by Lea Miller

Created on: June 24, 2010

There you are, sitting outside in your garden, and you hear that nasty whine that tells you a mosquito is buzzing around your head. Before you rush off to put on heavy chemical insect repellent, you may want to try planting some of these natural mosquito repellents, so you can use the natural oils instead.

Science Daily has reported that nepetalactone, an essential oil in catnip, is ten times more effective than DEET, based on a study by researchers from Iowa State University. Catnip (nepata cataria) is a perennial herb in the mint family. The aroma of the plant is unpleasant for insects and heavenly for cats.

Marigolds, of the genus tagetes, are an annual flower with a very pungent aroma. Many gardeners use them in between vegetable plants because of their insect repelling properties. Marigolds come in many colors and sizes and are easily grown from seed.

Citronella grass (cymbopogon nardus) is a variety of lemon grass that has been used for many years in candles, soaps, and other products to keep mosquitoes at bay. It is a tall grass, noted for its blue-green color and lemon scent.

Rosemary (rosmarinus officinalis) is a perennial heat-loving herb that comes from the Mediterranean. In addition to being a delicious spice, its oil can be used against mosquitoes. It is a small evergreen shrub with needle-like leaves.

Various other plants are sometimes recommended for use, such as lavender, peppermint, lemon balm, eucalyptus, and clove. Most people report that just having the plants in your garden will not keep the bugs from biting. You’re better off to crush some of the leaves and mix with an oil base and use that on your skin.

Plant based repellents don’t tend to work as long as chemicals, and therefore need to be reapplied more often. It’s also important to be aware that some people may be sensitive to certain plants and may get skin irritations or rashes, especially if the concentration of the natural oils is high.

Although some people claim success using garlic to ward off mosquitoes, the New York Times reports that these claims are not supported by recent research. However, another interesting fact they reported is that mosquitoes seem to be more attracted to people who have been drinking alcohol, although it’s unclear why.

While the mosquito repellent properties of these plants may not be perfect, they are all attractive plants to add to your garden, and any plant that sends even some of the mosquitoes away is a good thing.

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