National Dengue Day 2025: 9 plants that repel mosquitoes

Dengue, a mosquito-borne viral an infection attributable to the dengue virus, impacts tens of millions of individuals throughout the globe. Roughly 100 to 400 million infections happen yearly, and about half of the world’s inhabitants is now in danger, in keeping with the World Well being Group. Stagnant water can appeal to the contaminated feminine Aedes aegypti mosquito, which might simply transmit the virus to you and your loved ones members. That’s why it’s important to maintain your environment clear and take away stagnant water from the world. One other factor you are able to do is to develop some vegetation that preserve mosquitoes away. As India observes Nationwide Dengue Day on Might 16, let’s pledge to go greener and cleaner!

Crops that preserve mosquitoes away

After an contaminated mosquito bites you, you could expertise sudden excessive fever, extreme headache, ache behind the eyes, muscle and joint ache, nausea, pores and skin rash, and fatigue. “These dengue signs can final for two to 7 days,” says inner drugs knowledgeable Dr Abbas Chopdawala. In case you don’t need to expertise these signs, deliver dwelling the next vegetation that preserve mosquitoes away:

1. Eucalyptus

“Recognized for its clear, menthol-like aroma, eucalyptus comprises eucalyptol (cineole) and citronellal, each extremely efficient in repelling mosquitoes,” says the knowledgeable. Throughout a examine, printed in BMC, it was discovered that eucalyptus protected towards mosquitoes for 8 hours. You possibly can plant eucalyptus timber open air or get a small one indoors or crush a number of leaves to launch the oils.

2. Marigold

These flowers comprise pyrethrum, a pure compound discovered in lots of insect repellents. “Their robust, musky scent deters mosquitoes and different pests like whiteflies and aphids,” says the knowledgeable. They are often planted across the backyard borders, window sills, or close to doorways.

3. Citronella grass

This is likely one of the vegetation that preserve mosquitoes away. “Citronella grass emits a powerful citrusy scent that masks human odours,” says the knowledgeable. It’s the generally used ingredient in citronella candles. It grows properly in pots and desires a heat, sunny spot.

4. Lavender

Lavender, one of many vegetation that preserve mosquitoes away, comprises linalool, a compound with confirmed insect-repelling properties. Its candy floral scent is pleasant to people however disliked by mosquitoes. It grows properly in pots close to home windows or backyard borders.

5. Holy basil (tulsi)

The advantages of holy basil or tulsi usually are not restricted to higher digestion and immunity. It’s among the many vegetation that preserve mosquitoes away, as tulsi emits eugenol and estragole, which act as pure mosquito deterrents. You possibly can plant it in sunny areas close to home windows or doorways.

6. Lemon balm

It’s mint-family plant wealthy in citronellal and geraniol. Its lemony scent confuses the bugs, which is why it’s a part of the checklist of vegetation that preserve mosquitoes away. Lemon balm acts as pure insect repellent, particularly towards mosquitoes, in keeping with analysis printed in Complementary And Different Medication.

7. Peppermint

It’s possible you’ll be utilizing peppermint oil to eliminate darkish circles. Seems, its menthol content material provides it a cooling aroma that mosquitoes keep away from. “Crushed leaves might be rubbed on pores and skin, however patch take a look at first,” suggests the knowledgeable. It spreads shortly, so make certain to develop it in containers.

8. Catnip

If you’re a cat momma, you could be acquainted with catnip or Nepeta cataria. It’s a plant recognized for the joy it is ready to create in cats. Your furry pal might like it, however it’s a part of the checklist of vegetation that preserve mosquitoes away. It comprises nepetalactone, which can be more practical than DEET in repelling mosquitoes. As compared with different mosquito repellents like DEET and picaridin, catnip oil might be thought-about as a comparatively safer choice, in keeping with analysis printed in Medical And Veterinary Entomology. Researchers discovered that making use of it might solely trigger minor pores and skin irritation.

9. Rosemary

“Woody and fragrant, rosemary comprises camphor and rosmarinic acid, which work as pure deterrents,” says the knowledgeable. Burn rosemary throughout household gatherings exterior your house, because it releases a aromatic smoke that retains mosquitoes away.

Crops that preserve mosquitoes away: Easy methods to maintain them?

Whereas there are vegetation that preserve mosquitoes away, poor plant care can create breeding grounds. Right here’s the way to take care of them:

• Keep away from stagnant water: Many mosquito species lay eggs in nonetheless water, so be sure that pots, trays, or plant containers don’t gather and retain water. Be sure to empty saucers after watering the vegetation.
• Correct drainage: Use well-draining soil and pots with drainage holes. Elevate pots in case you really feel the necessity. This manner it would preserve water from pooling beneath.
• Prune often: Overgrown vegetation can appeal to pests and scale back airflow. So, trim often to maintain them wholesome and bushy.
• Water accurately: Overwatering not solely kills vegetation, but additionally creates extra moisture that pulls mosquitoes. Water vegetation throughout early morning hours and solely as wanted.

There are vegetation that preserve mosquitoes away by releasing robust scents that intrude with their sense of scent, and make it more durable for them to find folks. Incorporating these vegetation into your house can function a secure, eco-friendly deterrent, which is especially vital throughout dengue season. Nonetheless, make certain to scrub the pots and don’t go overboard with watering vegetation.