Grow these Plants to Stay Away from Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are potential threat to dreadful diseases like dengue and malaria. It is very important to keep the mosquitoes away from your living places. There are numerous products available in the market that can provide easy solution against mosquitoes, but they contain harmful chemical which leads to health hazards.

Still, you might be looking for some natural remedies that can bring the desired results, without causing any side-effect. Try to grow certain outdoor or indoor plants to get rid of them. You might have noticed that in the same environment, some people get frequent mosquito bites, but some people do not. The mosquitoes have some preferences while they bite. The reason behind this selectivity is that the mosquitoes are driven by certain body odours or certain distinctive smells of human skin, particularly the smell of certain body secretions, like sweat. Activities like running or working in the garden can attract more mosquitoes towards you. That is the logic of applying certain ointment or spray in the skin to drive away mosquitoes.

The strong scent of the spray or ointment can musk your body odour, thereby repel the mosquitoes from you, and allows you enjoy a mosquito bite free walk in the garden, or relax in a comfy sitting at your home that is free of the buzzing sound of mosquitoes and flies. The aroma of the particular agent must be in the surrounding air, so that it can cover your body smell. Isn’t it great if you can get the smell from some natural plants? Insect-repelling plants have their natural fragrance, which can fill the air in your garden, or your home, so that the mosquitoes do get the smell of human skin, and do not roam around your garden or in your house.

Here, we provide a list of plants that contain natural oils, which can be grown in your house area to repel mosquitoes.

1. Lemon balm: Lemon balm, also known as horsemint, belong to the mint family, and is considered as great for repelling mosquitoes. The plant has strong lemon scent, green leaves and white flowers. The lemon smell can effectively keep the mosquitoes away. The plant does not need much care, and it is easy to maintain. Lemon balm has certain healing properties too.

For instant effect, crush a few lemon balm leaves and rub them on your skin, and bid goodbye to the mosquitoes. While planting lemon balm, be cautious about the invasive nature of this plant. The plant is fast growing, drought resistant, and reseeds itself. So it is always advisable to use a pot for this plant, rather than introducing it directly to the soil of your garden area.

2. Citronella grass: Citronella grass is one of the most commonly known plants to get rid of mosquitoes and other insects. The distinctive smell of this plant helps to keep away mosquitoes. Citronella is commonly used as an ingredient in many mosquito repelling agents. It is also used in many scented candles. Citronella is a perennial climber plant with an average height of 5 to 6 feet. They require low maintenance, and grow best in sunny and well drained area. So plant this tree in your garden yard and keep your house free of the buzzing and nagging insects.

3. Catnip: This feline attractant plant is considered among the best plants to grow to get rid of mosquitoes. It has a natural chemical called nepetalactone, which is significantly effective in repelling mosquitoes, and attracting cats. If you are not a cat lover, then catnip is certainly not a choice for you. If you are ok with the feline attracting property of this plant, then certainly go for it, as it has a strong insects repelling capacity.

4. Lavender: Lavender is another natural plant to get rid of mosquitoes. It fills the air with a soothing and lovely smell, and promotes calm and relaxing ambience. Along with these, lavender can keep away those nasty mosquitoes, moths, and flies from your house. You can plant lavender in your garden, or in a pot near your house door and windows. To get instant effects, just rub the plant on your skin to release the oil. Lavender is used in many commercially available sprays that are used as room freshener. Lavender is a drought resistant plant, that picks up growth very easily, and grows best in full sun and good drainage area.

5. Marigold: Marigold is another important member of the plants to get rid of mosquitoes. The plant contains a compound named pyrethrum, which plays the main role in repelling mosquitoes. In fact, this compound is used in many commercially available insect repellents. Marigold grows during summer and spring, and can be your best choice to get rid of those unwanted guests in your house. You can keep marigold in a pot in front of your house door, or in windows.

6. Basil: This herb can be your best friend while we talk about repelling mosquitoes and other insects. Basil has a pungent smell, which acts as a mosquito repellent. For best result, keep the herb in a damp area with good drainage facility, in addition to sun exposure.

7. Geraniums: Scented geraniums is among the popular, natural plants that has the power of repelling mosquitoes. The plant gives a good décor to your garden with its beautiful flowers with strong fragrance. The plant likes warm, sunny, and dry climates.

8. Rosemary: Rosemary is another gorgeous, flowering plant to grow to get rid of mosquitoes. It is a herb with woody smell that can keep the mosquitoes and other insects at bay. Rosemary grows best in hot and dry climates. You can put them in a pot during winter. Rosemary plant is also popularly used as a flavour to dishes. It can be your choice of indoor plant to get rid of mosquitoes, when kept in full sun. Both entire plant and its parts can serve as an effective mosquito repellent. Hereafter, there is no need of commercially available mosquito repellent ointment or spray with harsh chemicals. Grow these simple plants in your garden yard or place them inside your house in a pot.

Stay away from mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases and relax.