The truth is, DEET and other similar products are the most effective tools to repel mosquitoes, while there is no doubt that there are serious toxic effects of them, especially dangerous for children, as the harmful chemicals are absorbed into the body through skin, and children’s skin absorbs more DEET. So it’s worthwhile to consider natural solutions and remedies, although they are not as effective as DEET, but there are plants that repel mosquitoes as well as other insects really do help.
And also, if you plant some of the mosquito repellent plants in your garden, at the very least they will make your garden beautiful, and most of them also have other useful properties.
Drop the chemicals! Following is a collection of plants which can be a part of natural ways to control mosquitoes:
1. Basil:
This is a herb which emits aroma even without crushing its leaves, and the strong fragrances it emits repels mosquitoes. You can plant basil in your garden or can rub the crushed leaves on your skin to control the problem.
2. Neem:
Another strong mosquitoes repellent plant, it works effective to keep away the mosquitoes due to its insect repelling properties, and that’s why it is normally used in many mosquito repellent products. You can use neem oil on your skin.
3. Peppermint:
Mosquitoes and other bugs don’t like the scent of this herb, so you can rub the crushed leaves of peppermint on your skin to keep them away.
4. Lemon thyme:
A study found crushed lemon thyme leaves reduced mosquito biting activity by 62 percent, when compared to being unprotected. That’s why it is a common ingredient in most of the insect repellents.
5. Lavender:
This is a good smell plant for humans, while mosquitoes dislike the scent lavender gives off. You can grow it in your backyard to keep mosquitoes and bugs away. Besides, this herb has an excellent calming properties as well, giving it additional medicinal uses, and it’s also a charming reason to grow it in your garden and around the house.
6. Catnip:
“Researchers report that nepetalactone, the essential oil in catnip that gives the plant its characteristic odor, is about ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET — the compound used in most commercial insect repellents. ”
This plant also repels cockroaches, when use it for repelling mosquitoes, just crushed and rubbed onto the skin.
7. Citronella:
Citronella grass has a powerful lemony scent, it’s widely used in lots of commercial bug repellents. Crush the leaves and rub the released oil onto the skin to act as a mosquito repellent. You can also mix the oil with other oils to make repellents.
8. Nicotiana:
This is an interesting plant which has an unique feature of emitting stronger odor at night, and the strong scent will drive away the mosquitoes effectively. Plant this in your backyard to keep the mosquitoes away from your house.
9. Southernwood:
The scent of this plant repels mosquitoes, you can spread some dried flowers of it around your house to control mosquitoes.
10. Pennyroyal:
This ancient herb repels all types of insects when grown around your house. If you want to keep mosquitoes and other biting bugs away, you can plant it in your garden, while if you have pets in your home, it’s not recommended to plant it as the leaves are considered highly toxic.
11. Eucalyptus:
To drive mosquitoes away, crush the eucalyptus leaves and put in rubbing alcohol and use it as a spray to keep mosquitoes away. You can also use it in the form of oil, mix eucalyptus oil with lemon oil makes a good mosquitoes fighter when rubbed onto the skin.
12. Wormwood:
This plant can be used as a fragrant smudge, which is known to be able to repel mosquitoes. You can also rub the crushed leaves to the skin to control mosquitoes.
13. Geranium
Geranium repels a wide variety of insects including mosquitoes.
This combination is found in a product called Bite Blocker: Geranium, soybean and coconut oil. It’s said that this blend of oils repels mosquitoes for about an hour and a half.
14. Garlic
The unpleasant odor of garlic is known for its strong repulsive property. Grow garlic in your backyard will drive away mosquitoes. Rub it on the skin to get the maximum effect.
15. Sage
This is another well known herb that has the benefit of repelling mosquitoes as well as other types of annoying insects. To control mosquitoes, burn a small amount of dried sage outside.
16. Ageratum
This beautiful plant emits a smell which mosquitoes find offensive. Crush the leaves of Ageratum to increase the emitted odor and place it around your house to keep mosquitoes away.
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