Mosquitoes Simply Hate These Seven Plants by: Kristen Duever for Off the Grid News
Have you found yourself constantly slapping mosquitoes while sitting outside this year, or having to spray yourself repeatedly with insect repellent? Avoid using sprays with chemicals like DEET by growing plants that are not only helpful in controlling these pests naturally but are beautiful and easy to manage. The plants below can grow in your home or garden.
Plants mosquitoes hate
1. Citronella – This plant has a strong smell, which helps mask you from mosquitoes. It is a common substance in repellents. The plant itself is more effective than candles or torches because its smell is stronger.
This helpful flora is a perennial and can grow into a grassy, bush-like plant up to five or six feet. It does better in pots if you live in an area where you get frost. It may need to come inside for the winter. Citronella is a low-maintenance plant and does well in full sun with well-draining soil.
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2. Horsemint – Here is another plant with a strong smell. It is also known as bee balm or lemon balm. It is a fast-growing perennial with a tolerance for shade and is resistant to drought.
Horsemint grows up to two or three feet high and wide. It does well in sandy soil. Horsemint can divide in spring and fall to transplant to other locations. It also attracts bees and butterflies, so it also serves to attract pollinators to your garden.
3. Marigolds – This hardy and colorful flower is more than ornamental garden stock. Mosquitoes find the smell very unpleasant. These flowers have pyrethrum, which is found in repellents. Marigolds are annual plants but will reseed themselves, so you may have to thin the flowers at times.
They enjoy full sun and healthy, but not over-fertilized, soil. You can start them by seed or go to a garden center and purchase seedlings
Marigolds also deter tomato-loving insects, so by planting them near your vegetable garden, you will help to control more than just mosquitoes.
4. Ageratum – Ageratum is also known as floss flower and it is another plant that has a strong smell mosquitoes tend to avoid. This flower secretes a natural chemical used in repellents, called coumarin. Ageratum is an annual which has distinctive blue flowers. It is an ornamental type flower, reaching heights of eight to 18 inches.
It likes partial or full sun and even does well in rock gardens. Crushing the leaves will increase the odor, but do not rub the crushed leaves on your skin, as it can lead to irritation.
5. Catnip – Here is a natural repellent for mosquitoes. Iowa State University entomologists reported in 2010 that catnip is TEN times more effective than DEET. Catnip contains nepetalactone and is an easy-to-grow perennial. Catnip will always repel mosquitoes in close proximity to the plant. It is a relative of mint (another plant-repeller.)
