- Canada’s Growing Zones Are Changing 2024 - January 12, 2024
- Attracting Wildlife To The Garden - May 16, 2023
- How To Garden Near A Septic Tank - May 9, 2023
Plants That Repel Mosquitos
This blog post was sponsored by Connected To The Land
Everyone’s favourite season seems to be summer. However summer barbeques can quickly be ruined by a mosquito infestation. Despite our best efforts of using bug spray, and candles. These little buggers still seem to ruin the day.
In this post we are going to be looking at plants we can put on our deck and in our yard to help repel mosquitoes. The best part about this is that these plants not only repel mosquitoes but in some cases other annoyances such as black flies.
Each one of these plant families have specific attributes to them which helps repel mosquitoes. The best part is that they are backed by science and research therefore you are guaranteed to see results. If you are looking for at home remedies to plant pests click here.
What To Look For In A Pest Preventing Plant
The main thing we’re looking for when determining if a plant will help ward off insects in the garden comes down to a few main factors. One factor is it’s ability to either mask or lessen the appearance of CO2 and lactic acid in the air.
Mosquitoes in particular are looking for CO2 in lactic acid because it is a sure sign that mammals are in the area. If we are able to mask the levels of CO2 then we are ultimately able to convince mosquito that there is no food in the area.
If we are not able to mask the signs of human activity in our next best bet is to deter them with scent. Luckily there are some sense out there that mosquitoes and insects in general do not enjoy. This means that despite the fact that the mosquito is able to see CO2 it will not come in contact with you because the force field of aromas prevents the mosquito from interacting.
Do Citronella Plants Really Repel Mosquitos?
We’ve all heard of citronella candles. Citronella candles are commonly used to determine not only mosquitoes but also black flies. It is not actually specifically citronella that deters these bugs but actually the entire species of Cymbopogon grass. This means anything that is in a similar genus waffle so work. Another common plant in the genus that we’ve heard of is lemongrass.
Citronella candles are working off the scent more so where is a citronella why aren’t actually deters mosquitoes through masking carbon dioxide. It’s specifically the oils in the plant that helps disguise you in activity.
The best to activate the benefits of this plant is actually to ruffle the leaves. If we ruffle the leaves it emits me sand and also spreads the oil on our hands. This will help disguise you from mosquitoes and even black flies.
Using Basil Plants To Repel Mosquitos
In 2009 there was a research study conducted by the Korean society of applied on entomology. In the study they looked at effective ways of repelling mosquitoes. They specifically determined that plants in the basil family were superior to doing this.
Basils effectiveness and awarding off mosquitoes and insects actually comes from the phytoextracts within the plant. You’re probably wondering what exactly a phytoextract is and how it is effective in garden.
A plant that is capable of phytoextraction is able to remove it dangerous elements and compounds from the soil. Usually these come in the form of heavy metals or just metals that can be toxic to organisms in high doses. These plants are commonly used in phytoremediation to clean up abandoned mining sites or areas that are considered toxic.
Basil is effective at killing mosquito larvae in particular with its phytoextracts. There are three in particular that the basil plants are able to carry. These include methanol, petrolium, and crude carbon tetrachloride. The crude carbon tetrachloride in particular is good at not only repelling mosquitoes but also killing their larvae.
Having basil plants on hand will repel the mosquitoes. And if we have consumed or rubbed basil leaves on her arms and neck we are even more protected. So be sure to plant some basil this year have it on your porch and in your food.
Catnip Repels Mosquitos
Catnip is another great deterrent for both mosquitoes and bugs. Catnip obviously makes cats go crazy but it makes mosquitoes run. It’s not the actual cabinet it’s self that deters the mosquitoes but anything in the mint family.
This means if you were looking to ward off black flies and mosquitoes plant mint in any form throughout the garden and deck area. This can come in the form of mint, spearmint, catnip and the list goes on.
The university of Iowa conducted a study on mosquito repellent and determined that it is the nepetalactone in mint that repels the mosquitoes. This acetone compound is 10 times more effective in repelling mosquitoes then DEET.
If you didn’t know DEET is the holy Grail of all mosquito repellent. However it is a commercial insect repellent and is considered dangerous by some countries. Catnip and mint in general is so effective at repelling not only mosquitoes it was determined in the study it also is effective at repelling things such as mice.
Sage Burning To Repel Mosquitos
Sage is one of the oldest trick in the book. First nations in North America commonly use sage to deter mosquitoes and bugs. Using sage as a mosquito repellent isn’t as simple as just placing it on the porch. You actually need to grow it and then harvest it.
After it is harvested you then want to let it dry out in the heat of the sun. After that we can add it to a barbeque pit to help repel mosquitoes. It is specifically the smoke from stage that deters in the pest.
I personally find sage to actually be a very beautiful plant on its own. So think about incorporating that sage into your flower decor. It is unlikely that anyone will notice and you will be able to plant more of it. Meaning you will have more sage to burn and therefore more mosquito repellent.
Lavender & Marigold Scent Repels Mosquitos
Lavender and marigolds for mosquito repellent are very well known. Well it’s not fully understood why lavender and marigolds tend to repel mosquitoes. It is thought that the reasoning is due to the scent.
If you didn’t know Marigold and Lavender have a very distinct smell. Some may characterize their flowers send as overwhelming. However if you enjoy the sound of both Marigold and Lavender then using is in your garden may help prevent against not only mosquitoes but other pests as well.
Due to their intense aroma you may want to moderate how much you put in a small space. Especially if you are sensitive to smells.
Well it’s official you now have A list of plants you can incorporate in your garden this year to repel against mosquitoes and pests. Some of these plants will look beautiful as foliage or Accent pieces in a pod while others can be a standalone statement piece.
Keep in mind all these plants can be grown not only in container but in the ground. Try spreading these Lance throughout the yard. Intercropping them with your vegetables and flowers. Because the repel mosquitoes they also in many cases will repel pests.
If you utilize these plants in your garden you will not only be mosquito free but you very well may be passed free in general. Let me know in the comments down below what plants you have tried to repel mosquitoes.
