Mosquito repelling plants

Plants and flowers aren’t only meant for decorative purposes, they have therapeutic properties and a good deal of them are effective at repelling mosquitoes and other insect pests. You are better off using herbs, flowers and shrubs to make your home mosquito proof than using synthetic insecticides because insecticides contain chemicals which pose serious threat to our health.

That said, below is a list of powerful mosquito repelling plants. The good thing about them is that they also repel other insect pests like tick, fleas, beetles etc.

• Lavender

Lavender has for centuries been used for keeping away mosquitoes and other insect pests like flies and fleas. The repelling power of lavender comes from the oil it contains. The oil can be extracted by crushing the plant. Alternatively, you can purchase it online or from a drug store. Care should be taken when using lavender oil because it is unfriendly to the human skin.

• Bay leaves

Bay leaves has been around for quite some time now. Its therapeutic properties were first discovered by ancient Roman and Greek healers. Aside that, mosquitoes and flies scurry away at the smell of bay leaves. Place the leaves in pots and then place the pots at strategic points like doors and windows, and bid mosquitoes farewell for good.

• Oregano

Most people only think oregano as food seasoning. What they do not know is that oregano is an excellent insect repellent. Pests like mosquitoes and beetles can’t stand the smell of oregano. Mix oregano with garlic or onions and you would have a killer combo – mosquitoes wouldn’t even dare to come close.

• Marigold

This orange colored flower is a beauty to behold. Its physical appearance varies from specie to specie, with some species being larger and brighter in color than the others. Marigold gives off a fragrance which repulses insect pests like mosquitoes and aphids. Even bigger pests like rabbits can’t stand the smell of marigold.

• Cloves

Predominantly grown in Asia, cloves is yet another mosquito repelling plant. But you don’t need to travel all the way down to Asia just to buy this plants. There are lots of online retailers that sell the plant. You can either buy the live plant or the dried buds – it works either way.

• Ageratum

This violet colored flower gives off a scent that mosquitoes can’t stand. In fact, it is used as ingredient in some commercial mosquito repellent. The leaves of ageratum should be kept away from the skin lest it causes an allergic reaction. It thrives best in areas with abundant sunlight.

• Nepeta

Nepeta is a variant of catnip, a flower so loved by cats and hated by mosquitoes. If you love the buzz or sight of bees, nepeta is the way to go. Nepeta contains a chemical compound known as nepetalactone, a major ingredient in most commercial mosquito repellent.

• Bee balm

Don’t be carried away by its name – bee balm is more effective at repelling mosquitoes than bees. To use, grind the plant, extract its oil and then apply on the skin.