Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: the grouve on 12/12/2008 10:28:11

Title: Do some plants repel mosquitoes?
Post by: the grouve on 12/12/2008 10:28:11

I was told recently that some plants repel mosquitoes, is this true?
If it is true, which plants do so?

Title: Do some plants repel mosquitoes?
Post by: elegantlywasted on 12/12/2008 16:41:12

Citronella plant is excellent for repelling mosquitos. It is a species of geranium (pelargonium to all of my friends across the pond)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citronella_plant

Title: Do some plants repel mosquitoes?
Post by: blakestyger on 12/12/2008 16:44:18

These certainly do: Marigold, Rosemary, Catmint and Citronella.

Male mosquitos rely on plant sap for food as they don't take blood, only females do that. Given the success of mosquitos it is probably true to say that plants that repel them are a minority.

Title: Do some plants repel mosquitoes?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 12/12/2008 18:34:39

I remember there was a plant of some kind that we used to put in bedrooms in Uganda to repel mosquitos. Don't ask me what it was called.

Title: Do some plants repel mosquitoes?
Post by: RD on 12/12/2008 20:46:13

Chrysanthemum seeds contain an insecticide ...

Quote

pyrethrins are contained in the seed cases of the perennial plant pyrethrum (Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium),
which is grown commercially to supply the insecticide.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrethrin

Plants have evolved to produce insecticides for self-preservation: chemical warfare against the insects who feed on them.

Title: Do some plants repel mosquitoes?
Post by: happyman on 13/12/2008 18:28:57

that is absolutely true. There is one great book - 1001 ways to pest free property, there is list of plants that repeal insects, and many other great tips on that subject.

Title: Do some plants repel mosquitoes?
Post by: blakestyger on 14/12/2008 14:27:07

Quote from: DoctorBeaver on 12/12/2008 18:34:39

I remember there was a plant of some kind that we used to put in bedrooms in Uganda to repel mosquitos. Don't ask me what it was called.

I am reliably informed that this is likely to have been a plant of the Ocimum genus that includes the basils, possibly O americanus,  that are traditionally used in E Africa for this kind of thing. [^]