- Mosquitoes in Your Garden? Try Planting
These
- 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.
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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. |
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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. |
