mosquito bug problem - plant solution?

[Alan Greenspam]

I am looking for organic / plant solutions (no DEET or citronella candles because of kids) to the bug problem for a small apartment backyard (surrounded by yards all around. There are many, many bugs.

If anyone has experience (positive or negative) with Thai lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus), catnip or marigolds >whether it grows outside in NYC (Brooklyn), potted or planted he yard is small 10 x 16 how many plants to be effective shade or sun can I plant in the ground now?

or maybe any other plants like insectovores (i've seen some very small ones for sale at Lowe's)

[David Bockman]

Alan Greenspam wrote in news:FPtpe.12530$MX2.5@trndny03:

I would suggest denying the mosquitoes as many breeding areas as you can, and then denying them typical dwelling areas when they are adults. This means removing all standing or stagnant water areas (rooftops? old tires, abandoned swimming pools, even kiddie pools left unattended), then removing as much low growing vegetation as possible-- typically mosquitoes 'lay up' during the heat of the day under the leaves of ankle to knee-high plants (in an urban environment, this can be a nearby abandoned lot filled with weeds, or weeds which have encroached on your own lot or a neighbor's).

Of course your other area to explore is natural predation, which means encouraging bats to dwell in your immediate vicinity.

[Mike]

And/or frogs.

Also consider water plants with highly diluted lemon juice (no more than

10%).

I've tried everything!

[Snooze]

[snip]

Unless you live in the swamps of the carolinas venus fly trips and pitcher plants don't do very well outside. For mosquitoes, make sure no stagnant water is around your property. Even the small puddles in the tray under potted plants is enough.

Mosquitoes are attracted to the heat and carbon dioxide, so things like mosquito magnets work well. Or when you plan on spending some time outside, just put a small block of dry ice in the corners of the yard (make sure kids stay away from it)