WHAT IS THE REPELLENT PLANT? (Part 3)

MOSQUITOES (or Nyamuk in Malays) is the Culicidae, are a family of small flies consisting of 3,600 species. Anyhow the word mosquito is Spanish and Portuguese word for little fly. Mosquitoes have a slender segmented body, one pair of wings, three pairs of long hair-like legs, and specialized, highly elongated, piercing-sucking mouthparts. Mosquitoes are also a common flying insect that live in most parts of the world including in Malaysia and all the Asean countries. Reported that there are over 3,700 types of mosquitoes can be found worldwide. Normally when a mosquito bites a person, common reactions to the bite are itching and swelling depending on individual. However, some mosquitoes are vectors. A vector is an animal, insect, or tick that spreads germs to people or animals that can make them sick. The facts about mosquitoes in which I belived that almost everyone has been experience once bitten by a mosquito. Mosquitoes can spread pathogens (germs) through bites. A person who gets bitten by a mosquito and gets sick has a mosquito-borne disease like West Nile virus, dengue, or malaria. Adult mosquitoes live indoors and outdoors. Most mosquitoes can bite day and night. The adult mosquitoes live for about 2 to 4 weeks depending on the species, humidity, temperature, and other factors. Females often live longer than males. Actually, only female mosquitoes bite people and animals to get a blood meal. Most female mosquitoes need a blood meal to produce eggs. Mosquitoes get infected with germs, such as viruses and parasites, when they bite infected people and animals. Cases in a few infected mosquitoes can start an outbreak in a community and put you and your family at risk of becoming sick. This article in "Anim Agriculture Technology" I write in few articles about some repellent plants for mosquitoes as explained.

Mint plants, particularly spearmint and peppermint, can act as natural repellents for various pests, including mosquitoes, flies, spiders, and even some rodents. Their strong scent, due to the presence of menthol, is generally disliked by these insects and animals. To create a natural pest repellent using mint, you can make a spray by combining mint leaves with water and potentially adding dish soap. Alternatively, you can use mint essential oil diluted with a carrier like witch hazel or rubbing alcohol. Actually, to grow a mint plant, start by choosing a pot or a designated area in your garden, ensuring it's well-drained and receives full sun to partial shade. Mint prefers moist soil, so maintain consistent moisture, but avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot. You can propagate mint easily from cuttings, which is generally easier than growing from seeds. Harvesting regularly encourages new growth. Mint is an excellent nontoxic option for keeping mosquitoes, flies and even ants away. The more pungent the aroma, the less bugs you’ll have. Grow it in pots on your patio where it can be easily reached if you want to drop a leaf or two in your afternoon tea. You can even dry the leaves and use them inside your home as a natural pest control method.

 

Floss Flower identified as a plants that contain coumarin, a chemical used in some commercial insect repellent sprays. Mosquitoes don't like the smell of this chemical, also found in sweetgrass. Not only do they help keep biting bugs at bay; they're also notably ornamental, producing blue, pink, and white blooms in the summer and fall. Their attractive annual flower makes great bedding or container plants. Floss flower contains coumarin, a chemical that helps repel mosquitoes but also makes it toxic if ingested by pets or humans. The Floss Flower is an annual plant, native to Mexico in which they are great plants for containers or for mass plantings in your flower beds, or as border plants. Floss Flowers can be grown in full sun except in very hot climates, where it should be planted in partial shade. Floss Flowers dislike drying out, so regular deep watering is essential. Once established, feed monthly with a balanced NPK at the formulation of 10:10:10 fertilizer in which the plant Floss Flowers 6"-12" apart in the garden any time after all danger of frost has passed. Pinch back new growth on young plants to encourage them to branch out. Be sure to remove spent blooms regularly to induce continued flowers.

Usually the plants will not be disturbed by pests, especially if grown within the proper environment.

Sage Plant or Sage and also known as Salvia officinalis, is a fragrant herb that is not only used in cooking but also possesses mosquito-repellent properties. Its strong aroma acts as a natural deterrent, making it an effective tool in your battle against mosquitos. Reported that if you love gathering around a fire pit in your backyard, then plant some sage nearby. Toss some of the plant into the flames and its earthy smell will ward off bugs. Sage can also be dried and used to make homemade bug spray. To grow a sage plant for its insect-repelling properties, focus on providing it with the right conditions, including sunlight, soil, and water. Sage is generally easy to care for, but it can be affected by pests and diseases, so be mindful of those as well. Sage can also be used in companion planting to deter pests from other plant. 

 

Allium Plants (Perennial Crop are among herbs including leeks, chives, and shallots in which ita can help repel aphids, cabbage worms, slugs, and carrot flies. Plant Alliums next to rose bushes or in your vegetable garden to protect your tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, carrots, broccoli, etc. Their bulbs in which include garlic and onions able to release a strong fragrance that mosquitoes don’t like. You’ll enjoy the whimsical globe-shaped flowers of allium that seem to float atop long slender, stems. To use alliums as a natural repellent for pests like rabbits and deer, plant them around your garden or mixed in with other plants. Alliums, including onions, garlic, chives, and leeks can produce a scent that can deter these animals. In addition to growing the plants listed above, you should also practice good mosquito control in your garden so that the pests don’t get out of hand. The best thing you can do is prevent water from collecting and becoming stagnant; mosquitoes can lay hundreds of eggs even in a tiny spoonful of standing water. For mosquito rings reported that it can be used virtually anywhere you have standing water rain barrels, birdbaths, water gardens, ponds and even animal watering troughs. They contain a naturally occurring such asa pategen ma,ed as Bacterium (Bt israelensis) that kills mosquito larvae in which there are also other natural products available that can help ward off mosquitoes in your garden. These situation include known as citronella torches and candles, as well as essential oils derived from the plants listed here. Talk about the importance of Mosquito Control in which throughout the years, mosquitoes have transmitted many diseases including malaria, dengue, yellow fever, encephalitis, and more recently the West Nile and Zika viruses. Mosquitoes are even to blame for heartworm in dogs. So, it isn’t just about the annoyance or the itchy bite, it is a health concern for your family and pets. Thanks...

By,

M Anem,

Malacca,

Malaysia.

(May 2025).

Updated October 2025.