As temperatures rise across the UK, balmy evenings may lead to late-night barbecues and sleeping with the window open.
If you’re prone to getting bitten by mosquitoes, however, the approaching summer may fill you with a feeling of dread.
For want of a natural way to deter the biting insects from your home and garden, a gardener has the solution.
Based at Miller Flowers, one gardening enthusiast posted to TikTok to reveal the plant that repels the pesky bugs.
To prevent mosquitoes from finding your home attractive, one plant to consider is the Citronella plant.
The evergreen branching shrub is perfect for the garden, and it exudes a lovely fresh lemon scent.
These sun-loving plants require six or more hours of sunlight per day, but they can also survive in a sunny spot in the home.
Two other plants that are known to “repel mosquitoes”, the enthused gardener said, are lemongrass and lavender.
She added: “I’ve also heard of peppermint, catmint, marigold, scented geranium and bee balm helps repel mosquitos as well.”
One TikTok commentator said: “Lemongrass around our shed has worked wonders. No more mosquitoes.”
However, another contributor said: “I have a huge lavender and citronella plants on my small patio and we still get eaten alive!”
Somebody else chimed in: “They only work when you shake them.” Another noted that lemongrass only works when you “break it and let the scent come out”.
While these plants have mosquito-repelling properties, Joel Coats, PhD, a distinguished professor emeritus of entomology at Iowa State University said that doesn’t mean it will stop mosquitoes from biting you.
“These plants have compounds that keep insects from feeding on them, but they don’t release them into the air,” said Coats.
This is why Coats said the best protection against mosquito bites is to wear repellent.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also recommended insect repellent with 50 percent DEET.
Anybody choosing to use DEET repellent must use the product according to instructions for safety reasons.
