Gardens
7thatPlants repel
mosquitos
Ahh, mosquitoes, they must serve a purpose to the eco system, but to most they are a pain. Try our guide to repelling pesky mosquitoes without the use of chemical and by using plants.
M
osquitoes can carry disease and leave you with itchy, red bumps where they bite you. Here’s how to fight back. Do mosquito repellent plants work? Mosquitoes are fickle, they are not fans of the scents or oils produced by certain plants. Some plants (like basil) are even toxic to mosquitoes or their larvae. Pro tip: You likely need to cut, crush, chop or give your plants a good rub with your hands for most of these plants to release the oils and scents that make up their mosquito-repelling powers.
CITRONELLA GRASS
This is one of the most common ingredients in many insect-repellents. Mosquitoes hate its lemony fresh scent. It is low maintenance and an easy plant to grow. It can be grown outside in frost-free areas, it also does well indoors as a potted plant.
CATNIP
Catnip drives your cat wild and will drive mosquitoes away. Researchers at Iowa State University found that catnip is 10 times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET! Catnip is easy to grow and maintain, but it does spread. Best way to contain it is to grow your catnip in pots. Catnip also makes for a delightful tea.
LAVENDER
Lavender is a great way to add a little calm to your day. However, Lavender contains the terpene alcohol linalool and mosquitoes and other insects hate it. Lavender can be grown both indoors and outdoors. It’s most effective when you crushed and applied to your skin.
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