These Insanely Helpful Garden Plants Keep the Mosquitoes Away
Say goodbye to the outdoor pests. Bugs come with the territory when you’re outdoors, but some are more tolerable than others. If it feels like mosquitoes are invading your yard, it’s understandable to want to do what you can to get rid of them. Enter mosquito repellent plants. Here’s the thing: Experts say that the best way to keep mosquitoes at bay is to use personal repellents recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But if you want to go a more natural route, you may be interested in selecting certain plants—they’re just not necessarily guaranteed to work as well as a spray. “The idea that planting certain plants around your home will successfully repel mosquitoes is only supported by anecdotal evidence and not empirical evidence,” says Eva Buckner, Ph.D., assistant professor and state extension specialist at the University of Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory. It’s important to note, though, that there is some evidence that certain plants may help discourage certain mosquitoes from setting up camp in your yard—they just don’t work as well as a chemical or spray. If it feels like your outdoor space is a haven to mosquitoes, it’s a good idea to “eliminate mosquito breeding grounds on and around your property by draining standing water from flowerpots, birdbaths, grill covers, baby pools, and other sources,” says Jim Fredericks, Ph.D., board-certified entomologist and senior vice president of public affairs at the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). Using a small fan outside may also help keep mosquitoes away since “they are not strong flyers,” Fredericks says. But if you like the look and smell of certain plants and want to see if they keep the mosquitoes away, too, there’s no reason not to try them. These are the plants fans swear are most likely to help get rid of mosquitoes. Snap up one or a few to enhance your outdoor space.
2023-06-26T20:04:01Z
These animals can produce a baby without mating
The vast majority of animals need to breed to reproduce, but a small number of species can have offspring without mating. The process is known as parthenogenesis, which is Greek for "virgin birth." It's a form of asexual reproduction in which the production of offspring occurs in the absence of any male genetic contribution. Females produce unfertilized eggs that will develop into viable embryos. While many people may be shocked by this behavior, parthenogenesis is surprisingly common with various organisms, including plants, insects, fish, and reptiles. Because mammals, including human beings, require certain genes that come from sperm, mammals are incapable of parthenogenesis. Click on to discover the animals that can produce offspring all by themselves.
2024-03-04T10:13:30Z
Near-forgotten comfort food recipes your heart will remember
Ready for a trip down memory lane, where the flavors are as rich as the stories behind them? We're diving into the ultimate comfort food classics, the kind that warm your soul. Picture this: gooey mac and cheese that pulls at your heartstrings, beef bourguignon that's been simmering all day, ready to melt in your mouth, and that chicken-fried steak with gravy—oh, that gravy—just like grandma used to make. We've rounded up a bunch of these old-school favorites that might've slipped off your radar. These aren't just recipes; they're like edible time capsules, bringing you back to Sunday dinners, family gatherings, and those "just because" moments of pure food joy. From the first spoonful of hearty lamb stew to the last bite of a meatball casserole, we're serving up comfort on a plate. Click through the gallery to dive in.
2024-02-23T07:02:21Z
