Some plants don’t just look nice; they also help keep mosquitoes away. These natural repellents give off smells that mosquitoes can’t stand. And the best part? You can grow or use them at home without spending a lot of money. Here are our top four.
1. Neem (Azadirachta indica)
How to use it:
· Burn dried neem leaves in the evening to make mosquito-repelling smoke.
· Crush the leaves and leave them near windows or doorways.
· Use neem oil in a lamp or mix it with water to spray around the house.
Why it works: In tests, smoke from burning neem (especially when mixed with eucalyptus and basil) helped stop over 90% of mosquitoes from landing on or biting people.
2. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)
How to use it:
· Plant it near your doorway or windows.
· Crush the leaves with your hands to release more scent.
· Boil the leaves and use the cooled water as a spray.
Why it works: Lemongrass contains citronella, a natural lemony-smelling oil that repels and kills mosquitoes.
3. Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
How to use it:
· Grow basil in pots near doors or windows.
· Rub a leaf on your skin if you’re not sensitive.
· Burn dried basil leaves to make smoke in the evening.
Why it works: Basil contains oils that help kill mosquito larvae and repel adult mosquitoes.
4. Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus or citriodora)
How to use it:
· Burn dried eucalyptus leaves near your home before bedtime.
· Add eucalyptus oil to a lamp or mix it with water to spray around windows.
Why it works: Eucalyptus oil contains eucalyptol, which repels mosquitoes. Lemon eucalyptus oil is even recommended by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) for use in malaria areas.
Conclusion
Nature has given us simple tools to protect our homes from mosquitoes. These plants are easy to grow and cheap to use, so whether you burn them, plant them, or turn them into sprays, a little green power can help you sleep easier at night.
References https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/types-of-essential-oils-for-mosquitoes https://www.ajol.info/index.php/easci/article/view/235386
Effectiveness of Azadirachta indica (neem tree) on prevention and treatment of clinical human malaria: A systematic review https://scispace.com/pdf/studies-on-mosquito-repellent-activity-of-cymbopogon-4d5mcczem8.pdf
https://www.homesciencejournal.com/archives/2017/vol3issue2/PartC/3-2-13.pdf
STUDIES ON MOSQUITO REPELLENT ACTIVITY OF CYMBOPOGON CITRATUS (LEMON GRASS) USING HUMAN VOLUNTEERS https://easletters.com/article/the-efficiency-of-ethanolic-extract-of-ocimum-basilicum-leaves-and-flowers-agiainst-mosquito-larvae-leqymr5vsqldcm6
The Efficiency of Ethanolic Extract of Ocimum basilicum Leaves and Flowers agiainst Mosquito Larvae https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8643535/
Repellent Efficacy of Eucalyptus globulus and Syzygium aromaticum Essential Oils against Malaria Vector, Anopheles stephensi (Diptera: Culicidae)
