Despite what the labels on the citronella or lemon-scented geranium “Mosquito Plants” marketed at big-box stores suggest, the plants don’t actually keep mosquitoes away. The oil found inside the leaves is what has the mosquito-repelling qualities. To obtain these oils, you would have to crush the leaves. You would then need to apply these oils to your skin. It won’t do anything to keep mosquitoes away if you plant them in your landscaping.
Which variety of geranium wards off mosquitoes?
The citronella plant said to have a mosquito-repelling function is Pelargonium citrosum, sometimes referred to as the mosquito geranium.
Citronella geranium is so named because the citrus scent released by the plant’s leaves is strikingly similar to that of citronella grass.
Here are some of the maintenance requirements for this plant if you’re considering adding it to your collection of geraniums:
- can be grown in a garden or inside. It can grow outside year-round in USDA zones 9 to 11, but in other regions, it must be brought indoors for the winter or overwintered in a cool but frost-free storage space.
- It produces pink or magenta flowers and has deeply lobed, lacy leaves.
- It will also thrive in some shade, however it prefers to spend around six hours a day in direct sunlight.
- Water only when the potting material begins to dry up because it is not very tolerant of being overwatered and is only moderately drought tolerant.
Are all geraniums mosquito-repellent?
Like all living things, mosquitoes are drawn to surroundings with the resources they require to survive. And certain plants fall into this category. Unbelievably, mosquitoes don’t survive on sucking animal blood (only the females bite, and they feed the blood to their eggs). Mosquitoes consume the nectar of a variety of plants as adults, including taro, papyrus, water lilies, and water hyacinths. So clearing such plants out of your yard can be beneficial.
The presence of standing water or other environmental factors, such as these, has a much greater impact on whether you have a mosquito problem. Here are 28 strategies for reducing mosquito populations, including advice on how to make your yard less of a home for the pesky insects.
And it’s true that some plants have a way of deterring mosquitoes. Mosquitoes locate humans and other animals to bite in part by detecting their body heat and motion, but they do so mostly by “smelling” the carbon dioxide that is released from our pores. Some plants actually smell strongly enough to be able to hide your fragrance and/or confuse the mosquitoes, as opposed to typical sprays that include DEET and other mosquito repellants, which operate by making your skin uncomfortable for them to settle on.
However, these plants don’t only spread that odor around the yard! You usually need to take a few of the leaves, smash them up a little, and massage them on your arms and legs to get the mosquito-repelling effect. This is a bit of a non-starter for anyone who might be sensitive or have skin sensitivities. Additionally, this might not be effective enough to make a difference for some people who are very attractive to bites. But these plants really make a difference and leave you smelling wonderful for many people who are looking for more natural mosquito cures and don’t have allergies. What could be disliked about that?
Here are a dozen plants that are not only attractive but also beneficial in the ongoing battle against insect attacks.
Although this specific variety of geranium (formerly known as Pelargonium citrosum), which produces and has a citronella-like scent, can deter insects, not all geraniums do.
Despite not being the most effective deterrent, these purple beauties (Ageratum houstounianum) emit a smell that repels insects, according to SFGate. However, hummingbirds and butterflies adore their aromatic blossoms.
Essential oils and extracts from Cintronella plants, which were once used as a perfume, have proven to be so successful at repelling mosquitoes that they are now a common component in many commercial repellents.
This member of the mint family has a pleasant scent, is good for you, and its oils can get rid of any bugs that may be hiding.
High concentrations of the bug-repelling substance are present in this plant’s potent lemon fragrance, but in a more palatable form. (However, because it is an invasive species, it is preferable to cultivate it in containers.)
Although it may be difficult to believe given how divine the perfume is to us humans, mosquitoes absolutely detest the aroma of this herb. Plant the lavandin variety, which contains a lot of camphor, to keep insects at bay. In addition, it deters insects and moths.
Catnip may be beloved by cats, but it repels mosquitoes. It includes a substance called nepetalactone, which is related to mint and is both a cat attractant and an insect repellent.
In addition to providing your food a flavor boost, putting a pot of basil on your picnic table will help keep the bugs away because it’s one of the few plants that has a strong enough aroma to deter insects without the need for crushing the leaves. Basil essential oil is hazardous to mosquito larvae, according to a 2009 study.
Mosquitoes can be deterred with the use of mint leaves. Bonus: Mint essential oils can relieve itching caused by insect bites.
This perennial, also called “Mosquito Repellant Plant,” is highly promoted as an effective insect deterrent. It can’t hurt to plant some near your porch, even though some studies indicates that this plant may not be the best at warding off biting insects.
S’mores being roasted around the bonfire? Perhaps you should add some sage to the fire. Those annoying animals will stay away thanks to the fragrant smoke. (Rosemary also functions.)
These vibrant and aromatic blooms not only look lovely, but they also keep insects away. Since they contain pyrethrum, a component of many insect repellents, they also deter other insects.
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Can geranium oil keep mosquitoes away?
