free of crumbs to ensure pests don’t decide the reward of food outweighs the smell of the plants.