Many of us seek refuge in our homes to evade the attacks of mosquitoes or rub insect repellents on our skin which leaves us feeling sticky or with an undesirable smell. We become prisoners in our own homes, as we are unable to enjoy sitting on the porch or looking out at our lawns and the beautiful way in which our landscaping is done through our hard work. Those of us who love gardening may be able to bear the attacks because we are determined to keep our gardens beautiful, but many of us would much rather enjoy this past time without wondering if the next bite is going to be the one to make us sick with Dengue Fever or the West Nile Virus. There may be such relief, as natural plants and oils can repel with these pesky insects. Some plants have been found to be natural repellents. These plants – flowers and herbs, can be safely planted in your gardens or used in your landscaping, as a part of visually enhancing your property.
5 plants used to repel mosquitoes
To date there have been ten commonly found plants and herbs that are now known to have mosquito repelling properties. They can be planted in the dirt or in pots so that they can be easily placed in close proximity to your location or outside to stave off mosquito attacks. These plants may serve well in areas, such as Philadelphia which is now embroiled in a battle with the white tiger mosquito, which has been plaguing the area and has health officials scrambling to eradicate the vector. (For more information on the white tiger mosquito visit the links which are provided at the bottom of this article).
• Catnip is an herb that is a native of Europe but now mostly grows wild in the US. It is found that while cats may be uncontrollably attracted to it, it does wonders at repelling mosquitoes and cockroaches. It is considered one of the most effective natural plant repellents that there is and is quite easy to grow even though it has to be watered frequently and requires a lot of sun.
• Citronella may sound very familiar as it should; it is a clumping grass and is the source of Citronella oil which is widely used in aromatherapy and household products. The oil from this plant is used as a repellent in tikki torches and candles. In order for the plant to thrive it needs lots of sun and water, but it will not survive the winter season.
• Horsemint is easy to cultivate as it grows in most types of soils and is able to thrive in dry weather and sandy soils. Its smell is close to that of citronella. However, it can reach heights of about 2 to 3 feet so ensure that you leave the necessary room to grow.
• Marigolds are the flowers that signify beauty with a purpose. These plants are perfect for borders along walkways but they are also good at repelling mosquitoes. However, it is advised that the African and the French variation of this plant will get you the best results are deterring the vectors. These plants thrive in full sunlight and areas where the soil is well fertilized.
• Ageratum can be grown in any climate and in any types of soil with moderate or full exposure to the sun. It blooms beautiful purple flowers that are a beautiful addition to your home garden.
In areas such as Bucks County and Philadelphia that is battling an infestation of mosquitoes, it is advised that these plants be placed closely together in your gardens for best results or in places where there is heavy need. Consult a local landscaping business for additional help in determining where and how to place plants to repel mosquitoes, as well as care of the plants. For added protection, crush the leaves of the plants and place them in vodka or alcohol for the oils to be released, this then can be applied lightly to your skin.
*More helpful information on the white tiger mosquito can be found at the following sites:
http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/pctigermosquito.htm
http://www.nhcgov.com/Health/enviro-health/mosquito-vector/Pages/asian-tiger-mosquito.aspx
http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2012-09-12/lifestyle/35497815_1_asian-tiger-tiger-mosquito-black-mosquitoes
http://alexandriava.gov/MosquitoControl
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