Every year, many people fall ill with diseases like dengue, malaria, chikungunya, etc. Today, many mosquitoes and insect repellent products are available like creams, lotions, sprays, and incense sticks, which although may serve the purpose, can be harmful in various ways. However, if we look for some natural alternatives, plants are the best option. There are certain plants that are capable of repelling mosquitoes.
To know more about these plants, the ETV Bharat Sukhibhava team spoke to Botanist Mr. P. C. Pant, who informed us about some plant species that can help in preventing mosquitoes if grown near the doors, in the balcony, or in the garden.
- Tulsi Tulsi
Tulsi plant is not only known for its medicinal properties but also purifies the environment. P.C. Pant explains that its fragrance, along with keeping mosquitoes at bay, the juice extracted from the Tulsi leaves if applied on the mosquito bite provides great relief.
- Neem
Neem is another plant that has the ability to keep mosquitoes and other insects away. Planting this tree outside the house can reduce the invasion of mosquitoes in the house. Its capability can be determined by understanding the fact that many mosquito repellent products use neem as an active ingredient.
- Rosemary Rosemary
The scent of rosemary flowers also repels mosquitoes. To keep mosquitoes away from the house, soaking rosemary flowers in water and spraying it everywhere can also be beneficial.
- Citronella Citronella
Citronella proves to be very beneficial to protect against mosquitoes. Its fragrance keeps dengue spreading mosquitoes also at bay. Alike neem, citronella too is used in many mosquito repellent products.
- Catnip Catnip
Catnip is a plant that belongs to the mint family. It is a perennial plant that grows in both sun and shade. Its flowers are white and lavender in color. The results of a study conducted in the same regard revealed that catnip is 10 times more effective than DEET (pesticide).
- Ageratum Ageratum
Ageratum is also considered one of the best mosquito and insect repellent plants. Light blue and white flowers grow on this plant which produces coumarin. Coumarin is a kind of strong odor, which is also used to make mosquito repellents.
- Lavender Lavender
Lavender oil is used to make chemical-free mosquito repellent creams, lotions, and other products. You can plant it in the seating area to prevent the invasion of mosquitoes.
- Horsemint
Horsemint is also very helpful in repelling mosquitoes. This perennial plant usually does not require any kind of care. It has a pungent smell and due to the thymol present in its oil, it also has antifungal and antiviral properties.
- Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is an indoor plant, in the leaves of which, citronella is found in abundance. This too is used in making mosquito repellents.
- Marigold Marigold
The pungent smell of marigold keeps the mosquitoes away. This plant can be very easily grown in a small pot in the garden or balcony.
Also Read: Ditch The Mosquito Itch
