As summer sets in, mosquitoes do too. Those unwanted biting pests seem as much a part of outdoor gatherings as lingering twilight and late sunsets. Often times, we opt for bug spray to keep mosquitoes at bay, spraying the yard to keep the party pleasant or ourselves to avoid the annoying buzz and bites. But the chemical ingredients in bug spray can be harmful and they usually smell, no matter what the label says.
As an alternative, consider taking advantage of plants that give off scents that naturally repel mosquitoes. Plant them in pots and place them on your deck or patio to avoid the pesky creatures as well as bug spray. In addition, many of these same plants can double as your kitchen herb garden for the summer. Try the following herbs to create the best of both worlds.
Lemon Thyme
After you get the mosquito-repellent use out of your lemon thyme leaves, use them to spice up chicken or add to vodka to create a lemon thyme spritzer.
Basil
Basil has one of the strongest scents, even before the leaves are plucked from the stems. As the leaves become ready for picking use basil’s fresh taste in caprese salad with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and balsamic dressing; make a basil lemonade for sipping; or toss it in a light summer pasta.
Sage
If you want a more subtle aroma drifting around you, try sage. It has a more woody scent, but it still repels mosquitoes. Also use it to create a nonalcoholic lavender sage lemonade, or turn it into a browned butter sage sauce for pasta or gnocchi.
Mint
Mint might seem more appropriate for winter, but it has multiple uses in the summer as well. Mint adds an unexpected twist to summer dishes, such as tossing mint leaves with watermelon cubes and feta for a fresh salad on a hot day. Crushed mint leaves can serve as a cure for bug bites, if one happens to still manages to get you.
Other plants that aren’t edible but are still great solutions for mosquito repelling are lavender, marigold, citronella and scented geraniums.