Citronella has an unmistakable scent since it is frequently employed in bug repellent formulations. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils states that it is thought to be effective for keeping off insects like fleas and mosquitoes among other things.
Citronella, which contains citronellal, citronellol, geraniol, citral, pinene, and limonene, was demonstrated to be just as effective as DEET when applied topically or sprayed decades ago (source). However, the oils quickly lose their effectiveness, leaving the person exposed. The addition of that dependable vanillin to both plant-based and DEET repellents, however, increased the protection time by roughly two hours, according to a more recent study that examined the efficacy of numerous other repellants available on the market, including citronella (source).
Citronella candles are a popular option for people who wish to spend time outdoors without the annoyance of bothersome insects and are easily accessible in most places, especially during the spring and summer seasons. Try using citronella in diffusers for an even more powerful method; according to one study, this increased indoor insect repellency to 68 percent (from 14 percent for the candles).
Clove
A 2013 study used a volunteer’s forearm to show that clove oil coupled with coconut oil provided superior protection than citronella and lemongrass oils for 7696 minutes. According to some research, methyl eugenol, one of the trace elements found in clove oil, may be a carcinogen. Although the FDA considers it to be generally safe, the U.S. National Library of Medicine documented certain negative effects, such as headache and skin irritation.
Clove oil was shown to be the most effective of 38 essential oils tested on a volunteer’s forearm, providing 24 hours of mosquito repellency for all three species. Of all the oils tested, this had the longest duration.
But once more, it worked best when directly applied to the skin without being diluted, which can irritate the skin in the case of clove and many other oils.
Geranium
An extensive range of insects, including mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches, ants, fleas, gnats, and ticks, have been shown to be effectively repelled by geraniol, the active component in geranium oil. When its efficacy in the form of a candle or a diffuser was compared, the latter came out on top for both indoor and outdoor use (source). It even outperformed citronella. Place your diffuser in locations where bugs are known to congregate after adding a few drops to some water.
You may even surround the patio with a few of these bug-repelling plants. Look for citrosa geraniums, which repel insects with their powerful lemon aroma.
Geraniums deter from what?
Numerous insects are deterred by geranium. They can be enjoyed in your yard in the mornings and nights because they can be grown in a garden and are mosquito-repellent. In many natural over-the-counter insect repellent products, geranium extract is a common ingredient because it is said to repel mosquitoes as well. According to Golden Harvest Organics’ companion plants guide, geranium plants are frequently used as companion plants for many fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes and cabbage, as well as next to roses. When planted in flower beds, geranium plants also repel common pests that can harm plants, such as beetles.
What odors repel mosquitoes?
Both consumers and professionals can choose from a wide range of items on the market to control mosquitoes. Mosquitoes dislike a variety of odors including natural odours. Flying mosquitoes near your home can cause uncomfortable rashes and even spread disease.
The first step in securing your home is to learn how to manage mosquitoes. Utilizing sprays and scents that repel mosquitoes is the most efficient technique to keep them out of the secure environment of your house. To lower mosquito populations at home, a variety of mosquito control solutions are available. These include liquid, granular, and powder formulations.
Here are the natural scents that help repel the mosquitoes:
You can use a variety of natural scents in your home to ward off mosquitoes. These are some of those scents:
- Citronella
- Clove
- Cedarwood
- Lavender
- Eucalyptus
- Peppermint
- Rosemary
- Lemongrass
- Geraniol
To keep mosquitoes away from their houses, people can also use mosquito-repelling candles, which are freely accessible in stores and online.
Mosquitoes are known to spread a number of dangerous diseases like malaria, dengue, West Nile virus, and Zika virus in addition to being unsanitary and bothersome. Knowing how to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home is crucial if you want to prevent the spread of these fatal diseases. You should also learn about the natural smells that repel mosquitoes.
More scents that repel the mosquitoes are:
Garlic: It has been proven that the fragrance of garlic repels bothersome mosquitoes. It’s also known that eating garlic cloves will keep these bloodsucking insects away.
Basil: Growing basil plants in the comfort of your own home is really simple. Its leaves can be used to make oil that is highly effective at keeping mosquitoes away.
Which plants aggravate mosquitoes the most?
Did you know that, according to the pest management business Orkin, the Metro Atlanta region has the worst mosquito population in the United States?
As Gwinnett County enters its busiest mosquito season, I was thrilled to see this wonderful list of 11 unique plants and herbs from Natural Living Ideas that you can grow in pots on your deck or in your garden to naturally deter mosquitoes from swarming around your backyard.
Cinnamon 1.
Most mosquito repellents contain this chemical, one of the most popular ones, so chances are you’ve heard of it before. Strangely enough, though, a surprising number of individuals are unaware that citronella is a plant! Citronella is a lovely perennial clumping grass with a potent scent. Its odour hides other smells and deters insects from being drawn to nearby objects.
