Mosquitoes in Your Yard or Garden? Plant These for Some Relief.

You invest lots of time outdoors if you are a major garden enthusiast. And, for sure, you would rather be tending your plants than swatting mosquitoes. While there are many things you can do to keep mosquitoes away, there are some plants that will enhance your front and backyard all the while help fend off irritating mosquitoes. If you are looking for a natural method to keep mosquitoes far from you and your yard, plant these appealing plants and let nature do the repelling.

HORSEMINT

Horsemint grows wild in most of the Eastern United States, from Mexico, Texas up to Minnesota to Vermont. It is partial to sandy soils and will grow in USDA Zones 5-10; our State Capitol of Raleigh is Zone 7. Plant horsemint with full to part sun and (ideally) well-drained, sandy soil with some water-retentive ability; although it is tolerant of a variety of dirt types.

ROSEMARY

It has actually been utilized for centuries to keep pesky mosquitoes away. When it comes to fresh plant oils as natural mosquito repellants, there is every reason to have this plant in your yard, if they will grow in your area. It is an attractive and affordable way to improve the look of the landscape and have natural mosquito repellants on hand. It is best to plant rosemary after frost is over, and the gound has warmed in the spring.

MARIGOLDS

Organic garden enthusiasts have actually used marigolds as buddy plants to keep aphids away. Mosquitoes do not like its scent any better (and some people feel the same). Marigolds are best to be planted from late May to mid-June as they prefer the ground temperatures to be anywhere in between 60-80-degrees Fahrenheit. You should plant marigolds when all the threat of frost has actually passed, and the ground can be tilled.

AGERATUM

This captivating little bedding plant consists of coumarin, and mosquitoes detest the odor. It is used in the perfume market and is even in some commercial mosquito repellants. Ageratum are best to be planted once the ground has warmed in late spring.

CITRONELLA

Citronella is a well known repellant for mosquitoes, but it is not the plant itself that repells them… it is the oils in the leaves. As such, once the plants have grown you will want to pick off some leaves and rub on your skin or clothing to be effective at repelling any mosqitoes. Citronella will grow where any geranium will grow. It is also appealing enough to be required planting simply for it’s decorative worth.

AGASTACHE CANA

Its typical names include Texas Hummingbird Mint, Bubblegum Mint, Huge Hyssop, or Giant Hummingbird Mint. As you might think, hummingbirds are attracted to this plant due to to its sweet nectar. The long, medium pink flowers draw in butterflies also. It is a New Mexico native, also discovered in parts of Texas. It is, in truth, a member of the mint household and its leaves do have a pleasant minty bubblegum fragrance when squashed or broken. In its native habitat it is seasonal, and is usually durable in sandy soil such as the Sand Hills region in Cumberland County. It is a perfect addition to rock gardens. This natural mosquito repellant blooms late summer season to early fall, and catches hummingbirds on their yearly migration.

CATNIP

One of the most effective mosquito repellant plants is ordinary catnip. Recent studies have revealed that it is 10 times more reliable than DEET at driving away mosquitoes.

With all of these plants, the leaves must be squashed to launch the aroma. Otherwise mosquitoes can’t smell them. And, with rosemary and catnip, you can just squash a few leaves and rub on your skin and clothing to boost the result.

So, next time you are modifying your plantings, consider using a few of these appealing plants to do more than just improve the landscape. You can have beautiful ornamentals that also drive mosquitoes away.