Keep those uninvited mosquitoes and bugs out with these 5 easy-to-grow plants. Before reaching for those chemical sprays, try these fragrant and colorful plants.
1. Basil
Basil has essential oil or phytoextracts within the Ocimum basilicum plant, that is an effective mosquito repellant. Scientists have found out that that the extracts, most particularly petrolium ether leaf, were effective not only for repelling mosquitoes, but also for killing mosquito larvae.
2. Citronella
Is the most common ingredient used in making mosquito repellents. Citronella has a strong lemon-scented smell which masks attractants to mosquitoes, making it harder for them to find you.
Citronella is also used in many forms, such as torches and scented candles, but the living plant is more effective because of its stronger smell.
3. Lemon Grass
Lemon grass or Cymbopogon citrates contains citronella, a natural oil that keeps mosquitoes away. It also also used in Southeast Asia to flavor foods such as chicken and used as an anti-inflammatory medicine in India. Lemongrass is known for its wonderful aroma, making in useful in making perfumes and other toiletries.
4. Rosemary
Rosemary or Rosmarinus officinalis is an herb, that most of us are very familiar with. They can be planted in your garden to control mosquito infestation. It can also be mixed into various lotions and formulas to act as a mosquito repellent for the body.
5. Marigold
Marigold contains Pyrethrum, a compound most commonly used in many insect repellents. They also have a distinctive smell which mosquitoes and some gardeners, find particularly offensive, therefore making them an effective mosquito repellent.