Managing mozzies in the garden

Mosquitoes can find us with unnerving ease, especially when we are relaxing after a long day in the garden. When we’re gardening it can be particularly annoying. Here’s Denis Crawford‘s tips to minimise breeding areas that will help make managing mozzies easier this summer.

• Regularly change water in bird baths and empty out pot saucers and any other containers that may hold water.
• Make sure gutters on buildings are cleared regularly and don’t hold water.
• Install flyscreen mesh over exposed inlets and outlets of rainwater tanks.
• Add native fish to ponds such as rainbowfish (Melanotaenia spp.), Pacific blue-eye (Pseudomugil signifer) or Australian smelt (Retropinna semoni). Do not introduce the exotic ‘mosquito fish’ (Gambusia sp.) – a declared invasive pest in some states.
• Mosquito larvae prefer still water. Consider installing a pump or aerator where practical.
• Well-constructed wildlife ponds should attract dragonflies, which may breed and feed on mosquito larvae.
• Working in tandem with neighbours could make a significant difference. At the very least it will minimise mosquitoes flying in from next door.

Repellent plants

Various plants, such as tea-tree, native mints, lavender, and various ‘Citronella’ plants are touted as being mosquito repellent. Citronella grass (Cymbopogon nardus) is a well-known source of citronella oil. The main insect-repelling component of this oil is citronellal. Where citronella grass is native or has naturalised, studies have shown the grass is only effective at deterring mosquitoes when heated or burnt, or the oil is extracted and applied to the skin. Growing plants don’t repel mosquitoes.

Denis Crawford is our go-to bug expert and his mosquito story in the Early Summer 2025 issue is filled with information to help us understand, and control, these pests. The magazine is available in newsagents and selected supermarkets. You can also subscribe here and get an issue delivered to your door!