Mosquitoes are enemies for the occupants of the house. Apart from the sting that causes itching, certain types of mosquitoes even cause deadly diseases.
The number of mosquitoes in the house can be caused because in the house there are many “nests” that are comfortable for them to breed.
Plants can be a solution to make your home safe from the threat of mosquitoes. Here are 5 plants that can repel mosquitoes:
- Lemongrass
Lemongrass is one of the plants that is not liked by mosquitoes because of its smell. This plant has many benefits as a cooking ingredient. In Asia, citronella is often used as a spice and natural remedy to relieve headaches, reduce fever, and treat lice. Lemongrass also has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, which makes it a great natural ingredient for homemade cleaning products.
- Lavender
Everyone must have known that lavender is one of the plants that is often used as a mosquito repellent. According to The Spruce, this is because mosquitoes don’t like the sweet, soapy scent of lavender. A study shows that its strong smell can affect mosquitoes and make it difficult for them to live. Not only is it useful for repelling mosquitoes, but its strong aroma also contains linalool, a type of alcohol that can repel pests.
- Mint leaves
Mint is a great addition to any herbal remedy. It is a prolific and useful plant for a variety of cuisines and drinks. The strong mint scent of all types of mint leaves can be useful for repelling mosquitoes and other pests. The most effective mint variety is peppermint because it provides the strongest mint aroma. Research also shows that when peppermint is applied as an oil, it can prevent mosquitoes from approaching for 45 minutes to 2 hours.
- Basil
Basil is one of the most popular ingredients for housewives. Many people do not know that this kind of plant is not only useful as an ingredient for cooking, but also can repel mosquitoes. Several studies have found that the compounds in basil are highly toxic to mosquitoes and their larvae. Basil oil is the most effective ingredient in repelling mosquitoes but basil plant is also quite effective.
- Lantana
This plant is the plant that is most often placed near the bed. This is because, lantana is one of the plants that is believed to repel mosquitoes. Several studies have shown the efficacy of lantana in repelling mosquitoes. One particular study, has found that lantana is very effective in preventing mosquitoes that carry the disease malaria. Furthermore, it was found that mosquitoes that eat these plants live shorter lives and have reduced reproduction.