Bug (mosquito) repellant plants, continued!

[MamaHawk]

Hi all, I was reading through this post from 2014, and wondered if catnip is still the go-to for mosquito repellant plants? I'm trying to figure out what plants I should have around our outdoor gathering spaces for more bug-free comfort. Any recommendations?

 

[Meadowlark]

Here's what I use in my garden and rank at least as effective if not more so than catnip: 1) Allium, 2) Marigolds, 3) Mint 4) Lantanna 5) Basil, 6) Garlic 7) Onions.

I have rainwater collection barrels around my garden which are mosquito breeding haunts, but have virtually zero mosquito problems and I attribute that to the above plants.

 

[Meadowlark]

Maybe some pictures of my budding "army" of mosquito repellants would help?

Basil interspersed. with tomatoes and tomatillos:

An entire 80 ft row of 4 different varieties of Marigolds coming on next to squash, cucumbers, and navy beans:

Mint growing with peppers, sugar peas, and potatoes:

Lantanna:

Garlic (front right) and Onions and onions oh my:

 

[Esther Knapicius]

Lemon Grass.

 

[roadrunner]

Wow, I just talked about this on another thread. I use an electric hand racket for swatting mosquitoes and I also leave my rain buckets open and allow the mosquitoes to lay eggs, then I dump them when there are a bunch of larvae. I don't have near the problem with them, like I use to, I think mostly because of the buckets. The electric swatter is just for fun...and it's a lot of fun

I've never tried using plants to deter them.

 

[redback]

Encourage the birds. Mosquitoes and gnats get eaten all day long by 'willy wagtail' and 'grey fantail'. I have 50 resident sparrows and about six or more types of small birds that must be controlling the mozzies because there aren't many around.
Birds like trees, nectar, water baths, caterpillars and all insect life.

 

[Esther Knapicius]

I have bats that help here.

 

[roadrunner]

I guess I should also credit all the dragonflies I have swarming over my yard every year

 

[big rockpile]

I'm thinking Geraniums but then again you have Basil and Peppermint.

big rockpile

 

[Tetters]

Maybe some pictures of my budding "army" of mosquito repellants would help?

Basil interspersed. with tomatoes and tomatillos:
View attachment 102550

An entire 80 ft row of 4 different varieties of Marigolds coming on next to squash, cucumbers, and navy beans:

View attachment 102551

Mint growing with peppers, sugar peas, and potatoes:

View attachment 102552

Lantanna:


View attachment 102553

Garlic (front right) and Onions and onions oh my:

View attachment 102554

I think that Meadowlark has made such a good point of promoting the whole importance of organic gardening. If only we could all do it this way

 

[MamaHawk]

Wow, I just talked about this on another thread. I use an electric hand racket for swatting mosquitoes and I also leave my rain buckets open and allow the mosquitoes to lay eggs, then I dump them when there are a bunch of larvae. I don't have near the problem with them, like I use to, I think mostly because of the buckets. The electric swatter is just for fun...and it's a lot of fun

I've never tried using plants to deter them.

I'll have to have a good stack of plants, along with a bucket and a handy dandy swatter for the days where I just feel like hitting something XD Thanks!

 

[MamaHawk]

Encourage the birds. Mosquitoes and gnats get eaten all day long by 'willy wagtail' and 'grey fantail'. I have 50 resident sparrows and about six or more types of small birds that must be controlling the mozzies because there aren't many around.
Birds like trees, nectar, water baths, caterpillars and all insect life.

I (and apparently my daughter as well) love birds, so this is my next goal! I just have to keep the squirrels from interfering too much...

 

[redback]

Dare I mention the mighty web. An engineering fete that plucks insects out of the air.

 

[Tetters]

If water butts are covered with a lid, the mozzies can't use the water to breed in.

 

[MamaHawk]

Dare I mention the mighty web. An engineering fete that plucks insects out of the air.

I can't tell if you mean spiders (which are fine by me) or something man-made?