Keeping the buzz at bay

Mosquitoes are annoying. Plain and simple. They are noisy, impolite, gluttonous, and quite frankly, outright rude, because they never ask before they feast. High-end mosquitoes come with a large array of diseases such as dengue, encephalitis, malaria, yellow fever and the like. The end of a mosquito-ridden month can be both a relief and a dilemma. On one hand, you’ve survived one month of intense battle. On the other, no one says that they will not be back.

This is the time for us to strike. But the conundrum only intensifies and now you are left wondering whether to go au-naturel or to a neighbourhood shop to buy a factory-made mosquito repellant. The factory-made repellants, while effective, may pose as much threat to the human body as they do to a mosquito’s - cases of skin irritation, dry coughs and allergies are not unheard of.

Now, human beings notwithstanding, Mother Nature has never made something she cannot handle. If there is a problem, there is a natural solution too. So, here are a list of green ways in which you can dealt with the mosquito menace at home. In other words, let’s look at an array of plants you can grow in your garden to keep mosquitoes at bay.

Lemon balm
Crush its leaves and rub it on the skin. If you don’t have a garden, you can easily grow it in a pot on your balcony

Lemon eucalyptus oil
A well-known natural mosquito and bug repellant, the lemon eucalyptus oil is a citrus scented, natural substitute to anti-mosquito cream and ointments. While the plant itself is native to
Australia, its affinity towards tropical and temperate climates make it relatively obtainable in many parts of India. If you were to try to make this oil at home, it is recommended that you mix one part lemon eucalyptus oil to ten parts sunflower oil.

Lemon thyme
The lemon thyme, like lemon verbena, is a great mosquito repellant, both in potted form and oil. While many consider it an acquired scent, the effect of this herb is unquestionable in terms of its mosquito-repellant qualities. It is a great option for keeping those pesky bugs out of the kitchen garden. Also, it is safe to ascertain that mosquitoes hate lemon.

Lemon verbena
The lemon verbena is classified as a shrub and is found throughout the year. Their mere presence keeps away the mosquitoes and they are a very beautiful way to keep the house clear of insects and less-than-pleasant aromas. Lemon verbena also makes for a great tea
additive as it is a good antioxidant.

Mint
Hitting a dozen birds with one stone, you can decide to pot a seed along your  window sill at home. Mint has been known throughout history to keep mosquitoes away from the royal
bedchambers.

Survival of the fittest is what drives this herb and it is advised not to plant it too close to weaker plants as mints tend to overpower and have them wilt. Nevertheless, mints are a great way to top off desserts, make green tea and smell like a little piece of heaven.

Pitcher plant
Brought to you by the Stephen King of the botanical world, the pitcher plant is one of the few carnivorous plants available in the market today. While many shun it for its less-than-pleasant looks and relatively pungent smell, this is by far the most direct way to deal with bug problems of any kind. If instant results are what you are looking for, this is the way to go.

Floss flower
If Mother Nature ever made a double-edged sword, this would be it. Almost uncontrollable if not grown in a pot, the floss flower is famous for its ability to weed out mosquitoes from the air.

However, they should be grown with caution, as the plants are known to be toxic for infants and animals. So, they need to be handled with care.

Cloves
In this list, spices have a distinct advantage as they are available throughout the year. While the clove plant is a more effective form of mosquito repellant, the oil from this spice is also a good way to keep the bugs away.

Another advantage is that you will have fresh breath for days to come.These are just a few natural ways in which we can enjoy a mosquito-free society. While many of these ideas may seem primitive and unreliable, these plants have been in use for thousands of years. As scientists strive to find cleaner and healthier ways of freeing us from these annoying buzzards, let us do our best to reduce pollution and potential health hazards by switching to natural means of protection. Also, mosquito nets do not deplete the ozone layer. Take a hint,
people.