Plants That Repel Mosquitoes Are a Lie
You really can’t get on the internet without coming across lists of the top 17 or 25 mosquito repellent plants, or mosquito repellent plants that are good in the shade, or that are non-toxic to dogs, or whatever. It seems that people only want to talk about plants that repel mosquitoes and never think: wait, do plants really repel mosquitoes?
Not! They don’t! At least not in the way you think. The point of all these lists (and the contentless TikTok ones like the one where someone makes a video of them buying a lavender plant) is that simply planting one of these supposedly insect-repelling plants will keep mosquitoes (or other pests) away. your yard. But this idea is basically wishful thinking. There is some truth to this: some plants do contain oils that can potentially repel mosquitoes, but you will need to put the oils between you and the mosquitoes somehow. And that’s easier said than done.
Research, such as this study of malaria vectors in Kenya , has shown that potted plants (including lime basil and common lantana) can slightly reduce mosquitoes around the bed, but you need to crush the plant leaves and completely surround your bed. with them – and even in this case, the effect is not strong enough so that mosquitoes do not bite you; it only slightly reduces their number.
There are also studies like this one showing that chemicals extracted from vegetable oils are used in diffusers and candles. can repel mosquitoes to some extent, and some vegetable oils can act as mosquito repellants when applied directly to the skin. This study found that citronella, clove, and patchouli oils can work well enough to be effective repellants (defined as acting for at least two hours), but they must be undiluted to work best. (Other vegetable oils tested didn’t work well enough to be considered truly repellant.)
By the time we’re talking about massaging undiluted essential oils into your skin, I think we’re pretty far from the fantasy of planting a few lavender bushes next to your back porch to enjoy mosquito-free cooking. (Not to mention, essential oils are expensive, can irritate the skin, and often evaporate quickly.) If you want to put something on your skin to prevent bug bites, buy one of the EPA-registered plant-based bug sprays . and actually effective .
How to keep mosquitoes away from your porch or deck
So, if you can’t repel mosquitoes with lavender or citronella plants, what can you do to keep your backyard gatherings from attracting mosquitoes?
First, inspect your yard for sources of standing water. These can be bird baths, buckets or flower pots to collect rainwater, paddling pools, or other toys or items. If you can’t stop them from collecting water, the CDC recommends throwing them away and cleaning them weekly.
You can buy insecticides to kill mosquitoes. Larvicides can kill baby mosquitoes in the water; they are designed for water that is not meant to be drunk and that you cannot easily pour out (such as a rainwater barrel or a pool cover that collects water). Addalicides kill adult mosquitoes where they rest, usually on the underside of plants, below decks, and under outdoor furniture. Adalticides are available in the form of sprays, coils and foggers.
Finally, the simplest solution when you have guests over and want to enjoy a beer on your porch without being eaten alive: a box fan . Mosquitoes aren’t strong enough fliers to fight the blast generated by a fan, and if it’s a hot summer day, you’ll enjoy the breeze yourself. Offer your guests some DEET when they arrive and you’ll get rid of mosquitoes much better than if you were hoping a few garden plants would protect you.