There are plenty of us who enjoy sitting in their gardens or balconies
during the hot summer days and cool summer nights. But, nothing is
perfect, and in this case, it is those pesky bloodsuckers who are out to
get us and ruin our relaxation time.
No, we don’t mean vampires. We mean mosquitoes and their relentless
pursuit of having a meal on our skin. And since the summer weather is
plenty hot as it is, covering yourself from head to toe for protection
is certainly not the best idea to come to mind.
So what then, just
suffer in silence? Of course not! Have no fear, dear readers; we would
like to provide you with a list of 8 plants which are extremely useful
for many things, one of which is, yes, protecting us from mosquitoes.
Other
than keeping the mosquitoes at bay, planting them or having them around
in a pot only adds more beauty to your surroundings since they are
pretty to look at too. Mosquito-repellent abilities and aesthetics?
What
more can a person ask for in a plant? Give any (or all) of these plants
a try and be amazed at the mosquito-free zone you are getting.
1. Lavender
Everyone has already been praising lavender for
its aid in getting a good night’s sleep. Well here is another thing it
is useful for. This pretty plant has a wonderful scent for us humans,
but to the senses of bugs like mosquitoes, flies, and fleas…not so much.
Which
only spells good news for us, of course. You can also put some lavender
(in dried form) in satchels and place them in your clothes drawers.
That way you are deterring the nasty pests on the go!
2. Garlic
You
might laugh at the notion and mental image that has appeared in your
head, but we assure you, we kid you not. It would seem there was some
truth in the old legends of keeping vampires away with garlic.
Well,
these may not be the same ‘bloodsuckers’, but the effect is the same.
Who knows, maybe this is where the myth originated from in the first
place? So don’t hesitate and plant some garlic or keep it in pots around
your outdoor area.
3. Lemon Balm
It is a very green plant
which has a bit of a lemony scent mixed with a minty tinge to it. Hence
the name. The great news is that this plant not only keeps mosquitoes
away, but also attracts the pleasant bug variety, such as bees or
butterflies.
You can also use this natural repellent on your skin
by crushing some lemon balm leaves and rubbing the oil directly on your
skin. Another great news which makes this plant so fantastic is that it
is really easy to maintain because it is resistant to drought.
One
small piece of cautionary advice though: this plant has a rather
invasive tendency, so make sure not to let it overtake your garden. We
all know there can be ‘too much of a good thing’, after all.
4. Peppermint
Its
name says it all – it has a minty scent. It is exactly this scent which
bothers members of the creepy-crawly clan, such as ants and, naturally,
mosquitoes. An added bonus is that the mice don’t like this particular
scent either.
5. Marigolds
Even if this gorgeous flower
didn’t possess any benefits, one might still want to have it around for
its sheer beauty. Luckily for you, other than its loveliness, it is also
beneficial. Don’t you just love two-in-one deals? We know we sure do.
A
study had discovered that the oil extracted from this flower can
protect you from those nasties for hours on end. But it also repels
other bugs, such as squash bugs, Mexican bean beetles, and tomato
hornworms.
6. Rosemary
This plant is absolutely ideal for
growing in places where the climate is usually hot. In fact, the New
York Botanical Garden has even recommended it, praising it for its
mosquito-repellant properties.
But it is also useful for keeping
flies and moths away. Other than garden decoration, you can add it as a
seasoning to your food as well!
7. Basil
It is very
popular in Italian cuisine. But adding extra flavor to meals is not the
only thing this herb is good for. Thanks to its strong-smelling nature,
mosquitoes are sure to keep their distance. Just make sure to plant the
basil with good drainage and lots of water and sunlight.
Best to keep it near your relaxing area or the border of your garden or balcony.
8. Geranium
Colorful
and pretty, they are most certainly a wise choice for any gardener,
even those who don’t deal with mosquito problems. But for the ones of
you who do, this can definitely offer you a helping hand.
They
have a faint lemony scent, much like that of citronella. Even if they
work best in warm weather, planting them in a pot will also do the
trick.
Well, happy planting everyone! So can add all, or at least some of these
wondrous plants and breathe freely the whole summer round!
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