NOBODY likes MOSQUITOS! And who enjoys getting out sprays that are full of irritants, even natural sprays can leave you smelly and even sticky, and they only work for a little while before you need to reapply.

So, what if you could grow beautiful plants that do all the work for you! Next time you step out into your yard or garden you can spend your summer enjoying the beauty instead of fighting off the pests!

There are many plants which help ward off mosquitos, like Citronella and Lemon Grass but the problem is you have to crush the leaves for them to be effective.  I don’t want to crush the leaves and rub them on me for effective protection from mosquitos every time I step out in my backyard, do you?

Hello good news…there are plants, both beautiful and practical, that do this naturally, so you don’t have too.  Below is a list of flowers and herbs that are effective for repelling those pesky pests.

Lavender is everywhere these days.  Many know of the relaxation-inducing properties of its oil.  Not many people know that it is awesome at keeping mosquitos away.  The fragrance we find lovely and relaxing, they find offensive.  I recommend buying Lavadin, it is a hybrid breed of Lavender with a high camphor level which is the key ingredient for repelling mosquitos.

Marigolds are vibrant flowers, their deep green leaves and bright petals are both attractive and useful.  Marigolds contain the chemical call pyrethrum which makes it a great option for keeping mosquitos at bay.  However, these amazing little flowers don’t stop there, pyrethrum is potent against many different insects.  They discourage aphids, whiteflies, Mexican bean beetles, tomato worms, thrips, and squash bugs. So plant them wherever you want this powerhouse plants protection.

Pennyroyals have a very long history, filled with the good and the bad.  The oil of this plant, when refined, can be quite dangerous to humans and pets, it has been linked to liver damage and death when consumed. The plant, however, is very safe and helpful.  It is a member of the mint family and is helpful in keeping many pests at bay.  Planting this around your home means not only will you protect yourself from mosquitos & gnats but you will also be protecting your pets from fleas!

Rosemary, the herb, is not only good for cooking but also great at keeping mosquitos, flies, and several other bugs like cabbage moths at bay.  It grows efficiently in pots, which means it’s perfect to plant by doors and windows.  You can plant in around your yard and among your vegetables.  You’ll enjoy the many benefits of having this beautiful herb around.

Basil, surprisingly, is another herb that is great at defending its territory.  It is equally efficient at keeping mosquitos and flies at bay.   There are a wide variety of basil plants, the standard cooking basil has a strong fragrance and flavor of cloves, but there are others that taste of cinnamon, lemon, lime, and even camphor.  Plant in little terracotta pots and place on your picnic table to keep pest away and add a touch of decor.

 

Garlic, planted in your yard and garden is wonderful for deterring pests.  Garlic spray is a natural pest control method used by many gardeners.  In fact its one of the top recommendations for controlling grasshoppers from destroying gardens.  Check out www.commonsensehome.com for all the ways to use and not use garlic in the garden.

• Quick Pro Quo:  These are plants, not chemicals, they are not going to be 100% effective in removing all pest from your garden.  Don’t expect this to be a complete solution for your backyard.  However, by adding in plants that pull double duty not only do your plants naturally ward off some pest but their flowers will attract beneficial insects such as butterflies & bee’s, and be visually appealing every time you step outside.   You’ll also notice I did not include all plants associated with mosquito repelling qualities.  This is because some plants have to be crushed and applied directly to the skin to be effective and others have been proven not to be as affected as once thought.   Doing your own research is highly advised, especially for zone hardiness and care.  Check out the post HOMEGROWN: Victory Garden for some great resources on gardening.