Mosquito Repellant Plants for Your Garden

Have you ever gone outside to enjoy a summer evening only to be driven back inside because of mosquitoes? In New England this is a common occurrence. I do not like to use harsh insect repellents so I decided to find alternate ways to keep the mosquitoes at bay.

I learned that there are many common plants that you can include in your garden that will help deter mosquitoes and look pretty at the same time. One of my favorites is Rosemary. Not only does it repel mosquitoes, it is inexpensive, nice to look at, and can be used in many of my favorite recipes. The climate where I live is not a good one for growing Rosemary in my garden, but it grows easily as a potted plant on my deck.

Marigolds are another plant that repels mosquitoes. I can understand this since they repel me as well. I have never card for the smell of them, but I am willing to put up with it to keep the mosquitoes away. Marigolds can be very inexpensive to use in your garden since they can be easily grown from seeds.

Then there is a plant actually named the Mosquito plant. It is a special genetically engineered geranium that has a sweet lemony scent, like citronella. Geraniums are usually grown as potted plants and placed outdoors during warmer weather. The first year the plant will grow a foot and, if grown inside, can reach a maximum of three to four feet high.

The plant that is the most effective at repelling mosquitoes is catnip. Studies have shown that catnip can be ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET. It is easily grown from seeds and not only works to repel mosquitoes, but will keep your cat in a good mood as well.

To take advantage of the mosquito repelling properties of the plants, when you are not in your garden, you can use their essential oils. The easiest way to do this is to rub the leaves of plants on your skin.

You can also make natural repellent sprays from citronella, cedar, verbena, pennyroyal, geranium, lavender, pine, cinnamon, rosemary, basil, thyme, allspice, garlic, and peppermint. To make a natural repellent combine one of the listed oils in a ten to one ratio with rubbing alcohol and shake well before each use. Just keep in mind that repellents from plants do not last as long as chemical repellents and will need to be reapplied at least every two hours.

So go ahead and plant some of these flowers and herbs in your garden. Then go outside on a warm summer night, favorite drink in hand, and sit back and enjoy a mosquito free evening.