Managing Mosquitoes in the Garden – Bug Buster Tips

Mosquito control is especially important in the summer when the possibility of transmitted diseases from mosquito bites, such as West Nile and Zika viruses increases. Most of us in the South have learned, over the years, a few methods to deter pesky mosquitoes from our gardens. Removing standing water is crucial to defeating the conditions in which mosquitoes thrive. If you have bird baths, rain barrels, containers and depressions in your yard that collect water, adding a mosquito dunk – a larvicide with BTI – will effectively kill mosquito larvae for 30 days without harming fish or animals. 

Citronella candles and torches are other options to try, when you are sitting outside and want to avoid these itchy critters.  The pungent scent of citronella actually masks human scents (sweat, carbon dioxide and lactic acid) mosquitoes use to target us, making it more difficult for mosquitoes to locate and find humans.  Please note that citronella products do not kill mosquitoes but confuse them and keep them from approaching us for that drink of blood. 

Did you know that many beautiful plants can deter mosquitoes in your garden, while adding fragrance, color and texture to your outside space?  Placing these plants in areas where you sit or entertain will definitely make a big difference in your enjoyment of the outdoors, while helping to combat your mosquito problem. 

Here is a list of some of the stunning summer plants that can repel those pesky mosquitoes:

Bee Balm: A perennial that is loved by bees, butterflies and other beneficial bugs, but hated by mosquitoes, bee balm features vivid shades of flowers in red, pink white and purple in mid-to-late summer. When the leaves are crushed, a wonderful fragrance is released that is a repellent to the mosquitoes.

Citronella (Lemon Grass) – Lemon-scented plants are prized for their mosquito-repellent properties. An attractive and maintenance-free grass, citronella can be planted in a container and moved to wherever you need it when you are outside or entertaining guests.

Catmint (Catnip) – In a study by Iowa State University, catmint was discovered to be ten times more effective than DEET in repelling mosquitoes! An easy-to-grow perennial, with lovely lavender flowers that bloom throughout the summer, catmint can become invasive, so plant it in containers and enjoy the absence of mosquitoes!

Herbs: Set up your kitchen garden of herbs in pots where you sit or entertain and you will notice the absence of many mosquitoes and other biting insects.  Because of their pungent but pleasant odors, many herbs are wonderful mosquito repellents, including basil, rosemary, thyme, mint, and sage.

Lavender: The luscious and soothing scent of lavender that humans prize, is a repellent to mosquitoes and other insects.  While attracting beneficial critters, such as butterflies and hummingbirds, lavender is a definite turn-off to mosquitoes, moths, flies, and fleas. Lavender needs good drainage and full-sun and will reward you with fragrance and beautiful lavender blooms throughout the summer.

Marigold:  Often planted as a companion around vegetables because of its strong scent, which repels harmful bugs, marigolds are not only a cheerful and colorful annual that thrive in pots, but they will do double duty as a shield against mosquitoes.  Easy to grow, marigolds come in an array of bright colors and variegations, including yellow, orange, pink, gold and white.

Scented Geranium: As their name implies, scented geraniums have a fragrance that is reminiscent of lemon, rose, mint, spice and fruit, depending on the plant you select. The lemon-scented one is most effective at repelling mosquitoes and other insects. Scented geraniums grow well in pots and look stunning on a patio, with flowers blooming from spring to fall. 

All of these mosquito-repellent plants can be found at your local nursery on online at provenwinners.com.