What Are the Best Plants to Keep Mosquitoes Away?
To locate hosts to feed on, mosquitoes rely heavily on their sense of smell! With that in mind, it makes sense that certain strong scents can actually work to repel mosquitoes by blocking our natural scent. Several plants and herbs in particular can help keep mosquitoes away, but only when the leaves or stems are crushed to reach the oils within.
While plants can possibly deter these pests, it’s important to always work with a professional mosquito exterminator to keep mosquitoes away.
4 Plants That Repel Mosquitoes
The oils derived from certain 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:
- Lavender. As one of the most fragrant plants, lavender oil can help deter a mosquito by blocking its sense of smell.
- 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.
- 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?
Mosquitoes aren’t only blood-suckers! In fact, the main part of the mosquito diet is nectar, which they get from feeding on plants. Male mosquitoes in particular feed only on nectar, plantsap, and honeydew. Female mosquitoes only feed on blood in order to be able to reproduce. So, just like other insects in your garden, mosquitoes are mostly getting their nutrients from flowering plants.
What Smells Keep Mosquitoes Away?
Certain scents attract mosquitoes. Female mosquitoes use their keen sense of smell to locate carbon dioxide, which is breathed out by people nearby. So, scents and fragrances can work to repel mosquitoes by disorienting them. Citronella candles and other scents can help to keep mosquitoes away from your home or garden in Iowa.
What Are The Best Plants to Keep Mosquitoes Away? in Des Moines
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