Think the mosquitoes are bad this year? These 5 backyard plants could be making it worse

You might be creating their ideal environment.

We can all agree that mosquitoes are the worst, so there’s no doubt you’re doing everything possible to keep them out of the yard. There’s no standing water in sight, and yard debris is carefully managed. But did you know there are backyard plants that create the ideal environment for mosquitoes, providing them with shelter and food? If you’ve noticed an abundance of mosquitoes in your yard lately and are wondering what’s up, these plants could be the culprit. 

Meet Our Expert

• Bob Gilbert, MS, PHE, BCE, a board-certified entomologist and staff entomologist with Blue Sky Pest Control
• Heidi Grasman, professional gardener, gardening educator, and co-owner of Garden Crossings
• Emma Grace Crumbly, entomologist for Mosquito Squad Plus
• Kyle Turner, pest expert and CEO of Pro Active Pest Control in El Dorado Hills, California

Related: 10 Chemical-Free Ways to Repel Mosquitoes—That Actually Work

What Kinds of Plants Do Mosquitoes Love?

Mosquitoes are not usually drawn to a backyard plant because of the plant itself. Rather, they’re drawn to the conditions the landscaping creates. 

“Adult mosquitoes need shaded, humid, protected places to rest during the day, and dense vegetation can provide that cover,” explains Bob Gilbert, a board-certified entomologist. 

Generally speaking, Gilbert says this includes thick shrubs, vines, ivy, tall grass, ornamental grasses, heavy groundcover, and overgrown hedges, all of which hold moisture and block airflow. 

“These environments create a cooler, more protected resting site for adult mosquitoes,” Gilbert says. You don’t necessarily have to remove the plants, but it is important to keep them pruned. Also, Gilbert recommends keeping them away from patios, doors, walkways, and seating areas.

Bamboo

Bamboo is a favorite for mosquitoes for all the reasons mentioned above. This plant grows densely and quickly, providing lots of shade and, in some cases, a damp environment that mosquitoes thrive in. Heidi Grasman, a professional gardener and gardening educator, says this is an ideal microclimate for mosquitoes, which “tend to settle in damp, shady, crowded areas.” 

Another issue is the hollow stalks, which can collect water. If you’re growing bamboo, prune the stalks just above nodes to prevent the stalks from collecting water. Also, remove organic debris that may collect on the ground.

Tall Grasses

Other tall grasses can create a nice little homestead for mosquitoes as well. Basically, if it grows tall, densely, and holds moisture, it’s a boon to these pesky bugs. And the longer it goes without being groomed or divided, the more attractive it becomes. Examples include switchgrass, reed grass, fountain grasses, and pampas grass. 

“The dense blades block wind, trap humidity, and stay cool even during the hottest part of the day,” explains Kyle Turner, pest expert. “Adult mosquitoes spend daylight hours resting in sheltered vegetation before becoming active around dusk, and a mature clump of grass gives them exactly that environment.” 

Water-Holding Plants

Standing water is a mosquito’s delight, and it can accumulate in some surprising places. Gilbert says homeowners should pay special attention to potted plants with saucers, low areas where irrigation water collects, and plants that hold water. 

Bromeliads and canna lilies are examples of plants that naturally hold water. “They commonly attract mosquitoes because their deep leaves and stems collect rainwater, creating an attractive breeding site for these pests,” explains entomologist Emma Grace Crumbly. Also note that overwatering, in general, can worsen your mosquito problem.

Dense Shrubs

Mosquitoes love a good hang among dense shrubs. Common culprits include boxwood, yew, privet, and arborvitae, among others. “If it’s packed tightly, stays wet after watering, has poor airflow, or collects leaf litter beneath the foliage, it can become the kind of cool daytime resting place mosquitoes prefer,” Glasman says. 

Ivy

People think of ivy as purely decorative, but from a pest-control standpoint, it creates a hidden ecosystem. “Thick ivy growing on fences, walls, or the ground traps moisture, blocks sunlight, and creates cool pockets where mosquitoes can spend the day protected from heat and predators,” Turner explains. 

Dense ivy also creates a secondary issue: it makes it difficult to spot standing water or drainage problems hiding underneath its foliage blanket. Turner’s recommendation is aggressive pruning rather than immediate removal. Keep ivy several inches away from the house, thin it regularly so air can circulate, and eliminate any containers, clogged drains, or low spots nearby that hold water. 

Read the original article on Real Simple