Lantana camara is a perennial flowering shrub and herbaceous plant that has been widely used as a garden ornamental. It also has medicinal properties, including antiseptic, anthelmintic and anti-inflammatory properties. But does this tropical native of South America also repel mosquitoes?
Does Lantana camara repel Anopheles mosquitoes?
Lantana camara is a popular ornamental plant in gardens and parks all over the world. It is commonly known as lantana. This shrub or small tree has yellow flowers and grows to about 10 feet tall. Lantana camara is native to tropical America, but it has spread throughout the warmer regions of the world on its own, with little help from humans.
Lantanas have been used for centuries by people in Africa, Asia, India and Europe to treat various medical conditions such as fever and malaria (malaria). However, there are no scientific studies that confirm this use of lantanas helps prevent malaria or other diseases so far.
What kind of plants repel mosquitoes?
- Lemon balm – This herb is often used in teas for its soothing effects and can also be used as an insect repellent.
- Basil – A staple of many gardens, basil is said to repel mosquitoes and other insects with its strong menthol scent.
- Rosemary – The strong aroma of rosemary can help keep bugs away from your outdoor space when planted near windows or doorways.
- Lavender – Not only does lavender smell lovely and look beautiful, it also repels mosquitoes naturally!
- Sage – Sage has been shown to be effective against certain types of mites, ants and even ticks! Keep some around your garden as well as indoors for maximum protection against pesky pests.
Is Lantana an invasive plant?
Many people may not know this, but lantana is a weed. And not just any weed: it’s considered to be invasive, meaning that it spreads rapidly and has negative effects on the environment. The flower itself is called Lantana camara, and apart from its ability to repel mosquitoes (which we will discuss in a moment), there are several reasons why you should avoid planting or keeping it around your property.
Lantana camara is native to South America and parts of Central America. It was introduced into Australia in 1822; over time, it spread throughout the continent and became an invasive species with no natural enemies—meaning that this plant can take over other plants’ habitats completely by crowding out native species. In fact, lantana has been declared “injurious wildlife” by several states including Florida due to its ability to displace native vegetation and disrupt ecosystems by forming dense stands where little else grows
How to use lavender oil to repel mosquitoes?
If you don’t have lavender oil, you can use lemon oil to repel mosquitoes. Alternatively, if neither of these options are available to you, vinegar also works well as a repellent.
To make your own mosquito-repelling spray with lavender or lemon essential oils:
- Add a few drops of either lavender or lemon essential oils (or both) to the spray bottle. Fill the rest of the bottle with water. If using vinegar instead, add 2 tablespoons (about 30 ml) of white distilled vinegar per cup (235 ml) of water that you’ve added to your spray bottle and shake thoroughly before spraying on areas where mosquitoes hang out such as near doors and windows or entryways into buildings or homes in general.”
Conclusion
If you want to know if lantana camara repels mosquitoes and if it’s effective at keeping them away, then you should read this article about it.
