I'm looking for ways to attract helpful insects to keep mosquitos away and am also interested in plants that can repel them on their own. I want to avoid sprays and other chemicals if possible. The mosquito situation in my area is getting pretty bad! Last year, we managed to attract a few dragonflies, and it was fascinating to watch them catch flies. Our garden is new this year, so I'm curious if anyone has had success attracting dragonflies or other beneficial insects. What do they like, and should I be worried about them eating my food pollinators? Thanks for any advice!
2 Answers
Consider putting up a bat house! Bats can eat tons of mosquitoes each night, helping keep those pesky bugs at bay! They might be a little scary for some, but they do a great job in controlling the mosquito population.
Citronella plants are a great choice! They have a strong scent that naturally repels mosquitoes, and they’re super easy to care for. Another option is beneficial nematodes; they can help eliminate mosquito larvae. Definitely check out the Nature’s Good Guys brand—they're really helpful and safe for your garden. And yes, a bat house is awesome because they can consume up to 1,000 mosquitoes an hour! Plus, you can use Mosquito Bits in areas where they thrive; just soak them first.