- … Lavender
- The marigold.
- Lemon grass, or citronella grass
- The catmint.
- … Rosemary
- Basil. …
- Lemongrass with Scented Geranium.
- Honey Balm
Which plants are most effective at warding off mosquitoes?
The 8 Best Plants For Repelling Mosquitoes
- Basil.
- Citronella.
- Lavender.
- citrus balm
- citrus thyme
- Marigolds.
- Rosemary.
Which plant repels mosquitoes, and what is its name?
Although citronella candles are certainly familiar to you, you may not be aware that the leaves of the citronella plant, also known as mosquito plant, are used to create their potent scent, which is extremely repulsive to mosquitoes. The citronella plant, which deters mosquitoes, has a grassy appearance, is moderately drought tolerant, prefers afternoon shade, and thrives in rich, quick-draining soil. Due to the fact that it won’t reappear after a chilly period, it is typically regarded as an annual.
Which plant are mosquitoes most averse to?
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 ingredient, 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.
How can I naturally keep mosquitoes away from my patio?
Civil engineer Ryan Larsen, sometimes known as Dr. Drainage, works for the storm water management firm NDS Inc. He has the following suggestions:
1. Get rid of any standing water near your home. Maintain clean gutters, and look for anything that can hold water, such as overturned children’s toys, cans, buckets, and pots, at least once a week. Garbage bin covers, daily water changes for outside pet bowls, and weekly water changes for birdbaths are also recommended.
2. Bring indoor potted plants. Additionally, potted plants frequently accumulate extra water, which provides mosquitoes with the ideal environment for breeding. During the humid summer, keep them inside.
3. Distribute aromatic oils and herbs over your lawn.
Mosquitoes can be repelled by plants naturally using certain herbs and essential oils. For example, the harmless smells of citronella, lemongrass, and chrysanthemum deter insects. On your outdoor tables, add scented candles and oils to keep insects away from the food.
Spread coffee grounds around. Wherever you find standing water in your yard, scatter coffee grinds. Any mosquito eggs already there will have to rise to the surface and will be oxygen-deprived. This will eliminate any mosquitoes before they hatch and stop them from procreating.
5. Plant plants that repel insects. Plants such as lemon balm, mint, chrysanthemums, marigolds, basil, garlic, eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary, and others can deter flies. Fortunately, mosquitoes detest these herbs and plants, although they are incredibly attractive to look at and smell.
6. Construct planter boxes with a drain. Think about employing a catch basin with a drainage pipe as a drainage option in planter boxes. A raised atrium grate that keeps leaves, mulch, and other debris out of the system allows excess water to enter the basin and connects to a drain pipe so that it can drain to a safe area.
7. Install lights around your yard that deter insects. Installing LED lights, yellow insect lights, or sodium lamps in your backyard will help keep those pesky critters away. Home goods stores sell outdoor lighting and mosquito-repelling fixtures that are integrated.
8. Have a professional spray an organic treatment on your lawn. Nontoxic insect management methods can be very effective and kill fleas, ticks, and other insects without endangering the family pet. Pick pet-friendly, natural or organic products and strictly adhere to the manufacturer’s directions.
Nine. Construct a French drain. Using drainage products that you may buy at a hardware or home improvement store is a typical way to get rid of standing water around your home. A common option is a French drain, which consists of a gravel-filled trench that is slightly slanted and surrounds a perforated pipe. It offers a simple path for water to travel through, collecting water over the full length of the drain as opposed to just in one location, and rerouting both surface water and groundwater away from your house.
Free from debris
Mozzies won’t want to leave as long as there are areas for them to play hide and seek. Debris removal is an excellent first step that will guarantee the effectiveness of any chemical treatments you employ afterwards.
What does cleaning debris actually entail? Debris consists of:
- Toys
- Outdoor furniture
- Leaves
- Weeds
- dropped branches
- Compost piles
- tangled vegetation
- long grass
Cleaning up will have a significant impact on how effective subsequent treatments are. For instance, if you decide to use a broad-spectrum insecticide, nothing will prevent new adult mosquitoes from moving back in.
Dethatch
Dethatching is a method of mosquito control along the same lines. Dethatching eliminates a potential humid habitat for mosquitoes, much like cleaning away rubbish. Dethatching enhances the drainage of your soil. Both mosquitoes and fungus growth are prevented by doing this.
What is thatch?
In between the growing blades of grass and the soil below, thatch is a densely braided layer of living and dead stems, roots, and leaves. Thatch is very normal and helps to shield your lawn from excessive foot activity.
How do you know you need to dethatch?
It’s time to dethatch if the thatch layer is more than half an inch thick. Cut out a tiny triangle of turf that is 6 inches deep to measure the amount of thatch on your lawn. Squeezing the spongy layer above the soil will tell you if it is less than half an inch thick.
Your risk for having excessive thatch is influenced by a few things. Thatch formation is more prevalent in soils that are acidic and compacted. Additionally, ineffective fertilization methods might thicken thatch. More thatch is produced by Kentucky bluegrass and creeping bentgrass than by other types of grass.
How to dethatch:
Use a rake or a dethatcher; those are your two alternatives. Similar to a rake, a dethatcher employs metal tines or blades to comb through the grass with minimal work on your part.
How can your lawn be protected from mosquitoes?
A natural mosquito deterrent for your yard is citronella mosquito plants (Citrosa Geranium). The Citronella Geranium plant has lush, green leaves and sporadic pink-purple flowers, as well as a natural smell that repels mosquitoes. Along with herbs like rosemary, mint, and lemongrass, flowers like marigolds and calendula can also deter biting insects from the yard. For the best results, plant them next to your deck or patio. Find out how to grow herbs in your backyard.
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.