Using Plants to Naturally Repel Mosquitoes and Flies in Your Yard
Are pesky mosquitoes and flies ruining your outdoor fun? Instead of reaching for chemical sprays, consider using plants to naturally deter these insects.
Rosemary, with its eucalyptol content, can be boiled to create a repellent spray. Simply boil 1 cup of rosemary leaves in 1 quart of water for 30 minutes, strain, and let cool. Double the liquid by adding cold water and store it in a spray bottle. Keeping the spray in the fridge when not in use not only prolongs its shelf life but also provides a refreshing spray during hot days.
Lavender, known for its calming scent, also repels mosquitoes. Place a few drops of lavender essential oil in a small dish to enjoy its camphor smell, which will deter mosquitoes. You can carry the dish with you as you move around your yard or place it on a table in a sitting area.
Catnip is another effective repellent, shown to be 10 times more effective than DEET. Simply rub a catnip leaf to release its oils and use it to deter mosquitoes.
Lemongrass, with its high citronella content, can be used similarly to rosemary to create a bug-repellent spray.
Another way to rid your yard of mosquitoes and flies is to kill them rather than deter them. Carnivorous plants like the sundew, pitcher plant, or venus flytrap do just that. The sundew is great for mosquitoes, luring them in with its sticky hairs and wrapping them up to digest. The pitcher plant is effective against flies, attracting them with its sweet scent and trapping them inside its pitcher-shaped leaves. Venus flytraps also target flies, luring them in with a sugary scent and trapping them by closing shut. These plants need special care, including bog-like conditions and only watering with distilled or rainwater, as they get their nutrition from eating bugs, not from the soil.
By incorporating these plants into your yard, you can reduce the amount of pesky bugs and create a beautiful outdoor space, all while enjoying their natural fragrances and beauty.
Christina explains how to naturally repel mosquitoes and flies in your yard using plants you can find at Cold Creek Nurseries.
