What Herb or Plant Repels Mosquito or No-see-ums?
Many plants or herbs are not very effective as insect repellents in their natural state. Products made containing essential oils from the plant, however, can be much more effective. Some plants are more productive dried than fresh. Does this Spark an idea?
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Lemon-Scented Plants
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Mosquitoes dislike citrus-scented plants; so growing herbs such as catmint, lemon-scented geraniums, thyme and lemon balm could help to keep insects away. Crushing the leaves to release the scent increases their effectiveness.
Citronella
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Essential oils of the citronella plant can be used to produce natural insect repellent. The pungent lemon fragrance can be made into candles, which are unappealing to mosquitoes when they are burning and releasing the scent.
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Eucalyptus
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Candles scented with eucalyptus help deter midges and flying insects. A mosquito repellent made from eucalyptus oil has actually been found to be attractive to no-see-ums, according to a 1999 article in the Journal of Medical Entomology.
Pennyroyal
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When rubbed on the skin, the crushed leaves of the pennyroyal herb will repel gnats and mosquitoes. It is, however, toxic and should never be ingested.
Neem
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Oil from the neem tree can be used in insect repellents. It works by suppressing the insect's appetite, so although insects are still present, they have no urge to feed or bite. It can be used as an oil on the skin or can be burned as incense.
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