Plants To Get Rid Of Mosquitoes: Natural Ways To Keep Your Home Mosquito-Free

Plants To Get Rid Of Mosquitoes

Are you tired of using chemical-based mosquito repellents that are harmful to your health? Do you want a natural way to keep mosquitoes out of your home? Look no further than plants! Certain plants not only add beauty to your home but also have natural mosquito-repelling properties. In this article, we'll discuss the best plants to get rid of mosquitoes and how they work.

How Mosquitoes Repel Plants Work

Before we dive into the specific plants that repel mosquitoes, let's take a look at how these plants work. Most of these plants contain essential oils that are toxic to mosquitoes. When the plant is crushed or bruised, it releases these oils into the air, which repels mosquitoes. Some plants also emit scents that mask the carbon dioxide and lactic acid emitted by humans, making it difficult for mosquitoes to locate us.

The Best Plants To Get Rid Of Mosquitoes

Now that you understand how mosquito-repelling plants work, let's take a look at the best plants to get rid of mosquitoes.

Lavender

Lavender is a beautiful, fragrant plant that is known for its calming properties. However, it also has mosquito-repelling properties. The scent of lavender is soothing to humans but repels mosquitoes. Plant lavender in your garden or keep it in a pot on your patio to keep mosquitoes away.

Citronella

Citronella is one of the most well-known mosquito-repelling plants. It contains citronellol, which is toxic to mosquitoes. You can plant citronella in your garden or use citronella candles to keep mosquitoes away from your outdoor living space.

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is a member of the mint family and has a lemony scent that repels mosquitoes. You can plant lemon balm in your garden or add it to your herbal tea for a delicious and mosquito-free beverage.

Peppermint

Peppermint is another member of the mint family that repels mosquitoes. The scent of peppermint is overpowering to mosquitoes, making it difficult for them to locate their prey. Crush some peppermint leaves and rub them on your skin to keep mosquitoes away.

Catnip

Catnip is a plant that is famous for its effects on cats, but it also has mosquito-repelling properties. The essential oil in catnip is 10 times more effective than DEET, the chemical found in most mosquito repellents. Plant catnip in your garden or make a homemade mosquito repellent using catnip essential oil.

Marigold

Marigolds are beautiful, bright flowers that have natural insect-repelling properties. They contain Pyrethrum, which is toxic to insects, including mosquitoes. Plant marigolds in your garden or keep them in a pot on your patio to keep mosquitoes away.

Basil

Basil is a popular herb used in cooking, but it also has mosquito-repelling properties. The strong aroma of basil is unpleasant to mosquitoes, making it an effective natural repellent. Plant basil in your garden or keep it in a pot on your patio to keep mosquitoes away.

Lemongrass

Lemongrass is a tropical plant that has a citrusy scent that repels mosquitoes. It contains citronella, which is toxic to mosquitoes. You can plant lemongrass in your garden or use lemongrass oil to make a homemade mosquito repellent.

Rosemary

Rosemary is a fragrant herb that has natural insect-repelling properties. The essential oils in rosemary are toxic to mosquitoes, making it an effective natural repellent. Plant rosemary in your garden or keep it in a pot on your patio to keep mosquitoes away.

Geranium

Geraniums have beautiful flowers and a pleasant scent that repels mosquitoes. They contain geraniol, which is toxic to mosquitoes. Plant geraniums in your garden or keep them in a pot on your patio to keep mosquitoes away.

Clove

Clove is a spice that has natural mosquito-repelling properties. The essential oil in clove is toxic to mosquitoes. You can add cloves to your outdoor fire pit or use clove oil to make a homemade mosquito repellent.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is a tree that has natural insect-repelling properties. The essential oils in eucalyptus are toxic to mosquitoes, making it an effective natural repellent. Plant eucalyptus in your garden or use eucalyptus oil to make a homemade mosquito repellent.

Pennyroyal

Pennyroyal is a member of the mint family that has natural mosquito-repelling properties. The essential oil in pennyroyal is toxic to mosquitoes. Plant pennyroyal in your garden or use pennyroyal oil to make a homemade mosquito repellent.

Neem

Neem is a tree that is native to India and has natural insect-repelling properties. The essential oils in neem are toxic to mosquitoes, making it an effective natural repellent. Use neem oil to make a homemade mosquito repellent.

How To Use Plants To Get Rid Of Mosquitoes

Now that you know the best plants to get rid of mosquitoes, it's time to learn how to use them effectively. Here are some tips for using plants to keep mosquitoes away:

Plant Them In Your Garden

The easiest way to use mosquito-repelling plants is to plant them in your garden. This will create a barrier around your home and keep mosquitoes away.

Keep Them In Pots On Your Patio

If you don't have a garden, you can still use mosquito-repelling plants by keeping them in pots on your patio. This will create a barrier around your outdoor living space and keep mosquitoes away.

