Exactly what bugs does citronella keep away? Well, the citronella plant is known to keep different bugs such as mosquitoes, sand flies, and others away in your home.
This quality has earned the plant the name Mosquito repellant plant. The plant has many therapeutic qualities, which we will discuss in this post.
Citronella is known for its distinct lemony fragrance, which has proven to keep mosquitoes at bay. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden further recommends that the low maintenance citronella plant be one way of repelling mosquitoes.
The most attractive feature about citronella plants is that it thrives in all weather, particularly in warmer climates. It best to place your citronella plant in a sunny spot to keep bugs away.
Does Citronella Plant Keep Bugs Away?
According to a recent study:
Citronella essential oil candles reduced the number of mosquitoe bites on participants by about 35 percent and sand flies by 15 percent.
There are other essential oils out there that seem to be more effective when it comes to repelling bugs.
From another study, it was also gathered that:
Having citronella candles or incense burning were able to reduce the number of mosquito bites by about 42 percent and 24 percent, respectively.
This goes to show that while citronella plant does repel bugs to some extent, it's not very effective at it. There are other bug repellant plants you can use to keep bugs in your home at bay and mosquito bites to a minimum.
How to Use Citronella to Keep Bugs Away
We have already established that citronella effectively keeps mosquitoes and other bugs away from your home. The intense citrus fragrance of citronella is very unpleasant for mosquitoes and bugs.
Most importantly, the intense fragrance of citronella can camouflage any other scent that is pleasant for the mosquito and attract them.
How then do we effectively employ the use of citronella in our home to keep bugs away? The following steps outlined below enumerates methods employed in using citronella as an effective mosquito repellant.
1. Plant Citronella in Your Garden
Citronella is an easy maintenance plant; thus, having it in your garden shouldn't be too tasking. Citronella plant thrives both indoor and outdoor.
You can either start by planting the seeds in a pot or your garden. You can also plant citronella by cutting a branch and rooting it in the soil.
Remember that citronella needs abundant sun and doesn’t tolerate too much humidity. Place the citronella plant in a sunny spot in the garden or by the window so it can receive maximum sunlight.
2. Mosquito Repellent Lotion with Citronella Base
There are many mosquito repellant lotions in the market with a citronella base you can buy. You may also opt to make your citronella lotion following the simple steps outline.
- Add 10 drops of citronella oil to 30 ml of vegetable oil,
- Apply 2 drops of the mixture to your skin to ensure that it doesn't irritate your skin
- Apply on your skin to keep mosquitoes and other bugs at bay.
3. Anti-mosquito Citronella Candles
These candles can be purchased in the store. They are a great option to repel mosquitoes, especially in an outdoor setting. Light up the candle whenever you want to repel mosquitoes.
Remember to keep anti-mosquito citronella candles beyond the reach of children and pets. Also, don't leave the candle on when no one is at home or unsupervised.
Other Plants That Keeps Bugs Away
1. Lavender
Myth has it that lavender hinders the ability of mosquitoes to smell. Lavender is a resilient plant and can endure many climates. The plant thrives under good sunlight and drainage and generally thrives better in warmer regions.
The lavender plant has a lovely fragrance that keeps mosquitoes and other bugs away from your home.
2. Marigolds
Marigolds are annual flowers that emit a smell that deters mosquitoes and other bugs. To be more efficient in chasing away bugs, you should grow them in pots and place them near your patio or entrance.
Marigolds are also known to dissuade aphids, thrips, whiteflies, Mexican bean beetles, squash bugs, and tomato hornworms.
3. Catnip
Catnip thrives almost anywhere, and it is very easy to take care of. There is the possibility that the plant will invade other areas of your garden. Catnips are amazing mosquito repellants.
A study at Iowa State University shows that catnip plants are ten times more effective than chemicals used in most insect repellants like DEET.
4. Rosemary
Another excellent mosquito repellant is rosemary. The woody scent of rosemary plants is exactly what keeps mosquitoes, cabbage moths, and carrot flies away.
The plant thrives best in hot and dry climates and thrive and can be an excellent addition to your kitchen herbs and spices.
5. Basil plant
Basil serves as both a herb and a pest repellent. The plant has a pungent smell that keeps pests like flies and mosquitoes at bay. Basil is an outdoor plant and cannot be planted in containers.
Read Also:
- Lemongrass Vs Citronella Plant
- Is Citronella Plant Toxic to Dogs?
- How Often To Water Citronella Plants
Conclusion | What Bugs Does Citronella Keep Away?
What bugs does citronella keep away? Various research has shown that citronella is somewhat effective in keeping bugs away from your home.
You can either plant it around your home or keep it indoors since citronella is both an indoor and outdoor plant. You may also opt for citronella-based lotion and creams.
Apart from the bug repellant quality of citronella, it has a unique lemony fragrance that will diminish any unpleasant odor in your home.
