Mosquito repellent plants you should grow in your garden

Mosquitoes, as tiny as they are responsible for the death of millions every passing year. Nile virus, Zika virus and of course Malaria are the commonest diseases they transmit via their bites. They are insatiable blood feeders, always on the move searching for the next victim to draw blood from. So, to keep yourself and your family safe, it is needful you seek effective means of keeping away this blood sucking insects out of your home and possibly yard.

One safe and effective control technique for repelling mosquitoes is using scents they naturally hate. Certain types of plants emit scents that repel mosquitoes, and so planting them in your yard is a good way to make your home mosquito-proof.

• Lemon Balm

Lemon balm has two important properties – healing and mosquito repelling properties, thanks to the mint it contains. To use, you can either crush it leaves, squeeze and the apply the squeezed liquid on parts of your body where mosquitoes will most likely attack, or plant them in pots and then place the pots close to your doors and windows. Lemon balm can be purchased online or from a local gardener.

• Lavender

Everybody loves lavender for its soothing and calming scent. What most people do not know is that this pleasant scent is repulsive to mosquitoes, making lavender an excellent mosquito repellent. Just like lemon balm, lavender can be used in two ways – you either crush and rub it on your skin or put it in pots and then position appropriately.

• Citronella

Have you ever wondered why citronella candles are used for keeping away mosquitoes? Yeah, you guessed right, mosquitoes are repulsed by its smell. Rather using citronella candles which is laden with some harmful chemicals, grow the plant yourself. One good thing about this plant it that it can tolerate unfriendly weather condition quite well.

• Geranium

Geranium is another plant known to repel mosquitoes. Have them abundantly planted in your garden and mosquitoes will forever stay away from your home. This ornamental plant thrives best during summer when the weather is sunny and dry.

• Marigold

Also an ornamental flower, marigold emits scents mosquitoes find repulsive. The scent this flower emits not only works on mosquitoes but also other insect pests like bugs, whiteflies, aphids, beetles and a host of others. To use, place the flower in pots and then place them close to your patio, windows and doors.

• Rosemary

Rosemary is yet another plant recommended by gardeners as an excellent mosquito repellent. It doubles as a carrot fly and moth repellent. Good enough, rosemary can be used as seasoning for your meals. They prefer dry environments with little or no moisture.

• Catnip

While cats love this plant, mosquitoes hate it, and will stay away from where it is planted. Its repelling property comes from nepetalactone, a chemical it contains which attracts cats and repels mosquitoes. Do bear in mind that cats love this plant so much and won’t mind eating it to its roots. To use, crush the plant and then apply it on your skin.