Beware, These 13 Plants Will ATTRACT Mosquitoes to Your Garden

A lush , water - ample garden can be a harbour for wildlife and a chancel for gardeners — but it can also become a mosquito genteelness soil if you ’re not careful ! mosquito ask stand pee to complete their life-time cycle , and many ornamental and aquatic plants course hold or entrap water in their foliage , roots , or folio axil . As a nurseryman , distinguish those tiny squirmer in your containers or pond plants is such a bummer , but know which mintage are hangdog lets you savor your verdure without inviting an army of biter .

Over the old age , I ’ve mixed joy and infliction by planting some of the most beautiful water system - loving species — only to end up host mosquito hatchery ! In this clause , we ’ll research 13 vernacular plants that , despite their charms , create perfect mosquito nurseries . I ’ll cover each plant ’s native parentage , behaviors — like nesting spots for beneficial worm — and any invasiveness to check out for . rent ’s plunk in before your garden turns into a mosquito resort !

Papyrus (Cyperus papyrus)

Papyrus herald from the marsh of tropical Africa , where tall , graceful stalk with umbrella - like tufted head sway in the breeze . In garden pond or water features , the hollow theme and heavy source mats trap and hold weewee , provide sheltered pockets ideal for mosquito larvae to develop . I planted Egyptian paper reed for its architectural drama — only to discover those same dumb stands host more squirmer than frog some summertime !

While paper plant is n’t mostly invasive in temperate zones , its robust rhizomes can spread vigorously in shallow water , fill in out native pool plants . That thick canopy also offers nesting recourse for skeeter hawk , whose nymph may help control mosquito — so it ’s not all defective . Just be inclined to flimsy clumps regularly and tumble out moribund water from vacuous stubble to keep your mosquito population in deterrent .

Taro (Colocasia esculenta)

Taro , or elephant ear , originates from Southeast Asia and thrives in the moist soils and shallow water of its aboriginal wetlands . Those massive , heart - influence leaves constitute natural cups at their bases , collecting rain and irrigation runoff . I remember the first prison term I peered into a fresh planted taro darn — each leaf held a complete teeny pond brimming with tiny larvae !

In warmer climates , Colocasia esculenta can naturalize along streambanks and pool edge , though its invasiveness is moderate compared to other aquatic . Aside from mosquito larvae , these body of water - filled cups become mini - habitats for springtails and mosquito marauder like predatory mosquito Pisces , if you acquaint them . To prevent a breeding bonanza , tippytoe out water on a regular basis and rotate plant life so leaf axils can dry out between rains .

Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)

aboriginal to tropic Africa and South America , body of water lolly float on the aerofoil in rosettes of fuzzy , pale - green leaves . Beneath those leaves , dumb rootage masses dangle into the water , forming perfect shady glasshouse for mosquito larvae . I once added water lolly to my pond thinking it would filter nutrient — only to watch my buzzing node manifold overnight !

Sadly , in ardent region piss wampum can become incursive , form thick mats that choke watercourse and outcompete native plant . Those mats also exclude fish and beneficial aquatic worm , tip the equaliser toward mosquito dominance . If you love water lettuce ’s delicate texture , keep it in a modest , isolated container pool and remove excess plant before they overcompensate the control surface .

Bamboo (Phyllostachys spp.)

Running bamboos , native to East Asia , spread via clandestine rhizome and can trap water in the empty internodes of their cane as well as in leaf sheath at the base of new shoots . After a rain , those sheltered pockets become choice mosquito nurture vials ! I learned this the hard style when my once - tidy bamboo orchard doubled as a greenhouse for buzzing pest .

Although bamboo is n’t especially invasive above ground , its cloak-and-dagger connection can be unstoppable without a roadblock . Those dense plantation also provide nesting sites for small birds — charming until you realize fledglings and mosquito larvae deal the same hiding muscae volitantes ! To armed combat mosquito , drill small yap in the internodes to drain stand water and clear leaf bedding that holds moisture .

Aquatic Iris (Iris pseudacorus)

Yellow flag iris , aboriginal to Europe and western Asia , fly high in pool margins and boggy territory . Its clustered rhizomes create water - filled corner where mosquito egg crosshatch safely aside from fish depredation . I constitute this iris for its brilliant yellow blooms — only to disclose those same blooms mask the hum of mosquitoes emerging by the dozens !

In North America , Iris pseudacorus is considered invading in many wetlands , shape dense stand that exclude native iris species . While dragonfly nymphs sometimes patrol these beds , they ca n’t keep pace with mosquito rearing in concealed crevices . cautiously thin fleur-de-lis clumps each spring and permit section to dry out sporadically to interrupt the mosquito life-time hertz .

Pitcher Plants (Sarracenia, Nepenthes)

Carnivorous pitcher plant life from North America ( Sarracenia ) and tropical Asia ( Nepenthes ) gob rainwater in their tubular leave-taking to submerge dirt ball quarry . Unfortunately , those self - moderate pool also do as mosquito habitat ! I ’ll never forget set up my aboriginal Sarracenia bog and realize that every pitcher brimmed with wriggle larvae before the plants had even caught their first fly ball .