The citronella plant is an excellent option because it has a much stronger scent than other citronella-containing insect repellents. Citronella grows quickly and easily, reaching heights of up to 5 or 6 feet! Citronella can be grown in pots and scattered over a patio or porch, or it can be planted directly in a garden bed or yard. It’s a fantastic option for naturally warding off mosquitoes.
Citrus balm
Even if you don’t have a green thumb, you may easily cultivate the plant known as horsemint and beebalm, which is a member of the mint family. Lemon balm is a fairly hardy plant that thrives in shade and tolerates drought.
As a result of its rapid growth and somewhat aggressive nature, you may wish to keep it in a pot that you can move to wherever you like to prevent it from encroaching on your landscape. an extra benefit? The dried leaves can be used to create a delightful herbal tea.
Catnip 3.
Your feline buddies will be delighted to learn that catnip does wonders at keeping mosquitoes away!
In fact, a 2010 study indicated that catnip is 10 times more efficient at repelling insects than the conventional bug repellent DEET.
If you have cats in the house, they will undoubtedly appreciate having it nearby as it is a very simple plant to grow. Pinch the developing stems and flower buds as soon as they appear to keep the plants full.
Four) Marigolds
Marigolds are an excellent mosquito deterrent since they are a vibrant, resilient annual plant. Marigolds have a distinctive perfume that repels insects and contain the chemical pyrethrum, which is used in many insect repellents.
The blooms themselves are lovely and may be used to decorate any flower garden or add a border to it. Mosquitoes may not want to cross your home’s borders if you try placing them there!
Best Practice: Plant marigolds beside tomatoes. They are so despised by insects that they will avoid your favorite tomatoes.
5. Basil
All chefs are needed! Want to protect yourself from mosquitoes twice as effectively? Develop some basil. In addition to having a simple and quick insect repellant on hand, you will also have a mouthwatering fresh herb to add to all of your favorite recipes. (Check out my Easy Pesto Recipe!)
There are numerous varieties of basil available, so feel free to try them all and see which one you prefer.
To discourage insects, many knowledgeable gardeners advise experimenting with lemon basil or cinnamon basil. Additionally, basil is one of the herbs that even the most inexperienced person can maintain.
Lavender 6.
You’re undoubtedly already aware of lavender, a magnificent plant with purple flowers and a peaceful, tranquil aroma. However, did you know that it also functions as a natural insect repellent?
To keep the bugs away, grow it indoors near a window that gets plenty of sunlight or outside in your flowerbed or yard.
While you’re about it, brew a pot of delectable herbal tea or use lavender to give your house a lovely, peaceful scent. Growing lavender has a lot of benefits.
Peppermint 7.
Planting peppermint near your home is an excellent technique to deter insects from paying you an unwelcome visit because they generally dislike its taste and fragrance.
Additionally, peppermint leaves applied straight to the skin work wonders for treating bites if you do manage to get bitten.
The lovely minty aroma that enhances meals and beverages is an added benefit.
(8) Garlic
Studies have revealed that eating garlic does not deter mosquitoes, which is unfortunate for all of us who enjoy Italian cuisine. (Except if you were to consume a lot of food!) Garlic, on the other hand, does!
To further ward off mosquitoes, remember to sprinkle some garlic in your vegetable or flower gardens.
You’ll have a ton of garlic to flavor your food and for its amazing health benefits, in addition to deterring mosquitoes.
Pennyroyal 9.
The sweet pennyroyal flower serves as a natural insect repellent. Plant some around your flowerbeds, if you haven’t already.
Pennyroyal plants grow well as groundcovers and draw a variety of lovely butterflies.
Some individuals even flavor some fish dishes with pennyroyal. As you can see, this plant offers a wide range of advantages.
Rosemary 10.
Did you know that rosemary, a lovely flowering plant that is frequently used to enhance lamb or fish meals, is also a natural mosquito repellent?
It’s ideal to add to your flowerbed or herb garden to deter mosquitoes, and it even draws butterflies!
Additionally, every time you want to give your lamb or steak a little more taste, you can just snip a few springs off.
The geranium
The vibrant blossoms, which are grown in hanging containers, will cascade over the side of the pot, creating a lovely visual piece as well as a very effective mosquito repellent.
Keep in mind that too much watering will cause geraniums’ leaves to yellow and cause the plant to rot. Let the soil get fairly dry before adding further moisture since geraniums can withstand short periods of dry soil far better than long periods of wet dirt. Moreover, avoid wetting the leaves when watering the soil. Your geranium will appreciate it!
Bonus Advice 1:
These plants’ abilities to repel mosquitoes can be enhanced by breaking their leaves and applying their oils to your skin. And just imagine how wonderful you’ll smell! (well, minus the garlic, anyway…)
Bonus Advice #2
Get rid of all standing water in your yard to stop mosquitoes from reproducing there. Everything that could possibly catch even a drop of rain or sprinkler water needs to be relocated or turned over.
In Georgia, there are more than 65 different mosquito species, and some of these plants will be more or less efficient against particular species. However, each of these plants will enhance the beauty of your garden, and some even have culinary uses.