Summer brings along extra sunshine, warmer temperatures and more time spent outdoors.

And mosquitoes. Lots and lots of annoyingly pesky mosquitoes.

If you’re like most people, once the mosquitoes come to bite, you pull out the bug spray. And while it can be effective, it could also be harmful to you too.

That’s because many commercial insect repellents contain DEET, which poses potential health risks like seizures or hypotension. In fact, in Canada, products with a DEET concentration of over 30% are prohibited for sale.

Like many things, going natural is the best choice. The same goes for keeping mosquitoes away. That’s why you can transform your garden into a mosquito-free zone with these 5 plants you can grow yourself.

Citronella

Citronella is the most common natural ingredient in bug sprays. That’s because the distinctive citronella smell is powerful and masks the aroma of other mosquito attractants.

Citronella – perennial – usually grows to about 5-6 feet in height and can be planted directly into the ground. Because we live in Ontario, it’s best to grow it in a large pot or planter that can be rolled indoors during the winter.

When purchasing citronella – look for the true varieties of the plant:

- Cybopogon nardus

- Citronella winterianus

These are the “real deal”, while plants sold as “citronella-scented” won’t be as effective.

Horsemint

Horsemint repels mosquitoes much in the same way as citronella; it emits a strong incense-type scent that confuses mosquitoes by masking the smell of the people and things around it.

Fast-growing, shade-tolerant and drought-resistant, horsemint usually reaches a height and width of 2-3 feet. It does very well in dry, sandy soil and can handle salty conditions (which is why you can find it in coastal or beach areas).

Extremely versatile, horsemint can be planted indoors (and then transplanted outdoors) or it can be planted directly into the ground.

And while horsemint repels mosquitoes, its flowers attract helpful bees and beautiful butterflies to your garden.

Marigolds

These ornamental annuals have a distinctive smell which mosquitoes (and frankly, some gardeners too) find repulsive. Marigolds contain Pyrethrum – which can be found in many insect repellents.

Marigolds prefer full sunlight and fertile triple mix soil. They can be planted either from seed or via small starter plants. Either way, the result is the same: an attractive plant that keeps the mosquitoes at bay.

Potted marigold plants can be placed near entrances to the home or any place where mosquitoes have access to the house (like open windows or walkways). The smell may convince mosquitoes to turn around, instead of going past the plant.

If you have tomato plants, marigolds are great for keeping insects away from them. Plant a few marigolds in your tomato bed for added protection against bugs.

Ageratum (Flossflowers)

Ageratum secretes something called coumarin, which can be found inside many commercially available bug sprays.

It doesn’t grow very tall (only to heights of about 8”-18”), but they are instantly recognizable due to its blue flowers.

Ageratum will thrive in full or partial sun and doesn’t require especially rich soil. In fact, it can often be found in rock or aggregate and stone gardens where many low-laying plants are preferred.

Many people actually crush the leaves of the plant – like mulch – to increase the odour which keeps the mosquitoes away. You can do this too, but don’t rub the crushes leaves on your skin.

Catnip

Yes, catnip.

Catnip is a natural mosquito repellent which – according to researchers – can actually be 10 times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET.

Another benefit of catnip is that it’s very easy to grow. Catnip is a perennial herb that’s strongly related to mint.

Keep in mind that while catnip will repel mosquitoes, it will also attract cats. And if you crush catnip leaves and apply them to yourself, watch out! Cats will respond to you the same way to the plant itself.

So if you have a cat, you may want to consider planting one of the other items on this list.

We’ll help you keep those mosquitoes away

There’s nothing more annoying than sitting on your backyard deck and swatting mosquitoes away – over and over again.

But by turning your garden into a mosquito-free area, you can enjoy the outdoors while looking at a beautiful landscape too.

We hate mosquitoes just as much as you do. Together, we can keep them away from your garden this year. All it takes is for you to let us know what you need and what we can do for you.