Plants that Repel Mosquitos? [Archive]

ejchase

6-27-20, 5:43pm

Hi All,

I'm a beginner gardener, and I live in Los Angeles. My nine-year-old daughter and I have a couple of raised beds we've just planted a few things in - cucumber, tomatoes, lettuce, squash. We're excited to do more in our yard this summer, but we both have a LOT of mosquito bites from the little time we've already spent out there. I've heard there are are some plants that repel mosquitoes (lavendar, marigolds, etc.), but I've also heard that's a myth. Any thoughts?

And if plants won't help us get protected from the mosquitoes, is there anything else we should try? Citronella candles?

We are now spraying ourselves with repellant, but I hate to use that stuff.

Thanks for your help,
Elizabeth

Tybee

6-27-20, 5:48pm

Hi All,

I'm a beginner gardener, and I live in Los Angeles. My nine-year-old daughter and I have a couple of raised beds we've just planted a few things in - cucumber, tomatoes, lettuce, squash. We're excited to do more in our yard this summer, but we both have a LOT of mosquito bites from the little time we've already spent out there. I've heard there are are some plants that repel mosquitoes (lavendar, marigolds, etc.), but I've also heard that's a myth. Any thoughts?

And if plants won't help us get protected from the mosquitoes, is there anything else we should try? Citronella candles?

We are now spraying ourselves with repellant, but I hate to use that stuff.

Thanks for your help,
Elizabeth

You can grow citronella plants. Also plants that contain pyrethrum that are in the chrysanthemum family, including daisies.

Yppej

6-27-20, 5:57pm

You could get a bug zapper and hang it over the garden.

rosarugosa

6-28-20, 6:07am

I'm a big fan of the small portable Thermacell devices like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Thermacell-Cartridge-Repellent-Protection-Mosquito-Free/dp/B07JCQ8GQJ/ref=asc_df_B07JCQ8GQJ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=242009199808&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3680853085738451589&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001919&hvtargid=pla-575390729923&psc=1

JaneV2.0

6-28-20, 10:49am

I'm a big fan of the small portable Thermacell devices like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Thermacell-Cartridge-Repellent-Protection-Mosquito-Free/dp/B07JCQ8GQJ/ref=asc_df_B07JCQ8GQJ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=242009199808&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3680853085738451589&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001919&hvtargid=pla-575390729923&psc=1

I like the looks of this. I'm not fond of killing anything if I can avoid it, and listening to various bugs being executed nearby would drive me into the house pronto. If I were bothered by biting insects, I'd definitely buy one of these.

Teacher Terry

6-28-20, 11:31am

Plus with the zapper you have to empty the bag of dead insects periodically.

Tradd

6-28-20, 11:40am

Avon Skin So Soft works well.

Rosemary

6-28-20, 2:01pm

I live in Minnesota, where the mosquitoes are truly as large as the jokes imply, but at least mosquito season is only a few months. I previously lived in Tucson, where the mosquitoes were tiny and numerous and in my yard for about 10 months of the year. I wear long sleeves, long pants, and tuck my pants into my socks when in the yard during peak mosquito hours (morning and evening). I try to do most of my gardening when the bugs are not around (e.g. working in sunny areas, as the mosquitoes prefer damp shade). In my experience, the essential-oil based repellents work only a little, and even DEET won't chase away the hungriest mosquitoes.

razz

6-28-20, 3:23pm

Another thermacell fan here.

Tradd

6-28-20, 5:02pm

It’s funny you’re recommending the Thermacell. I used to handle getting the repellent, appliances, and the butane cartridges into the US. EPA was a hot mess to deal with.

Gardnr

6-28-20, 11:57pm

I have lavender and marigolds sprinkled everywhere. Couldn't tell you how many years since I've seen a mosquito here.

catherine

6-29-20, 8:27am

I have lavender and marigolds sprinkled everywhere. Couldn't tell you how many years since I've seen a mosquito here.

Same here!! I didn't realize they are mosquito repellants though.

ToomuchStuff

6-29-20, 10:06am

This thread brought back memories of Venus fly traps.

KayLR

6-29-20, 12:02pm

also make sure you don't have any standing water anywhere...they love that. My hometown is having a major mosquito fest this year. There are a lot of shady creeks with shallow areas.

Teacher Terry

6-29-20, 4:06pm

Luckily we have very few skeeters:)). Last time we were in Wisconsin they had a wet spring and they were awful in the summer.

ejchase

6-30-20, 2:00pm

Thank you, Everybody!

I think I'm going to plant some lavender and try the Thermacell device - I had never heard of one of those before!

catherine

6-30-20, 2:06pm

I like the looks of this. I'm not fond of killing anything if I can avoid it, and listening to various bugs being executed nearby would drive me into the house pronto. If I were bothered by biting insects, I'd definitely buy one of these.

The active ingredient seems to be d-allethrin. One very cursory look (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allethrins) indicates that it can be toxic to some other insects like bees... Does anyone know if bees are attracted to this type of a repellant? I wouldn't use it in my yard if so. I just planted a pollinator garden--talk about bait and switch! :(

JaneV2.0

6-30-20, 3:36pm

The active ingredient seems to be d-allethrin. One very cursory look (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allethrins) indicates that it can be toxic to some other insects like bees... Does anyone know if bees are attracted to this type of a repellant? I wouldn't use it in my yard if so. I just planted a pollinator garden--talk about bait and switch! :(

Good question!

Tradd

6-30-20, 3:52pm

The active ingredient seems to be d-allethrin. One very cursory look (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allethrins) indicates that it can be toxic to some other insects like bees... Does anyone know if bees are attracted to this type of a repellant? I wouldn't use it in my yard if so. I just planted a pollinator garden--talk about bait and switch! :(

Active ingredient on Thermacell items is most definitely d-allethrin.

rosarugosa

6-30-20, 6:30pm

I'm not sure I follow the question. It's a repellent, not an attractant. The device works by repelling the insects in a 15 SF area. It doesn't attract and kill like a bug zapper.

ETA: I do tend to use my device in the gazebo, which is in a shady area surrounded by foliage plants, so it isn't really a pollinator hangout.