lovesouthernsocial.com

Citronella is one of the natural repellent options. Plants are efficient in combating insects and more sustainable than chemical repellents

Plant a seed, water it, introduce soil and follow its natural growth. All of these are practices that plant lovers love to do - they often even see them as therapy. However, certain plants attract insects, which can inhibit the growth of plants or cause disturbances because of their high concentration and reproduction. To eliminate insects in the garden and indoors, a healthy and ecological option is to grow plants that work as a natural repellent.

• Traditional mosquito repellent is linked to neurological problems
• Should we be concerned about pyrethroids from insecticides?

Having a small flowerpot at home, which in itself is already a natural repellent, is a great way to avoid the use of pesticides and the traditional repellent, as these products are harmful not only to plants, but to human health, as they contain toxic substances. Especially in places with a high incidence of insects, creating plants such as citronella, mint and rosemary is of great help for those looking for a natural repellent.

First of all, it is important to take some steps to keep your home safe from insects and mosquitoes. Check out eight free harmful chemistry tips in the video below:

Plants that act as a natural repellent

If you have already tidied up your house, removed any source of standing water, cleaned the corners and insects and mosquitoes continue to appear, putting some pots or opening a space in the beds for plants that act as a natural repellent can help you. Check out options:

citronella

Another excellent natural repellent against mosquitoes, especially black flies and mosquitoes. If combined with two other plants that also work as a natural repellent, catnip and geranium cascade, the effect of citronella becomes even more potent. In addition to the plant itself, you can also make a citronella candle. This type of candle has great efficiency to ward off mosquitoes and still leaves a good aroma in the home environment. See how to do it in the article "How to ward off mosquitoes? Citronella candle".

Lavender

Besides being a plant that can perfume indoors, due to its sweet smell, and decorate them, because of its beauty, lavender helps to scare away mosquitoes.

• By-product of the essential oil, lavender hydrolate is an excellent relaxant and moisturizer

Basil

The plant's strong scent keeps away flies and mosquitoes, making this tasty herb a natural insect repellent.

• Basil: uses, benefits and how to grow

Chrysanthemum

The flower also acts as a natural repellent, helping to keep cockroaches, bed bugs, fleas and ticks away.

Mint

Just plant several around your garden and the ants will no longer bother your plants. In addition to being a natural insect repellent, mint is a plant with several benefits - learn more in the article "Ten reasons to grow mint at home and how to use it". Take the opportunity to learn about other ways to kill ants naturally.

Rosemary

It is also a natural mosquito repellent and can help keep cats away from places where their presence is undesirable, such as in a litter box intended for children's play. Just put some rosemary leaves in place - cats don't like the smell of the plant.

• Rosemary: benefits and what it is for

Check out a video about the different insect repellent plants.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: According to Anvisa, only repellents with chemicals based on icaridin are effective against the Aedes aegypti (the mosquito that transmits dengue, Zika and chikungunya). Neem, citronella and andiroba-based repellants do not contain this active ingredient.