Grow These 6 Common Garden Plants To Keep Mosquitoes Away

Sitting outside on a warm summer evening is a pleasant way to relax until the dreaded mosquitoes arrive. While you can buy ointments and sprays to keep these insects at bay there are several common garden flowers and herbs which will perform the same function. Grow one or more of these near your patio and they will act as a natural pest controller. I learned this from an article by Staphanie Figy which I found on Angie’s List website.

Summer means it?s time to fire up the grill and invite friends over for a barbecue, but it seems like unexpected guests always crash the party.

No, not your in-laws ? we?re talking about pesky bugs and insects.
There are ways to keep mosquitoes and other insects away besides drowning yourself in bug spray. For a more green approach, try installing some of these mosquito and insect-repelling plants around your yard.

1. Marigolds

Place potted marigolds near mosquito entry-points, such as doors and windows, or on a deck or balcony where you spend a lot of time outdoors. They also deter insects that prey on tomato plants ? an added bonus for gardeners.
Not only do they?make your landscape more attractive, but marigolds also have a distinct smell that repels mosquitoes.
Plant from seed or get a starter plant from a nursery or floral department.

2. Citronella

Citronella is found in bug sprays and insect-repelling candles, but for maximum effectiveness, consider planting it. (Photo by David Becken)

Citronella is one of the most common ingredients in insect repellents, due to its strong smell, which masks mosquito attractants.
The perennial clumping grass grows 5 to 6 feet, and can be planted in the ground or kept in large pots.
Citronella plants thrive best in full sun and areas with good drainage.