I can't think of any plants that attract the predators of adult mosquitoes. Few adults insects mess with them. Swallows and a few other birds are somewhat interested, as are bats. You can certainly put up bird houses! I can testify to the fact, that if barn swallows build a nest and raise a family on your property that your yard will be their primary territory! Holy cow!

The most helpful chores are those that I'm sure you've heard over and over...make sure that there is NO standing water anywhere. If you have a pond or lake, it should be treated with the biological larvacide (Bacillus thuringiensis-i). The aquatic nymphs (naiads) are predated upon by certain fish and the nymphs of several insects....the dragon fly is a great example.

If you live in a development where a water feature is an amenity, all homeowners must insist that the management treat with Bt-i on a routine basis. Fish and dragon fly nymphs can be stocked in such ponds, the Bt-i won't harm anything but the mosquito wrigglers.

We discovered a few years ago that mosquitoes hide INSIDE shrubs and bushes during hot days. Several times a year I use the pump sprayer to kill them. I stick the spray wand inside the bush and spray up, down, north, south, east and west. It makes a big difference. If you have any grassy, overgrown areas, spray them too.

tsmith, mosquitoes DO seek shelter within the shade of shrubs and grasses. I'm not sure what you use in your pump sprayer but it probably shouldn't be a broad spectrum pesticide of some kind. Or, at the very most, it could be something like insecticidal soap, which would be quite effective in killing mosquito adults but less harmful on a myriad of beneficial insects, and other wild life. And us.

Neem oil, by the way, has been found to be very effective at repelling mosquitoes. Apply the plant spray to your garden areas, deck, etc. It is also a common ingredient in botanical repellents designed us to apply to our skin.

i am convinced mosquitos live in the ground here at my house. i will try spraying the bushes - i'll try the neem oil. thanks!

Thanks for the suggestions. We have a small mosquito machine that works decently, but also makes a buzzing noise that can be annoying. I'll try the neem oil and see how it works.

I recently read that dragon flies eat mosquitoes, so I may see if I can find some plants that attract dragon flies. Also, we are putting up our first bird house this weekend. Hopefully that will help.

One problem we are going to have this year is a little bit of standing water. We had to put in a drainage system consisting of a box that is placed in the ground and collects water then sends it to the street. However, inside the box is always a bit of standing water. I guess I should get biological larvacide? What exactly is that and where can I get it?

In addition to bird houses, you might consider bat houses. Bats are very effective predators for mosquitos.

Amy

biscuit, look for a product called 'Mosquito Dunks' at any garden center. You can break them up and dissolve them in water to apply or just crumble part of a dunk where you have the standing water. If it's alot of water, you'll need more. The active ingredient on the product will be Bacillus thuringiensis....no matter what the trade name is, you can always read the label and find the active ingredient.

Dragonflies are not attracted to plants. Their larvae are aquatic (like mosquito larvae), and the adults are often found fairly near bodies of water, though they are able fliers. The adults are constant predators. I've never thought of them (the adults) as mosquito eaters, though. They are interested in much larger 'game'. I've seen them nab bees out of mid-air. But, they might prey on mosquitoes, too.

Their interest in plants is only in the prey that they might find on those plants.

Here is a tip. Drink 1-2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water before you go outside to work. It will trigger acid pH in your blood & sweat(and breath) which the mosquitos don't like. I won't promise 100 percent protection, but having "field tested" this in the thick of Mobile mosquito season I can tell you it works. The mosquitos used to eat me alive. I got tired of spraying on the deet insect repellant every time.

We also have had good experience with the hose-end mosquito foggers from the hardware store (apologies Dorie). You spray down all the grass and foliage and surfaces around your garden and patio and it keeps them away. It has good effect for a couple of weeks. We do this before parties, and also use the citronella torches which are fun. No mosquito complaints.

Right now I am seeing tons of these big bugs I have heard called "Mosquito Hunters" in the past. What are they, and do they really eat mosquitoes?

Amy

Mosquito hunters, or Mosquito hawks are really crane flies. There are many varieties, but none of them eat mosquitoes, darn it all.

As a matter of fact, the adults of some species don't feed on anything at all. Others may be nectar feeders.

It is the larvae of the crane fly that can become a problem. They are called 'leather jackets', small worm-like insects that typically feed on the roots of young plants. Some species in some parts of the country are terrible lawn pests. Others can become a bit of a pest in the garden.

i have never seen so MANY 'skeeter eaters' they are EVERYWHERE. at home , at work shopping.weird. so big ,one flew by me the other night and i know i felt a small breeze!

I am like a magnet to mosquitos. I've tried all sorts of stuff (tying dryer sheets to my belt, repellents, citronella, skeeter-lanterns, et c, et c) and nothing really works for me. The most effective thing I've found lately is something called a 'Skeeter bag' that I bought for about $10. It's a simple little mesh bag that hooks onto a box fan.

When I'm sitting in a chair on my patio or working in the shop, it works okay. I've not had great luck with it when I'm all over the yard, though. I don't have a good spot to leave a running box fan and since I tend to toss around water while doing garden work, I'm not keen to lug about an electric box fan.

But maybe it would work for you; When things dry out a bit more I'll try leaving my box fan bag thing on for a longer time to see if it works.

My neighbors (students) are bad about leaving out bottles and cans that breed mosquitos. About all I can do is avoid dawn and dusk, and bathe in deet.

Here is a link that might be useful: skeeter bag site

I have lots of mosquitoes - I live within a mile of the Tenn. River so I'm sure that doesn't help. I am using the mosquito dunks in all of my water features. I'm assuming that these are safe around cats and other pets?

I'm fortunate that mosquitos don't seem to like me. I rarely get bitten except on really hot humid days. I read about putting a Bounce dryer sheet in your shoe or around your belt loop and this has helped me.