Mosquito myth

Lemon-scented plants, such as lemon balm, lemongrass and lemon-scented geranium are often touted as being mosquito repellent – “just plant these and enjoy a mozzie-free summer!”

Many lemon-scented plants contain citronellal, which is the main component of citronella oil. Studies on citronella oil and its effectiveness in repelling insects vary greatly – some say it works, others say it doesn’t. One thing is for certain, though: surrounding yourself with plants that contain citronellal won’t have any effect. You’d need to crush the leaves and stalks to release the oil and rub them vigorously over your skin. If you’re going to try that, test it on a small patch of your skin first to make sure you don’t have a bad reaction.

My experiences with citronella oil have been disappointing. I remember being in a friend’s mozzie-ridden garden years ago. We lathered our skin with citronella oil, but the mozzies took no notice. They practically lifted me off my chair and led me to the front gate!

Considering the potential for mosquitoes to cause nasty skin reactions and spread terrible viruses, such as Ross River virus, we can’t rely on the hit and (mostly) miss protection of lemon-scented plants. Here’s what will help you evade mosquito bites while working or socialising in the garden:

• Try to avoid peak mosquito-biting times (dawn, dusk and into the evening).
• Cover exposed skin with loose clothing, long sleeves, trousers, socks and gloves.
• Use a reliable mosquito repellent.
• Regularly tip water out of pot plant drip trays and other containers in the garden where mozzies are likely to breed.

Photo by iStock