Keep mosquitoes away naturally.

Mosquitoes transmit diseases to an estimated six hundred million people annually worldwide. Many of the people infected will die from the disease.

The mosquito-borne diseases, such as yellow fever, dengue fever, chikungunya, Zika fever, and Mayaro, are spread mainly by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Malaria, on the other hand, is transmitted through the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito.

During the summer and with the rainy season at hand, these little pests are all over the place. You must protect your family, particularly young children and older people, from being beaten. Last year, a co-worker went to South America for his sister’s wedding, and a few days after returning to the USA, he died from malaria.

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of chemicals on the market today that are used to fight, kill, and repel mosquitoes. Unfortunately, they all have side effects and can potentially be harmful to you, your family, and your pets.

For example, let us look at DDT. The inventor won a Nobel Prize in 1948, and it was used for several years to eradicate mosquitoes and other pests in America and other parts of the World. Today, it is banned because it is very TOXIC. It is no longer used as a pesticide for crops, but it is still widely used to fight mosquitoes.

The creator knew what he was doing, so he created natural ways to protect you. Here are eight plants that can help:

1. Ageratum Plant

Ageratum is an annual herb that grows about 60 cm high and produces small pink flowers. Its origin is in Central America and the Caribbean. It can also be found in several tropical and sub-tropical countries, including Brazil.

How to prepare:

Buy the Plant from your local nursery or home and garden store.

• You can grow the Plant in your backyard garden, or on your patio, and it will repel mosquitoes.
• Or you can cut the Plant into small pieces, rinse it out, or use the leaves. Put two cups of water in a pot and bring to a boil. Add the cut Plant and/or leaves to the boiling water, turn off the heat, and cover for one hour. After it is cooled, strain through a fine strainer, pour some into a spray bottle until it is ¾ full, and fill the remaining ¼ with rubbing alcohol. Put the rest in a closed bottle and place it in the fridge to keep it as a mosquito repellent for the entire season. You can then spray a small portion around the house (make sure you and your children are not allergic to the Plant).
• You can also purchase the oil from your health food store. Put a few drops in a small spray bottle, add some rubbing alcohol or water, shake, and spray around the house.

2. Basil Plant

Originating from India, it is used as a culinary herb that is extremely popular in many Italian dishes. Basil is a tropical Plant that needs plenty of sunshine. It grows both outdoors and indoors and is easily found at any garden store.

How to prepare:

• You can grow the Plant in your backyard garden, or on your patio, and it will repel mosquitoes.
• Or you can cut the Plant into small pieces, rinse it out, or use the leaves. Put two cups of water in a pot and bring to a boil. Put the cut Plant and or leaves in the boiling water, turn off the heat, and cover for one hour. After it is cooled, strain with a fine strainer. Pour some into a spray bottle up to ¾, and fill up the other ¼ with rubbing alcohol. Put the rest in a closed bottle and place it in the fridge to keep it as a mosquito repellent for the entire season. You can then spray a small portion around the house (make sure you and your children are not allergic to the Plant).
• You can also purchase the oil from your health food store. Put a few drops in a small spray bottle, add some rubbing alcohol or water, shake, and spray around the house.

3. Catnip Plant

Catnip is a member of the mint family, a perennial herb, and originates from North America and Europe. It is widely grown in gravelly soil, near streams, fields, and dry waste ground.

How to prepare:

• You can grow the Plant in your backyard garden, or on your patio, and it will repel mosquitoes that way.
• Or you can cut the Plant into small pieces, rinse it out, or use the leaves. Put two cups of water in a pot and bring to a boil. Add the cut Plant and/or leaves to the boiling water, turn off the heat, and cover for one hour. After it is cooled, strain with a fine strainer. Pour some into a spray bottle up to ¾, and fill up the other ¼ with rubbing alcohol. Put the rest in a closed bottle and place it in the fridge to keep it as a mosquito repellent for the entire season. You can then spray a small portion around the house (make sure you and your children are not allergic to the Plant).
• You can also purchase the oil from your health food store. Put a few drops in a small spray bottle, add some rubbing alcohol or water, shake, and spray around the house.
• Dry the leaves and use them as potpourri, as dried leaves retain their fragrance. If you have a cat, they will love you for that

4. Citronella Plant

Origin: India. Citronella is a tall tropical grass related to lemongrass. Unlike the lemongrass, citronella is not edible due to its unpleasant taste. It does not function as an insect repellent when planted. It is not recommended to Plant citronella in your backyard garden because of its invasive behavior.

