Nobody likes mosquitoes, but not everyone likes to use store-bought products, which often contain harmful chemicals. Luckily, there are many types of plants you can add to your yard and garden to naturally repel mosquitoes. Keep reading this article to learn about the various ways in which plants can be used to repel mosquitoes from your home environment.
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Method 1 of 2: Growing Different Types of Plants, Flowers, and Herbs (Medicinal Plants)
Step 1. Plant catnip (a sweet-smelling wild shrub that cats love) in your yard if you don't mind having cats in your house
Some people feel that for repelling mosquitoes, catnip is considered to be better than factory-made mosquito repellent chemicals. The best thing of all is that the catnip plant is relatively safe. Catnip can even act as a mosquito repellent planted alongside the types of plants that normally attract mosquitoes. However, keep in mind that catnip plants will attract cats into your yard.
Catnip grows quickly like grass. Make sure you control it, otherwise the plants will take over your flower garden
Step 2. Plant citronella (lemongrass/lemongrass) in your garden/garden or yard
Citronella obscures the mosquito-attracting odors that surround your home and yard, preventing mosquitoes from coming closer.
- If you live in a hot climate where freezing doesn't occur, plant citronella directly in the soil behind other plants. Citronella can grow to a height of between 1.52 - 1.82 meters and form large, lush clumps.
- If you live in a freezing cold climate, grow citronella in a large pot. This way you can move potted plants indoors during periods of freezing temperatures and relatively harsh weather conditions.
- Check to make sure that the citronella plant you are planting is Citronella winterianus or Cymbopogon nardus (also known as Java Citronella or Winter's grass or citronella), as opposed to plants labeled "citronella-scented," which may not be real citronella plants.
Step 3. Try planting other herbs (medicinal plants/spices) that can repel mosquitoes
You can use herbs not only in cooking, but you can also use them to repel mosquitoes. Some herbs have small white or purple/purple flowers. Here are some popular herbs that can keep mosquitoes at bay:
- Basil/basil
- Garlic
- Lavender/ Lavender, Lemon balm (Herbs from the mint family with a lemon scent), and Lemon grass (lemongrass/kitchen lemongrass)
- Peppermint (Mint family spice plant, the result of a cross between watermint and spearmint)
- Rosemary (Beautiful flowering herb that smells good)
Step 4. Plant the ageratum (wild-growing bandotan)
Ageratum flowers are hard, small in blue and purple, according to the climate in which the plant grows. The plant height can reach 45 cm, making it ideal as a flower garden backdrop. Ageratum needs to get sunlight, either partially or fully.
Ageratum emits an aroma that is thought to attack mosquitoes
Step 5. Plant marigolds on the edge of your lawn or garden
The scent emitted by marigold flowers will act like a barrier, which prevents mosquitoes from entering certain areas.
Plant marigolds in an area of fertile (fertilized) soil that is exposed to full sun all the time
Step 6. Try planting some other flowering plants that are known to repel mosquitoes
This type of plant will add color and aroma to the yard, and also keep mosquitoes from entering the house. Consider growing in pots and placing them near entrances and windows. Here are some types of flowering plants that can repel mosquitoes:
- Geranium/tread virgin
- Chrysanthemum
- Pennyroyal (Herbs belonging to the mint family are used for various types of treatment)
- Tansy (annual plant of the aster family)
Step 7. If you live in a dry climate or close to the coast, keep horsemint (flowering plants belonging to the mint family)
Horsemint resembles citronella, but the plant can survive dry weather, sandy soil, and salty water.
Plant horsemint in either shaded or sun-exposed areas. Make sure that the selected area has enough space to allow the plant to grow to a width of 60 cm and a height of about 90 cm
Step 8. Consider several types of wild plants
There are many types of wild plants that are also able to repel mosquitoes. If some of the following plants are native to the area where you live, consider growing them in your garden. Most likely you have even planted some in or near your garden/garden.
- Cedar
- New china (Mugwort / Wormwood - medicinal plants and cooking ingredients) and Nodding onion (flowering plants belonging to the onion genus / Allium)
- Pineapple weed (flowering plant belongs to the aster family, when the flowers are crushed they give off the aroma of pineapple)
- Snowbrush (a shrub with a spicy, intoxicating aroma, white flowers are small in clumps), Sweetfern (a shrub with fern-like leaves which, when crushed/crushed, gives off a pleasant aroma), and Sagebrush (Sage-like - a fragrant leafy plant for seasoning). -but smells stronger, grows wild with flowers similar to lavender but yellow)
- Wild bergamot/Bee balm (flowering wildflowers belonging to the mint family), New China (Wormwood/Mugwort), and Vanilla Leaf (Ground cover herbs that when dry the leaves smell like vanilla, white flowers)
Method 2 of 2: Using Plants to Make Sprays and Rubs
Step 1. Puree and rub certain mosquito repellent plants on your skin
This is especially good if you want to travel to a place where mosquito repellent plants will not be found, such as sightseeing/adventure trips. However, you may need to do a test on the inside of your elbow first, to make sure that you are not allergic to the plant. Keep in mind that the plant will only protect you for 1 to 2 hours. Consider smoothing and rubbing all over your arms and legs, any of the following plants:
- Catnip, Citronella and Cloves
- eucalyptus
- Lavender/ Lavender or Lemon balm
- Pineapple weed
- Sagebrush
- Tea leaves
- Vanilla leaf
Step 2. Make a mosquito repellent with fresh basil, water and vodka
Pour cup (120 milliliters) of hot water over a handful of fresh basil leaves. Wait 2 to 4 hours, then pour the liquid into a spray bottle. Throw away the dregs. Then, add cup (120 milliliters) of vodka to the bottle. Close the bottle and shake to mix the two liquids.
- Make sure you squeeze the basil leaves to get every drop of liquid that comes out.
- Instead of basil, you can also use catnip and rosemary. Let the herbs shrink for an hour.
Step 3. Try a mosquito repellent in the form of potpourri (a container filled with dried flowers, fruit and herbs mixed with natural fragrances to freshen up the space)
Take and dry some herbs or flowers that have been mentioned in the previous section. Tie the herbs into bundles, and hang them from the entrance to the window. Separate the leaves from the flowers, and arrange them in a pretty bowl. Place the bowls on windowsills and tables in areas of the deck where mosquitoes are likely to be most likely.
To release a scent that repels mosquitoes, simply rub herbs or flower petals between your fingers
Step 4. Use a little rosemary in your cooking
The next time you intend to make the roast, sprinkle a little rosemary over the chicken or ground beef. With rosemary you will not only add flavor to your food, but it will also keep those annoying biters out of your home.
