Thank you all for your advice (sorry for the late thank-you -- have been having intermittent computer problems). I wish the prevention part were that easy -- we live in Va. Beach and our property is on the Lynnhaven River -- fairly brackish shallow muddy and probably mosquito nirvana. Our property has a "dog leg" strip that goes down to the water, but we haven't cleared it yet (and legally I'm not sure how we'll wind up doing that -- harsh restrictions because they're trying to revive historical oyster beds). That area is full of marsh grasses, poison ivy and lots of muddy puddle areas. The perimeter of the rest of our rectangular lot is fairly heavily covered in trees, azaleas, ivy, etc. -- lots of hiding places. We're working to clear it somewhat (replacing ivy with mulch) but I also am torn -- I like providing habitat for wildlife (and we have plenty!). I think the biggest problem are the Asian tiger mosquitoes. They're out all day and are so small and fast -- and from what I've read can breed in 1/4" of water very quickly. We purchased one of those pheromone/CO2 traps (is supposed to lure them in where they're fanned into a tray of soapy water) and caught lots of moths. I called the manufacturer in New Zealand and was told that "oh -- they'll work on pretty much all mosquitoes except Asian tiger mosquitoes." We've also got what I'd consider a healthy predatory population -- tons of skinks, snakes, frogs, every bug imaginable (some have got to be predatory, right?) -- I know we've got wheel bugs because I accidentally killed a nymph yesterday before I realized it wasn't a squash bug nymph (similar body shape; wrong color...). Spiders everywhere. We live on a secluded private lane and I've never noticed the city spraying back here. But,.... we're getting eaten alive. Even my husband and kids are getting bitten this year, which is rare. Contrary to what I've heard on the news from "studies" I would disagree that concentrations above 15-20% deet are no more effective than the lower ones. If I wear the "regular" lower concentrations I might as well wear "here's dinner" signs. When I wear the 10-hour yucky oily stuff that's 95% deet it works like a charm. It's horrible, and who knows what it's doing to me, but at least I can step outside and check the garden. But, I did get in my shipment of essential oils -- I just still don't know how to mix the concoctions -- I've read the recipes posted but don't know what the base is. I'm even growing lots of catnip -- I don't yet have enough to take handfuls of the stuff and rub it on myself, but I'm working on it! So thanks again -- and I'll still welcome any recipes! mcaren

Samantha - I too, thought of just redoing all of the entire beds, but I knew it would still be lurking there, just waiting for me to take a breath before it sprang back up! Pulling did not work at all for me in the beginning- I had huge areas that were just covered with it. Digging deeply and repeatedly throughout a couple of seasons did help manage/weaken it. (I've come to believe I will never eradicate it). If you do pull, try to follow the roots back to the mother plant - there's usually one huge one that sends out all the runners. The new shoots that come up will be easier and closer to the surface. But try not to miss a season - they're like little Gremlins & will spread & grow stronger if you turn your back on them :) Linlily, I think I might try the Eco Blend. I've decided not to use the round-up. In good conscious, I just can't, with all the wildlife we have around here. Thanks for something else to try. And rouge21 - container growing is the way to go - just don't let the little buggers root from the bottom of your container or crawl over the side, lol.

Outsmarting the tree rats (squirrels) around my house is a full time job. This past spring I hit on a new idea. When I plant a container I invert an empty wire hanging basket over the container and the plant gets sun and can be watered but the squirrels can't dig in it. Another idea: I bring in a lot of plants to "over winter" under lights in my garage. I have so many that it is hard to reach my hand under the lights (4 shop lights) to the middle for watering. So I bought a pump sprayer with a long wand and it works great! In late winter I add a little liquid Dawn detergent, few drops, to each gallon of water and not only does the soil get wet easier but the worms that are waiting to hatch into distructive pets just don't hatch. Don't know what it costs me to run those four shop lights all winter but I don't care. It is a small price to pay to be able to "garden" every weekend in the garage. Many people have mentioned that they mark their outdoor plants with a "permanent Sharpie". In my experience there isn't a "permanent Sharpie", they all fade and quickly too. A grease pencil/china marker or expensive "no fade" garden center marker are the only markers I have found that won't disappoint you by fading. Eight years ago I decided to learn about gardening so I tapped into my local library. I checked out nearly every book they had on gardening and learned so much. The Gardenweb forums are also a wealth of information and entertainment. There is always something new to learn and I appreciate all of you who take the time to write in your ideas. One last idea from me...I keep a small notebook on my computer table and jot down any idea I find that's new and I will want to try. Little pieces of paper get lost but I always know where my notebook is and also use it when I order "on line" so I will remember the name of the company and the order date. Tina or Trowelgal

Steffie, I cannot believe they spray their toxic chemicals whether you want them or not, and then they charge you for it That is so wrong. Do you know what chemical they are going to use? I just hate that it is going to happen. Whenever widespread chemical spraying occurs, so many beneficial insects are killed, and of course, the birds, frogs, etc. who eat those chemically-treated bugs are at risk of dying also. When we had a horrendous grasshopper problem here in the early 2000s, a lot of ranchers, farmers and residents sprayed chemicals quite heavily. These same people then complained mightily about how we didn't have any bluebirds (and other songbirds) for the next 2 or 3 years. Gee, I wonder what happened to the birds at the exact same time the bugs were nuked? I know you will lose many of the butterflies and moths you have been enjoying and that is so regrettable. A lot of insects (INCLUDING adult mosquitoes) will survive the spraying, though, if they seek shelter before the chemicals hit them. Many organic activists insist that the spraying is not even that effective. The truth is that mosquitoes have a short life cycle anyway, so you will see a natural decrease in their numbers about 4 to 6 weeks following the kind of major population explosion you see after an extremely rainy period. So, even if the city wasn't spraying, you would see a population decrease.....and the city will say it was caused by the spraying of course. The organic gardening community in Fort Worth fought to prevent widespread spraying in 2000 and they WON! Actually, Fort Worth had not done widespread spraying since the early 1990s, but was under considerable pressure by residents to 'do something' about the mosquitoes in 2002. I am proud that Fort Worth chose to go the least toxic route. I've linked a page that has their mosquito-spraying philosophy on it in case anyone is interested. It takes city officials with courage to stand up to the unenlightened members of the community who are screaming for mosquito spraying. Dawn Here is a link that might be useful: A Common-sense Approach to Mosquito Control