A warm evening bathed in sunlight, a picnic in the park or a night’s camping with friends. When the summer arrives, there are plenty of things to look forward to.
One thing that I absolutely don’t look forward to, mind, is the mosquitoes. The moment a few of the winged pests appear, a glorious summer evening can be destroyed. Instead of relaxing without a care in the world, you’ll be bitten to within an inch of your sanity and left to spend the next few days itching your skin like mad man.
Of course, there are ways and means of preventing this most frustrating of blights. You could invest in mosquito repellant, for example, or perhaps buy spray to kill them when they appear. Something you might not have considered, however, is that nature – as always – has its own solution. By channeling it, you can enjoy a mosquito-free zone, without the need to use chemicals.
Essential oils found in certain plants are already used in several mosquito repellants, and in a bid to stop people being bitten this summer, I’ve assembled a list of the plants you can utilize to ensure mosquitos stay away from your garden.
Read on below and feel free to share with friends and family on Facebook so you can enjoy a relaxing summer!
Lavender
Lavender is one of the most popular plants to have in the garden or around the home; its fragrance is something we can all enjoy. What some might not know is that mosquitoes don’t enjoy the scent, as lavender contains a high concentration of camphor.
If you’re out on an evening walk, try rubbing some lavender against your skin to free some of the oil. You’ll notice mosquitoes, by and large, will leave you alone. Another tip is to place dry lavender around your house – it helps with both mosquitoes and moths.
Basil
Basil’s not only useful when applied in cooking; it can also be utilized for an insect-free evening. You don’t even need to rub basil against your skin, for its smell is so strong that it works just as well when left close to the front door or windows.
Feel free to plant some basil in a sunny spot close by your abode – the mosquitoes will hate it.
Mint
As with basil, mint is effective both in the kitchen and when it comes to keeping mosquitoes at bay. In addition, the herb has a pleasant scent and is easy to both grow and maintain.
Not only is mint good at keeping mosquitoes away, it’s also actually a pretty handy remedy when rubbed on mosquito bites. Try rubbing a mint leaf directly on the bite the next time you find one… it will soothe your skin and ease the itching.
Lemon grass
The special scent of lemon grass is a powerful deterrent to mosquitoes. The most common species of the plant contains high levels of citronella, which is used in many mosquito repellant sprays.
Lemon grass can be grown in a pot in the garden, though it needs to be taken inside during winter as it won’t survive the cold.
Catmint
Most cat owners will recognise catmint plants are a firm feline favourite. As it turns out, they’re also a good way of keeping mosquitoes out of your garden.
Catmint contains the substance nepetalactone, which attracts cats but keeps insects away. Studies have shown that catmint can be significantly more effective that DEET, the chemical used in most insect repellants.
Marigolds
Marigolds have a distinct scent that many insects, mosquitoes included, find intolerable. The plant contains pyrethrum, a common ingredient in most insecticides.
It doesn’t hurt that the flowers are beautiful and can even help with the growth of vegetation such as tomato plants and the like. Marigolds exude a substance that counteracts a problem known as “soil fatigue”.
Rosemary
Rosemary has a pleasant aroma that helps to keep mosquitoes away. It also works well against other pests.
Keep in mind that rosemary thrives when given plenty of sunlight. If you take care of it, you can also have a tasty herb growing in your garden!
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is a fairly popular choice of plant for people. You’ll be pleased to know mosquitoes hate it. The only issue is that the plant grows quickly and spreads easily, so it’s an idea to keep it contained in a pot of some sort.
On the upside, lemon balm doesn’t mind being in the shade – where mosquitoes hide on hot days – and carries a smell that’s nice even when rubbed onto the skin.
Eucalyptus
The oils from the eucalyptus tree are useful for several things – repelling insects like mosquitoes and ticks is among them.
I often rub a few drops of this oil into my skin before I go out in the summer, but growing a eucalyptus tree at home can be just as effective if you’re planning on spending evenings in your garden.
Do you have any other good tips and tricks for keeping the mosquitoes away? Please share your best ones in the comments box.
Don’t forget to share this article with all your friends and family on Facebook, so that more people can enjoy a mosquito-free summer.
