Merely growing these mosquito-repelling plants isn’t a standalone way to deter pests. You need to increase the insect-repelling power of the plants by releasing their essential oils. Add some cuttings from the plants to the grill (most relevant when the plants are known for their culinary value). Chop the leaves and stems of the plants and scatter them on your lawn and around the outdoor living areas. If you’re pressed for time before going outdoors, just add some stems of the plants to areas with foot traffic to release some mosquito-repelling oils with every step you take.
Do Mosquito-Repelling Plants Actually Work?
Biting insects that feed on blood (such as mosquitoes and ticks) locate their targets by sensing the odors and gases given off by warm-blooded creatures. Sweat and the carbon dioxide given off by breathing are key attractors. Garden plants that have strong scents can help to camouflage the scents that these insects use to target their victims, thereby confusing the bugs and protecting us from bites. But it’s rarely enough to simply fill your landscape with growing plants of these types and hope that mosquitoes will vanish. In most cases, you’ll need a more concentrated form of the plant’s scent, which can be obtained by burning or crushing the leaves to release the essential oils that produce the odor.
