Mosquito bites are not just itchy irritations; they can also transmit diseases, such as the West Nile virus. You may protect your family and your pets by planting mosquito-repelling shrubs around your house. Does this Spark an idea?
Repellents
In South Africa, rose geranium plants have long been used as a natural mosquito repellent. When you bruise the plant's leaves, they emit a strong odor that keeps mosquitoes away. Oil from the rose geranium plant will also act as a repellent.
Use
Rose geranium shrubs planted near windows or around outdoor gathering places, such as picnic tables, are helpful. Boiling water poured over a cup of chopped rose geranium leaves creates an effective portable repellent that you apply with a spray bottle.
Considerations
The odor of rose geranium shrubs is quite pungent and might linger on your hands long after you have handled crushed leaves.
If you do not have time to make the portable repellent, you may pluck a few leaves, crush them and rub their juices directly onto your skin for protection against mosquitoes.
Tags: rose geranium, geranium shrubs, portable repellent