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Florida Gardening

mosquito repelling plants?

13 years ago

Not sure about the rest of you but the mosquitoes have been horrible here. A client from up north knows I'm enjoying gardening and suggested that there might be plants that I could plant in the yard that would repel mosquitoes. She said that lemongrass might be one, which makes sense. Are there others that you all know of??

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Comments (11)

KaraLynn
13 years ago
I don't know if just growing it in the yard will help but I've found that spraying lemon eucalyptus oil on my clothes before going out to garden helps a lot in keeping the mosquitos away. This is a good thing since I've developed a bad reaction to bug sprays like OFF. Last time I used OFF in the evening by the next morning I couldn't see or stand straight and was very nauseus. I had to take several antihistamines and didn't feel completely better for a couple days!

I've also found that breaking off a small camfry branch and bruising the leaves and having it hang out of a pocket helps to keep masquitos away but not as well as the lemon eucalyptus oil.
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gatormomx2
13 years ago
There are more than 80 mosquito species found in Florida year round.
I was surprised to read this and find out that mosquitos are active both day and night depending on the species.
Some can fly as much as 25 miles!
Check any object that can hold water.
Even seashells can be a breeding ground for the larvae.
Today I found wigglers in plant saucers and a bird bath.
Those guys were not there yesterday!

This link is quite interesting especially the chart that shows how long different products are effective.

From the same link:
What About Devices That Emit Sound To Repel Mosquitoes?
There is no evidence that wearing devices that emit sound will repel mosquitoes.

Will Garlic, Bananas, Or Vitamin-B Repel Mosquitoes?
There is no scientific evidence that eating garlic, vitamins, onions, or any other food will make a person repellent to mosquitoes.

Here is a link that might be useful: Mosquito Repellents
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The best way to control mosquitoes isn't with plants (sorry). You do it simply by making your yard as inhospitable a place for mosquitoes as possible. Think of your yard like a war front where the mosquitoes are enemy invaders. As Supreme Yard Commander you have many tools at your disposal to defend your territory from these blood-sucking monsters hell-bent on making sure you can't enjoy your yard... 1) Chemical weapons (mosquito traps). 2) Biological weapons (predators). 3) Destructive force (smack!). In my own experience on this war front I've found the following strategies to be most effective at very little cost (and they're also very environmentally friendly =): A) The enemy of your enemy is your friend. Invite bats, amphibians, and reptiles over for an extended stay in your yard by giving them plenty of places to live and hide from their own predators... * Make a log pile (or two, or three!) * Instead of throwing out old fencing or wood scraps, lean some of it against the new fencing or against a tree. * Put up a bat house. * Keep your local bird population fat & happy so they don't resort to eating your precious lizards: Plant Wax Myrtle in your yard (Myrtle berries are like crack to birds. Note: This is also a good way to keep birds off of your fruit trees and berry shrubs =). I personally believe this is why all the fruit and berries at the Jacksonville Zoo are all but untouched by the birds all year long: They have Wax Myrtle *everywhere* and I always see a bird or two feasting on the berries. B) Get rid of standing water. Anything that can hold rain and sprinkler water must be removed or remediated (put them somewherre they won't get wet). C) Don't use any chemicals on your lawn or garden that are known to cause problems for amphibians. This one is hard--you'll have to check up on each and every chemical you're using to make sure that it isn't known to cause things like gender changes in frogs (and fish). Some weed killers are really bad for this. Remember: Anything that can mess up the ecosystem in your nearby waterways is likely to create mosquito problems. Mosquito larvae are just peachy growing up in polluted waterways. Their predators on the other hand... not so much. -Riskable "There's a difference between making a change and making a difference."
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We have lots of lemon grass on our property and use it in Asian cooking and as a tea and a decongestant when I have a cold. Simmer it up with some lemon leaves and camphor oil and I feel like new again. I can honestly tell you that it doe not work to keep the mosquitoes at bay. I still get EATEN ALIVE. The chemical components of lemon grass does contain citronella as it is believed to be a repellant, but unless you crush the root of the lemongrass in large quantities, it is best to keep the bug spray handy. On the other hand the plant itself is beautiful, stays healthy and alive all year round, lives through frost, and is mighty tasty on grilled meats.
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apapjim
13 years ago
I don't remember the name but I bought two "mosquito repeling" plants at the Apopka folage festival about 15 yrs ago. I could hear the clerk snickering as I walked away.

PAPA jIM
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Truscifi
13 years ago
My mom swears mint helps keep bugs in general away and likes to keep some in a planter by the door. I admit I'm skeptical.
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User
13 years ago
plant a lemon eucalyptus tree....no skeeters around it...lou hooked me up with wellsprings gardens...have one huge one, ten in pots and waiting to put in the ground....
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gardencraze
13 years ago
Gatermom, I'm laughing so hard while I'm reading this part

"Keep in mind that repellents do not protect all users equally. The effectiveness of a repellent depends on the mosquito species that is biting as well as the age, sex, level of activity, and attractivness of the human using the repellent."
It's the attractive part... I should have known why I get stung so much LOL.
Happy Gaedening
Carmen
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gatormomx2
13 years ago
That's a good one.
How sexy do we have to be to be attractive to mosquitos?
Not sure if that is a good thing or not!
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fawnridge (Ricky)
13 years ago
If you have sex in the garden, it will, unfortunately, attract the bugs. Go indoors, where you belong.
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mrs_tlc
Original Author
13 years ago
I'll have to check out the lemon eucalyptus tree. I was thinking maybe lemongrass might work too.

LOL fawnridge......no sex in the garden for me..I'm afraid of snakes... LOL

We were out on the lanai with some friends last night and mosquito control was flying over several times so hopefully that will help!
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Truscifi
13 years ago
"If you have sex in the garden, it will, unfortunately, attract the bugs. Go indoors, where you belong."

LOL!!! My garden is in my front yard...
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User
13 years ago
i leave the bark lay as it falls....crush it up...believe me, we have skeeter heaven here! it works....too bad the rest of the yard is like "interview with the vampire!" got ten more in pots and ready to go in the ground by next spring.....thanks lou! mines in the back.....secluded, balmy, tropical, seductive, and full or blood sucking skeeters.......:)
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