Natural Ways to Repel Mosquitoes in Your Yard

I absolutely hate mosquitoes, more importantly, I'm allergic to them. All bites turn into huge painful, red welts on me. Even worse, products containing DEET make me break out in a rash. So over the years, I've had to learn how to keep the skeeters away.

Most people know about the basics.

Make sure there's no standing water to attract the mosquitoes and allow them to breed. Use nets or tents to keep them away. Wear light colored clothing. Don't use perfume or scented lotions that attract mosquitoes.

And using an oscillating fan helps keep mosquitoes away. They dislike air that is moving and find it hard to fly in moving air.

Not everyone knows about the plants you can put in your garden to help keep the mosquitoes away. I never knew either, until I bought a house and began planning a garden. I was getting eaten alive while out working. So I began researching what I could plant that would help.

Lemon Grass. I went crazy planting this around my yard. It's fragrance helps keep mosquitoes away. And you can break off the leaves, crush them up a little, rub it on your skin and it's just as effective. It doesn't last as long as commercial repellents, but it does work. You can also use lemon grass essential oil mixed with a bit of water in a spray bottle, it has the same effect.

Also consider planting Lemon Eucalyptus. I have one of these trees planted near the patio in my yard. It does quite well in deterring the mosquitoes. But be warned, these trees give off a very strong smell that's not for everyone. And the smell gets stronger as the tree matures.

For added protection, you can also plant basil, catnip, rosemary, and citronella. Not only do these help with warding off mosquitoes, but you can use the fresh herbs in the kitchen as well. I have a big flower box dedicated to just these plants.

If you want something a little more bright, you can plant marigolds or mums. These flowers also assist in warding off mosquitoes. They can also be grown in pots, so you can move them where you want them. The blooms are bright and come in an array of colors. So they can be blended into almost any garden design.

Combining all of these plants, you can keep most of the mosquitoes out of your yard. Nothing is fool proof though, you will still get the occasional bite. But planting these in your yard will allow you to spend more time outside.

These are just a few plants that I've found, tried and had success with. They've enabled me to spend more time in my garden without having to use harsh chemicals.