And Repelled All Mosquitos And Bugs In My Backyard
After retiring, I developed a new passion for backyard activities, like planting and woodworking. However, I quickly encountered an issue: many of the plants I brought into my garden seemed to attract mosquitoes and other unwanted bugs.
One afternoon, while tending to the vegetables and fruit I had planted, I got bitten by mosquitoes and some mysterious bugs. Even though I was outside for just a short time, the bites were annoying and persistent.
I decided to try different solutions to keep the pests away. I experimented with products like Thermacell (as shown in the attached picture) and Home Defense (also pictured). While both worked well, their effects didn’t last long, and I found that Thermacell needed frequent refills, which became costly.
Then, I remembered something I’d read online: citronella is known to repel mosquitoes because of its strong scent. So, I went to Home Depot and bought my first citronella plant a few months ago.
The Magic of Citronella
At first, I wasn’t sure how to take care of it. I watered it sporadically, but soon realized that it thrived with daily watering. I used a good quality potting mix (see attached picture), and over time, the plant grew to about 2 feet tall.
Curious to see how I could increase my citronella supply, I began propagating the plant by taking cuttings from its branches. To my surprise, it worked! Slowly but surely, the number of citronella plants in my backyard started multiplying. (Check out the attached video to see how I propagated my plants.)
Adding More Natural Mosquito Repellents
In addition to citronella, I also planted other herbs known to deter bugs, like basil, parsley, rosemary, and lemon balm. I especially love basil, as it adds a great flavor to my cooking.
The Results: More Than 30 Citronellas and No More Bites!
Fast forward to today, and I now have over 30 citronella plants scattered across my backyard. What’s even better? I haven’t been bitten by a mosquito or any other bugs since! I can wear shorts and sit outside for hours without worrying about pests.
If you’re looking for a natural way to keep mosquitoes and bugs at bay, I highly recommend trying citronella. With a little patience and care, you can multiply your plants and enjoy a bug-free backyard all season long!
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