Mosquitoes in Your Garden? Try Planting These.

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 by: Scottie Johnson

If you are a serious gardener, you spend lots of time
outdoors. And, for sure, you would rather be tending your plants than
swatting mosquitoes.

While there are many things you can do to keep
mosquitoes away, there are some plants that will beautify your yard and
help repel mosquitoes.

As one more way to keep mosquitoes away from you and your yard, try planting these attractive plants.

HORSEMINT

Horsemint has a scent similar to citronella. Horsemint
grows wild in most of the Eastern United States, from Mexico, Texas up
to Minnesota to Vermont. It is partial to sandy soils and will grow in
USDA Zones 5-10. Native Americans used it as a treatment for colds and
flu. It has natural fungicidal and bacterial retardant properties
because it's essential oils are high in thymol.

ROSEMARY

This wonderful herb we use for seasoning is also a great,
natural mosquito repellant. It has been used for centuries to keep
pesky mosquitoes away. Rosemary is a native of the Mediterranean, so it
likes hot, dry weather and well-drained soil. It is hardy in USDA zones
8-10, and must be grown as a pot plant in colder climates. If you
happen to live in a part of the country where rosemary does not grow,
you can get a good quality rosemary essential oil; mix 4 drops with ¼
cup olive oil. Store in a cool, dry place. When it comes to fresh plant
oils as natural mosquito repellants, there is every reason to have the
plant in your yard, if they will grow in your area. It is an
inexpensive and attractive way to boost the appearance of the landscape
and have natural mosquito repellants on hand as well.

MARIGOLDS

Organic gardeners have used marigolds as companion plants
to keep aphids away. Mosquitoes don’t like its scent any better (and
some humans feel the same way). Marigolds are sun-loving annuals that
come in a variety of shapes and sizes for almost any landscape. They
are quite easy to grow from seed.

AGERATUM

This charming little bedding plant contains coumarin, and
mosquitoes detest the smell. It is used in the perfume industry and is
even in some commercial mosquito repellants. Don’t rub ageratum on your
skin, though. It has some other less desirable elements that you don’t
want to keep on your skin in quantity. Ageratums are annuals, and the
come in a muted blue and white that compliments most other plantings.

MOSQUITO PLANTS

There are two types of plants that are called mosquito
plants. One is a member of the geranium family that was genetically
engineered to incorporate the properties of citronella. Citronella only
grows in tropical places, but it is a well known repellant for
mosquitoes. This plant was created to bring the repellant properties of
citronella into a hardier plant. It will grow where any geranium will
thrive. Many have questioned its usefulness as a mosquito repellant,
but it is attractive enough to warrant planting for it’s ornamental
value.

The other kind of mosquito plant is agastache cana. Its
common names include Texas hummingbird mint, bubblegum mint, giant
hyssop, or giant hummingbird mint. As you might guess, hummingbirds are
quite attracted to it.

It is a New Mexico native, also found in parts of
Texas. It is, in fact, a member of the mint family and its leaves do
have a pungent aroma when crushed. In its native habitat, it is
perennial, and is usually hardy in USDA Zones 5a-9a. It blooms late
summer to early fall, so it catches hummingbirds on their annual
migration. The long, medium pink flowers reel in butterflies as well.

CATNIP

One of the most powerful mosquito repellant plants is
ordinary catnip. Recent studies have shown that it is ten times more
effective than DEET at repelling mosquitoes. It is a short lived
perennial throughout most of the United States. It is easy to grow from
seed, and quickly reseeds. Aside from its intoxicating effects on cats,
the leaves make a very soothing tea.

With all of these plants, the leaves must be crushed to
release the aroma. Otherwise mosquitoes can’t smell them. And, with
rosemary and catnip, you can simply crush a few leaves and rub on your
skin and clothing to enhance the effect.

So, next time you are revising your plantings, consider
using some of these attractive plants to do more than just enhance the
landscape. You can have pretty ornamentals that also drive mosquitoes
away.

About the Author

Scottie Johnson is a life long mosquito warrior and freelance writer dedicated to eliminating mosquitoes from her life. She is also an organic gardener. For more information about mosquito control in your home and yard, visit her website at http://www.mosquito-kill-net.com. Copyright 2004 All rights reserved. Copies of this article may be used on websites and in e-zines provided the resource biography and URL are not removed prior to reproduction.

info@mosquito-kill-net.com

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