Plants That Attract Mosquitoes And How To Avoid Them!
What are the plants that attract mosquitoes? Many plants attract mosquitoes, including Water lilies, hyacinths, mints, papyrus, etc.
But wait, there is more! There is something that will help you identify other plants, whether they attack mosquitoes or not, and I have discussed this later in the article.
If you’re an outdoor person or simply enjoy having your windows open in the summer, you have probably suffered from mosquito bites at some point in your life.
While these irritating bites can be a nuisance, mosquitoes also serve as carriers of serious diseases such as West Nile Virus and Zika, as well as other mosquito-related diseases like malaria and yellow fever.
That’s why In this article, we will talk about what plant attracts mosquitoes along with useful information that will help you a lot.
Table of Contents
7 Plants That Attract Mosquitoes
When planting a garden, many people choose plants that they think will look good or create a nice ambiance around their home. However, many plants attract mosquitoes, leaving you more vulnerable to bites. Here are 7 of them-
1. Water lilies
Water lilies tend to grow in regions where mosquitoes thrive. In addition, they have a very sweet aroma, which is another mosquito magnet.
If you want to enjoy your backyard without any pesky insects, it’s best to avoid planting water lilies in your garden. They also attract bees, so it’s best not to plant them if you’re allergic or afraid of bees.
2. Water hyacinths
This plant has a very similar appearance to water lilies but has a slightly different scent. It’s also another flower that attracts mosquitoes in droves. If you want to keep your yard mosquito-free, it’s best not to plant water hyacinths.
3. Mint
Like water lilies, mint tends to grow in regions where mosquitoes thrive. In addition, its strong aroma is yet another draw for these pesky insects. If you want to avoid attracting mosquitoes, it’s best not to plant mint.
It’s also worth noting that some people are allergic or sensitive to mint, so if you have anyone like that in your household, it’s probably best not to plant any of these plants at all.
4. Water lettuce
This plant is a great choice for water gardens but also tends to grow in regions where mosquitoes thrive. If you want to avoid attracting these insects, it’s best not to plant water lettuce.
If you can’t get rid of your garden, there are some plants that will help keep mosquitoes away from your yard.
5. Papyrus
This plant is a great choice for anyone with a water garden. It’s also known for attracting mosquitoes. If you want to avoid sharing your yard with these pesky insects, it’s best not to plant papyrus in your garden.
6. Bamboo
If you have a bamboo garden, it’s probably best not to plant it near your house. This plant attracts mosquitoes but is also known for attracting other insects.
7. Taro
Taro is a root vegetable in many tropical areas, but for some reason, taro attracts mosquitoes. There are several theories as to why the taro plant attracts mosquitoes.
One theory suggests that it’s because of its odor; another theory states that it’s because of its bright color. It’s also possible that mosquitoes grow in the plant’s water-logged area.
Why Do Flowering Plants Attract Mosquitoes?
Some flowers or plants can attract mosquitoes that feed on these flowers’ nectar. By planting such flowers around your home, you will beautify your garden and avoid the mosquito menace.
Some plants which attract mosquitoes are marigold, poinsettia, petunia, dahlia, etc. These plants attract bees as well as mosquitoes. That is because they have a sweet smell that attracts both insects.
If you want to plant any flower to avoid mosquitoes, then go for those flowers which do not produce any smell. For example, red rose, white rose, lily-of-the-valley, etc., do not produce any smell, so they do not attract mosquitoes.
How To Get Rid Of Mosquitoes If These Types Of Plants Are In The Yard Or House?
Do Plants Cause Mosquitoes?
While many people believe mosquitoes are drawn to certain plants, such as hostas, sage, or honeysuckle, studies have shown these plants have little impact on mosquito populations.
Most of the time, sweet-smelling flowers will draw mosquitoes (and their favorite food: humans). Unfortunately, there’s no way around it – plants and humans attract mosquitoes by emitting carbon dioxide.
Do Ferns Attract Mosquitoes?
No, ferns do not attract mosquitoes. The reason why ferns are a popular household item is actually that they naturally repel insects like mosquitoes, so it’s common to find them as decorative pieces indoors.
However, if you have an abundance of ferns in your yard, they can be problematic if you live in an area where there are high populations of mosquitoes.
If you have plenty of ferns growing around your home or on your property, mosquitoes will flock to these plants instead of biting humans or animals which can be very frustrating.
Do Tomato Plants Attract Mosquitoes?
The leaves of tomato plants contain 2-Undecanone, which is a Volatile OrganicCompound (VOC) that acts as an irritant.
This makes it a great natural repellent. Additionally, because these compounds evaporate into the air very quickly, you don’t have to worry about lingering scents attracting mosquitoes in your home or yard.
Planting these in your garden can help keep mosquitoes away from you and your family. Some other VOCs include peppermint oil, garlic, basil, and catnip.
A Helpful Tutorial You May Need!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do House Plants Bring Mosquitoes?
While some house plants actually attract mosquitoes, others serve as mosquito repellents. Planting certain plants in your yard can help reduce mosquitoes while planting other species can make your yard more attractive to them.
Do Mosquitoes Lay Eggs In Houseplants?
Yes, they do. In fact, mosquitoes lay eggs in most of your indoor plants – both in pots as well as hanging baskets. To avoid them at home, check for mosquito larvae by tapping on leaves and inspecting them for tiny white worms or even small black specks (larvae). If you find any of these, take the necessary steps immediately.
Do Banana Trees Attract Mosquitoes?
While it is a common belief that banana trees attract mosquitoes, there is no scientific evidence we have found to support these claims. In fact, many people who have experimented with putting banana trees in their yard have actually found that it has no relation to mosquitoes. However, if the area is wet or you live near a swampy area, you may see more mosquitos than usual because of other factors such as humidity.
Conclusion
While mosquitoes may not seem like much of a threat, even a single bite can put you at risk for mosquito-borne illnesses such as malaria, yellow fever, or dengue. To avoid becoming infected, learn more about the plants that attract mosquitoes so you can control their environment.
That being said, there is no need to get rid of every plant in your home or garden just because it attracts mosquitoes. Instead, you can take steps to avoid mosquito bites by keeping away from areas with lots of standing water, such as flower pots, rain gutters, and large amounts of leaves on trees.
In addition, it’s important to plant repellent plants in your yard. Investing in one of these plants is a low-cost way to cut down on nuisance bites and keep disease at bay.
