The one insect that many of us do not just fear, but also have a strong dislike for, mosquitoes. If you have not met them, they are a species of small flying insects that quite literally suck the blood out of you and in doing so, leave you with an insatiable itch that will last for days. Not to mention, if you happen to get bitten by an Aedes mosquito, its bite might even land you in the hospital for days. Without further ado, here are 3 ways to keep mosquitoes away and prevent them from breeding in the environment you live in!
- Grow an Anti-Mosquito Plant
A common ingredient in many anti-mosquito repellants and a well-known aromatherapy scent, the Citronella plant a great anti-mosquito plant to grow. Mosquitoes are averse to the strong citrus scent emitted by the Citronella plant, which is why having one around the home, especially around areas where you and your family gather, will help prevent those pesky mosquito bites.
Apart from the Citronella plant, the fast-growing Lemon Balm plant, which is related to the Mint plant, is also a natural mosquito repellant. Main difference between the Citronella and the Lemon Balm plant would be that the latter is able to resist droughts and grow in the shade; making it a perfect entry-level plant for beginners.
- Remove Stagnant Water
Regardless of how little or clean the water is, it may become a possible breeding ground for mosquitoes. Here are a few tips to prevent stagnant water from accumulating and places to keep an eye out for:
- Store watering buckets, pots and vases upside down when not in use and always leave them to dry completely before keeping them.
- Ensure there is proper drainage for any excess water drained from a plant.
- Remove any plate or saucer that your plant pot might be sitting on – they tend to trap water.
- Get Some Help
By help we mean, using mosquito repellant granules and oil – yes, cooking oil. If you have fresh flowers in a vase or a fresh Christmas Tree, we recommend adding a tablespoon of cooking oil to create a barrier that would prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs or add mosquito repellant granules. For leafy plants like the Money or Bamboo plant that are commonly grown in hydrogel, it would be best to change or thoroughly rinse out the hydrogel every couple of days to get rid of mosquito eggs, if any.
For more informative articles, head on over here! But if you are looking for plants and flowers to beautify your home or office, explore your options here.
