If you are trying to enjoy the wonderful healing benefits of nature there is nothing more annoying then mosquitos keeping you from enjoying the great outdoors. Sure they are part of nature and should be respected but that doesn’t mean that they need to be biting you every chance they get.
Unfortunately, many of the ‘remedies’ out there involve spraying chemicals on your body that are not very good for you or the environment either.
That is why we recommend using nature’s natural defense in your yard to keep the mosquitos away so that you can meditate, garden, or enjoy more healing time outside.
1. Catnip
Now you may be thinking that this little plant is only for cats but it actually works wonders as a natural mosquito repellant!
Plants are complex organisms that have been evolving for millions of years and with that comes a natural ability to defend themselves against foreign intruders. In this case, they will help keep mosquitos away from your yard and family.
According to one study catnip was actually found to be up to 10 times more effective at keeping mosquitos away than DEET!
If you are planning on putting this in your garden plant it away from your other plants as it will attract cats who can easily trample your garden.
2. Lemon Thyme
According to the Ontario’s University of Guelph if you crush up leaves from a lemon thyme plant you can reduce the number of mosquito bites by 62%. This is incredible if you are trying to have friends over for a picnic.
3. Lavender
Lavender is a wonderful calming plant that you should keep around.
It can help relieve anxiety, agitation, nausea, vomiting, minor burns, breathing issues, pain, and even skin blemishes.
This plant is great to grow in your garden because it can help keep unwanted bugs off of your other plants too!
Use it to keep away the mosquitos and also use some of its leaves to make a healing lotion or calming tea too.
4. Basil
Basil is a wonderful plant that you can use in your kitchen and in your garden. When it comes to keeping mosquitos away we recommend grabbing some cinnamon basil as it has shown to be the most effective.
5. Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is a useful plant to keep around. Being a member of the mint family it is great at dissuading mosquitos while also being a natural healing herb. You can use it to help with PMS, cramps, digestive issues, and even sleeping problems.
This plant is very hardy and is great if you are still developing your green thumb.
Just remember that Lemon balm can be a bit aggressive and may try to take over your garden if you don’t keep it confined to a specific area or even a good size pot.
6. Lemongrass
Lemongrass is a beautiful ornamental grass that can get anywhere from 2 to 4 feet tall! This plant has a natural oil on it that we know as citronella.
Citronella is the main ingredient in many mosquito repelling candles so it has proven its worth time and time again.
Lemongrass works by masking the smell of people making it hard for mosquitos to sniff out their dinner.
I recommend planting a line of lemon grass around the edge of your yard or porch to create a natural force field from those little biters.
7. Marigolds
Marigolds are a beautiful flowering plant that can bring some color to your yard while also keeping unwanted bugs away. By putting off a unique aroma known as pyrethrum the marigold plant will make insects think twice before coming near your yard.
8. Rosemary
Rosemary is an incredible herb that you can use in cooking, natural cleaning products, as an insect deterrent, and also as a memory booster!
When I am working long hours I will sniff a little rosemary and I will get a mental boost that lasts for hours.
Studies have shown that you can even boost your concentration and memory by 75% by inhaling the scent of rosemary!
Plant Rosemary in your garden to keep away bugs and use it in your kitchen to heal and enhance your meals!
9. Garlic
Garlic is a delicious plant that is great if you are trying to fight off a cold or other infection. What most people don’t know is that by planting garlic in your garden you will keep away a lot more than just vampires. Evidentially mosquitos hate the smell of garlic too.
While it is nearly impossible to eat enough garlic to keep mosquitos off of you, having garlic in your garden can become a natural defense for your other plants and your yard making it a much more welcoming environment for you and your family.
2 Bonus Tips!
If you are going camping or river rafting load up on B vitamins about a week before you head out and while you are on your trip. B vitamins, especially B1 will make a huge difference in how much you get bit while you are out. My dad recently tried this and while nearly everyone else on his 5-day rafting trip was bit dozens of times he wasn’t bit once.
If you do end up getting bit a few times try a banana peel to help quickly heal the bite and soothe the itching. If you don’t have a banana then apple cider vinegar can also help with the annoying itch.
Let us know in the comments below what you do to keep the mosquitos away!
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