Geraniums are an effective solution to chase away mosquitoes thanks to their strong lemony or mentholated scents that these insects dread.
Anti-mosquito geraniums are particularly effective in keeping these pests away. But which varieties should you prioritize? Here are the most effective ones:
If your garden is overrun by mosquitoes, as well as your house, there are several tricks to get rid of them, including natural solutions such as repellent plants. These emit strong odors that keep mosquitoes away. Besides marigold, lavender, and peppermint, known for their effectiveness, fragrant geraniums can also be an option.
Geraniums not only serve to beautify our outdoor spaces, but they also act as natural repellents against mosquitoes. This is particularly true for varieties of “pelargoniums” that emit lemony or mentholated scents, which are highly repulsive to these insects. Therefore, they can be planted promptly in the garden or potted in various parts of the house to enjoy gentle summer evenings without being bothered by mosquitoes.
It’s important to note that some geraniums are more effective than others. It’s recommended to choose from the following varieties:
- Pelargonium citronellum, also known as citronella geranium, which offers dense and compact foliage as well as flowers with a very fragrant scent reminiscent of lemon.
- Pelargonium citriodorum crispum, distinguished by its extremely aromatic foliage with a lemony scent and its small pink-purple flowers.
- Pelargonium graveolens, which emits a rather mentholated scent thanks to its petals blooming from June to September. This plant is also widely used in perfumery.
Among these varieties, Pelargonium graveolens ‘Citronella’ is often recommended for its repellent properties due to its high citronellol content, a compound known to repel insects.
To use geraniums against mosquitoes, here are some tips:
- Cultivate fragrant geraniums in pots on your terrace or near your windows to repel mosquitoes. Make sure they receive enough sunlight and water to stay healthy and emit their scent.
- Crush a few fresh geranium leaves and rub them directly on your skin to help repel mosquitoes with the scent released.
- Use scented candles or essential oil diffusers containing geranium oil to repel mosquitoes inside your home.
- Prepare a repellent by spraying geranium essential oil mixed with water in a sprayer and spray it in areas where you want to repel mosquitoes, such as on the terrace or in the garden.
For maximum effectiveness, place anti-mosquito geraniums near windows or doors if you grow them in pots, or in an accessible location if you plant them in the ground. It’s important to touch some geranium leaves, especially Pelargonium graveolens, to release a delicate scent.
Finally, although citronella is often considered the most effective plant against mosquitoes due to its natural lemony scent, you can buy citronella plants in garden centers, nurseries, or online, as well as various citronella-based products such as candles, torches, or sprays to protect yourself against mosquitoes.
