6 mosquito repellent plants that can be grown at home

6 mosquito repellent plants that can be grown at home

Mosquitoes become enemies of humans. Not only the bites cause the skin to become bumpy, itchy, and reddish, mosquitoes can also cause various diseases, such as dengue fever (dengue hemorrhagic fever) and malaria.

To expel him, those who use chemical-based drugs are bad for health. So, why don’t you try other alternatives to using mosquito repellent plants at home?

It turns out that there are various plants that are proven to be effective at repelling mosquitoes. Anything? Here are plants that can help repel mosquitoes in your home.

Lemongrass is fragrant

Lemongrass is not only used as a flavoring for food or drinks. This plant can also be used as a mosquito repellent. Therefore, it is not surprising that aromatherapy candles or mosquito repellent lotions often use lemongrass as the main ingredient.

Lemongrass can thrive in various climates and soil types. This is what makes lemongrass a plant that is easy to find and maintain at home. Although lemongrass is not suitable when planted in pots, you can outsmart it by planting it under windows around the house. This is done so that mosquitoes do not enter the house.

Lemon balm

Just like lemongrass, lemon balm also contains citronellal compounds that are effective in repelling mosquitoes. The citrus scent of lemon balm leaves is also one fragrance that doesn’t leave mosquitoes.

Even so, you have to be careful so you want to plant these leaves in the yard of the house. The reason is, this plant is invasive, or has a fast growth.

Lavender

Lavender flowers are purple in color and have a very fragrant aroma. Even though the aroma is a lot of human input, for mosquitoes the scent of lavender is a scent to avoid. The reason is that lavender contains linalool and lynalyl acetate, which are two substances that mosquitoes really don’t pay attention to. You can put lavender plants in a pot near a window or door so that no mosquitoes enter the house.

Catnip

Catnip or Nepeta cataria is a plant that is often used to stimulate cats to be more active. Upon contact with this plant, your cat may show more and more active behavior changes. However, it is not suitable for mosquitoes. The reason is, catnip is a plant that is very feared by mosquitoes.

Research shows that the essential oil content in catnip, known as nepetalactone, is known to be effective in repelling the mosquito repellent DEET (Diethyl-meta-toluamide), a chemical that has a negative impact on health.

This plant can grow tall, so if you want to plant it in your yard, it’s best to plant it in an area where it won’t block the view.

Garlic

Garlic has long been used to repel mosquitoes. You can slice the garlic and place it in places where air circulation comes from, such as windows and doors. In order not to smell too pungent you can add lavender essential oil or other according to taste.

Geranium

Geranium is also known as a type of mosquito repellent plant. This plant, better known as tapak dara, contains geraniol and citronellol. This content is not entered by mosquitoes because it smells good when blown by the wind.

You can plant this plant in a pot and then put it indoors to repel mosquitoes that enter the house. Apart from repelling mosquitoes, geraniums are also very suitable to be used as ornamental plants because they have very beautiful flower colors.