Everyone knows that annoying sound, even your babies! Everyone knows that nagging itch that comes when they reach for your blood. The itch goes for two seconds flat and comes back worst than it felt initially. The most popular enemies of the summer are mosquitoes.

But mosquitoes are not just noisy insects that bite, they can also carry diseases. Thankfully the United States are not troubled with the issue of mosquitoes spreading deadly disease such as malaria, which seem to be of concern in some other parts of the world.

If mosquitoes are a bother to you and you need some easy ways to ward off those annoying insects, here are some plants that are good to have in your house and around the yard. They are wonderful repellents.

To make a mosquito repellent spray to use on your skin, you can cut up or crush the root, stem, or dried leaves of any of these plants, soak them in rubbing alcohol for at least two weeks, and use them as a skin mosquito repellent. To half a cup of this liquid, you can add three to six tablespoons of olive oil and shake well to make it spread better on the skin and prevent the skin from drying out.

Citronella

These plants are very famous for keeping mosquitos away. Other products are made from them just for the very same reason for repelling mosquitoes example candles, dried citronella centerpieces, wreaths with citronella, citronella essential oil, and so on.

Lavender

One of the most used essential oils and it’s not just for the great essence it gives off, it is very effective in repelling bugs. Mosquitoes stay far from it so it is great to make a smart skin rub when you want to relax outside on your evening porch.

Geraniums:

Certain varieties of geraniums, such as the lemon-scented variety (Pelargonium crispum), possess mosquito-repellent qualities. Their strong fragrance, similar to citronella, acts as a natural deterrent to mosquitoes and other bugs. Geraniums can be planted in gardens or used as potted plants.

Rosemary

Hmmm, this wonderful herb is great for teas, spicing up meats, and all kinds of other delicious dishes. Did you know it was also good for repelling the pesky mosquitoes? Well, turns out that it really serves an awful lot of purposes as a plant.

Lemongrass

This is another plant that you would definitely want in your home. It resembles the citronella but it is also edible. Wonderful for making teas and a host of other culinary treats.

Mint

Is this not the most popular plant in the world? Everywhere you go there is mint tea. But here it is again with another very welcoming purpose. Use this wonderful multipurpose plant to ward off the annoying pests from your home and in your chill spots in the yard.

Basil

Another herb that chefs love to use and whip up a storm in the kitchen makes customers wonder how did they get the food to taste like that. It is such a tasty treat in so many dishes. So now that it is on this list you know what to do with it. Just grow enough so you can break a piece every now and then to brighten the taste of your food.

Catnip

This plant contains a strong repellent called nepetalactone which is said to attract cats. But it works really well in warding off mosquitos as the strong scent makes it much more effective. It is great to have in your yard to keep the mosquitoes at bay.

Petunias

These wonderfully colorful flowering plants are great repellents for many bugs, but to top that off, they have some beautiful blossoms that would make your home look so amazing. Such a good pick for the summer!

Lemon balm:

Lemon balm, also known as Melissa officinalis, is a lemon-scented member of the mint family. Its citrusy fragrance repels mosquitoes while attracting beneficial insects like bees and butterflies. Crushing the leaves releases the scent and enhances its repellent properties.

The best thing about this set of plants is that they have other purposes that can assist you apart from repelling mosquitoes. They are also low-maintenance plants so you won’t have any extra work in having them around. Go ahead and give them a try!