Here’s the buzz…
We all know that mosquitoes can be an unpleasant distraction when you are working outdoors and they can put quite a damper on any outdoor recreation, but they are also potentially harmful – even deadly. Nearly 700 million people suffer from mosquito-borne illnesses each year. Over a million of these illnesses result in death.
Mosquitoes can carry malaria, which causes severe flu symptoms and can ruin proper liver function; West Nile virus, which affects blood circulation and brain tissue and in severe cases can lead to convulsion, coma or death; dengue fever, which comes with pain, rashes and high fever and for which there is no treatment; yellow fever which causes severe fever, headache and nausea and has no cure; encephalitis, which is an infectious disease of the brain; and zika virus, which can cause miscarriages, potentially fatal brain conditions and neurological disorders.
You can ward off mosquitoes by eliminating any standing water around your home, using repellants and by covering exposed skin, but you can also plant certain plants to repel mosquitos. The good news is that there are a host of Florida plants that naturally repel mosquitoes.
Citronella grass’ strong scent masks other smells, confusing mosquitoes; lemon balm and lavender offer pleasing smells as well as a mosquito deterrent; catnip will please both your kitty and you; rosemary and basil are tasty, but double as a pest repellent; marigolds are easy to grow and great at dissuading mosquitoes and other pests such as aphids; and scented geraniums provide beautiful blooms with a strong fragrance which keeps mosquitoes away.
For more landscaping tips, come see the landscaping experts at Edgewater Yard Shop.