How to prepare:

• Cut the leaves, rinse them, crush them, and place them in a small, open container; the aroma will discourage mosquitoes.
• Purchase the oil from your health food store. Put a few drops in a small spray bottle, add some rubbing alcohol or water, shake, and spray around the house.
• “Iowa State University recommends applying the oil directly to the skin or clothing, but notes that some people may be allergic to this Plant. To test for allergic reaction to the citronella oil, apply it to the inner forearm a day or so before using it as a topical repellent.”

5. Lavender Plant

Origin: In Asia, the lavender Plant is one of nature’s best and has been in use since ancient times. The Egyptians even used it as perfume and for bathing. Lavender is mentioned often in the holy book, the Bible. John 12:3 “Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard (from the Greek name for lavender, naardus), very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.”

How to prepare:

• You can grow the Plant in your backyard garden, or on your patio, and it will repel mosquitoes.
• Use the blossom; wash it. Put two cups of water in a pot and bring to a boil. Put the blossom in the boiling water, turn off the heat, and cover for one hour. After it has cooled, strain it through a fine strainer and pour some into a spray bottle. Put the rest in a closed bottle and place it in the fridge to keep it as a mosquito repellent for the entire season. You can then spray a small portion around the house (make sure you and your children are not allergic to the Plant).
• You can also purchase the oil from your health food store. Put a few drops in a small spray bottle, add some water, shake, and spray around the house.
• Dry the blossom and use it as a potpourri, because dried blossom retains its beautiful perfumery fragrance.

6. Lemongrass Plant

Origin: In India, lemongrass is a perennial herb and is widely cultivated for commercial purposes in Paraguay, India, England, Guatemala, China, Sri Lanka, Africa, and Central and South America. Thai people use it in many of their cooking recipes.

How to prepare:

• You can grow the Plant in your backyard garden, or on your patio, and it will repel mosquitoes.
• Cut the leaves into small pieces and rinse them. Put two cups of water in a pot and bring to a boil. Put the cut Plant and or leaves in the boiling water, turn off the heat, and cover for one hour. After it has cooled, strain it through a fine strainer and pour some into a spray bottle. Put the rest in a closed bottle and refrigerate it to keep it as a mosquito repellent for the entire season. You can then spray a small portion around the house or directly on the skin (make sure you and your children are not allergic to the Plant).
• You can also purchase the oil from your local health food store. Put a few drops in a small spray bottle, add some rubbing alcohol or water, shake, and spray around the house.
• Crush the green leaves and place them in an open container. Put the container in a safe place.

7. Marigolds Plant

Origin: Central America. Marigold plants are now found throughout the tropics and subtropical regions of the World. They are cultivated in India and Pakistan for medicinal purposes, flavoring, dye, and as ornamental plants.

How to prepare:

• You can grow the Plant in your backyard garden, or on your patio, and it will repel mosquitoes.
• Use the leaves and blossoms; wash them. Put two cups of water in a pot and bring to a boil. Put the cut Plant and or leaves in the boiling water, turn off the heat, and cover for one hour. After it is cooled, strain through a fine strainer, pour some into a spray bottle until it is ¾ full, and fill the remaining ¼ with rubbing alcohol. Put the rest in a closed bottle and place it in the fridge to keep it as a mosquito repellent for the entire season. You can then spray a small portion around the house (make sure you and your children are not allergic to the Plant).
• You can also purchase the oil from your health food store. Put a few drops in a small spray bottle, add some rubbing alcohol or water, shake, and spray around the house.

8. Rosemary Plant

Origin: Europe, Rosemary is a common herb used in thousands of recipes, and is a very aromatic Plant

How to prepare Rosemary Plant Mosquito Repellent:

• Growing the Plant in your backyard garden or patio will help repel mosquitoes naturally.
• Cut the Plant into small pieces, boil them in water for two minutes, turn off the heat, and cover for one hour. After it is cooled, strain through a fine strainer, pour some into a spray bottle until it is ¾ full, and fill the remaining ¼ with rubbing alcohol. Put the rest in a closed bottle and place it in the fridge to keep it as a mosquito repellent for the entire season. You can then spray a small portion around the house (make sure you and your children are not allergic to the Plant).
• You can also purchase the oil from your health food store. Put a few drops in a small spray bottle, add some rubbing alcohol or water, shake, and spray around the house.

Use a Natural Essential Oil Mosquito Spray

Most effective essential oils:

• Lemon eucalyptus
• Peppermint
• Tea tree
• Lavender
• Citronella

Quick DIY recipe:

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup witch hazel
• 20–30 drops of essential oil

Shake well. Spray lightly on skin or clothing (patch test first).

Final Takeaway

Natural mosquito control works best when layered. Combine plants, airflow, oils, and habitat control to dramatically reduce mosquitoes—while keeping your space healthy, peaceful, and joyful.