Insect Repellent Plants In Pakistan
Grow Mosquito And Fly Repelling House Plants
House flies and mosquitoes are recognized as carriers of easily communicable diseases. They collect different pathogens on their legs and mouths, females mostly lay eggs on decomposing organic matter, garbage, feces and animal corpses. Mosquitoes most breed in standing water. So, it is highly recommended to keep the surroundings clean and remove standing water sources. Diseases carried by house flies and mosquitoes include typhoid, cholera, malaria, dengue and dysentery.
100 million persons worldwide get infected with dengue annually, a resurging viral infection spread by the female mosquito.
There are two main methods have been employed to control house fly and mosquitoes: natural and chemical. Chemical pest control employs potent chemical pesticides to eliminate pests, while natural pest control employs organic or biological method to reduce infestation. Both of these methods have advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Natural/Biological Pest Control Methods
The main benefit of biological pest control methods is that it does not harm the environment. It will also not emit harmful toxins which could damage the ozone layer as compared to chemical pesticides. They continue to be effective for a long time once they introduced to the environment, making them sufficient and cost-effective. Biological control is self-regulating and as they don’t require any management. Biological control is just near to free of cost as it charges you very low. Biological control gives a long term control of harmful organisms. No side effects of biological control on human health while chemical control has many side effects and dangerous effects on the health of humans.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Chemical Pest Control Methods
Chemical pesticides are very easy to use. Apart from that, chemical pesticides also deliver results instantly right after the application. Mostly this fast result is what a lot of homeowners need. Chemical treatment also harms the environment as they release harmful toxins to the surroundings, although human exposure to these pesticides can be very dangerous. They are even more detrimental and toxic to the health of children and older people as they have weaker immune systems instead of elders. You may have probably read in the spray's inscription or may be heard about the insect repellent DEET (N,N Diethyl-3-methylbenzamide). This chemical is not present in all the products but it is widely used chemical, because of its easiness. Just spray and it works for 12 hours repelling. But it’s also having toxic, irritating effects on your skin. So, definitely, not really something you want to spray over your soft skin.
So we suggest you to find natural ways to repel insects and the best way is to use Houseplants in your backyard, front lawn and outside the gate that Repel Mosquitos and Fly.
Plants Easily Available In Pakistan Which We Can Use To Repel Insects Especially Flies & Mosquitoes:
Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum indicum L.)
Chrysanthemums are often called "mums" and they are widely used for their flowering beauty all around the world. Aromatic subspecies of Chrysanthemum are excellent mosquito repellents. Their blossoms have natural amazing compounds named as pyrethrum which inhibit female mosquitoes from biting.
You can easily prepare Homemade topical repellent from mums' flowers. Take dozen of blossoms, chop them finely and then just put this mash in a small cotton bag (a sock will do as well). Now soak the bag in half glass of olive or sunflower oil in a bowl. Lid the bowl and now you have to wait for 2 weeks after keeping it in in dark cool place.
Now filter the resulting oil (press and squeeze the remaining oil inside the mash) and keep in small vial. Now it is ready massage your pulse points with a drop of this oil and enjoy its repelling qualities on you while outside.
Catnip (Nepeta Cataria L.)
An interesting and amazing compound Nepetalactone extracted by steam distillation from Catnip a natural insect repellent which is claimed to be 10 times stronger than DEET, Mostly used as Commercial Repellent against.
- Mosquitoes,
- House flies,
- Cockroaches and
- Termites
It is easy growing perennial plant with pleasant minty aroma. Its fragrance reduces stress and promotes good sleep. But unfortunately, the process of steam distillation is not as easy to done at home, so oil can only be purchased from market.
Marigold:
It is a bright, annual plant, are a great choice for repelling mosquitoes. Marigolds also contain Pyre thrum and they have a unique aroma which bugs find repulsive. Marigold flowers themselves are beautiful and add colors beauty and can even make a great border or addition to any flower bed! So you can try placing them around borders of your home, and then mosquitoes definitely not want to cross over!
Lavender
Many of readers probably know that lavender a gorgeous purple flowering plant which also has a soothing, calming scent. But, did anyone know that we can use it as a natural mosquito repellent? We can grow it outside in our garden or flower bed or indoors near a sunny window and doors, to keep the bugs away. Use lavender to add color and calming aroma in your home.
Peppermint
Most of the bugs hate the smell and taste of peppermint and try to avoid this plant, so it is good choice to planting it in different areas of home where you want a repellent and plus, if ever you do happen to get bitten, just rub peppermint leaves directly onto the skin and it make a great relief our bite, with all of this it provides you a wonderful minty smell which makes a delicious addition to food and beverages!
Rosemary
A beautiful flowering plant often used to flavor lamb or fish dishes, but might be you did not noticed that it is also a natural mosquito repellent? So, it’s perfect choice to add herb garden or flowerbed to keep bugs away instead of using pesticides, and it even attracts butterflies and creates beauty in your plants area.
Geranium
The beautiful red color flowers are a great choice for mosquito repellent. Mostly planted in a hanging baskets and the colorful blooms will cascade over the side of the pot, provides you a beautiful visual piece with useful bug repellent nature!
Now you can see, there are many houseplants that naturally help to keep bugs away! So whenever you reach to buy a chemical bug spray, take your time and think again, and try to choose something more natural!
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon Spreng.)
Lemongrass oil is used widely as insecticide and repellent, but the main issue with this plant it attracts bees and may not be usable for your balcony.
So, this plant is very useful to plant in your garden because it attracts bees as they are useful pollinators for fruit or vegetable in garden.
Penny royal
The penny royal adorable flower is a natural deterrent for mosquitoes. So, we suggest you to plant it somewhere around your flowerbeds. Penny royal plants used to make great ground covers, and they also attract a plethora of beautiful butterflies.
Ageratum (Ageratum houstonianum Mill.)
This plant contains a hepato-toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids, It works as a natural insecticide. So, be aware, that you should not consume this plant in no case and it should not enter your system.
This plant attracts insects with his scent, but the chemical compounds inside the blossoms are rendering the insects sterile.
Cadaga Tree – Eucalyptus torelliana
A beautiful plant repels mosquitoes simply by being planted. The scent from the tree acts as a barrier to repel mosquitoes.
Catmint – Nepeta faassenii
It is very effective in its way to keep mosquitoes away. It is even better than commercial bug sprays at keeping the pests away. You have to simply, cut off the flowers and boil them to make a spray.
Eucalyptus –
Natural oil which release from the eucalyptus tree repels insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, midges, stable flies, sandflies and more.
Mint – Mentha –
Mint is an exuberant aroma plant usually grown in gardens to flavor tea. Mint repels mosquitoes and even we can make our own repellent with mint! All wild and cultivated species of mint, contain aromatic properties repulsive to insects.
Pitcher Plant – Nepenthes alata
It is the most interesting carnivorous plant much similar to a Venus Fly Trap. This little beauty gobbles up mosquitoes and it just fun to see this plant work in your yard.
Sweet Fern – Comptonia peregrina
It is a natural green beauty herb that has many uses. Then main our priority purpose to fight against mosquitoes and you can also place some Sweet fern into a fire to keep the little bugs away from the fire and the surrounding area.
Now you can see, there are many houseplants that naturally help to keep bugs away! So whenever you reach to buy a chemical bug spray, take your time and think again, and try to choose something more natural!
Keywords: Mosquito and Fly Repelling House Plants, House Plants, Insect Repellent plants, Plants repel insects, natural insect repellents, flowering plants repel insects.