Lookout for that Mosquito
Mosquitoes are awful. They fly around searching for animals or people, and take a bite while sucking their blood. ICK They may be great food for birds and bats, but we don't want them hanging around in the backyard with their diseases and viruses. It turns out mosquitoes are attracted to certain odors in the human skin. So alternately certain strong or unpleasant to the insect smells can both hide the scent of people and prevent the mosquito from getting close enough bite you. There are several plants with strong scents that we find pleasant, which can be use to help mask your own smell and keep nearby mosquitoes population under control.
Lemongrass -- Lemongrass is a tropical herb packed with strong citrus flavor. The lemon taste is prized in Asian cooking , as well as in teas, sauces, and soups. In the garden, lemongrass forms a tall, grassy clump 3 to 5 inches. In the garden, lemongrass forms a tall, grassy clump 3 to 5 feet tall. Its appearance rivals that of many ornamental grasses and can easily fulfill a similar role in landscaping. Lemongrass is used as a natural insect repellant and helps in preventing the occurrence of insect-borne diseases such as malaria and Lyme disease.
Basil ---If a kitchen has only a few herbs in its possession, basil will likely be one of them. It's fragrant essence combines well with rosemary and thyme in meat dishes, fish, vegetables, cheese , soup and egg, and is one of the main ingredients in pesto, along with pine nuts and parmesan cheese. The essential oil from this delicious staple is toxic to mosquito larvae. Grow this amazing plant around any natural water sources, such as a pond, to help control the rate of eggs being laid.
Other herbs that are helpful in the control of mosquitoes include lavender, catnip, lemon balm, peppermint, and rosemary.
