and other insects.

Any recommendations?

I've read online that citronella is one that's used but other online articles say it doesn't work.

Was looking for experience from the Sig Forum experts.

Where should the plants be placed? How many would I need?

Joshua Tree.
Won't grow near you, but if you move to where it grows you won't have any mosquito's to worry with.

Excellent question.

If anyone also happens to know of a plant/s that ward off gnats, please come forward.

I did a lot of research into this as I have a nice front porch to sit on.

Lemon Grass, Rosemary, and Marigolds help mildly. Marigolds will bring bumble bees if I am remembering that correctly.

I used to trim the tips off the lemon grass once they got big but I would say it's about 30% effective. In all my research the best thing I found was a 5mph wind and skeeters cant navigate through it. So I bought a box fan after spending a bunch on plants that were so so. I also made up a lotion that was lemongrass oil, eucalyptus oil, and rosemary oil that works for about 3 hours on its own. But wind was still the best.

If only it were that easy.

Get rid of standing water sources early in the year. I have two 55 gallon rain barrels for emergency water sources that I have screens on. We had swallows nesting under our porch for years. One year I sprayed the yard with weed and feed stuff and they didn't nest for a couple years. So now I don't spray anything on the grass and the swallows show up and vacuum every damned flying insect right out of the sky.

American Beautyberry.....works for mosquitoes, ticks and ants.

Lemongrass works decently with lot of insects.

quote:

Originally posted by bendable:


the monsanto plant ,
no bugs for miles

Very nice!

Plant one of these next to your patio and you will never have to worry about insects again.



.

Lemon Balm, Peppermint, Lavender, and Oregano. I have Lemon Balm and Lavender in planters on my deck, and Peppermint and Oregano growing about the yard. These plants repel a variety of things, including mosquitoes.

I have a neighbor who insists that the answer is NO plants near their porch. It seems to work, but no so much for the no-see-ums.

quote:

Originally posted by ARMT Guy:
Excellent question.

If anyone also happens to know of a plant/s that ward off gnats, please come forward.

Lavender

We use a mosquito vacuum located in the back corner of the yard (away from where we are). It has 2 bird houses and a bird feeder close to it.
Another bird feeder in the front yard.

We keep grasses short, and church up all standing water. Planter beds utilize the synthetic mulch with anti-bug pesticides in it.

We're virtually mosquito free in one of the worst mosquito areas in the world. I hate mosquitos. Just a few houses over, the mosquitos are terrible.

Mosquito vacuum? What is that ?

My wife is the retired principal scientist of a mosquito control company. She killed them world wide with all sorts of stuff. In America it's all about environmental awareness and sustainability. Products have to dissolve completely in certain time frames. Killing larva is one thing killing adults is another. In other countries like Mexico or Saudi Arabia they could care less about environmental concerns just kill the bastards. Spraying from planes and soon drones. Lots of interesting stuff. Get rid of standing water, even a cup full. As far as plants go good luck, mosquitos build up resistance to man made chemicals incredibly fast. So plants are a cake walk for them. In order to control them they have to constantly change application techniques and formulations to stay ahead of them. Mosquitos kill more humans annually than one could even imagine, millions per year globally. The diseases they spread are horrendous malaria, dengue, on and on.. Nasty little bastards..

DDT used to work great.

If you can find some, let me know. Otherwise malathion. Don't waste your time and effort with plants. They won't work.

Poison and dry weather are your only hope. Without those, ThermaCells work really well to keep them out of the immediate area. Doesn't kill them, but it keeps them away.

quote:

Originally posted by arcwelder76:

quote:

Originally posted by ARMT Guy:
Excellent question.

If anyone also happens to know of a plant/s that ward off gnats, please come forward.

Lavender

Really?

Suppose I'll be headed to Lowes here soon for some lavender.

Those skeeter vacs sound interesting too, but a bit pricey to purchase and operate.