JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As Florida enters peak mosquito season, University of Florida experts are setting the record straight on a common summertime belief: plants like citronella and lavender won’t keep mosquitoes away just by growing in your yard.
“Certain plants do contain mosquito-repelling compounds,” said Liah Continentino, a horticulture agent with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension in Monroe County. “But unless you’re extracting their oils and applying them like a spray, they’re not doing much just sitting in your garden.”
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Plants such as mint, basil, and marigolds also contain oils that may deter mosquitoes, but UF experts say scientific support for passive protection — like citronella candles — is limited.
Instead, UF/IFAS recommends a layered approach to mosquito control that combines personal repellents, habitat management, and ecological strategies. This includes attracting wildlife like birds and dragonflies, which help keep mosquito populations in check.
Experts emphasize the importance of removing standing water, which serves as mosquito breeding grounds.
“Even the smallest amount — such as what collects in a bottle cap — can become a breeding ground,” said Jennifer Pelham, UF/IFAS Extension director in Martin County.
To support mosquito control the Florida-friendly way, experts suggest sustainable landscaping practices that include native plants and permanent water features stocked with mosquito-eating fish.
For more tips and resources, visit the UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions website or contact your local Extension office.
