Ashok Gupta
In summer especially in the evening when people visit their terrace lawns and gardens, they often complain about the insects buzzing around their head and they have to cover up with long sleeves or apply insect repellants. However there is another way of getting rid of these buzzing insects and enjoying the beauty of the lawn by planting mosquito-repellant plants.
So in small gardens and lawns and in Kitchen garden also planting insect repellant plants is the only viable solution and can be tried in terrace garden and small lawns.
The essential oils of many plants are also well known for their best insect repellant properties. Oils from the families (mint), Pinaceae(pines) lemon balm, lemon thyme and Lavender etc. fall in this category.
Following insect repellant plants can be considered for planting in the terrace garden, kitchen garden, and small lawns according to the space available.
Few Plants which can be considered are
BASIL(Tulsi):- Repels flies, mosquitoes. One can plant basil in containers near house doors and in the terrace garden we can also make an insect repellant spray of basil leaves and stems. For centuries, the dried leaves have been mixed with stored grains to repel insects
CORIANDER(Dhania):-Besides its use in garnishing the prepared vegetables In field its plants repel aphids, potato beetle and spider mites.
FRENCH MARIGOLD:-Repels white flies,kill nematodes.Marigold plants have the ability to repel insects and have the ability to kill nematodes.
CHRYSANTHEMUM:-repels ants,silver fish,lice,bed bugs.The flowers can also be used to make insecticides.
GARLIC:- Its plants can also be helpful to repel aphids ,snails besides its medicinal value.
LAVENDER:- Repels moth,flea and flies including mosquitoes.Plant it in sunny areas of garden or near entryways to your house in order to keep the flies outdoors.
PEPPERMINT:Repels aphids,white flies.These plants have the ability to keep aphids and white flies away from adjoining plants.
ROSE MARRY:-Repels carrot fly,snails.The plants and its cuttings are effective repellants.
LEMON GRASS:-It does well in pots,or in the sunny well drained location. Repels mosquitoes and its oil can also be extracted.
PETUNIAS:-Repels aphids,asparagus beetles,leaf hoppers.Plant Petunias in sunny areas to keep the the insects away from the adjoining plants
ONION: Repels rabbits,small white flies.
GERANIUM:- The plants help to keep leaf hopper away and keep the surroundings free .
MINT: Repels mosquitoes,flies.containers of mint strategically placed in the garden will help keep nearby plants and surrounding insect free.
EUCALYPTUS:-The leaves and bark of plant emits smell enough to keep aphids and potato beetle away.
The above mentioned plants have their medicinal value also, so by planting these plants one can have the benefits of both insect repellant as well replacement of medicines.
(The author is (Dy. Director Floriculture Jammu))
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