From Our Pest Control Blog...

6 Plants that Keep Mosquitoes Away

Mosquitoes

Published on Friday, 23 June 2017 15:52

Written by Good News Pest Solutions

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Now that school’s out for the summer and the days are longer, chances are, like us, you’re spending a bit more time outdoors with the family. For the next couple of months, we’ll enjoy picnics, barbeques, outdoor concerts and movies, maybe even take a trip or two to the beach.

But we all know that the summer months on the Gulf Coast of Florida are smack dab in the middle of rainy season, from Punta Gorda to Bradenton and beyond. And with rain comes our unofficial mascot – the mosquito.

Here at Good News Pest Solutions, we’re always looking for innovative new ways to solve pest problems with natural, organic methods that are safe for your family and pets. So we thought we’d share a few of the plants you can cultivate that naturally help repel mosquitoes – as well as a few added benefits!

Natural Ways to Keep Mosquitoes Away

1. Citronella – this may be the most obvious choice, due to its popularity in insect repellents and torches. That’s the oil, of course. You may not know that it’s also a small shrub you can plant around your yard, or grow in pots that can be placed around your patio. Their strong smell masks the odors that attract mosquitoes. Unfortunately, the smell can also trigger allergic reactions for some folks.
2. Catnip – this is, of course, your cat’s favorite solution. In fact, you might find that this herb makes your yard the number one gathering spot for all of the neighborhood cats! Catnip is related to mint and is easy to grow. The range of catnip is not as wide as some other solutions, but you can easily crush up some leaves for added effect.
3. Lemon Balm – also known as horsemint, the smell not only repels mosquitoes, but also attracts other pollinators like bees and butterflies – which may be why it grows and spreads so easily! Plus, it’s drought resistant and reseeds itself, so it’ll always be around when you need it.
4. Basil – not only is it a popular herb for cooking, but its natural smell repels mosquitoes as well as ants, whiteflies, cabbage maggots and mice. Unlike some of the other solutions, basil has a pleasant aroma for humans and you don’t even have to crush the leaves for the effect. The most popular varieties are lemon and cinnamon basil.
5. Lavender – another strong, but generally pleasant smelling solution, lavender can be grown in your garden alongside your vegetables, or in pots distributed around the house. Along with mosquitoes, lavender also wards off gnats. Many people find the smell of lavender soothing, promoting a more restful sleep and relaxation during the day. The dried leaves can also be placed in closets and wardrobes as natural moth balls.
6. Marigolds – finally, the prettiest of the solutions we’ve seen. The popular flowers you probably planted in grade school have a distinct smell that mosquitoes and other pests don’t care for. And similar to basil, marigolds also help your vegetable garden – repelling the annoying aphids that tend to infest your tomato plants.

Of course, there are other all-natural options for dealing with mosquitoes – like our exclusive No Bite Zones technology, that turns biting mosquitoes and their offspring into vegans. Give us a call to find out more!