The Mosquito-Attracting Flowering Plant You Might Not Want To Grow In Your Yard

With warmer weather, we get to see nature's beautiful flowers emerging, but with some of these beauties comes a nuisance that we all dispise, mosquitoes. What's worse is that some of these flowers attract more of these pests than others, like the vibrant Bromeliaceae. With 56 genera and over 3000 species, this vast group is commonly referred to as bromeliads. And tank bromeliads, specifically with their tubular water-collecting system, are a mosquito-attracting flowering plant that you might not want to grow in your yard; you'll want to avoid adding these flowers to your garden at all costs.

While bromeliads are one of the most dramatic plants for your maximalist home, some types like the tank bromeliad are also a mosquito-attracting flower that will cause you more annoyance and harm than you'd like. This vibrant variety has a downside of holding enough water for mosquitoes to breed. All mosquito eggs need is water to hatch, so this standing water is the perfect hiding spot for them. In just a few days, they become adult mosquitoes, free to fly everywhere, spreading diseases like Zika or yellow fever. Just because tank bromeliads attract this pesky bug, doesn't mean that you can't stop them from using your plant to breed. You can do this by hosing down your flowers to flush out the eggs, spraying your plants with vegetable oil to suffocate the larvae, or adding larvicide treatment to your water supply. Why do all these extra steps, when you can deter the amount of these pests in your yard by planting a naturally mosquito repelling plant — marigolds.

Just like bromeliads, marigolds are a beautiful, vibrant flower that looks amazing in your yard. However, the difference is that planting marigolds in your garden also offers several benefits, including its mosquito-repelling properties, anti-inflammatory effects, and its use as a natural food coloring or garnish. These bright flowers release a strong odor that not only repels mosquitoes but also other pests, such as deer and rabbits. Marigolds have a USDA hardiness zone of 2 through 11, making them a great choice for planting in many different states, including those with high mosquito populations.

To keep away mosquitoes and attract pollinators like butterflies and bees, it is best to plant marigolds as a border around your garden. You can also plant them throughout the garden, but give them about 10 inches of space between each one. You'll also want to have well-drained soil in your garden so that marigolds can thrive and mosquitoes don't have stagnant water to breed in. Plants aren't always a surefire way to repel mosquitoes; instead, consider using rubbing alcohol or even coffee grounds, as they are household staples that repel these biting insects like magic.