Crush The Leaves

To release the essential oils in the plant, you need to crush the leaves. This will release the scent of the plant and repel mosquitoes.

Add Them To Your Herbal Tea

Some mosquito-repelling plants, like lemon balm, can be added to herbal tea. This will give you a delicious beverage that also keeps mosquitoes away.

The Benefits Of Using Plants To Get Rid Of Mosquitoes

Using plants to get rid of mosquitoes has several benefits over chemical-based mosquito repellents. Here are some of the benefits:

Natural And Safe

Mosquito-repelling plants are all-natural and safe to use. You don't have to worry about harmful chemicals that can harm your health or the environment.

Cost-Effective

Mosquito-repelling plants are cost-effective because they are easy to grow and require little maintenance. You don't have to spend a lot of money on expensive mosquito repellents.

Add Beauty To Your Home

In addition to repelling mosquitoes, many of these plants add beauty to your home. They come in a variety of colors and scents, making them a great addition to any garden or patio.

Mosquito Repellent Plants Table

Here is a table summarizing the best plants to get rid of mosquitoes:

Plant	Toxic To Mosquitoes?	How To Use
Lavender	Yes	Plant in garden or keep in pot on patio
Citronella	Yes	Plant in garden or use citronella candles
Lemon Balm	Yes	Plant in garden or add to herbal tea
Peppermint	Yes	Crush leaves and rub on skin
Catnip	Yes	Plant in garden or make homemade mosquito repellent
Marigold	Yes	Plant in garden or keep in pot on patio
Basil	Yes	Plant in garden or keep in pot on patio
Lemongrass	Yes	Plant in garden or use lemongrass oil
Rosemary	Yes	Plant in garden or keep in pot on patio
Geranium	Yes	Plant in garden or keep in pot on patio
Clove	Yes	Add to outdoor fire pit or make homemade mosquito repellent
Eucalyptus	Yes	Plant in garden or use eucalyptus oil
Pennyroyal	Yes	Plant in garden or use pennyroyal oil
Neem	Yes	Use neem oil to make homemade mosquito repellent

How To Make A Homemade Mosquito Repellent

If you don't want to use chemical-based mosquito repellents, you can make your own using mosquito-repelling plants. Here's how to make a homemade mosquito repellent:

Ingredients:

• 10 drops of essential oil (choose from any of the mosquito-repelling plants listed above)
• 1/4 cup of witch hazel
• 1/4 cup of distilled water

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients together in a spray bottle.
2. Shake well before each use.
3. Spray on your skin and clothes to repel mosquitoes.

Tips For Keeping Mosquitoes Away

In addition to using mosquito-repelling plants and homemade mosquito repellents, here are some tips for keeping mosquitoes away:

Get Rid Of Standing Water

Mosquitoes breed in standing water, so get rid of any stagnant water around your home. This includes bird baths, plant saucers, and pet bowls.

Use Screens On Doors And Windows

Make sure all doors and windows have screens to keep mosquitoes out of your home.

Wear Protective Clothing

Wear long sleeves and pants when you're outside, especially during peak mosquito hours (dusk and dawn).

Use Fans

Mosquitoes are weak fliers, so using fans can help keep them away from your outdoor living space.

Using plants to get rid of mosquitoes is a natural and safe way to keep your home mosquito-free. The best plants to get rid of mosquitoes include lavender, citronella, lemon balm, peppermint, catnip, marigolds, basil, lemongrass, rosemary, geraniums, clove, eucalyptus, pennyroyal, and neem. You can plant these in your garden, keep them in pots on your patio, or use them to make homemade mosquito repellents. Don't forget to get rid of standing water, use screens on doors and windows, wear protective clothing, and use fans to keep mosquitoes away.

FAQS

1. Are mosquito-repelling plants safe for pets?

Yes, mosquito-repelling plants are safe for pets. However, some plants, like pennyroyal, can be toxic to cats if ingested in large amounts. Make sure to research each plant before planting it in your garden.

2. How often should I apply homemade mosquito repellent?

You should apply homemade mosquito repellent every 2-3 hours, depending on the strength of the repellent.

3. Can I use mosquito-repelling plants indoors?

Yes, you can use mosquito-repelling plants indoors. Keep them near windows or in areas where mosquitoes are likely to enter.

4. Can I use essential oils instead of fresh plants?

Yes, you can use essential oils instead of fresh plants to make a homemade mosquito repellent. However, make sure to dilute the essential oils with a carrier oil before applying to your skin.

5. Do mosquito-repelling plants repel all types of mosquitoes?

No, mosquito-repelling plants may not repel all types of mosquitoes. They are most effective against common household mosquitoes, but may not be effective against other species.