Here is How Your Cat Can Help Repel Mosquitoes
2024. September 17 - Photos: Getty Images Hungary
2024. September 17 - Photos: Getty Images Hungary
Today’s somewhat unconventional article offers cat owners a fantastic opportunity! You’re probably already familiar with catnip’s intoxicating effects and may have purchased it for your feline friend more than once. It can be a great addition to daily life or help calm your cat. But there’s no need to keep rushing to the store for it!
Catnip is easy to plant in a garden or balcony box. Besides saving money by growing your own (you can give it to your cat fresh or dried), you’ll also gain other benefits.
According to an article on the New Scientist website, when a cat chews on catnip, a natural insect repellent is released in high concentrations. This compound may also cause the euphoria cats experience. While your cat relaxes from chewing, mosquitoes are likely to move on to more appealing areas. A perfect combination!
Catnip produces a compound from the iridoid group called nepetalactone, which not only repels mosquitoes but also flies, cockroaches, and other insects or mites. It seems that cats have recognized this beneficial effect, as outdoor cats often not only chew on catnip but also rub their entire bodies on it, coating themselves with a natural mosquito repellent.
Catnip can work as an insect repellent for both people and cats. Some gardening websites suggest that humans can rub the leaves on their skin to keep mosquitoes away, though you should be cautious, especially if you have allergies to certain plants.
Catnip can also be used as an herbal tea. It makes a sweet, aromatic beverage that helps relieve stress, relax muscles and the mind, and promote sleep. Some say it’s one of the best remedies for hangovers, and literature suggests it can also relieve menstrual cramps. Some studies even indicate that it has mild antidepressant properties. However, consuming too much can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and it’s not recommended for people with reflux or for pregnant women due to its muscle-relaxing effects.
The flowering shoots can also be used in the kitchen, making a great addition to salads. The leaves, when combined with citrus, pair well with fish and white meats.
Catnip is a hardy, perennial plant. It tolerates drought fairly well but should be watered, especially during extended dry periods. It prefers sunny or partly shaded spots. It’s a durable plant, nearly impossible to kill, making it a good choice for beginner gardeners.
Since it grows wide, it’s worth taking time to stake it. It can be planted in gardens, balcony boxes, or even indoors in pots. To propagate, plant in spring after the frost or in autumn before the first frosts appear, either by dividing the root ball or using purchased seedlings. In summer, it can also be propagated through green cuttings. If you want it to bloom continuously, trim the shoots after flowering.
Harvesting occurs during the summer when you should cut the top, flowering shoots. A plant younger than one year should only be harvested once. Lay the harvested parts out thinly in a cool, dry place to dry. Once dried, store it in an airtight container to preserve its aroma and potency.
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