Plants and Herbs That Will Naturally Repel Mosquitoes

The heat of the summer brings with it one major downside: mosquitoes. I don’t know about you, but when those pesky little bugs take a bite out me and leave behind an irritating itch or mark on my skin that lasts for weeks, all sorts of things go through my head – mainly “why are they so damn annoying?” Thankfully there’s something we can do to repel them!

Planting lemongrass in your backyard not only adds some great flavor to any dish (and is useful for other reasons) but will also act as natural deterrents against these pests. Scientists and researchers have done studies that show just how effective this can be. But first, let’s take a little look at the astounding lemongrass plant.

What is Lemongrass?
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is a tall perennial grass, native to Asia, Australia and Africa. It grows into long stems with an earthy aroma that leaves a subtle citrus-floral taste in the mouth of those who consume it regularly.

Lemongrass was first discovered on Sri Lanka but has since been adopted by many Asian countries for use as both culinary herb and medicinal plant due to its high potency against infections such as malaria or tuberculosis. The tall stalks of lemongrass grow up to ten feet in height.

However, the softer inner cores are used for cooking purposes and have a citrusy flavor that adds complexity when grilled or roasted with other vegetables.

How Lemongrass Repels Mosquitoes
Lemongrass is an herb commonly used in natural mosquito repellent. It contains citronella, a key ingredient found in candles and lotions designed to keep mosquitoes at bay. And research says it actually works! The essential oil ‘citronella’ contained within lemongrass has been proven effective against mosquitos by recent studies – you can now enjoy the summer without being bitten thanks to these pesky pests! There is now a solution to the mosquito problem!

The oil supposedly works by masking scents that are attractive to insects, according to the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC). This potent mix of components including citronellal, citronella, and geraniol will keep mosquitoes at bay. Citronella oil is one of the most commonly used mosquito repellents.

A study published in Journal of Parasitology Research found that citronella was effective at repelling mosquitoes, but its effectiveness decreased over time to just under 60% after 2 hours. Citronella oil has long been used to keep bugs away and it seems that this is for good reason.

A recent study found the effective range of citronella, at least in keeping mosquitoes from biting human subjects, was up to 3 hours with 100% mortality recorded after 18 minutes. The results are especially interesting because they show not only that insects do react but also how quickly they can be repelled or killed by certain substances such as oils like citronella which have traditionally been associated more with pleasant scents than protection against pests.

Planting a lot of lemongrasses is not only good for combating mosquitoes, but it also smells wonderfully. You can keep pesky insects away by crushing the leaves and rubbing them onto your skin. The best way to do this would be using an oil diffuser or placing crushed lemon grass in small bowls that are placed around your home as well as on yourself!

The leaves of the citronella plant have a refreshing lemony scent that will help keep bugs away. However, it is best to crush them and rub their oily juice directly onto your skin – this way you can protect yourself against mosquitoes as they fly around during summertime!

You know that pesky mosquito buzzing in your ear? Keep them away with the intense fragrance of lemongrass! Plant it along a walkway, on your porch, or anywhere you sit to deter mosquitoes. You can leave it as is and rub pieces onto yourself for even more protection. For planting tips make sure they get plenty of light and water – this will help strengthen their growth!

How to Plant Lemongrass to Repel Mosquitoes
Lemongrass is a hardy plant that will grow best in full sun and good draining soil. It can be grown as an annual or perennial, depending on where you live. Growing lemongrass may not always be easy but it should provide plenty of rewards for your effort!

For those looking to start their own lemongrass, you can propagate from an actual plant in the grocery store or by planting seeds. I’ll give a quick overview of both below:

Timing
For a successful lemongrass plant, make sure you start your seeds or propagating roots in late winter. Transplant outside only once daytime temperatures are consistently above 10ºC (50ºF).

Starting from Seed
1). I’ve used a few different methods of starting seeds. My favorite is to get some rich, organic soil and then press the lemongrass seeds into it an inch deep (or about 1/4-inch). It’s important not to bury them too much or they won’t germinate properly – I like using seedling trays with plastic domes on top so that my tiny little greenhouse stays warm all winter long!

2). Cover your seeds in a cool, dark place. Keep moist and warm right before planting time to stimulate growth.

3). You should start to see lemongrass sprouts come from the ground in about 5-20 days, but once you do, be sure not to remove their dome! Once they’ve shown signs of life (aka have started growing), take off the protective cover and place them somewhere that will give them plenty of sun exposure.

