What Garden Plants Are Resistant
Most insect-repelling plants do so with their natural fragrances, which keep annoying mosquitoes away and introduce wonderful scents throughout your garden. If you don't want to douse yourself or your garden in chemical bug sprays you can grow some of these plants to help keep mosquitoes away naturally. Plant these plants in areas where guests will be often such as by a seating area or a doorway.
12 Plants to Use as a Natural Mosquito Repellent
- Lavender
Have you ever noticed that insects or even rabbits and other animals have never decimated your lavender plant? It is because of their lovely fragrance, which comes from its essential oils that are found on the leaves of the plant. It is even argued that lavender oil hinders a mosquito's ability to smell! This plant is very tough and drought-resistant once established, and only needs full sun and good drainage. And while it can endure many climates, it thrives in warmer areas.
Buy now from Proven Winners - Marigolds
Marigolds, an easy-to-grow annual flower, emit a smell that deters mosquitoes. Grow them in pots and place them near your patio or entrance to your home to keep bugs out. Marigolds are also a popular addition to borders and vegetable gardens. According to NYBG, not only can they keep away mosquitoes, but they also dissuade aphids, thrips, whiteflies, Mexican bean beetles, squash bugs, and tomato hornworms.
Buy now on Amazon - Citronella Grass
Known for its distinct smell, citronella grass (or lemon grass) is the most commonly used natural ingredient in mosquito repellants. In fact, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden recommends lemon-scented plants such as citronella grass to keep mosquitoes at bay. And the good news is that the living plant is the most effective at repelling pests. This low-maintenance plant does best in large planters because it cannot withstand frost, but in warmer climates, can be planted directly a sunny area in the ground.
Buy now from Proven Winners - Catnip
Catnip (catmint) can be found thriving almost anywhere. It is from the mint family and grows abundantly both as a commercial plant and as a weed. It is very easy to take care of and may even start to invade other areas of your garden. However, if you are willing to forgo this plant's insidious nature, they are amazing mosquito repellants and another recommendation from the BBG. In a study at Iowa State University, catmint was found to be ten times more effective than DEET, the chemical used in most insect repellants.
Buy now from Proven Winners - Rosemary
Another great mosquito repellant is rosemary. Both the New York Botanical Garden and PlantShed recommended this plant. Rosemary is an herb that many of us are very familiar with and their woody scent is exactly what keeps mosquitoes as well as cabbage moths and carrot flies away. They do best in hot and dry climates and thrive in containers, which may be ideal for areas with winters. They can also be pruned into all sorts of shapes and sizes and make great borders or decorations. While the pests stay away you can enjoy the herb's scent and also use it to season your cooking.
Buy now on Amazon - Basil
Basil is another herb that can also double as a pest repellent. The pungent smell the basil leaves give off are what keep pests at bay. And since all kinds of basil work to keep flies and mosquitoes at bay, feel free to explore and find the right types of basil to mix into your garden. This herb likes to be kept damp, needs good drainage, and enjoys lots of sun. You can plant basil in containers or in the garden, alone or with other flowers, as long as both plants meet the same requirements.
Buy now from Proven Winners - Scented Geraniums
Scented geraniums seem to be a popular mosquito repelling plant. Recommended by PlantShed, BBG, and NYBG, the favored scent seems to be lemon scented, which is reminiscent of citronella grass. The strong fragrance keeps several types of pests away. These fast-growing plants like warm, sunny, and dry climates, but if you are in a cold-climate area, they can be grown in planters with constant pruning.
Buy now from Proven Winners - Bee Balm
Want to attract good bugs like bees and butterflies, while deterring the bad ones? Then bee balm, also known as Monarda or horsemint, is the plant for you. Simply crush its leaves to release the fragrant oils. Plus, you'll get to enjoy colorful flowers, in shades of red, pink, lavender, white, or purple, all summer long.
Buy now from Proven Winners - Mint
Mint is an excellent nontoxic option for keeping mosquitoes, flies and even ants away. The more pungent the aroma, the less bugs you'll have. Grow it in pots on your patio where it can be easily reached if you want to drop a leaf or two in your afternoon tea. You can even dry the leaves and use them inside your home as a natural pest control method.
Buy now on Amazon - Floss Flower
This attractive annual flower makes great bedding or container plants. Floss flower contains coumarin, a chemical that helps repel mosquitoes—but, also makes it toxic if ingested by pets or humans.
Buy now from Proven Winners - Sage
If you love gathering around a fire pit in your backyard, then plant some sage nearby. Toss some of the plant into the flames and its earthy smell will ward off bugs. Sage can also be dried and used to make homemade bug spray.
Buy now from Proven Winners - Allium
These bulbs, which include garlic and onions, release a strong fragrance that mosquitoes don't like. You'll enjoy the whimsical globe-shaped flowers of allium that seem to float atop long slender, stems.
Buy now from Proven Winners
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Proven Winners.
2. Marigolds - buy now on Amazon
- An ornamental annual flower
- Emits a smell that deters mosquitoes
- Easy-to-grow
- Does well in pots, borders or the vegetable garden
3. Citronella Grass - buy now on Amazon
- Most commonly used natural ingredient in mosquito repellents
- Lemon-scented
- Does best in large planters (cannot withstand frost)
- Make sure you buy Cybopogon nardus or Citronella winterianus
- Get design ideas for using grasses in your garden
Proven Winners.
4. Catnip - buy now from Proven Winners
- From the mint family
- Very easy to take care of
- Can become invasive
- Found to be ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET
5. Rosemary - buy now on Amazon
- An herb with a woody scent
- Does best in hot and dry climates
- Will thrive in containers elsewhere
- Can be creatively pruned for borders or decoration
Proven Winners.
6. Basil - buy now from Proven Winners
- An herb that keeps flies and mosquitos at bay
- Likes to be kept damp, needs good drainage, and enjoys lots of sun
- Plant in containers or in the garden
- All types of basil work as mosquito repellents
8. Bee Balm - buy now from Proven Winners
- Attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds
- Deters bugs that bite
- Release fragrant oils by crushing leaves
- Flower colors: red, pink, purple, white
9. Mint - buy now on Amazon
- Nontoxic pest control
- Use in drinks and food
- Also effective against flies and ants
12. Allium - buy now from Proven Winners
- Bulbs with whimsical globe-shaped flowers
- Includes garlic and onions
- Releases strong fragrance
We consulted with the New York Botanical Garden, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and Plantshed for the best plant options.
More Natural Ways to Keep Mosquitoes Away
In addition to growing the plants listed above, you should also practice good mosquito control in your garden so that the pests don't get out of hand. The best thing you can do is prevent water from collecting and becoming stagnant; mosquitoes can lay hundreds of eggs even in a tiny spoonful of standing water. Mosquito rings can be used virtually anywhere you have standing water — rain barrels, birdbaths, water gardens, ponds — even animal watering troughs. They contain a naturally occurring bacterium (Bt israelensis) that kills mosquito larvae.
There are also other natural products available that can help ward off mosquitoes in your garden. These include, citronella torches and candles, as well as essential oils derived from the plants listed here.
The Importance of Mosquito Control
Throughout the years, mosquitoes have transmitted many diseases including malaria, dengue, yellow fever, encephalitis, and more recently the West Nile and Zika viruses. Mosquitoes are even to blame for heartworm in dogs. So it isn't just about the annoyance or the itchy bite, it is a health concern for your family and pets.
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What Garden Plants Are Resistant
Source: https://www.gardendesign.com/plants/mosquito-repellent.html
Posted by: lairdobler1999.blogspot.com
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