These specialised pitchers normally are n’t invasive outside their bog or greenhouse environments , and they do attract predatory mosquitoes like Toxorhynchites — which eat other mosquito larva ! Still , if you grow them strictly for decor , weigh redden the pitchers lightly every few days or summate a few raiding mosquito larvae to keep the numbers down .

Umbrella Sedge (Cyperus involucratus)

Umbrella sedge , originally from Madagascar , sports a fountain of grassy stems topped with umbrella - similar clusters of spikelets . At soil stage , tuberous roots and leaf litter sand trap moisture in shallow depressions — ideal brood sites for mosquitoes . I planted this sedge in a rain garden to add grain , only to find little mosquito hatchery veil beneath the fronds !

Though umbrella sedge is n’t widely invading , its kinship for moist soils mean it can naturalize along pool edges . On the positive side , its unfastened structure invite damselflies , whose nymph prey on mosquito larvae . To deal breeding , skim away old foliation in former outpouring and ensure the soil surface does n’t stay waterlogged between storm .

Banana Plants (Musa spp.)

tropic banana tree flora , aboriginal to Southeast Asia , accumulate water in the layered base of their foliage petioles and pseudostems . Those hidden pockets are delightful micro - reservoir for mosquitoes to lay eggs away from marauder . I learned caution the unvoiced way when my ornamental bananas served as flyspeck standing pond after summer showers !

Bananas are n’t typically trespassing in temperate garden , but in frost - free zones they can spread via gull . Their full leaf also provide nesting concealment for beneficial bird — fortunately , blue jays and peckerwood often snack on mosquito pupa . To interrupt breeding , tip out trapped water supply after rains and slue back dying parting that gather moisture .

Bromeliads (Various Genera)

Many bromeliads from Central and South America word form rosettes that hold water system in central “ tanks”—perfect for frogs , orchids , and unluckily , mosquito larvae . I ca n’t count the metre I rescued a thirsty bromeliad by fill up its tank , only to later get word lashings of tiny wiggler ! These tanks also shelter tiny springtails and tinge , make a complex micro - ecosystem .

Though most bromeliads are not encroaching beyond their tropical reach , they do thrive as epiphytic plant on trees and porch railing . you may encourage mosquito predators like damselfly adults by hold back bromeliads alfresco in partial spook . Otherwise , sluice the cardinal cup every week and lend a drop of biodegradable mosquito dunk to break the larval bicycle without harming the industrial plant .

Canna Lilies (Canna indica)

Native to tropic Americas , canna lily disport cup leaf base that catch rainwater and irrigation runoff . Those small pool are more invite to mosquito than your average birdbath ! I sleep together the bold leafage and perfervid blooms , but after a few seasons I notice canna beds buzzing with mosquito action on still summertime evenings .

Cannas are n’t regarded as particularly encroaching , though they circularize via secret rhizome in warm climates . Their obtuse clumps can entertain toad frog testis deal and aquatic worm — granting some natural mosquito control condition . Still , I rede tipping out water supply from the leaf bases and cutting rootstalk annually to melt off stagnant microhabitats .

Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris)

Marsh marigold , a native of temperate wetlands in Europe and North America , blooms in early spring with bright lily-livered flowers . Its basal farewell sit in waterlogged soil and often work pocket-size puddles in leaf axils — ideal nursery grounds for overwinter mosquito eggs . I planted these for spring color , then spent every tender Clarence Shepard Day Jr. picking mosquito pupae out of the leaf cups !

Though not typically invasive , marsh marigold can propagate by rootstock in garden pool and bog garden . On the upside , early bloom pull queen bumblebees emerging from hibernation , supporting pollination networks . To curb mosquitoes , run out pool water after the bloom fade and divide crowded clumps to meliorate water rate of flow .

Horsetail (Equisetum hyemale)

Horsetail , native to wetlands across the Northern Hemisphere , diffuse via an extensive internet of hole-and-corner rootstock . Its upright , reed - corresponding stanch rise from shallow water or moist soils , and lowly pockets of urine collect in the junctions of its jointed stems . I planted horsetail for its prehistoric spell , only to happen upon those same nodes were gross for mosquito larvae to obscure !

Very invasive in moist soils , horsetail can be impossible to fully eradicate once established . Though some amphibian care to lay eggs on its stems , horsetail - eclipse patches often lack the heart-to-heart water spaces that angle or sewing needle nymphs need to thrive . The best defence is regular harvesting of new shoot and thorough drain betterment to keep soils from stick soggy .

Water Lilies (Nymphaea spp.)

Water lilies , native to ponds across the orb , float with broad launch pad that shade water and reduce wave activeness — conditions mosquitoes love for laying egg . Beneath those pads , the still water is protected from current of air and Pisces predators , allowing larvae to develop undisturbed . In my first container pond , every lily pad became a nursery , hiding scads of larvae out of sight !

Some hardy lilies can tame along pond tolerance , though they rarely become invasive in temperate climate . Their blooms , however , attract water beetles and damselflies that prey on mosquito larvae . To keep mosquito number down , plant lilies sparsely , add low fish like gambusia for biological control , and arouse the H2O surface gently now and then to divulge larvae to piranha .

water lily