Lemon basil is one variety of the herb that helps keep mosquitoes at bay. Packed with essential oils, this type of basil plant has small leaves and emits a fresh, lemony aroma. The strong scent of lemon basil, like that of other lemony plants such as thyme and citronella, deters mosquitoes. Sit pots of lemon basil around your deck or patio when barbecuing or spending time outdoors to keep away pests.
Originally from India, cinnamon basil combines a clove-like scent with a spicy perfume reminiscent of the tree bark from which it gets its name. Mosquitoes find the smell unpleasant and will avoid any areas where you plant cinnamon basil. This variety of basil can grow to 30 inches tall, so plant it in areas with plenty of available room like within the landscaping near your home or in your vegetable garden. The leaves can reach 2 inches in size.
Peruvian basil is also known as American duppy basil or mosquito plant. The leaves of this variety of the basil plant, which is native to Peru, are often crushed to release a bitter but sweet aroma that repels mosquitoes. Peruvians traditionally use the basil when cooking, but they also hang sprigs of it in their homes to keep out pests. The plants stay compact at just 12 to 18 inches --- the right size for pots or along the border of your flower garden.
Whatever variety you opt to use to repel mosquitoes, keep your basil plants producing healthy, oil-packed leaves by nipping them back as they grow. About one month after planting it in the pot or ground, use garden shears to trim your basil's stem just above the second set of leaves; continue to do so approximately every 30 days. This prevents the plant from flowering and encourages it to grow vertically, producing large aromatic leaves.