The 12 Most Effective Natural Mosquito Repellent Plants for Home
Dengue and malaria are two life-threatening diseases originating from mosquitoes, which unfortunately are everywhere in Malaysia. But don’t worry too much, this article will tell you that these 12 plants are natural and effective mosquito repellents.
Mosquito-related diseases are very common in Malaysia, with a large number of cases reported every year. According to a recent report by The Star, in 2019 alone, there were 130,101 dengue cases and more than 182 deaths, the highest number ever recorded in Malaysia. In Asia, my country ranks second in the number of reported cases of dengue fever.
I believe everyone already knows that dengue is caused by the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes in stagnant water and changes in hot and rainy seasons. The mosquitoes not only bring dengue, but other diseases, including chikungunya and Zika. But thankfully, there are no deaths or bleeding cases in Malaysia so far.
As for malaria, there is a report in the News Straits Times that there are 4,000 to 5,000 cases in Malaysia each year. Most of them are human-to-animal transmission, which means that the source of this transmission comes from the parasites in monkeys being bitten by infected mosquitoes on humans.
Most of the malaria cases reported were from Sabah, Sarawak and some rural areas in Peninsular Malaysia. Although you may live in cities, you are still at risk of contracting mosquito-borne diseases, especially dengue. Therefore, it is very important to keep the home clean, and cooperate with the occasional mosquito spraying work organized by the Ministry of Health.
Another self-help repellant is these 12 plants and trees to keep mosquitoes out of your home. Not only are they effective at repelling mosquitoes, but they are also safe, natural, and chemical-free.
1. Lemon grass
This plant can be found anywhere. In addition to being a common culinary ingredient, lemongrass also contains high amounts of citral, an ingredient with health benefits. Studies have shown that lemongrass is effective in repelling mosquitoes due to its strong smell. Not only do you keep mosquitoes away, but cockroaches and geckos too.
Usage: Put a few stalks of fresh lemongrass in a jar. Place the jar anywhere in the house where mosquitoes are infested. Lemongrass also kills mosquito larvae, preventing them from reproducing.
2. Tea plant
Tea has antiseptic, antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial properties. They are a favorite among gardening enthusiasts because they are easy to grow and maintain. Its size also grows with the surrounding environment: you can plant it as a big tree outdoors, or plant it in a flower pot, and plant a tea tree at home to repel mosquitoes!
Usage: Steep a few tea leaves in water, then add a few drops of grapeseed oil. After standing for an hour, pour the solution into a spray bottle and spray on the mosquito-prone areas of your home.
3. Mint
Whether fresh or dried, mint always retains its unique soothing and comforting aroma. However, the aroma is only soothing to humans, and its scent is harmful to insects, including mosquitoes. Plant a mint plant in your home to repel mosquitoes.
Usage: Soak a few mint leaves in water, then add a few drops of grapeseed oil. After standing for an hour, pour the solution into a spray bottle and spray on the mosquito-prone areas of your home.
4. Vanilla
Yes, you’re not mistaken! Planting a vanilla tree only needs to receive 30–40% sunlight and 60–80% moisture within eight months to grow in Malaysia! Dried vanilla leaves can give your home a great aroma, and this scent will also repel mosquitoes.
Usage: Put a few dried herb leaves in a container — keep this container in a mosquito-prone area of your home. You can also hang a few dried herb leaves around your home, or rub fresh herb leaves on the skin to repel these pests.
5. Lantana
The Lantana Camara plant has a beautiful and vibrant flower that mosquitoes are afraid of due to its pungent smell, especially when it is crushed. In North America, lantana is often grown near vegetables and fruit trees to prevent rabbits and deer from eating their plants. In Asia, the plant is used to repel various insects, including mosquitoes. Lantana is actually a fairly easy-to-care plant.
Usage: Put a small plant of lantana in your house. If you find the smell too pungent, put it outside the house where there is standing water, such as a jar, bucket, or drain.
6. Cloves and Limes
Dried cloves used in cooking are buds that have been dried and harvested before they bloom. Cloves have many benefits and are fragrant and delicious, as do limes. When these two combine, it creates an odor that mosquitoes hate.
Usage: Cut the lime in half. Squeeze some cloves into the limes and place them where mosquitoes tend to breed.
7. Rosemary
Rosemary is commonly used in Western cooking to enhance the flavor of food and can also be used to treat gout. It can be grown in pots in a shady spot. Besides mosquitoes, rosemary is also used to repel flies.
Usage: Burn a few sprigs of rosemary at night, the smoke and odor it produces will keep mosquitoes away.
8. Catnip
Nepeta, or more commonly known as catnip, is a very popular plant for cats. Cats get pleasure by smelling or ingesting this plant. While catnip is beloved by cats, mosquitoes are not. A nepetalactone essential oil produced by this plant is said to be more effective than pesticides. In addition to Aedes mosquitoes, catnip is also effective in repelling flies.
Usage: Plant catnip in your yard. Be sure not to plant it where it will block your view, as this plant will grow quite tall.
9. Lavender
The aroma of lavender can help you get quality sleep. On top of that, lavender has antiseptic and antifungal properties. On the other hand, mosquitoes do not like this plant because it contains linalool and linalyl acetate. These two ingredients make mosquitoes sleepy.
Usage: Keep this plant near doors and windows, you can also rub lavender on your skin to get lavender oil.
10. Basil
The aroma of basil stings mosquitoes, so it is poisonous to mosquitoes. This makes basil one of the most effective natural mosquito repellants. Studies have found that the plant offers 100 percent protection against malaria-carrying mosquitoes.
How to: Plant basil in small pots in the kitchen or elsewhere in the house, such as by a window.
11. Geranium
In Malaysia, this plant is called Pokok Jeremin. The plant is fragrant because of its high content of geraniol and tinbutanol, but mosquitoes hate the smell.
How to do it: Shake or blow on the plant until it develops an odor. You can also grow a geranium in a small pot and keep it in your kitchen, bedroom or living room. Not only do they protect your house from mosquito bites, but they also beautify the house with pretty flowers.
12. Garlic
Garlic has many uses, one of which is a natural insect repellant.
Method: Slice the garlic into thin slices and place them on the corners of doors and windows. You can also mix and chop garlic and lavender essential oils for even better results.
Originally published at https://www.tlw.com.