Looking for natural ways to deal with mosquitoes at your home?
Well, you are not alone. Of all the types of insects, mosquitoes are among the biggest nuisances in most homes across the world. They spread at a gigantic pace, thereby spreading diseases such as dengue and malaria.
Before jumping to conclusions, you must know that harsh chemicals often fail to effectively repel mosquitoes. So, why not consider eco-friendly repellents? Some plants are known to emit scents that help keep mosquitoes away.
Let’s get to know these plants, which you can easily grow at your home to keep pests away while also beautifying your living space.
Can you guess the best plants to repel mosquitoes naturally?
Here’s the list of the most effective mosquito-repelling plants:
- Citronella Grass—Masks human odour
- Lavender—Contains linalool to repel pests
- Rosemary—Strong pine-like smell keeps mosquitoes at bay
- Mint—Contains menthol, naturally deters insects
- Marigold—Contains pyrethrum, a nature-friendly insecticide
Citronella Grass:
Citronella is widely revered for repelling mosquitoes. This lemon-scented grass is so good that it is used in various insect repellent products as a key ingredient. It emits a scent that can seamlessly mask the odor of human skin, thereby repelling mosquitoes.
Growing Tips: This plant needs bright, indirect sunlight and well-draining soil. You can keep it at the sunny spot of your home.
Usage: If you intend to repel mosquitoes, then you should place the crushed leaves of this grass around the entrances.
Lavender:
Lavender is widely adored for its calming scent, so it is often used as a room freshener in many homes. However, it also repels mosquitoes and other pests that bother humans. The compound linalool, present in the lavender plant, can keep mosquitoes away. This plant can even beautify your home during its blooming season.
Growing Tips: Just like the citronella grass, lavender also needs sunlight and well-draining soil for good growth. While you can grow it indoors, make sure that the spot has direct sunlight.
Usage: You can place the lavender plant in any desired spot in your home. In order to avoid mosquitoes, crush its flowers to release pest-repelling oils or dry the lavender flowers for storing them as homemade sachets.
Rosemary:
Widely adored for its fragrance and evergreen leaves, rosemary is the favorite herb of most gardeners. Whether you are planning to grow the herb in a pot or use it as a filler, cultivating this evergreen plant is easier than most garden plants. Most importantly, the smell of its pine-like leaves repels mosquitoes as well as pests. Some homeowners say that you won’t need pest control once you grow this plant.
Growing Tips: Rosemary primarily needs bright sunlight and well-drained soil. You must place it in a sunny spot in your home.
Usage: To repel mosquitoes, crush rosemary leaves and place them around entrances.
Notable Mentions:
Mint: It has a refreshing scent, which has made it immensely popular amongst various homes. However, since it has menthol, mosquitoes are repelled by the plant. Therefore, you can add it to your plant collection for delightful fragrance and mosquito-repelling abilities.
Marigold: Marigold is one of the most vibrant flowers, but its pungent smell repels mosquitoes. It consists of pyrethrum, which is found in various insect repellents.
Conclusion:
Most of these plants require minimal attention and grow effortlessly. You just need to keep them in sunlight and place them in well-draining soil. The best aspect of keeping these plants at your home is that not only do they repel mosquitoes, but they also make your home aesthetically appealing.
