Many of us have accepted that mosquitoes are just an annoying, biting side effect of summer, but what if I told you that this doesn’t have to be the case? Did you know there are actually certain features you can add to your garden to make it mosquito repellent?
During this time of year, I’m always looking for ways to get rid of mosquitoes. But recently I’ve been considering the preventive measures we can use to keep these blood-thirsty pests at bay.
Using scents mosquitoes hate is one effective way to deter mosquitoes, but garden experts are taking it one step further. They’ve revealed five features to turn your outside space into a mosquito repellent garden.
1. Plant mosquito-repelling plants
If you want to lean into scent deterrents, ensuring you have strongly scented plants such as lavender (£7.99, Thompson & Morgan), lemon balm (£2.99, Thompson & Morgan) and rosemary (£7.99, Crocus) is a must. Mosquitoes have highly sensitive scent receptors, and certain strong smells can overwhelm and confuse them, leading them to avoid that area.
‘Combining different plants that naturally discourage mosquitoes while also attracting their predators is a simple and effective way to make your garden less inviting to these unwanted visitors,’ explains Amber Tunney, Plant Buyer at Cherry Lane Garden Centres.
‘Mosquitoes tend to avoid strongly scented plants, particularly when their leaves are brushed or crushed. Varieties such as lavender, lemon balm, basil, rosemary and mint can all help create a fragrant barrier while also adding colour, texture and useful herbs to the garden.
‘A great way to make the most of these plants is to group them in pots or borders around patios, decking and outdoor dining areas, where their scent is most likely to be released as people move around.’
2. Use a fan
You should also consider using one of the best fans when hosting outdoors. Not only will this help you stay cool on hot summer evenings, but the strong breeze makes it harder for mosquitoes to fly (they’re small, weak fliers) and can interrupt their ability to follow scent.
‘A fan positioned at table height directed across the seating area is one of the most underrated mosquito deterrents available. Mosquitoes are weak fliers and cannot navigate in airflow above one mile per hour. A small desk fan or oscillating garden fan creates a permanent barrier around where you are sitting that no insect repellent can match for consistency. Position it low so it disrupts the air at the height mosquitoes fly rather than above head level where it has no effect,’ says Mosh Latifi, Co-Owner, EcoCare Pest Management.
3. Embrace wildlife gardens
An excellent way to deter and get rid of mosquitoes is by having a wildlife-friendly garden. Wildlife gardens house predators such as bats, birds and frogs, which eat mosquitoes.
‘Many garden-friendly animals are natural mosquito predators, including bats, frogs, dragonflies and house martins. By creating a wildlife-friendly garden with native flowering plants, bird nesting boxes, bat boxes or a pond with moving water, you can encourage these helpful species to visit and naturally keep mosquito numbers down,’ says Amber.
Mosh agrees, emphasising the benefits of attracting bats to your garden.
‘A single bat can consume up to 3,000 insects in a single night, mosquitoes included. Fixing a bat box to a north or east-facing wall or tree at least four metres high costs under £20 and attracts common pipistrelle bats that will actively reduce the insect population in your garden each evening. It takes a season for bats to discover and adopt a box, but it is one of the few genuinely long-term natural solutions available,’ he says.
4. Consider your garden lighting
Interestingly, your garden lighting ideas can impact the insects you attract to your outdoor space, as mosquitoes are attracted to cool-toned lights.
‘The lights you choose for your garden can either attract or deter insects. Mosquitoes are drawn to cool-toned lights, which they see more easily, especially during the evening hours,’ says Melissa Quinney, Gardening Expert at Cabin Master.
‘For a less inviting atmosphere, opt for warm-toned, yellow lights (with a colour temperature between 2,200K and 2,700K). These are much less visible to insects and will help keep your outdoor space less buggy.’
5. Remove standing water
One of the most important things you can do is remove standing water from your garden. If you want to keep mosquitoes away from your bird bath, adding a solar fountain (like this £9.99 Amazon fountain) is a great way to keep water moving.
‘One of the most important things you can do is eliminate places where mosquitoes can breed. They only need very small amounts of standing water, so it's worth regularly checking items such as buckets, watering cans, children's toys, plant saucers and bird baths,’ says Amber
‘If you have features like bird baths, it's a good idea to refresh the water every two to three days. This helps prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs while still providing a safe source of water for visiting wildlife.’
This solar fountain will keep the water moving in your bird bath, prevening mosquitoes from laying eggs. It will also turn your bath into a relaxing water feature.
Bats love eating mosquitoes, so encourage them to your garden by installing a few bat boxes.
This portable fan is incredibly powerful and can be used both inside and outside - perfect for your patio.
We can’t promise that these ideas will get rid of all mosquitoes from your garden forever, but by making your garden a less desirable environment for mosquitoes, you will see a reduction in numbers.
