The lemony fragrance released from the plant will help repel bugs, but the most effective way to repel mosquitoes using the plant is to crush the leaves, thus releasing the oil and rubbing it directly onto your skin. Since the mosquito-repelling oils of the plant are embedded in the leaves, you need to plant a lot of lemongrass for it to properly take effect. Even so, this method will only repel mosquitoes for a short time. The best and most effective way to repel mosquitoes using the plant is to crush the leaves, thus releasing the oil, and rub them directly onto your skin. The plant gives off a slight lemony fragrance, but that alone will not be enough to keep pesky mosquitoes from entering your home uninvited. The authors go on to note that “Mosquitoes in captivity exhibited active movement away from the oil-treated chamber of the box within the first minute of application: 43% repellency and 100% mortality were recorded after 18 minutes.” (3).
#Lemon grass plant free#
Īnother study found that citronella oil kept human subjects free from mosquito bites for up to 3 hours. Ī study published in the Journal of Parasitology Research found that citronella oil was effective at repelling mosquitoes, but that its repellency decreased over time (to just under 60% at the 2-hour mark) (2 ✓) ✓ Trusted Resource PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health. The oil supposedly works by masking scents that are attractive to insects, according to the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC). The oil is a mixture of components including citronellal, citronella, and geraniol, all of which possess antimicrobial, anthelmintic, antioxidant, anticonvulsant, and wound healing properties (in addition to mosquito-repelling action) (1 ✓) ✓ Trusted Resource PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health. Lemongrass contains the essential oil ‘citronella’, which is commonly used in natural mosquito repellent found in candles, sprays, and lotions.īut does citronella actually work to repel mosquitoes? Research says yes. The tall stalks of lemongrass can grow up to ten feet tall, but it is the softer inner cores that are used for cooking purposes. The woody stalks of lemongrass have a citrusy aroma that provides a subtle lemon-floral flavor to the aforementioned dishes. It is considered a culinary herb, often used in Thai, Indonesian, Sri Lankan, and Indian dishes. Lemongrass ( Cymbopogon citratus) is a tall perennial grass, native to Asia, Australia, and Africa.
Now, I know it seems far-fetched, but there are actually studies to back up how this works.īut first, let’s take a little look at the lemongrass plant itself.
#Lemon grass plant how to#
Thankfully, there are some things you can do, like learning how to plant lemongrass to repel mosquitoes from your backyard.
#Lemon grass plant skin#
Their bites itch, and some species even leave welts and red marks on your skin that can last weeks (or is that just me?). I mean, I know I am delicious, but that’s besides the point. Let’s be real – everyone loves summer and the hot weather, but no one enjoys the bugs that come along with it.
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