In a recent innovative green initiative, Foshan Chancheng District's urban management authority has launched a pilot project at Asia Arts Park, deploying mosquito-repelling aromatic plants to explore eco-friendly solutions for preventing mosquito-borne diseases.
The trial focuses on two high-traffic green areas near the park's east gate, where 600 mugwort and mint plants have been planted to create functional yet visually appealing "mosquito-repellent belts."
These plants wield a natural "secret weapon" against mosquitoes: their leaves release volatile compounds that emit distinct odors. These scents serve as unwelcome signals to insects, disrupting their aggregation patterns.
"We're testing this method on a 30-square-meter plot while monitoring mosquito density in and around the planted zones to evaluate its effectiveness," said the head of the Landscape Greening Technical Service Center of the authority.
Should results prove promising, the model will be scaled to implement green mosquito control across parks and broader urban areas, paving the way for sustainable public health strategies.
Author: Wei Shen
Photo: Guangzhou Daily
Editor: James, Shen He
