Mosquitoes can be annoying in the summertime.
For those who love to play and work outside in the summer, mosquitoes can be an annoyance. They can cause skin irritation and can spread disease. They are a dominant pest that can be extremely difficult to deal with. Mosquitoes can be controlled to a limited degree by planting certain plants in your yard. However, although some plants produce a citronella oil that repels mosquitoes, no single plant can repel mosquitoes. Does this Spark an idea?
Scented Geraniums
Scented geranium (Pelargonium spp.) is a perennial that can grow up to 3 feet tall. It is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture planting zones 8 and higher when grown as a perennial. The plant is grown as an annual in USDA zones 4 and 5. Citrosa or Citronella is one variety of scented geranium that is commonly referred to as the "mosquito repellent plant." According to Iowa State University, Citrosa contains less than 1 percent of citronella oil. Scented geraniums offer only a small amount of protection against mosquitoes. The crushed leaves of the Citrosa geranium offer nearly half the effectiveness of DEET, a common ingredient used in spray-on mosquito repellents.
Lemon Eucalyptus
Lemon eucalyptus (Eucalyptus citriodora) is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 100 feet tall. It can be limited by the size of its container, which makes it an excellent houseplant. The eucalyptus is a member of the gum family and is hardy in USDA zones 8 though 11. According to the North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension, the oil of the lemon eucalyptus is similar to a low dose of DEET. This plant extract should never be used on people under the age of 3 because it can be toxic in small children if absorbed through the skin.
Lemon Thyme
Lemon thyme (Thymus X citriodorus) has a higher percentage of mosquito repellent in the crushed leaves than any other plant. According to Iowa State University, it contains nearly 60 percent of the effectiveness of DEET. Lemon thyme is hardy in USDA zones 5 though 9 and is easy to grow. It is also cheaper to start and grow than other plants typically considered to be mosquito repellents.
Citronella Grass
Citronella grass (Cymbopogon nardus) is a perennial that is hardy in USDA zones 10 through 12. It can grow up to 6 feet tall and can spread quickly. According to Floridata, citronella grass is the leading source of citronella oil. The crushed blades of citronella grass are effective at repelling mosquitoes but are not as effective when the grass is simply planted in the garden.
Tags: USDA zones, feet tall, grow feet, grow feet tall, hardy USDA