What Are the Best Plants to Keep Mosquitoes Away?
Mosquitoes utilize scent to locate hosts to feed on. Female mosquitoes are attracted to our breath, or carbon dioxide. Strong fragrances, then, may work as a natural deterrent to mosquitoes. Certain plants and herbs in particular can help keep mosquitoes away, but only when the leaves or stems are crushed to reach the oils within.
Although fragrant plants can help repel mosquitoes, it’s important to not rely on plants alone and instead to work with a professional mosquito exterminator.
Best Plants to Repel Mosquitoes
Certain oils from plants work as natural repellents against mosquitoes. For that reason, it’s smart to plant a garden with a number of varieties that can aid in creating mosquito repellents. These plants include:
- Citronella. Often marketed as “mosquito plants” in big-box stores, this leafy plant is simply a geranium variety. Citronella grass, on the other hand, is most useful for extracting citronella oil.
- Lavender. As one of the most fragrant plants, lavender oil can help deter a mosquito by blocking its sense of smell.
- Marigolds. Both easy to grow and beautiful, marigolds emit a scent that also helps to deter mosquitoes. They also prevent aphids, whiteflies, and other garden pests.
- Rosemary, basil & thyme. These fragrant herbs are just that: fragrant! Similar to other plants, the scents of these keep pests and mosquitoes at bay.
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Do Mosquitoes Eat Plants?
It is a common misconception that mosquitoes feed on blood and blood only. In actuality, the majority of a mosquito’s diet is nectar! Male mosquitoes feed only on nectar, plant sap, and honeydew. While the female mosquito feeds on blood to reproduce, she also will feed on nectar. This makes mosquitoes more like other insects than you’d think, as they will get much of their sustenance right from your yard and garden.
Scents to Repel Mosquitoes
As mentioned before, mosquitoes rely on our natural scent to locate us. This means our body odor, breath, and sweat can lure mosquitoes. So, scents and fragrances in any form can work to repel mosquitoes by disorienting them. Perfumes, citronella candles, and other scents can help to keep mosquitoes away from your Easten Tennessee home or garden.
What Are The Best Plants to Keep Mosquitoes Away? in Sevierville TN
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