Mosquitoes have been in the news a lot lately due to the Zika virus, which women were contracting when they went to places like Puerto Rico. The virus is especially dangerous for pregnant women and their unborn children. Even mosquitoes not carrying a deadly virus can be a nuisance in the warmer weather. Fortunately, there are some plants you can plant in your yard, near your garden, and around your home to keep these nasty blood sucking insects away.

Citronella

Citronella is one of the main ingredients in a lot of bug spray and candles used to repel mosquitoes. This plant is a popular choice because it grows with little effort on your part. It grows as a clumping grass and looks great as an addition to your garden planted beside the gate or pool. Citronella is the plant on this list that smells the strongest.

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm, also sometimes called Bee balm or Horsemen, is another great way to repel mosquitoes. It is in the mint family and can be used in cooking to flavor food. It grows in the shade and sun, so it's easy to take care of, but it does grow aggressively so you'll want to use it quickly. Lemon balm has a very concentrated level of citronellal, not to be confused with citronella, which produces the flavor and smells mosquitoes don't like.

Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums are another pretty flower you'll like to have in your garden because it's nice to look at. It also keeps the mosquitoes at bay. They have an ingredient called Pyrethrum which is another smell they simply can't stand.

Catnip

Catnip is another ingredient you find in bug repellent. The reason catnip repels mosquitoes is because an oil called nepetalactone gives off an odor that they do not like. If you have cats, of course you know not to plant catnip near your good plants and flowers you want to keep pretty. Cats will roll all over the catnip plant and take out anything around it.

Lavender

Lavender is used as aromatherapy to help calm you and is also a good repellent for mosquitoes. You can plant it anywhere because it produces a beautiful purple flower that's great to look at. The scent is something mosquitoes don't like so they tend to stay away from it.

Planting these things is a much more natural way to repel mosquitoes and looks better than a large candle, tiki torches, and bottles full of repellent. Contact a company like Toledo Indoor Garden for more information about useful plants and herbs.