Propagating
1). After the sun has set, head to your nearest grocery store (ethnic food stores are also good) and find that elusive lemongrass plant.

2). As soon as you get through the door, grab your kitchen shears and trim off what looks like a few inches of lemongrass from each plant. Grab some gloves too – there might be a bit of dirt up in that mess! Lemongrass is one fragrant way to brighten that dish with citrusy notes while also adding plenty of health benefits for those watching their weight or trying to avoid added sugars.

3). Place your stalks in a shallow glass of water and place them near the sun for a few weeks. (change out the water once a day).

4). Tiny roots should start to form at the base of the lemongrass stalk. Wait for these tiny root sies found at this particular spot on each lemongrass stalks, and wait when they become a bit more mature before transferri ng them into pots with soil so that it will germinate in their natural environment better!

5). The first step to planting a potted plant is making sure the crown of the plant is just below the surface. Next, find an area that gets plenty of light and water it regularly.

Growing
Growing lemongrass from seed requires commitment and patience, but the rewards are worth it. For best results in your home garden, harden off individual seedlings before transplanting them into larger containers with good drainage – keep moist 2-3 times a week or more during hotter weather to maintain adequate moisture levels for optimal growth!

For propagated plants that are not already in a large 5-gallon well-drained container, consider transplanting them into one. Keep the soil moist – water 2-3 times per week or more when it’s hotter out. When planting lemongrass in pots, make sure to position the plant so that it is around where you would sit outside at night.

This will help deter mosquitoes and other bugs. Lemongrass can also be planted directly into soil if winter doesn’t get too cold – just prepare your garden bed before hand with fertilizers for a successful survival rate! When winter is approaching, it’s important to prepare your plants for the cold months ahead.

Cut back any tall foliage on your plant and keep an eye out for pests so that they don’t eat away at them through the long nights.

Also be sure not to over- or underwater them while you’re protecting their roots from freezing temperatures with a burlap sack or other covering material.

Harvest
Harvesting lemongrass is great for more than just cooking. Rub it on your skin to keep mosquitoes away, and make sure you cut the stalk at least 1/2-inch thick before picking!

Other Benefits of Planting Lemongrass
Lemongrass is a versatile herb that has many uses in the home. It not only can ward off mosquitos but also offers numerous benefits to health and wellbeing, including relieving inflammation of chronic illnesses such as arthritis or lowering blood pressure with its diuretic effect. Lemongrass tea extracts have even been used for menstrual cramps and headaches!

1. Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Lemongrass, a yellow-colored herb that is often used in Asian dishes for its medicinal purposes, may have the power to ease pain and inflammation. Lemongrass contains two compounds called citral and geranial which are known, anti-inflammatory agents. These substances reduce the expression of inflammatory markers (proteins) within your body by blocking different pathways through transcription factors.

2. May Relieve Symptoms of PMS
You can use lemongrass tea to help manage your symptoms of PMS. Lemongrass contains stomach-soothing properties and anti-inflammatories, which may reduce the prostaglandins that are often involved in pain and inflammation triggering uterine muscle contractions.

3. May Alleviate Headaches
There are many ways that lemongrass can make your life more pleasant, such as relieving pain from headaches and migraines. Lemongrass contains a compound called eugenol which is similar to aspirin in its ability to prevent blood platelets from sticking together, but it also triggers serotonin release.

This hormone helps regulate our moods and sleep patterns if they aren’t synced properly – both of which can be major headache-triggers when not managed well enough!

4. May Reduce Anxiety and Stress
The power of aromatherapy is undeniable, with one potent option being lemongrass. In a study that combined massage and essential oils in the form of massages for relaxation purposes, it was found that this helped reduce stress levels as well as diastolic blood pressure – but had no effect on systolic or pulse rates.

Other Mosquito-Repelling Tips
Mosquitoes are one of the most annoying bugs, and when they decide to swarm your house it can be a major pain. Aside from planting lemongrass around your patio or porch, here are some other tips you can utilize so that mosquitoes stay away:

Keep your lawn short
Don’t keep stagnant water laying around (change bird bath water, dump out water from childrens toys, etc.)
Plant mint, garlic and basil (mosquitoes also hate the scent of these plants!)
Sprinkle coffee grounds in standing water
Invite bats into your yard – a single brown bat can scarf down over 1,000 mosquitoes every hour (you can do so by installing a bat house)
Create your own breeze by strategically placing fans on your deck or porch
Use natural insect repellent if you need to
Make your own mosquito-repellent mason jars