Garden and plants

We've put together some natural mosquito and mosquito repellent plants for you to keep indoors to help protect yourself.

Not just Dengue mosquitoes, these plants help repel mosquitoes and keep your home away from these insects in a totally natural way.

The dengue mosquito

Aedes aegypti is the scientific name for the mosquito popularly known as the dengue mosquito, a species of mosquito in the Culicidae family from Africa,

The habits of the Aedes aegypti differ from other vectors: it is a mosquito that is active and bites during the day. Aedes aegypti's preferred victim is humans, and it makes virtually no audible sound before biting. It measures less than 1 centimeter and is black with white spots on its body and legs

The mosquito leaves a small reddish bump and this mark causes itching. The dengue mosquito, on the other hand, leaves no marks and does not itch when it bites.

Remember

If you have children at home or pets, remember that some plants are toxic if ingested, so choose safely.

A plant may not be toxic, but an individual may be allergic to certain compounds in plants, so be aware.

Are you allergic to pollen? Choose non-flowering plants.

12 mosquito repellent plants

Lavender - Lavandula angustifolia

Its lovely fragrance comes from the essential oils found in the plant's leaves, which are natural relents. This plant is very drought-resistant once established and only needs full sun and good drainage. And although it can withstand many climates, it thrives in warmer areas.

Safety Non-toxic to children and pets

Citronela -Cymbopogon nardus

Citronella is an aromatic Indian plant, about 1 m high, made up of long leaves, which when crushed release a strong smell reminiscent of lemon eucalyptus.

Known for its distinctive smell, citronella is the most commonly used natural ingredient in mosquito repellents.

In warmer climates, it can be planted directly in a sunny area. It does not tolerate frost, so plant it in pots, which are easy to remove.

Safety Non-toxic, but if ingested in large quantities can cause diarrhea and stomach pains

Carnations -Tagetes erecta

African cloves or yellow cloves, an easy-to-grow annual flower, give off a scent that keeps mosquitoes away.

Grow them in pots and place them near the patio or entrance to your house to prevent insects from entering. They are also a popular addition to garden borders.

Safety Non-toxic, but can trigger serious allergies.

Rosemary - Salvia rosmarinus

Rosemary is an herb that many of us are familiar with and its woody aroma is exactly what keeps mosquitoes away, as well as cabbage moths and carrot flies.

They do best in hot, dry climates and thrive in containers, which can be ideal for overwintering areas. They can also be pruned into all sorts of shapes and sizes and make great borders or decorations.

Safety In general, sage is not toxic when ingested by humans. The varieties of red sage known as Salvia splendens are known to be particularly toxic to dogs if ingested in large quantities. If a dog consumes a large amount of Salvia splendens, bleeding is likely to occur For safety's sake, if your dog ingests red sage varieties, it's best to take him to a vet immediately

Catnip - Nepeta cataria

Catnip (Nepeta cataria), also called catnip, has an active ingredient called nepetalactone, which is pleasant to cats. Hence its name. In a study by Iowa State University, it was found that nepetalactone is ten times more effective than DEET, the chemical used in most commercial insect repellents.

It's very easy to look after and may even start invading other areas of your garden. You can plant them in pots, they are incredible mosquito repellents.

Safety Catnip leaves and flowers can cause adverse side effects if consumed in large quantities.

Symptoms after ingestion can include vomiting, diarrhea and headache. There are no documented cases of serious human poisoning by catnip.

Basil - Ocimum basilicum

Basil is another herb that can also act as a pest repellent. The pungent smell that basil leaves give off is what keeps pests away. And since all types of basil work to keep flies and mosquitoes away, feel free to explore and find the right types of basil to mix into your garden or home.

This herb likes to be kept moist, needs good drainage and likes plenty of sun. You can plant basil in containers or in the garden

Safety: basil is a safe choice,

Sweet-smelling mallow - Pelargonium graveolens

According to some studies, citronellol, geraniol, linalool and citronellyl formate are the main components present in the essential oil of this species.

The strong fragrance keeps away various types of pests. These fast-growing plants like warm, sunny and dry climates

BERGAMOTA- Monarda didyma

Do you want to attract good insects, such as bees and butterflies, while deterring the bad ones? Then bergamot is for you, also known as Monarda. Simply crush the leaves to release the fragrant oils. What's more, you can enjoy the colorful flowers, in shades of red, pink, lavender, white or purple, all summer long.

Safety: no secure information.

Mint -Mentha spicata

Mint is an excellent non-toxic option for keeping mosquitoes, flies and even ants away. The more pungent the aroma, the fewer insects you'll have. Grow it in pots, where it can be easily reached if you want to drop a leaf or two into your afternoon tea. You can even dry the leaves and use them indoors as a natural pest control method.

Safety: Toxic to dogs and cats. Not toxic to humans.

Agerate - Ageratum houstonianum

This attractive annual flower is a great plant for flowerbeds or pots. The flower contains coumarin, a chemical that helps repel mosquitoes - but also makes it toxic if ingested by pets or humans.

Safety: no toxic effects reported.

Alium

Allium is the genus of onions, garlic, chives and leeks. These bulbs give off a strong fragrance that mosquitoes don't like. You'll appreciate the delicate globe-shaped allium flowers that seem to float on long, slender stems.

Safety: can be toxic to dogs, cats and horses. There are no reports of toxic effects for humans

Salvia - Salvia officinalis

If you love to gather around a campfire in your backyard, plant some sage nearby. Throw some of the plant into the flames and its earthy scent will drive insects away.

Use the same method indoors on your stove. Sage can also be dried and used to make homemade insect repellent.

Safety: non-toxic

Disclaimer: This content, including advice, provides generic information only. Do not replace a medical opinion in any way.

Safety and toxicity information obtained from BBC Mazine team