Some types of plants are considered mosquito repellent. But are they really that effective?
Creating an environment unsuitable for mosquitoes is not enough
Creating an environment unsuitable for mosquito life is definitely useful. Keeping the garden clean and free of any water stagnation and using plants whose aroma bothers mosquitoes can help fight this annoying insect.
Are there mosquito repellent plants?
There is no scientific study that demonstrates the real effectiveness of plants and flowers that act as natural mosquitoes. Some say that the aromas and fragrances of some types of plants are particularly unpleasant to the nose of a mosquito. Here are some examples.
Pelargonium
Commonly called Geranium, it is a very well known plant and used in gardens and balconies for its bright colors, the extraordinary beauty of the long blooms and the simplicity of cultivation.
For some years there has been an artificially selected variety, called Pelargonium Mosquitoaway (Geranium against mosquitoes), a nomenclature that has no scientific basis but only commercial. The green parts of the plant, especially if rubbed, give off a pleasant scent of lemongrass and lemon that theoretically should ward off mosquitoes.
Lavender
The types of lavender are numerous, all with colors in the range of purple-blue and with a typical aroma widely used in perfumery. Probably it is thought that the fragrance that the plant emits during flowering has repellent power towards mosquitoes as the moment of maturation of the ears coincides with the maximum expansion of mosquitoes. (June-September)
Rosemary, Mint, Basil
They are some aromatic plants used in the kitchen to whose intense aroma are attributed mosquito-repellent properties.
Catalpa, Catambra
They are tall trees that in the leaves contain a chemical compound called catalpolo that would be responsible for the repellent effect against mosquitoes but only in the radius below the foliage of the plant.
Eucalyptus
Tree that can reach a height of 25 meters whose typical smell would be unwelcome to mosquitoes.
Other plants such as LANTANA, CITRONELLA, CALENDULA, INCENSE etc.. are considered natural repellents for insects, but no plant is able to protect us from the raids of these ravenous bloodsuckers!
The only safe and effective tool to safeguard against mosquito bites is a perimeter mosquito control system capable of forming an efficient protective shield against mosquitoes.
