by Anne Wiskind, Fulton County Master Gardener Extension Volunteer
This article is part of Garden Buzz, a series from Appen Media and the North Fulton Master Gardeners, where rotating columnists explore horticulture topics like herbs, insects, and wildlife conservation. Find all Garden Buzz articles here.
Mosquitoes are as much a part of Georgia summers as fresh peaches and Braves baseball. There is a saying that Georgia mosquitoes are so big they must check luggage at the airport. In addition to being a terrible nuisance and causing painful bites, they can spread diseases such as West Nile virus, equine encephalitis and Zika virus.
In the spirit of “know thy enemy,” some basic facts about mosquitoes are important. Female mosquitoes require a blood meal — biting a person or pet — prior to laying eggs.
Water is required for the larval and pupal stages of development, so eggs are usually laid on standing water. The amount needed is tiny; an empty bottle cap will do. The larval and pupal stages last around seven days, and the lifespan of an adult mosquito is two to four weeks.
Controlling adult mosquitoes can be challenging. Electrical and ultrasonic repelling devices have not proven effective. Due to the short lifespan of mosquitoes, insecticidal sprays and fogging provide only temporary control, and they can be lethal to pollinators and toxic to people and pets. An integrated mosquito management plan utilizes multiple strategies to ensure a healthy, balanced ecosystem to keep mosquito populations in check.
Since mosquitoes require water to develop, eliminating water sources for larval and pupal development is an effective option. Remove all standing water, such as from trays under potted plants, gutters, downspouts, tarps and tires. Change the water in pet bowls and bird baths at least once a week to interrupt larval development. Buckets filled with water can also be scattered around the yard as an attractive place for females to lay their eggs, and a biologically based larvicide (“mosquito dunks”) placed in the bucket prevents larval development.
Mosquitoes are a food source for birds and beneficial insects, so a layered landscape with trees, shrubs, ground covers and pollinator plants will establish habitats for birds, dragonflies and other insect-eating animals. Bats can eat thousands of insects per night, so adding a bat house may also help control the adult mosquito population. Aromatic cedar mulch may also help keep mosquitoes away from your yard, and a mosquito is no match for a well-placed porch or patio fan.
Mosquitoes target their victims by tracking body heat and the carbon dioxide we exhale. They can be repelled by strong herbal and citrus scents that mask human odor. Plants with strong fragrances can be planted in flower beds or containers around seating areas, doors and windows to repel mosquitoes.
Here is a list of common mosquito-repelling plants:
- Perennial herbs: Lavender, lemon thyme, lemon balm, rosemary, sage and mint. The leaves of these plants must be crushed to release the plant oils and scent. After testing for skin sensitivities, the crushed leaves can be rubbed on arms, legs and the neck to spread the scent. Sprigs of sage, rosemary and lemon thyme can also be burned on a grill or added to a fire pit to disperse the scent.
- Basil: An annual herb that repels flies and mosquitoes without its leaves being crushed. As a bonus, the leaves are great for making pesto.
- Flowering perennials: Catnip and monarda, or bee balm, have fragrances that tend to repel mosquitoes while attracting beneficial pollinators. Allium is a flowering perennial bulb with a garlic or onion scent.
- Annuals: Marigolds act as a natural mosquito repellent because they contain pyrethrum, a compound used in commercial pesticides. Both the flowers and the crushed leaves are fragrant. Scented geraniums are a fragrant annual for beds but can be toxic to skin. The citronella plant on its own has little effect, although the oil from its leaves may act as a repellent. Nasturtium leaves and flowers have a peppery scent.
All these plants should be regularly maintained and trimmed, as new growth is more aromatic than old. Ultimate control relies on staying one step ahead of the mosquito breeding cycle. A few strategic adjustments to your landscape drainage and plant choices will ensure your backyard remains a sanctuary for your family rather than a haven for pests.
Happy Gardening!
Visit Fulton County MGEVs the second and fourth Saturdays at the Alpharetta Farmers Market and the third Saturday at the Sandy Springs Farmers Market. We will also have a booth at the Crabapple Festival in Milton on October 3, 2026.
Learn More
- Insect Repelling Plants for your Garden
- The intersection of mosquito management and pollinator protection
- Best Practices for Integrated Mosquito Management
About the Author
This week’s “Garden Buzz” guest columnist is Anne Wiskind, a Master Gardner since 2024. She is a life-long gardener with an active interest in protecting pollinators and encouraging biologic diversity. Anne does most of her gardening at her lake house in Blairsville, Georgia. She is appreciative of her mentors in the North Fulton County Master Gardeners.
