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."

PLEASE do some research on the active ingredient in the clip ons, Metofluthrin. Just Google that one word. Though effective as a repellent, it is not without problems. I would probably end up in the hospital after some exposure to this product. I suspect that this product will not remain on the market for a very long time. It's very difficult to quarantee that there will be no short term liver effects or chronic use cancer incidence. My personal issue is that my liver has been permanently damaged by pesticide use (as a horticulturist) and by a long list of medications for cholestrol and diabetes. Those who could be at risk using this product are those taking liver damaging drugs (most of us), the elderly, children, those who's immune system is compromised, and anyone who cannot read the instructions. Sorry to be an alarmist but pyrethroids must be handled with caution. The manufacturers resist warning labels and restricted use, so it's up to us consumers to do our research.

"Does it work?" - Not really :-) Pelargonium 'citrosum' is marketed as "mosquito plant" or "citrosa geranium" in stores in the United States and Canada, even though research indicates the plant is ineffective against Aedes aegypti mosquitos."Not only was the plant ineffective at protecting humans against Aedes mosquito bites, the mosquitoes were seen landing and resting on the citrosa plant on a regular basis." It is also NOT the source of citronella, which is derived from a type of lemongrass, Cymbopogon spp.

We grow Citronella around our gardens and greenhouse. Stuff grows like weeds too (fast and hardy) . Works great. When you walk by it, just let it rub on you and your good. Works for us anyways! Hope this helps.