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Plants to discourage mosquitoes

Plants to discourage mosquitoes

Garden tips: mosquito moves; clay soils; fertilisers; tree suckers

Helen Young

Lifestyle columnist

Sydney

To prevent being bitten, plant citronella grass (picture: Hanna/Wikipedia)

To prevent being bitten, plant citronella grass (picture: Hanna/Wikipedia)Source:Supplied

We seem to get a lot of mosquitoes around in summer. Are there any plants that will discourage them? -Jayne Neubauer, Adelaide

Mosquitoes breed in standing water so, most important, eliminate all sources of stagnant water such as old pots and containers, buckets and blocked gutters. Add sand to pot plant saucers, stock ponds with fish and refresh birdbaths regularly. Plants have only a small deterrent effect. Lemon-scented foliage is effective when bruised or crushed but buying citronella oil is more effective. Try mass plantings of lemon-scented pelargoniums, lemon balm, rosemary, citronella grass (Cymbopogon nardus) andLeptospermum liversidgei‘Mozzie Blocker’.

30th Oct 2015

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