What Are the Best Plants to Keep Mosquitoes Away?
Mosquitoes look for familiar scents to find hosts to feed on. Therefore, strong fragrances can keep mosquitoes away by distracting them or masking other smells. Certain plants and herbs can help keep mosquitoes away when you crush their leaves or stems to get to their oils.
It’s important to remember that plants won’t control your mosquito problems on their own. Working with a professional mosquito exterminator is always your best option.
Plants That Keep Mosquitoes Away
Some plants’ oils can work as natural mosquito repellents. This means that planting a garden with a wide variety of plants can aid in creating mosquito repellents. Some of these plants are:
- Citronella. Geraniums are often sold as “mosquito plants” in big box garden centers. However, citronella grass is the easiest plant to extract citronella oil from.
- Lavender. Lavender works to mask the carbon dioxide in our exhale with its strong fragrance.
- Marigolds. Marigolds are beautiful and easy to grow on top of being great at repelling mosquitoes with their scent. They also prevent aphids, whiteflies, and other pests from taking over your garden.
- Rosemary, basil & thyme. All of these herbs block mosquito activity with heavy fragrances.
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Do Mosquitoes Feed on Garden Plants?
Many people think mosquitoes only feed on blood, but this isn’t true. In fact, mosquitoes mainly feed on nectar. Male mosquitoes actually don’t draw blood at all—they feed on nectar, plant sap, and honeydew. Female mosquitoes only suck our blood to attain the right nutrients to reproduce. Mosquitoes are mostly sustaining themselves with nectar, just like many other insects in your garden.
What Scents Stop Mosquitoes?
Scent is one of the most common ways that mosquitoes find hosts. Female mosquitoes are always on the lookout for carbon dioxide, which is released when people exhale. This allows scents and fragrances to keep mosquitoes away by disorienting them. Perfumes, citronella candles, and other scents can work to prevent mosquito problems in your home or garden in Vermont.
What Are The Best Plants to Keep Mosquitoes Away? in Vermont
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