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Natural Plants To Repel Mosquitoes

By Guardian Nigeria
02 March 2016   |   4:06 pm
Yes we are talking about mosquitoes, Zika virus has been the topic of discussion this year and they are transferred by mosquitoes. Everybody knows that they can be a huge nuisance and also infect us with different viruses. Using chemical products to keep them away can also be temporary. Use the following plants to repel…

Yes we are talking about mosquitoes, Zika virus has been the topic of discussion this year and they are transferred by mosquitoes. Everybody knows that they can be a huge nuisance and also infect us with different viruses. Using chemical products to keep them away can also be temporary. Use the following plants to repel those troublesome mosquitoes:

Lemon Balm: This plant is an ancient antidote to modern day stress. This versatile herb can be used to calm nerves, promote restful sleep, and reduce digestive distress, plus it could be your next natural friend to send those mosquitoes running. It resists drought, grows well in shades, and grows fast.  To avoid spreading through all your surroundings, put in a portable pot to be able to move around when needed. For a quick use simply crush a handful of lemon balm leaves in your hand and rub them on your exposed skin. Grow the plants near your back door, garden or ventilated rooms where the leaves will be handy when you need them.

Citronella: This plant is one of the common ingredients in most mosquitos repellent. It is a beautiful perennial clumping grass emits a strong aroma that masks other scents and prevents mosquitoes from coming close. It is a much stronger aroma than other mosquito repellants and it’s easy to grow. You can grow Citronella in pots and place it around your building or on the porch to chase all nearby mosquitoes away.

Garlic: The powerful compounds such as allicin which garlic releases are inimical to mosquitoes. Another possibility is that the strong smell of garlic overwhelms the mosquito’s sense of smell and prevents them from finding their prey. Coating the body with a jelly based compound like garlic can keep mosquitoes away for some time. Obviously such a method, whilst effective against bites, has fairly major social side effects the allicin in garlic is very strong and can result in skin problems and allergic reactions

Basil: This plant has essential oils that can be extracted and used as a spray to repel mosquitoes. It has also been an effective repellent when grown nearby.

Bee Balm: This is a beautiful flowering plant that attracts hummingbirds and, of course, bees. It is also very effective as a mosquito repellent, when allowing the fragrant oils to be released when the leaves are crushed.

 

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