Zika and Mosquito Prevention On Your Mind?

 Zika has now caused two outbreaks in the Miami area, infecting tourists from Texas, New York and Taiwan. The virus has infected hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people across Latin America and thousands have carried it back to the U.S. It's the height of mosquito season in the northern hemisphere and people are beginning to ask, "Should I be worried?"

Mosquitoes really bug us as the summer starts rolling in, but as luck would have it there are some types of plants that really bug the bugs. insect-repelling plants do so with their naturally occurring fragrances. Place these plants in areas where guests will be often such as by a seating area or a doorway.

Citronella Grass
Lemon-scented plants such as citronella grass keep mosquitoes at bay. Known for its distinct smell, citronella grass is the most commonly used natural ingredient in mosquito repellents. When buying Citronella, make sure you buy Cybopogon nardus or Citronella winterianus, which are true varieties. The living plant is the most effective at repelling pests. It is a low maintenance plant that does best in warmer climates and can be planted directly in a sunny area in the ground.

Catmint
Catmint (catnip) can be found thriving almost anywhere. It is from the mint family and grows abundantly both as a commercial plant and as a weed. It is very easy to take care of but a word of caution it may invade other areas. However, if you are willing to forgo this plant’s insidious nature, they are amazing mosquito repellants. In a study at Iowa State University, catmint was found to be ten times more effective than DEET, the chemical used in most insect repellants. 

Rosemary
Another great mosquito repellent is rosemary. Rosemary is an herb that many of us are very familiar with and their woody scent is exactly what keeps mosquitoes away. They do best in hot and dry climates and thrive in containers, which may be ideal for areas with winters. They can also be pruned into all sorts of shapes and sizes and make great borders or decorations. 

Basil
Basil is another herb that can also double as a pest repellent. The pungent smell the basil leaves give off are what keep pests at bay. And since all kinds of basil work to keep flies and mosquitoes at bay, feel free to explore and find the right types of basil to mix into your garden. This herb likes to be kept damp, needs good drainage, and enjoys lots of sun. You can plant basil in containers or in the garden, alone or with other flowers, as long as both plants meet the same requirements.

Lavender
Have you ever noticed that insects or even rabbits and other animals have never decimated your lavender plant? It is because of their lovely fragrance, which comes from its essential oils that are found on the leaves of the plant. It is even argued that lavender oil hinders a mosquito’s ability to smell! This plant is very tough and drought-resistant once established, and only needs full sun and good drainage and it thrives in warmer areas.

Scented Geraniums
Scented geraniums seem to be a popular mosquito repelling plant and the favored scent seems to be lemon scented, which is reminiscent of citronella grass. They are beautiful blooms with a strong fragrance that keep several types of pests away. These fast growing plants like warm, sunny, and dry climates, perfect for our desert climate.’’ 

It doesn’t matter to us whether you want lush lawns, desert landscaping or some type of landscaping in between, we can help your commercial property.  To find out how give us a call at 623-848-8277.

Presented by:
Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance, LLC
623-848-8277
http://www.commerciallandscapecare.com
greenskeeperllc@cox.net