Contents
The mosquito
Mosquitoes belong to a family of insects that includes 3,540 species that have the particularity of having a particular mouth apparatus, in females, which allows them to bite other animals and draw blood. The ideal habitat of mosquitoes, in the first phase of their life, is represented by fresh and brackish stagnant water of different extent and depth. Adults tend to live in artificial environments near moist calving grounds. They have crepuscular and nocturnal habits, taking refuge during the day in cool and shady cavities like hollow trees. The injected saliva is capable of triggering more or less severe allergic reactions depending on individual sensitivity, so they do not represent a serious health problem in the absence of transmissible diseases.
mosquito repellent plants
There are many methods to keep mosquitoes away, in fact you can use creams, sprays, candles, mosquito nets, but there is a natural remedy that is interesting from a decorative point of view. Indeed, several plants grow in the garden or on the terrace and keep mosquitoes away from houses. The main plants that can be grown to repel mosquitoes are: Lemongrass, Basil, Lavender, Catnip, Calendula, Geranium, Catambra, Agerato, Monarda, which has a thick character and a citrus aroma. It can be grown both in the garden and in a pot in a place that is not too sunny. Lemongrass is resistant to cold, so it must be put in a sheltered place in winter.
basil
Basil is a plant usually grown for cooking, but can be useful in repelling mosquitoes. The plant is resistant to temperatures between 20 and 25 degrees centigrade, but it is very afraid of standing water. Lavender has beautiful flowers that are also grown for their beauty, it is a plant that requires very little care and adapts easily to life in arid environments and rocky soils and also in direct exposure to the sun. The ideal soil is clay and well drained, as it does not tolerate standing water. Catnip is an ornamental and medicinal plant. The plant contains menthol, a very insect-repellent substance thanks to the intense aroma it gives off. It should be avoided if you have cats, as they are attracted to them.
Plants commonly used against common mosquito species are obviously also very effective against the tiger mosquito. Calendula is a herbaceous plant with orange flowers that bloom all summer until November. It is a plant that loves the sun, but it also adapts easily to indoor cultivation. The soil should be soft and not too acidic. Geranium is a widely grown ornamental plant that easily adapts even to high temperatures, it is not exposed to direct sunlight, but it is afraid of cold. The Catambra does not present any particular precautions since it lives just as well outdoors. The shadow is in the sun. Agerato has purplish-blue flowers and a long bloom suitable for flower beds. Monarda has similar characteristics to Lemongrass.