Plants to help keep insects at bay and homemade remedies for those itchy bites.
The warm summer nights mean we'll soon hear the whine of mosquitoes. Natural pest control is less expensive than buying and applying repellent ointments and it's much safer for your family.
Nature has many of its own deterrents and cures, so make sure you have some of these plants handy when the bugs begin to bite.
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Lavender is an easy to grow plant and has many uses including acting as a mosquito repellent.
Citronella, this lemony plant is the most popular for keeping mosquitoes away. Most people like a citronella candle but if you plant this grass like plant in a container it will be just as effective.
Lemon balm smells a lot nicer than citronella and works just as well. All you have to do is take the leaves and crush them and rub them on your body where skin will be exposed.
Peppermint is a delicious tasting and smelling plant but bugs and mosquitoes, hate it. You can crush the leaves to rub on your skin or use the essential oil in a lotion.
Bitten by a mosquito.
PICTURE: Supplied
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If you unlucky to have been bitten by a mosquito here are 7 helpful tips to treat and heal the bite while stopping the itch:
1. Place a used dry teabag on the bite
2. Rub raw honey onto the bite
3. Dip a cotton wool ball into apple cider vinegar and apply
4. Make a paste using baking soda and water and apply the paste
5. Take the skin of a banana and rub the inside part on the bite
6. Take a leaf off an Aloe Vera plant and rub the bite with the gel like substance that oozes from the leaf
7. Onion, a slice of fresh onion can take the sting out of the bite. Put onto the affected area for a few minutes until the itching subsides