It's Mosquito time
Here's what to do.
How to deter Mosquitos
You can plant a range of mozzie-blocker plants to deter them such as:
- lavender
- marigolds
- citronella or lemon grass
- catnip
- rosemary
- basil
- scented geraniums
- lemon balm
How many to plant and where to plant?
Plant as many as you can around entertaining areas, ideally about 5-10 plants for a patio area.
How to prevent population
Mosquitos breed in still pools of water such as ponds or water bowls.
Here are a few tips:
- Incorporating fish to eat larvae
- installing pumps to aerate the water
- emptying pot trays will refresh the water regularly to wipe out the next mosquito generation.
Reduce reliance on chemical
If possible, avoid using chemical sprays as they can be harmful to beneficial insects, including bees.
One of the best ways to reduce reliance on these products is to create a physical barrier between your outdoor entertaining zones and the mozzies.
Wearing long sleeved clothes and full-length pants or installing a screen of mosquito netting can help.
Burning citronella oils or coils can also help deter pesky mosquitoes from ruining your outdoor gatherings.