Mosquito bites are itchy and sometimes painful. Worse, they can occasionally be deadly. With mosquitoes carrying disease, many homeowners have turned to more natural ways to keep them at bay. Luckily, a large variety of plants can help keep these annoying pests away from your home and you.
A wide variety of plants exist, including lavender, marigolds, and citronella grass, that can deter mosquitoes around your home. Which plants you use depends mainly on your personal preference. The list below highlights some of the many plants that can keep mosquitoes away from your garden.
Citronella Grass
Commonly used in mosquito repellant sprays and candles, the citronella plant has a distinct smell. Exuding a lemony scent, the citronella plant is one of the best natural deterrents against mosquitoes. If you have citronella plants in your garden, make sure to protect them from frost in the winter.
Basil
Basil is a great natural repellant against mosquitoes and is toxic to mosquito larvae, especially when planted around water sources. When planted next to a water source, the basil plant’s toxic nature greatly reduces the number of mosquito eggs produced, cutting down on their numbers.
Marigolds
This easy-to-grow annual emits a strong smell that deters mosquitoes and other garden pests. They make great additions to the borders of your garden, or near patio areas and entrances to your home. Other pests that marigolds keep out include squash bugs, tomato hornworms, and aphids, among other insects.
Catnip
More than just a favorite of cats, catnip acts as a natural barrier for mosquitoes. Shown to be 10 times more effective than the mosquito repellant chemical DEET, catnip is invasive if not properly monitored. As long as you keep it under control, this easy-to-care-for plant can keep mosquitoes out of your garden.
Scented Geraniums
This lemon-scented plant is popular among gardeners. Known for its beautiful blooms, scented geraniums keep mosquitoes and other pests away from your garden. Fast growing, scented geraniums grow best in warm, dry climates that get plenty of sun, though they do well when grown in planters in colder climates.
Rosemary
Used most often as an herb in recipes, rosemary can also serve as a natural mosquito repellant. The plant’s woody scent keeps mosquitoes and other bugs at bay, and is easily pruned to act as borders along your garden’s edge. Some of the other pests that rosemary keeps away include carrot flies and cabbage moths.
Peppermint
Like many plants in the mint family, peppermint puts off a strong scent which can keep mosquitoes and other insects away from your garden. You can also use the oil of the peppermint plant to kill the larvae and eggs of many species of insects, including killing mosquito larvae within 24 hours of exposure.
Lavender
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In addition to its lovely smell, lavender is known for repelling mosquitoes and other flying bugs. By planting lavender in your garden, it is almost ensured that mosquitoes will be kept at bay. Another way to use the plant’s mosquito repelling properties is by rubbing it directly onto your skin.
Mosquitoes are an invasive species if left unchecked. Usually hatching in the spring, their bite can cause irritation and even worse. Fortunately, many plants exist that can help you keep mosquitoes away from your home and garden.
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Source: Garden Design, Rodale’s Organic Life
