Mosquito repellent plants

Dengue fever is back in news. The growing population of mosquitoes species namely Aedes aegypti is responsible for dengue fever.

These mosquitoes become infected when they bite a person whose blood carries dengue virus.

Later these infected mosquitoes transmit viruses to other human body and cause the fever.

It is important to control the mosquitoes population around us.

If you don’t want to use synthetic chemicals then grow these  mosquito repellent plants that control mosquitoes.

1.  Lemon balm: Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) has lemony scent and it controls mosquito bites. One can grow them in soil or in pots. It belongs to mint family. It contains terpene as well as eugenol. Eugenol is good in controlling insects.
2. Marigold: Marigold have attractive, bright colored flowers. Sametime the odor of both flowers and plants can be stinky. A variety called stinking roger repels not only the flies also mosquitoes. Growing marigold around the house repels many insects around the house. Plant them in ground or in pots in patio.
3. Citronella: Lemon grass is the common name for this plant and Botanical name is Cymbopogon citratus. This is real citronella plant. This aromatic herb is not only used for culinary purpose but is a very good ingredient used in insect repellent sprays. It contains citral which is an active ingredient present in lemons. The oil extracted from these plants used in insect sprays, soaps, candles. One can grow this plant easily in soil or pots. Crush the leaves and rub onto skin or extract juice and use it to repel mosquitoes.
4. Basil : Basil is very effective in controlling insects. It is easy to grow this plant in outdoor as well indoor. A study showed that the essential oil of basil is toxic to mosquito larvae and controls their development. One can mix basil oil with other mosquito repellent oil to control growth of eggs or rub basil leaves on legs and hands when there are mosquitoes around.
5. Citrosum: Pelargonium ctirosum is called mosquito plant. Sometimes it is referred to as citronella plant and it is not correct. The odor that this plant releases resembles that of citronella – Lemongrass plant. Hence the confusion. However, Citrosum also repels mosquitoes. One can rub crushed leaves or use Pelargonium oil mixed with water to spray to control insects.
6. Peppermint: Grow peppermint in your garden to repel mosquitoes. Mosquitoes larval growth stops in presence of peppermint. Peppermint oil spray also repels mosquitoes.
7. Lavender: Lavender plant itself can repel mosquitoes. Grow them in your garden. If you want to repel mosquitoes more efficiently, then use lavender leaves. Rub leaves on your legs and hands. Alternatively, one can use lavender oil. Add few drops of lavender oil to water and transfer to spray bottle. Spray the oil around you to repel mosquitoes. You can also apply lavender oil little on your body.
8.  Sage and Rosemary:  Both sage and rosemary incense repels mosquitoes. If you have both plants collect few leaves and burn them in fire. The smell that is good for us, repels mosquitoes.
9. Tea tree : Tea tree oil is a good insect repellent. It also has antiseptic property. It kills bacteria and fungi. How to use the oil to repel mosquitoes? Add few drops of tea tree oil into water and shake it. Transfer the content to spray bottle and use it against mosquitoes
10. Catnip: Belongs to mint family and many commercial insect repellents use this plant as an ingredient. It has nepetalactone a chemical that acts as a repellent for insects (but attracts feline!). To prepare spray: Boil water and add catnip leaves and flowers to boiling water. Allow content to steep and then cool. Add the tea to spray bottle. Use it against mosquitoes and other insects!
11. Clove – It is easy to grow clove. However, if you don’t have access to plant then buy cloves which are nothing but flower buds of clove plant. Planting clove in the home garden helps to repel the mosquitoes. If not use clove oil and mix with tea tree oil or alcohol and spray around the house to repel mosquitoes easily.

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Reference: Healthylife.werindia.com