It’s also the time when mosquitoes tend to thrive. And when these pesky, uninvited creatures get in the way, you can bet they’ll ruin the party big time.
Fortunately, you have full control.
You can apply bug repellent lotions or drawn in sprays to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Or you can use the best insect repellent plants indoors and outdoors to get the same results.
Check out the following plants that kill mosquitoes and plant them before the Florida summer sun starts to shine.
List of Plants that Repel Mosquitoes in Florida
While there are countless insect repelling plants that you can plant in your yard to keep mosquitoes away, it’s best to choose the ones that not only smell but also look good.
Below are some of the options.
Basil
Basil isn’t just a great addition to dinner dishes on many dining tables these days. Besides supplementing tasty salads and pesto sauce, it doubles as a bug repellent thanks to its pungent smell that’s harsh to all kinds of mosquitoes.
Whichever the type of basil you choose to plant in your yard, mix in your garden, or place near mosquito entry points, make sure you keep them damp, give them good drainage, and place them where they can get enough sunlight.
Since all basil plants naturally release their scent from the leaves, you don’t necessarily need to need to crash them. Also, note that basil plants scent is also toxic to mosquito larvae, which means it can prevent mosquitoes from laying more egg if placed closed to standing water.
Planting basil isn’t the only way to get the most out of it. In its very form, Basil is an organic mosquito repellent that’s safe for adults and babies. As such, you can even rub it on your skin for direct protection from mosquito bites.
Marigold
There’s more to marigold plants than the beauty they add to your landscape. They’re also effective in repelling bugs and are therefore an option to consider if you want to keep mosquitoes away in the summer season in Florida.
Because marigold plants produce a unique scent that easily repels mosquitoes, you can get the most out of them by sticking them close to the most common mosquito entry points such as windows and doors. Also, consider adding the plants on a deck, balcony, and patio, especially if these are the places you frequent the most outdoors.
Spring season is usually the best time to plant marigolds. You can use planters or sow the seeds directly in almost any type of soil.
Lavender
The lavender plant doesn’t need an introduction, or does it? It’s the source of an essential oil that can uplift your moods and help you get a good night sleep. The plant has antifungal and antiseptic ingredients, which makes ideal for calming and soothing your skin.
As far as keeping bugs away is concerned, the lavender plant produces a strong smell that mosquitoes hate. To be precise, the lavender plant contains a compound called linalool, which is responsible for the production of an odor that pungent to mosquitoes but pleasant to people.
Linalool has a similar effect to DEET, so it can as easily overload the olfactory organs of mosquitoes and easily repel them on the spot.
To get the most out of this plant, simply place it in bunches near the entry points. Or you can buy it in the form of an essential oil and apply it on your skin. You’ll still get a similar effect.
Citronella
This isn’t the first time you’ve heard about citronella. It’s a common ingredient in many plant-based bug repellents, mostly because it produces a strong smell that insects hate.
Citronella grows between 5 and 6 feet in height and it can thrive directly in the ground on in pots provided there’s good drainage and enough sunlight.
As to whether this plant is super effective in keeping mosquitoes away is still a matter of debates. Established studies on the effectiveness of the plant show that it works well only to a certain degree.
Still, a low level of insect repulsion is better than no protection at all. So using citronella alongside plants such as lavender and lemongrass can still make a big difference.
Lemongrass
Lemongrass isn’t just delicious herbs to add to your salad dressings, soups, and Asian recipes. It’s also a bug repellent that contains the citronella oil, which produces a pungent smell that mosquitoes of all kinds can’t stand.
According to this study, the scent produced by lemongrass is so strong that it can easily kill or repel about 95% of mosquitoes from a wide range of species.
Wormwood
Velvet-like in appearance and silver green in color, the wormwood plant can add style and coziness to your backyard and even indoors. As attractive as it naturally looks to the human eyes, this plant produces a scent that mosquitoes simply can’t stand.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=\u002d\u002dTxuKZOsNQ
