With summer comes one bad thing…..mosquitoes! Oh I hate that annoying buzzing at your ear and the horrible itching at night.

There are seven plants that you can add to your patio to keep your guests and you more comfortable without applying layers of chemicals to your skin.

Lavender 

 

Rabbits and insects won’t even destroy this plant in your garden. And is there anything prettier than multiply lavender plants in bloom. Place them in varied height pots for a stunning eye catching look on your patio.

 

 

 

Marigolds

 

Marigolds are hardy and can make great borders or you can even add them to your vegetable garden.

 

 

Citronella Grass   

Citronella has a distinct smell and there is a reason most patio candles are citronella. It is the most effective at repelling pests. This plant is low maintenance and does best in pots as it cannot withstand frost.

 

 

Catnip

DEET is the chemical most commonly found in insect repellent but catnip was found to be 10 times more effective than DEET in a study at Iowa State University. It did not state if your yard would be filled with the neighborhood cats getting tipsy. 🙂

 

Rosemary and Basil  

These herbs are great repellents and plant extra so you can use them in your summer recipes.

 

 

Scented Geraniums

The favored scent seems to be lemon which is similar to Citronella Grass. These fast growing, plants have beautiful blooms and have a strong fragrance that keeps pests away.

 

 

 

When it’s time for planting season don’t forget to mix in an abundance of this plants for a natural deterrent to a mosquito problem.