The Plant You Can Grow To Organically Repel Mosquitoes

I don’t know anyone on this planet that enjoys the company of mosquitoes. They are definitely one of the most revolting vermin this world has to offer; existing only to suck blood from healthy bodied people and animals and spreading vile diseases such as Malaria and the West Nile Virus. As summer heat warms dirty, standing water patches in bogs, swamps, and yes, backyards, mosquitoes grow and take hold in new ecosystems, driven by nature’s instilled desire to breed, bite, and “bug” other inhabitants. New ways of controlling burgeoning mosquito populations are continuously researched, and new chemical mixtures and sprays rush to supermarket shelves, hoping to do the deed. A study has shown that mosquitoes are repelled naturally by a plant that is easily grown and cared for, and that will please your neighborhoods feline population as well: catnip.

Researchers in Iowa, undoubtedly spurred on by the rise of cases of the West Nile Virus in the United States, researched and tested several plant varieties, hoping to find a safer alternative to the active ingredient in many commercial mosquito repellents, DEET. DEET has been shown to cause brain-cell death and behavior changes in laboratory animals, and poses these risks and others when used to protect young children from mosquitoes. While DEET is no longer being manufactured, it still exists in small quantities in insect repellant sprays that are still sold. A head research scientist involved in studies at the University of Iowa found through extensive testing that the essential oil found in catnip, nepetalactone, is nearly ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than the toxic chemical DEET. This study also found that catnip oil repelled cockroaches as well, yet another of our world’s least appealing insects. Though testing has surely shown that mosquitoes and roaches are repelled by catnip, researchers aren’t sure why, but assume it must cause some sort of irritation to the vermin, if only that they don’t enjoy its smell.

The same oil that causes roaches and mosquitoes to flee, nepetalactone, causes at least two thirds of the feline population to flip their lid. Catnip is extremely easy to grow, both indoors and outdoors, whether from a seed or a start. Catnip does require adequate, but not constant, sun, and only minimal waterings are needed. Keep your hose on its hose reel (especially if growing inside!) and simply use your watering can to water the crop about once a week. You’ll be entertaining your cats and bidding adieu to pesky mosquitoes and roaches in no time!

About the author: Jon Bassfarm is an Internet content writer who enjoys researching and writing about many subjects including garden hose reels, landscaping, and lawn treatment. Please visit www.roboreel.com.

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